An honest round-up of the newborn products a real stay-at-home mama swears by — and the ones she wishes she’d left on the shelf. No fluff, just the truth.
The newborn products I actually use (and a few I wish I’d skipped) Read More »
Why I stopped buying from Etsy and started making it myself Okay, I need to tell you something about Etsy. A few months ago I was browsing for a cute personalised onesie for my little one and I nearly paid €28 for it. It was adorable, I won’t lie. But something made me pause and look into how it was actually made. That’s when I discovered print on demand — and honestly it changed how I shop and how I think about making money from home. So what is print on demand? Print on demand (POD) is simpler than it sounds. A company holds blank products — onesies, mugs, tote bags, wall prints — and when someone places an order, they print a design onto it and ship it directly. No warehouse. No stock. No upfront cost. Think of it like a custom cake shop that already has the cake ready — they just add your name on top. Here’s the part nobody tells you: a huge number of Etsy shops are doing exactly this. They’re not hand-printing anything in a cottage. They’re using print on demand services and charging you for the convenience of finding them. How much are you actually overpaying? Let me show you a real example. A personalised baby onesie on Etsy: around €22–28. The same blank onesie on Printify — the print on demand platform I use: around €7–9. Add one of my Canva templates for €3, customise it yourself in ten minutes, and you’re looking at €10–12 total. For the same product. That difference adds up fast when you’re buying for a baby shower, a birthday, or just because you want something cute without the guilt. Option 1: just save money — no shop needed You don’t need to open a shop. You don’t need to sell anything. You just need a free Printify account and five minutes. Pick a product, upload a design (or grab one of my templates), and order it for yourself at cost price. That’s it. No commitment, no tech skills required. Option 2: turn it into a little income from home If you want to take it one step further — and I say this as someone who was made redundant before having my baby and desperately needed flexible income — you can connect Printify to an Etsy shop or your own website, use your designs, set your own price, and earn the difference on every order. No stock to hold. No packaging to sort. Just your design, their printing, your profit. It’s not a get-rich-quick thing. But for a mama who wants something flexible, creative, and genuinely her own? It’s one of the most accessible options out there. Why I’m telling you this When I had my baby I knew I didn’t want to go back to corporate. I wanted to be home, be present, and still contribute. Printify is one of the tools that made that feel possible — and I genuinely believe more mamas should know about it. Not to sell to you, but because I wish someone had told me sooner. Your next two steps If any of this sounds interesting, here’s all I’d suggest you do right now. First, create a free Printify account — it costs nothing and you can just look around. Second, if you want a design to start with, browse my template shop — everything is made to be simple, pretty, and easy to customise in Canva. That’s it. No pressure, no overwhelm. Just two small steps that might change how you shop — or how you earn.
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Skip Etsy: How to Create Custom Baby Shower & Bachelorette Gifts for Half the Price If you’ve started planning a baby shower or bachelorette party, you’ve probably fallen into the same trap as everyone else… You open Etsy, add a few personalised tote bags, maybe some custom glasses… and suddenly your total is €150+ The truth is: You’re not paying for the product, you’re paying for the middleman. But here’s the good news…You can create the exact same personalised items yourself, for a fraction of the price. And no, you don’t need design skills or a Cricut machine. How Much You Actually Save Let’s break it down:On Etsy:– Personalised tote bag: €15–€25 each– Custom mug/glass: €10–€18 each– Shipping: €10–€20– For a group of 10? You’re easily spending €150–€250DIY Method:-Tote bag via Printify: €6–€10-Glasses: €5–€8-No bulk markup-Total: closer to €60–€100-That’s literally half the price. The Easy DIY Method (No Experience Needed)Here’s how it works: Step 1: Use a Ready-Made Design Begin with a template instead of designing from scratch. This is how most sellers create their products, but by doing it yourself, you skip the extra cost. You can use a free template to get started quickly. I’ve created free editable templates you can grab below. See free editable templates Step 2: Edit in Canva Open the template and personalise it with your event details, such as names, dates, or colours. The platform is very easy to use, and most designs only take a few minutes to customise. Step 3: Upload to Printify Upload your design to Printify and choose the product you want, like a tote bag or glass. You’ll instantly see a preview so you can check everything before ordering. Print on Printify Step 4: Order & Deliver Once you’re happy, place your order and let Printify handle printing and shipping. Your items will arrive ready to use, with no extra work needed. Or you can skip Step 1 and 2 and design from scratch on Printify Start Designing on Printify Get My FREE Templates (Save Even More) If you want to skip the design step completely, I’ve put together a free starter pack. Want Something More Premium? If you want more polished, unique designs (the kind that look high-end Etsy level), I’ve also created a collection of ready-to-use templates in my shop. These include: Matching sets (totes + glasses + signs) Trendy, aesthetic designs Fully customisable in minutes 👉 Browse my templates here ⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid Before you order, avoid these: Uploading low-quality files Not checking product sizing Ordering too late (leave 1–2 weeks) I walk through all of this in the free guide included with the templates. Final Thoughts Etsy is great for inspiration but you don’t need to pay premium prices for something you can easily create yourself. With the right templates and tools, you can: Save €100+ Fully personalise everything Still get that Pinterest-perfect look Grab your FREE templates now and start creating your own custom baby shower or bachelorette gifts today.
Skip Etsy: How to Create Custom Baby Shower & Bachelorette Gifts for Half the Price Read More »
The Breastfeeding Struggle No One Prepares You For (And the One Product That Helped Me Get Through Week One) No one tells you the truth about breastfeeding. Not really. You hear words like “natural”, “bonding”, “beautiful”. But no one sits you down and says: “The first week postpartum can feel like one of the hardest things you’ve ever done.” Because it can. The First Week: When Reality Hits Your baby is here. You’re exhausted, emotional, healing… and suddenly responsible for feeding a tiny human every 2–3 hours. But then comes the part that catches so many of us off guard: Your baby won’t latch properly Your nipples are sore, cracked, or bleeding Your milk hasn’t fully come in yet You’re questioning if your baby is getting anything at all And every failed latch feels personal. Like your body is letting you down. When Latching Just… Doesn’t Work For some moms, breastfeeding clicks instantly. For others? It’s a cycle of: Baby crying You trying to position Baby slipping off More crying (from both of you) And if you have flat or inverted nipples, it can feel even harder. Because your baby doesn’t have much to latch onto yet — especially in those early days when everything is new for both of you. The One Product No One Talks About (But Should) In the middle of all that frustration, there’s one simple tool that can make a huge difference: A contact nipple shield — like the Medela Contact Nipple Shield. It’s not flashy. It’s not something influencers talk about much. But for many moms in week one? It can be the difference between giving up and keeping going. If You’re Struggling, These Might Help Medela Contact Nipple Shields haakaa Nippleshield Silicone Nipple ShieldsMomcozy Ultra-Thin Nipple ShieldsDr. Brown’s Butterfly Breastfeeding Nipple Shields What Is a Contact Nipple Shield? A contact nipple shield is a thin, flexible silicone cover that sits over your nipple during feeding. It: Gently draws out flat or inverted nipples Gives your baby something easier to latch onto Still allows skin-to-skin contact Think of it as a temporary bridge while you and your baby figure things out together. Why It Helps So Much in Week One 1. It Gives Baby Something to Latch Onto If your nipple isn’t protruding yet, your baby may struggle to stay latched. The shield creates a shape that’s easier for them to grab — reducing frustration on both sides. 2. It Reduces Pain While You Heal Let’s be honest: early breastfeeding can hurt. If you’re dealing with: Cracked nipples Bleeding Extreme sensitivity The shield acts as a barrier, giving your skin time to recover while you continue feeding. 3. It Builds Confidence (When You’re Ready to Quit) There’s something incredibly emotional about finally seeing your baby latch — even with help. It shifts everything from: “Why can’t I do this?”to “Okay… maybe we can do this.” And that mindset shift matters more than people realise. 4. It Buys You Time Breastfeeding is a learning curve — for both you and your baby. The nipple shield doesn’t have to be forever. It just: Takes the pressure off Helps your baby practice Gives your body time to adjust Many moms gradually wean off it once latch improves. The Part No One Talks About Using a nipple shield can come with mixed emotions. You might think: “Am I doing this wrong?” “Shouldn’t this be natural?” “Why do I need help?” But here’s the truth: 👉 Needing support in week one is completely normal. Your body just went through birth.Your baby is brand new to feeding. Nothing about this is supposed to be perfect right away. What This Can Look Like in Real Life Instead of: Painful, repeated failed latch attempts A hungry, frustrated baby You feeling overwhelmed and defeated You might get: A successful latch (even if it’s assisted) A calmer feeding experience A little bit of relief and reassurance And sometimes, that’s all you need to keep going. Is It Right for Everyone? Not necessarily — but it can be especially helpful if: You have flat or inverted nipples Your baby struggles to stay latched You’re experiencing significant nipple pain You’re close to giving up in the first few days If you’re unsure, a midwife or lactation consultant can guide you on using it correctly. The Honest Truth Breastfeeding can be beautiful. But in the beginning? It’s often messy, emotional, painful, and uncertain. And having the right support tools — even simple ones — can change everything. If you’re heading into postpartum, here’s what I want you to know: Struggling to latch is incredibly common Flat or inverted nipples can make it harder — but not impossible Tools like a nipple shield are support, not failure And sometimes…The product no one talks about is the one that helps you get through the hardest days.
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Etsy is a bustling marketplace where creativity thrives, but standing out can be a challenge—especially for sellers of Canva digital products. If you’re looking to elevate your shop, you’re in the right place! This post will guide you on how to catch the eye of potential customers and drive traffic to your store. Plus, we’ll explore how Creative Market can be your best ally in this journey. 1. Optimize Your Listings 2. Create Unique and Valuable Products 3. Leverage Creative Market for Design Assets Creative Market is a fantastic resource for digital design assets that you can use in your Canva products. Here are three standout categories to consider: Loading Preview… Powered by Loading Preview… Loading Preview… Powered by
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25 Baby Shower Games That Guests Will Actually Love Let’s be honest — baby shower games have a bit of a reputation. Mention them and someone in the room will groan. But here’s the thing: when the games are actually good, they’re the part everyone talks about afterward. They get people laughing, help guests who don’t know each other break the ice, and make the whole celebration feel less like a formal gift-opening and more like a real party. I’ve pulled together 25 baby shower games that actually work — whether you’re hosting 8 people in a living room or 40 in a hired venue. Some are classic, some are silly, some are genuinely sweet. Mix and match to find your vibe. And if you want to skip the DIY prep work — I’ve created beautiful, ready-to-print versions of these games in the Tails & Tiny Toes shop. Instant download, print at home, done. 🎀 The Classic Games (Crowd-Pleaser Guaranteed) These are the ones that work every time. You can’t go wrong with them. 1. Baby Bingo Guests get bingo cards filled with baby-related words instead of numbers. As gifts are unwrapped, everyone marks off what they see. First to get five in a row wins — and trust me, people get surprisingly competitive about this one. Ideas to use: Pacifier Bib Onesie Rattle Baby shampoo Swaddle blanket Bottle Diaper bag Stroller Teething toy 💡 Print a set of 8–12 unique cards so no two guests have the same one. 2. The Price Is Right – Baby Edition Show guests common baby items (or photos of them) and have everyone guess the retail price. Closest without going over wins. This one always sparks a chat about how expensive newborn life really is — solidarity! Ideas to use: Pack of Pampers diapers Jar of baby food Pack of wipes Infant formula canister Pacifier 2-pack Baby blanket Teething ring 3. Don’t Say Baby Each guest gets a clothespin or a paper necklace tag at the start. If anyone hears you say ‘baby,’ they steal your pin. The guest with the most pins at the end wins. Simple, no prep needed, and it runs itself all party long. Ideas to use: Make cute little rule cards to place at each seat so everyone knows the rules from the start. 4. Baby Word Scramble Unscramble baby-related words against the clock. First to finish correctly wins — easier than it sounds when you’re doing it under pressure! Ideas to use: reidap → diaper telbtat → bottle baleknt → blanket poenh → phone (sneaky one) sseon → onesie relstorl → stroller ricb → crib 5. Nursery Rhyme Quiz Fill in the blanks from classic nursery rhymes. Great for all ages and generations — grandmas will absolutely dominate this one. Ideas to use: “Mary had a little ___ (lamb).” “Twinkle, twinkle, little ___ (star).” “Jack and Jill went up the ___ (hill).” “The cow jumped over the ___ (moon).” 💡 Works beautifully as a printed worksheet with a timer. Games All About the Parents-to-Be These ones make the mum-to-be the star of the show — which is exactly how it should be. 6. Who Knows Mummy Best? Guests answer trivia questions about the mum-to-be. She reveals the answers and whoever gets the most right wins. This is always a sweet moment — and it’s fun to see who’s been paying attention. Ideas to use: What’s her favourite snack? What’s her weirdest pregnancy craving? What’s her favourite colour? How many kids does she want? What was her first job? What’s her dream holiday destination? 7. Who Knows Daddy Best? Same as above but for the dad-to-be. Guests are often surprised how much (or how little) they know about him! Ideas to use: What was his first car? What sport does he love most? What name would he have chosen? Coffee or tea? Favourite childhood cartoon? 8. Baby Predictions Guests predict details about the baby — date, time, weight, eye colour. Collect the cards and come back to them after baby arrives. Such a lovely keepsake. Ideas to use: Date of birth Time of birth Weight Length Eye colour Hair colour Baby’s first word (fun guess!) 💡 Print these as cute cards the mum-to-be can keep in the baby’s memory box. 9. Old Wives’ Tales Quiz Guests vote on whether classic gender-prediction myths apply to the mum-to-be. Great for pre-reveal parties or gender neutral showers too. Ideas to use: “Carrying high = girl?” “Craving salty = boy?” “Glowing skin = boy?” “Ring on a string test — which way does it swing?” ✨ Want these ready to print right now? I’ve designed a set of beautiful baby shower game printables — Baby Bingo cards, Prediction Cards, Who Knows Mummy Best worksheets, and more. Warm, aesthetic, and ready to download instantly. No design skills needed — just print and play. Browse the full collection in the Tails & Tiny Toes Shop Silly & Active Games (For Loosening Everyone Up) Got a mix of people who don’t all know each other? These ones break the ice fast. 10. Guess the Baby Food Remove labels from jars of baby food. Guests taste and try to guess the flavour. Warning: reactions are always hilarious on camera. Ideas to use: Apple Peas Carrots Banana Sweet potato Pear Green beans 11. Baby Sock Match Dump a pile of mismatched baby socks in the middle of the table. Everyone races to pair them up. The winner is whoever pairs the most in 60 seconds. Chaotic and brilliant. 12. Baby Shower Charades Act out baby-related words or situations — no talking allowed. Team or individual, always brings the laughs. Ideas to use: Changing a nappy Rocking a baby to sleep Baby crying at 3am Bath time splashing Trying to put a onesie on a wriggly baby 13. Pacifier Hunt Hide mini plastic pacifiers around the party space before guests arrive. Whoever finds the most wins a prize. Works especially well at venue parties. 14. What’s
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