The Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA), recommends breastfeeding mums need to eat an extra 2000kj a day on top of the recommended 8-10,000kj a day for a standard diet. Breastfeeding mums produce approximately 800ml of milk a day and the demands of producing that milk means that they need to keep an eye on their diet and make sure they are eating enough healthy foods to look after themselves as well as their baby.

The key to good nutrition for anyone is to eat foods from the five food groups every day. It is important for mum to keep up a good diet from these food groups:

• Fruit
• Vegetables
• Dairy (milk, cheese, yoghurt)
• Protein (meat, chicken, fish, nuts, eggs)
• Grains and cereals (bread, rice, pasta)

As well as eating a nutricious diet, a breastfeeding mother must make sure that her fluid intake is increased. As mentioned above, around 800ml of milk is made per day and baby drains that fluid from the mother’s body. She must replenish her breastmilk so therefore needs to increase her fluid intake to keep herself hydrated and her body producing milk for her baby. Whilst baby is breastfeeding mum is likely to become thirsty so it’s a good idea to have a glass of water with you whenever you are feeding your baby.

Women usually need about 46gm of protein a day, but this amount increases to about 67g for women who are breastfeeding because a lot of protein goes into the breast milk. Examples of foods high in protein are roasted chicken breast, ham, almonds, cheddar cheese and boiled eggs. These are great additions to your diet when breastfeeding.

Breastmilk also drains zinc and iodine from the mother’s supply, so it is important for any breastfeeding mother to increase her intake of both of these vital nutrients. High protein foods are also high in zinc and milk is a good source as well. These days you can buy iodised salt and adding this to your regular meals should be sufficient for breastfeeding mums.

If you feel like you’re not getting enough vitamins and minerals you can always take a specialised multivitamin designed for breastfeeding. Most of the time, these will be the ones you have already been taking during pregnancy, some examples are Elevit and Blackmores Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Gold.

Most breastfeeding mums have the freedom to eat whatever foods they like without any problems. There are however a few guidelines that you might like to know about.

Caffeine becomes very diluted in the blood & is therefore not a problem by the time it gets into breastmilk. The recommendation is no more than four cups per day (this includes, tea, coffee and cola) as the cause for concern with caffeine is the fact that it is a diuretic and causes mum to lose fluid so you will need to drink a lot more non-caffeinated drinks if you choose to drink anything with caffeine during the day. Energy drinks are not recommended at all.

The most recent research says that one standard alcoholic drink is unlikely to harm your baby through breastmilk, any more than that passes through breastmilk in high quantities and can be dangerous to your baby. If you do choose to have a drink, it’s best to wait until baby is in bed for the night and is likely to have a longer stretch between feeds so the alcohol has time to diminish in your milk supply. It’s not all bad news though, if you want to go out for a night on the town and have a few drinks. You can till have a few drinks, all you need to do is “pump & dump”, i.e. express off the breastmilk and throw it away. All you need to remember is that the alcohol in your breastmilk will be similar to what’s in your blood, so if you are ready at 0.05 on a breath test, you will have a similar amount in your breastmilk.

Also, if you smoke, breastfeeding is a good reason to try to quit. Smoking can cause you to produce less milk and the chemicals in cigarettes is released through breastmilk.

Some mums find that there are certain foods that upset their baby’s stomachs. This doesn’t happen with all babies and it’s possible that you can eat all of your regular foods without any problems. However if you do notice that your baby is fussy or has an upset tummy you might need to think back to what you have been eating. Some of the following are known to cause problems for some babies:

• spicy foods
• chocolate
• broccoli
• cabbage
• brussels sprouts
• tomato
• oranges
• onions
• beans

One good thing to remember also is that the flavour of your breastmilk will change slightly with what you eat. It’s believed that babies who are breastfed will enjoy a more varied diet once they are weaned as they are used to a variety of flavours, where formula tastes the same every single time.

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This period of time can be very helpful for the new parents to get themselves settled into the routine of looking after their new baby. A babymoon isn’t only for a first child, a babymoon can be taken for a second, third, even seventh child, as it can be a time for older siblings to bond with the new baby as well.

In general terms the family unit stays in the home as much as possible so there are a few tips for what you can to do to make your babymoon a lovely time of bonding without having to worry about other day to day things.

• Stock up on freezer meals whilst you are still pregnant so you don’t have to worry about cooking.
• If you can afford one, hire a cleaner for a little while.
• Stock up on items that you know will be used, washing powder, toilet paper, soap etc
• Make a sign for the front door stating “Mother and baby asleep, please don’t knock” and use it.
• Have some special toys prepared for older children to play with while you are feeding the new baby.
• Book in a relaxation massage after about a week for when the sleep deprivation hits you.

The best things you can do to prepare for your babymoon are things that are going to mean that you can relax at home without worrying about making dinner or cleaning up after the visitors have left. Prepare whatever you think is going to make your first few weeks with your new baby as blissful as can be.

The more recent definition of a babymoon actually refers to a holiday that the expectant parents take prior to the baby arriving, it’s likened to having a honeymoon after getting married. Generally a babymoon of this sort will only be done with a first pregnancy, unless of course the older siblings can be looked after for a few days.

There are a lot of different options for your babymoon, ranging from going to a resort with a specific babymoon package (including prenatal massage, health classes etc) or you can do it all yourself with a focus on relaxing with your partner.

There are some tips that you might like to consider if you plan a babymoon prior to your baby arriving:

• The second trimester is the best time to travel as morning sickness should have subsided and the tiredness of third trimester has yet to kick in.
• Limit you travel time to 5-6 hours as any longer can become uncomfortable for the mum to be.
• Remember to stay hydrated while travelling.
• Ensure that where you are staying (or the airline if you are flying) has pregnancy friendly foods readily available.
• Consult your doctor before any travel during pregnancy.

At the end of the day whether you choose a holiday babymoon prior to baby’s arrival or a stay at home babymoon after baby arrives, or even if you’re lucky enough to have both, a babymoon is a great way to prepare for your life as a parent.

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Having a new baby is one of the most stressful things that will happen in our life. There are so many things to worry about and you might start to feel as though you aren’t coping as well as you think you should. You may have the “baby blues” for a few days or you may have more severe feelings of depression.

It is said that there are roughly 10-20 percent of mother in Australia that suffer from postnatal depression. It is also estimated that 10 percent of first time fathers suffer from postnatal depression. Although they don't have the hormonal changes normally associated with postnatal depression, you must remember that father's lives are turned upside down when a baby arrives as well.

Postnatal depression is a serious mental illness that a lot of mothers (and fathers) suffer from, many silently, as they don’t want to admit that there is a problem.

After giving birth at your six week checkup, your doctor or early childhood nurse may give you a “test” to see how you’re going, this questionnaire is called the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. It was developed for the British Journal of Psychiatry in 1987 and is still used today as a guide to whether a mother may need some help for postnatal depression.

Below is the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale for you to use on your own. Please remember that scores provide only a rough guide as to whether a woman has postnatal depression. For a full diagnosis, it is important to see your doctor.

To complete the questionnaire, circle the response that answers most accurately how you have been feeling in the past seven days.

1. I have been able to laugh and see the funny side of things.
• 0 As much as I always could
• 1 Not quite so much now
• 2 Definitely not so much now
• 3 Not at all

2. I have looked forward with enjoyment to things.
• 0 As much as I ever did
• 1 Rather less than I used to
• 2 Definitely less than I used to
• 3 Hardly at all

3. I have blamed myself unnecessarily when things went wrong.
• 3 Yes, most of the time
• 2 Yes, some of the time
• 1 Not very often
• 0 No, never

4. I have been anxious or worried for no good reason.
• 0 No, not at all
• 1 Hardly ever
• 2 Yes, sometimes
• 3 Yes, very often

5. I have felt scared or panicky for no very good reason.
• 3 Yes, quite a lot
• 2 Yes, sometimes
• 1 No, not much
• 0 No, not at all

6. Things have been getting on top of me.
• 3 Yes, most of the time I haven't been able to cope at all
• 2 Yes, sometimes I haven't been coping as well as usual
• 1 No, most of the time I have coped quite well
• 0 No, I have been coping as well as ever

7. I have been so unhappy that I have had difficulty sleeping.
• 3 Yes, most of the time
• 2 Yes, sometimes
• 1 Not very often
• 0 No, not at all

8. I have felt sad or miserable.
• 3 Yes, most of the time
• 2 Yes, quite often
• 1 Not very often
• 0 No, not at all

9. I have been so unhappy that I have been crying.
• 3 Yes, most of the time
• 2 Yes, quite often
• 1 Only occasionally
• 0 No, never

10. The thought of harming myself has occurred to me.
• 3 Yes, quite often
• 2 Sometimes
• 1 Hardly ever
• 0 Never

Add up the numbers or your circled answers. The higher your score, the more likely it is that you are distressed and may be suffering from postnatal depression. If you score is high, or even if it is low but you feel depressed, please consult your doctor as soon as possible.

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Babywearing is the broad term used for carrying your baby in some sort of sling or carrier, over carrying them in your arms or pushing them in a pram or stroller.

Babywearing has becoming increasingly popular over the last few years with a great variety in carrier types. Many parents become quite obsessed with babywearing and will purchase several different carriers or slings for different purposes. Gone are the days of the Baby Bjorn being the only option for babywearing.

Below are a few of the different varieties of carriers that are available.

Slings

A sling is a carrier that you wear over one shoulder with the baby laying within a pouch. There are pocket slings which are a piece of fabric sewn into a tubular shape, they must be fitted correctly to the babywearing person. Alternatively there are ring slings which are made of a length of cloth fastened at one end with a set of rings so they can be adjusted depending on the size of the child & the person wearing them.

They are easy for short trips, like dropping older siblings at school or other activities, as they are easy to slip on, pop baby in and go. They can, however, put a bit of strain on your shoulder if you have a large (or older) baby or if you are babywearing for a long period.

Wrap Carriers

Wrap carriers are essentially just a very long length of stretchy or woven fabric that the babywearer wraps around their body and the child in specified ways to make it safe to carry the child.

Whilst at first they may be difficult to wrap for the first few times, these are great carriers once you get the method down pat. There are a lot of different options for wrapping the carriers, which means that you can carry a newborn up to quite a heavy older toddler. The only problem is that with an older child, a stretchy carrier may start to sag under their weight so a woven wrap is more suitable for older children.

Mei Tei Carriers

A Mei Tei is a square or nearly square piece of cloth with parallel straps emerging from each corner, as a general rule, the straps tie together. Mei Teis are an in between sort of carrier, a bit more complicated than a sling but can be used for longer like a wrap carrier.

Structured Carriers

The structured carrier refers to carriers of a similar design to a Mei Tei carrier, but they are different in that they have padded straps & waistbands and use buckles as compared to tying. Some examples are the traditional Baby Bjorn carrier or the new ErgoBaby carrier.

These sorts or carriers are good for babywearing for an extended period of time as they are nicely padded across your shoulders and the weight is distributed even over both shoulders and the wearers back. The main concern with structured carriers is the way the baby is held within the carrier. Make sure that baby’s weight is being held by their bottom (ie they are sitting) rather than allowing their legs to dangle with their weight on their crotch as this can cause damage to baby’s back.

With all styles are of carriers there are some general safety rules that need to be kept in mind when babywearing (in no particular order)

• Ensure that baby’s back is straight & supported.Babywearing positions should mimic how you carry your baby in your arms. For upright positions, baby’s head should be in the right spot for you to easily bend your neck to kiss her or him on the top of the head.
• Only do things you would ordinarily do with a baby in your arms, for example jumping on a trampoline or jogging are unsafe with a baby in your arms, therefore should not be done while babywearing either.
• When baby is in a laying position, ensure s/he is not curled up too tightly so their airway does not become compressed, ie make sure baby can breathe easily.
• Be aware of your surroundings and what baby can reach out and grab, particularly with back carries.
• Ensure that the child fits within the carriers height & weight restrictions.

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Sometimes as a breastfeeding mum you feel like your supply is lacking, particularly of an evening after a long day. You don’t need to worry about your supply if you have some Lactation Cookies at hand.

The main ingredients of the lactation cookies are galactagogues (which are substances that promote lactation) and there are a few others that you can try independently or in combination with the cookies. The most common ones are asparagus, fenugreek, brewer’s yeast, blessed thistle flax, red raspberry tea and alfalfa.

There are a few variations of this recipe across the internet and you can easily change it yourself to suit your tastes. Adding nuts or peanut butter or substituting sultanas for the choc chips are some great alternatives. It really is a versatile recipe and as long as you keep the galactagogues, the brewer’s yeast, oats and linseed (or flaxseed), then you’ll be fine.

Lots of women are concerned about sharing their lactation cookies with people that don't want to produce milk. Rest assured, that your husband and older children can happily eat them without concern of them starting to lactate. The galactagogues are fine for men and children and even non breastfeeding women to consume. In combination with the correct hormones they promote an increase in breast milk production, but won’t affect those that are not already lactating.

Ingredients:

• 60gm cup butter
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon baking soda
• 1/2 cup wholemeal flour
• 1 & 1/2 cup white flour
• 2 tablespoon ground linseed meal
• 2 tablespoon linseed
• 4 tablespoons brewers yeast
• 3 cups oats
• 1 cup chocolate chips

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 180.
2. Cream together the butter and sugars.
3. Add eggs one at a time and mix well.
4. Add vanilla and mix to combine.
5. In a separate bowl, combine the flours, linseed meal, linseed and yeast.
6. Combine the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients gradually, mixing to combine after a few spoonfuls.
7. Once combined add the oats and choc chips and any other ingredients you’ve chosen (ie nuts or sultanas).
8. Line a baking sheet with greasproof paper and drop tablespoons onto the baking sheet.
9. Bake for approximately 12 minutes, until the tops are nice and golden.

Note: A lot of people have problems finding the main ingredients, the best place to get brewer’s yeast and linseed meal are at a health food shop. The whole linseeds are easy to find in the supermarket in the health foods aisle.

If you’re like me and enjoy a glass of milk with your cookies. For breastfeeding mums, as well as the lactation cookie recipe, there is a simple recipe for a lactation milkshake that you might like to try. There's no documentation on why it works, but I believe it’s a combination of the fat & calcium in the milk and also the vitamins & minerals in the Activite (which is a chocolate drink mixer, found in the coffee aisle at the supermarket).

Ingredients:

• 1 cup skim milk powder
• 1 cup Activite
• 1 litre Milk

Method:

1. Mix all ingredients together until well combined and store in the fridge.
2. Drink one large glass in the morning then drink as required throughout the day.
3. Drink as required for three days to finish off the entire amount to get your milk flowing.

Please remember that neither the lactation cookie or milkshake recipes are a guarantee to increase your breastmilk production. The best way to increase your production is always more feeding, the more often baby feeds the better your supply.

If you have concerns about your milk supply, please see your doctor or early childhood nurse.

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One essential of parenthood is the nappy, or baby bag. The great big bag that you see parents lugging around with them, slung over tired shoulders or strapped over the handles of the pram.

The problem is, that while you see all of these parents out & about with their bags, as a new parent you have to wonder what on earth goes in there and how do you find out without taking a little peek.

So here is a little rundown on the sorts of things that you might like to pack in your nappy bag, remembering that the needs change as your baby grows into a toddler and then a preschooler (when you are less likely to need as many things).

The Bag.

It’s really overwhelming to look at all of the different options for nappy bags as there are so many available. The best advise I can offer is to get one with lots of compartments so nothing gets lost down the bottom of the bag. However if you would prefer to use a large handbag that is fine as well, whatever works best for you and your baby.

If you do choose to use a large handbag or a bag that doesn’t have a lot of compartments, that’s ok, you can still be well organized. All you need to do is buy smaller pouches to put your nappies & clothes in or plastic containers to keep your creams & accessories in.

How ever you choose to set up your nappy bag is fine, as long as it works for you because it’s something you will be using for at least two years from when your baby is born.

Clothes.

Babies make a mess, it’s a well known fact, so one of the main things in your nappy baby should be a complete change of outfit. This of course will be determined by the season. For example though, you should have a singlet, top, pants and socks at the very least. As well as a change of outfit it is useful to carry a hat (or beanie in winter), you never know when you might have an impromptu visit to a park.

It’s also recommended that you have a change of top for yourself in the early months (both mums & dads) because the one time you don’t, there will be the inevitable vomit or nappy explosion & you will need to get changed. You don’t necessarily need to keep it in the bag, but in the car is handy.

Nappies.

You will need to determine how many nappies you will need by the amount of time you will be out. If you think you will go through three nappies in the day take four, this way if something out of the ordinary happens you have a spare. This goes for both disposable and cloth nappies. Otherwise you will need plastic bags (scented if you prefer) to hold the soiled nappies until you can dispose of them.

If you are using cloth nappies with your baby, you will need to take all of your accessories with you (and generally you will need a bigger bag than parents using disposable nappies). Make sure you take enough nappy covers in relation to nappies and any other fasteners you might use. You will need a wet bag of some description to contain soiled nappies as well.

Most nappy bags come with a changing mat, but you can also purchase disposable ones from the supermarket and they are an essential so baby isn’t laid down on a dirty or cold surface for their nappy change. You will also need wipes for cleaning not only dirty bottoms, but faces and hands too as your baby grows. It’s also a good idea to have a bottle of antibacterial gel for after nappy changes.

Food.

As a newborn there aren’t many food requirements so it’s fairly easy. As your baby gets older your requirements will change significantly.

If you are breastfeeding there isn’t much needed for a newborn other than perhaps a few bibs. Mum on the other hand will need breast pads and if she uses them, nipple creams, nipple shields & a coverup of some kind. It’s also a good idea for mum to have a small snack & bottle of water for while she is feeding.

For a bottle fed baby you will need your bottles with the appropriate amount of cooled boiled water and portions of formula for mixing. You can buy formula dividers from most baby stores that separates your formula into the correct portions so you don’t need to worry about calculating it while you’re out & about.

As your baby gets older it’s handy to keep snacks in your bag as well, rusks, small packets of sultanas and biscuits are all handy.

For Mum and Dad.

If you decide not to use a handbag while you have a baby bag you will need to make sure there is space to put your wallet, keys and mobile phone. It’s helpful to have a separate pouch in your bag for things like maternity pads (in the early days) and any other personal items you might need.

Other.

Other items that are handy to have in your nappy bag are spare dummies (if you use them), a mini first aid kit, sunscreen, a small blanket and small toys or books as your child gets older.

On a final note, no matter what you keep in your bag, the best thing you can do is repack your bag as soon as you get home from your outing. If you used one nappy, one bib and two rusks, replace those items straight away. That way you are ready to go as soon as you want to rather than running about the house trying to find a spare bib or that rogue dummy that’s gone missing when you’re already 10 minutes late!

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If you are pregnant with your second baby you already know it is tougher second time round when you have a rambunctious toddler to keep up with. Those opportunities to rest when you need to are gone. Being tired all the time isn’t a happy or healthy situation for you and the rest of your family who may end up on the receiving end of your crankiness.

Here are some tips to getting your rest, important for a healthy pregnancy, during your busy days with your toddler.

1. Rest when your toddler is resting

You would have heard a million times the saying “mother sleeps when baby sleeps” and may have struggled to stick to it, thinking you could handle the sleep deprivation. Now, during pregnancy, it is quite important to force yourself to sit down, forget about the mounting chores, and rest while your toddler is resting.

2. Let others do the entertaining

Meet up with your friends who have kids as much as possible so your toddler can play with their kids while you try and sit back and relax.

Invite them around to your place as understanding friends will be more than happy to lend a hand in the entertaining.

Or, meet up in an indoor playground or fenced outdoor playground so your toddler can burn off energy while you sit and watch.

3. Encourage low intensity activities together

Precious time together with just you and your toddler will soon be in short supply. Take advantage of the time by engaging in activities that are restful for you but stimulating for your toddler like colouring in, making play dough together and then mucking around with it, doing puzzles, etc.

4. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself and your toddler to be ‘ready’

Minimising stress is important for a healthy pregnancy. You may have devised a To Do list in your head of where you would like your toddler to be by the time your new baby arrives, such as being potty trained.

However, a new baby in the house is notorious for unsettling a toddler. So, along with a commitment to what you are trying to do, like getting out of nappies, you also need a good dose of commonsense and flexibility. Don’t put pressure on yourself with a rigid approach to meet an impending date, where the new arrival may set all your progress back anyway; it will be doomed to frustration and stress.

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How will your baby catch whooping cough?

The main source of infection of whooping cough for you baby will come from you and your family members.

You may have it and not know it; in adults it is hard to tell if what you think is just a chest infection is actually whooping cough.

What can you do about it?

The government immunisation program has three vaccinations against whooping cough for your baby, providing full protection by the time baby is six months old.

But until then baby is open to the risk of catching whooping cough. It is important that you, your partner, and any other adults, like grandparents, who will be in contact with your baby are vaccinated against whooping cough.

You can have the vaccination straight after you give birth. It is safe to have while you are breastfeeding.

Your partner should be vaccinated before baby arrives.

Grandparents might think they are protected since they were vaccinated against whooping cough when they were kids. This protection may have faded so a booster is necessary.

How do you get vaccinated?

Your family members should head to their local GP or community health immunisation centres. You can ask your maternity hospital for a vaccination.

NSW and NT have been the most progressive in understanding the importance of the whole family around a newborn baby being immunised against whooping cough. Since 2009 the vaccine has been, and continues to be, free to parents and close family members in these states.

QLD has now also recognised the importance of this; grandparents as well as any other adults living in a household with a baby under six months old are also eligible for a free vaccination. However, it is only for a limited time.

In VIC and WA until 30 June 2011 the vaccine is free only to parents, adoptive parents and foster parents of newborn babies.

Unfortunately, there are no free vaccines in 2011 in SA, ACT, and TAS.

So, don’t be shy to hassle all adults who will be a part of your baby’s early months to make sure they are vaccinated before the joyous arrival; even if they have to pay for it.

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The amount of information available on safety for your baby can make your head spin.

To help you get ready for baby, here are ten tips on what to organise now during pregnancy so you know the hectic first few months with your baby will be spent in a safe environment. We have provided some recommended resources to help you understand the safest products to buy and helpful organisations to contact.

1. Keep simple SIDS info close by

There is a lot to remember about keeping your baby safe from SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). Other members of your family that will occasionally help out may not be as informed as you are. For the benefit of all, print this handy simple guide from SIDS and Kids Australia and keep it near and their door hanger to hang near baby's cot.

2. Attend a first aid course

Ask your local maternal health centre for any first aid courses for infants that they might be running in the near future.

3. Keep important numbers close

Store these important numbers in your mobile as well as written on a piece of paper near your home phone:

• 000 emergency services
• Poisons Information Centre
• Nearest Children’s Hospital
• Family Doctor
• Chemist

4. Buy a brand new car seat

When buying your car seat for your baby make sure it meets the current Australian safety standards. Also, it is recommended to buy a new seat so you know it has not been in any accidents. Check out www.carseatsafety.com.au for help choosing the right seat.

5. Buy a cot that meets Australian Safety Standards

Choose a cot that meets the Australian Safety Standard AS/NZS 2172-2003. Also, do you best to ensure it is coated in non-toxic paint. If you cannot find out this information on the cot you are looking at don’t buy it.

6. Buy the correct mattress for your cot

It is important that your cot mattress fits correctly so baby can’t get trapped between the mattress and the cot rails.

7. Research safe toys

Unfortunately, safety is not always paramount to toy manufacturers and toys may contain toxic chemicals and pose safety risks. To help familiarise yourself with toy safety and how to avoid toxic toys check out www.healthystuff.org for their toy section. Although it is an American site it is still relevant as Australian toy stores stock a lot of products from American manufacturers.

8. Choose a recommended pram

There is an overwhelming range of prams and strollers. To help you choose a safe model look to Choice’s quite recent review, published in December 2010, of 20 products on the Australian market. . You will need to become a member to read it or you can check with your local library if they have a Choice account available for you to use.

9. Buy a recommended bassinet

If you plan on using a bassinet be aware there is no Australian Standard specifically for them. Look to Choice again for their recent report, published in January 2011, which shockingly found only one model to recommend.

10. Be picking with your change table

Look for a change table that is the correct height for you, stable, strong, has no sharp edges, no potential finger and limb traps and is curved to prevent baby rolling or sliding off it.

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Births, Deaths and Marriages Victoria has an excellent Popular Names Search facility online where you can look right back to 1929 for the top 100 girl’s and boy’s names for inspiration. Find it here. This data isn’t publicly available for any other state governments.

Here are the top ten girl's and boy's names popular from the 30s to the 50s that is not popular right now anywhere in Australia.

Girls:

Margaret is a clear leader. It was number one through the 30s and 40s to drop to fifth in the 50s.

Elizabeth hung towards the bottom of the lists in the 30s through to the 50s.

Patricia and Barbara were big in the 30s and 40s but disappeared from the top ten in the 50s.

Judith, Helen and Lynette were popular from the 40s to the 50s.

The top choices in the 50s clearly changed away from previous trends. Jennifer, Susan and Christine where the top three for the decade, not seen in the decades before.

Ten classic baby girl names from the 30s to the 50s in Victoria that are not popular today:

1. Margaret
2. Patricia
3. Barbara
4. Elizabeth
5. Judith
6. Helen
7. Lynette
8. Jennifer
9. Susan
10. Christine

Boys:

Classic names really come in to play with boy’s names. Biblical names like John, Peter, and David were big from the 30s to the 50s and are not seen on top ten lists in Australia today.

Robert was also very popular, steady in third position from the 30s to the 50s.

Ronald and Brian were popular from the 30s to the 40s. Ian appeared in the 40s and continued popularity into the 50s.

Kevin, Kenneth and Donald were towards the lower end of the 30s list and have not been seen since in Australia.

Ten classic baby boy names from the 30s to the 50s in Victoria that are not popular today:

1. John
2. Robert
3. Ronald
4. Brian
5. Peter
6. David
7. Ian
8. Kevin
9. Kenneth
10. Donald




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Related posts:

1. Top ten girl names 2010 in your state
2. Top ten boy names in 2010 in your state
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