It’s that time of year again when our attention is on Christmas gifts. The nights are drawing in, Christmas lights shine out across town and everywhere we look there is sparkle and glitter. It’s an exciting time, especially for children, but for parents it can be conflicting and stressful as we try to manage our finances, keep our children happy and prevent our homes from being buried under mountains of plastic! It doesn’t help that […]

Most pregnant women and new mothers will have heard the phrase ‘breast is best’, and in the UK over ninety percent of expectant mums say they want to breastfeed their babies. There are many benefits to breastfeeding for you and your baby, but like anything new it can be daunting to get to grips with all the facts. So what’s so special about breastmilk? Breast milk provides the nutrition young infants need, in the correct […]

During the first year of life, babies learn an incredible amount, going from tiny infants to boisterous toddlers in the blink of an eye. Beginning to eat solid foods is an important step in your baby’s development, so here are some key facts to help on the way. When to start introducing solid food to your baby? Around the world, advice differs about when it is best for babies to begin with solid foods, and […]

What is Vitamin K? Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin found in green leafy vegetables, vegetable oils and cereal grains. Full-fat dairy products also contain a form of vitamin K. It was discovered in the early part of the 20th century and found to have an important role in coagulation (clotting) of the blood. It was considered such a significant development that the two scientists who first studied it were awarded the Nobel Prize for […]

During pregnancy, it is recommended to stay active and take regular moderate exercise. In recent years, this has led to a booming market in classes and groups designed for pregnant women. Many women enjoy prenatal yoga for its combination of relaxation and fitness, and there is evidence that this is beneficial for both mum and baby. Good for your body – Yoga increases strength and flexibility, helping you to prepare your body for childbirth. It […]

Research shows only about 1 in 25 babies are born on their actual due date. 1 in 5 arrive at 41 weeks or even later. So remember it’s very common for babies to take their time arriving! But we know (from our own experiences) that it can feel very frustrating to go over your due date. Every day that your baby is in your womb, they are developing and preparing for the world outside. In […]

Now that the summer holiday season is here and most kids have been off school for a couple of weeks or more, parents and carers everywhere are hearing the dreaded phrase, ‘I’m bored!’. It can be frustrating when kids have been looking forward to time off for weeks, only to claim they’re bored within the first few days (or even hours!) of the holidays. But how should we respond to our children when they tell […]

We love sunshine! Topping up on your Vitamin D levels is important for health but it is also important to keep your little ones safe. There are far safer ways for you and your baby to get your daily dose of Vitamin D. Remember that if your baby is less than six months old, their skin is thin and delicate. It doesn’t yet contain much melanin – this is the pigment that gives hair, eyes […]

What is the placenta? The placenta is an amazing organ. It is attached to the lining of the womb during pregnancy and is crucial for the development of your unborn child. Every single minute one pint of blood is pumped through it to the uterus. The baby’s blood and mother’s blood never mix but pass through separate arteries in the placenta. If they did mix, the mother’s blood would produce antibodies as a defence against […]

So how well does your baby sleep? Sleep is so important for healthy babies and their tired parents! There are a few lucky parents who wonder what all the fuss is about, whereas the rest of us tear our hair out trying to establish good sleeping patterns. As with everything baby, there are so many opposing views. So, should you leave your baby to cry? Should you nurse him to sleep? Should you wait until […]