Initially, on becoming pregnant with her third baby, Annie Ridout was overjoyed. But then the panic set in: how was she going to look after three kids and a new business? Fortunately, it’s all working out rather nicely…
newborn
Family
The early years of your child’s life are integral to their later happiness, so why are we told so little about them? Claudette Anderson – mother, and co-founder of Holding the Baby; a new kind of antenatal class – discusses the support parents need during these formative years…
Sleep
The question on every parent’s lips: when will my baby sleep through the night? It seems most other aspects of parenting are just about manageable if sleep is ok. But that takes time for some babies. Here, our readers share their baby sleep experiences…
Family
New research reveals a link between ‘how to’ parenting books and postnatal depression. When mothers are encouraged to instil a strict routine but the baby does not comply, it can cause huge anxiety. This was Jacki Badger’s experience…
Wellbeing
You’re in the early weeks of new parenthood with a baby who won’t stop crying. Everyone offers the same diagnosis: colic. But you have no idea what they’re talking about. Here, we talk colic with the parents who’ve been through it…
Sleep
As the mother of two young children, Shannon Cullen is all too familiar with not getting enough sleep. Here, she shares her thoughts on how to survive the early months with a newborn – and reassures new parents that they’re not alone during that 3am feed…
Sleep
How much does your baby sleep? Your answer will probably be “so well!” (forgetting that it’s not perfect every night) or “terribly”, which is more likely to be accurate. So why do we lie about how well our babies are sleeping? Annie Ridout explains…
Wellbeing
When a woman is pregnant, has just given birth or is in the early days with a newborn she needs support, love and positivity. She doesn’t need criticism or judgment – that’s why the language we use is so important…
Wellbeing
Skin to skin contact with your baby has been proven to help with bonding and reduce the risk of postnatal depression and anxiety (for both parents). But how do you incorporate it into your every day life? We asked our readers – and their answers were quite beautiful…
Family
Massage therapist Joanna Cooper extols the virtues of baby massage for both the mother (or father) and baby, discussing the ancient Indian ritualistic roots – and the scientific benefits…