The Ultimate Baby Book 2021

YOUR GUIDE TO NEW FAMILY LIFE FROM EXPERT ADVICE TO ESSENTIALS

The ultimate

BABY

2021

book

PREGNANCY • BIRTH • NEW BABY • TODDLER FIRST TRIMESTER SECOND TRIMESTER THIRD TRIMESTER BIRTH 0-12 WEEKS 3-6 MONTHS 6-9 MONTHS 9-12 MONTHS AND ONWARDS

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THE ULTIMATE BABY BOOK

Congratulations!

FIRST TRIMESTER SECOND TRIMESTER THIRD TRIMESTER BIRTH 0-12 WEEKS 3-6 MONTHS 6-9 MONTHS 9-12 MONTHS AND ONWARDS

T

he pregnancy test has come back positive, and life as you know it is about to change forever (for the better, we promise!) Finding out that you’re expecting can be a time of both tremendous excitement and sheer terror for most couples, and there’s no doubt that pregnancy can be a daunting prospect for rst ti e parents to e ut it s our o to reassure ou ith all the e pertise e e gathered from our years at Baby magazine, we’ve put together the most important things to know in this co prehensi e ui e, a packe ith e pert a ice, ust ha e u s an plent of encoura in or s t ill take ou fro the rst tri ester through pregnancy, birth and into the early days of new parenthood, until you’re an ol pro ith a one ear ol in to t s so e here to rite a out the highs and lows of pregnancy, stick your precious photos, and create a priceless keepsake to look back on for ears to co e n o

Brought to you by the team behind baby-magazine.co.uk – the luxury pregnancy & parenting website

To receive our FREE monthly newsletter visit baby-magazine.co.uk EDITORIAL Editor-at-Large Kate Freud Digital Editor Ruby Norris Sub Editor Laura Sutherland

DESIGN Creative Director Chloë Collyer

PUBLISHING Chairman Paul Dobson Chief Financial Officer Vicki Gavin Director of Media James Dobson Managing Director Sales & Create Steve Ross Publisher Caroline Scott Circulation Manager Daniel Webb EA to Chairman Sarah Porter Acting EA to Chairman Sophie Easton

ADVERTISING Partnerships Director Lyndal Beeton Sales Executive Laurna Barry The Ultimate Baby Book is published by The Chelsea Magazine Company Ltd, Jubilee House, 2 Jubilee Place, London SW3 3TQ baby-magazine.co.uk 020 7349 3700 baby@chelseamagazines.com The Ultimate Baby Book ISSN 2515-2718 Distributed by Seymour Distribution Ltd. 2 East Poultry Avenue, London, EC1A 9PT Tel: 020 7429 4000 Production: All Points Media Printed in England by William Gibbons ©The Chelsea Magazine Company Ltd 2020 All rights reserved

KATE FREUD, EDITOR-AT-LARGE

baby-magazine.co.uk

This baby book belongs to: We live: Our baby is due:

6 | The Ultimate Baby Book 2021

PHOTOGRAPHY: ISTOCK.COM/IDAL

ABOUT ME

Contents

26 WHAT TO EXPECT Settling into your pregnancy 27 THE WISH LIST uys for you and baby 30 EXPERT ADVICE The healthcare professionals talk ultrasounds, diet and more 32 FOCUS ON: PUSHCHAIRS hat to look for when choosing your first stroller 34 KEEPING BUSY What to eat and what not to, the rise of the babymoon, and all the benefits of yoga 38 SAY WHAT? The stars reveal their pregnancy highs and lows

40 THIRD TRIMESTER

68 WHAT TO EXPECT Taking your newborn home 69 THE WISH LIST aby basics for the early months 70 EXPERT ADVICE The pros take on your questions 72 FOCUS ON: BREASTFEEDING ow to find the right latching techni ue for you 74 SAY WHAT? These stars get real about first time parenthood

78 3-6 MONTHS

108 WHAT TO EXPECT Embracing your baby’s new found independence 111 THE WISH LIST verything from cool toys to travel accessories 112 EXPERT ADVICE Talking appetite, childcare and screen time 114 FOCUS ON: MOVEMENT How to nurture your little one now she’s on the go 116 SAY WHAT? Celebs do the talking

118 AND ONWARDS… 120 FOCUS ON: CHILDCARE A guide to the options out there

122 MEET THE EXPERTS PU

P-TO-DAT

E, VISIT •

80 WHAT TO EXPECT Here’s what’s coming next 83 THE WISH LIST Ultimates to add to your basket 84 EXPERT ADVICE The experts talk teething, sleep and birth control 86 FOCUS ON: ROUTINES Getting baby into good habits 88 KEEPING BUSY Baby massage, toys and books 90 SAY WHAT? These A-list celebrities pay tribute to their little ones

106 9-12 MONTHS

• B A B Y-

AG

M

42 WHAT TO EXPECT t s the final countdown 43 THE WISH LIST tuff to help you feel prepared 44 EXPERT ADVICE Your late pregnancy questions answered 46 FOCUS ON: ACHES AND PAINS How diet changes could help 48 KEEPING BUSY Nursery inspiration, car seats, your maternity-leave checklist, and pregnancy massage 50 SAY WHAT? Celebrities talk impending birth

66 0-12 WEEKS

94 WHAT TO EXPECT Now your baby is making great strides in her development 97 THE WISH LIST ssentials for an active little one 98 EXPERT ADVICE The healthcare professionals talk bedtime routines and separation anxiety 100 FOCUS ON: WEANING How you can help baby on her foodie ourney 102 KEEPING BUSY Getting back to exercise, datenight ideas and the best bottles 104 SAY WHAT? Honest and relatable quotes from a few famous faces

K

24 SECOND TRIMESTER

54 WHAT TO EXPECT he s finally here 57 THE WISH LIST Packing up your hospital bag 58 EXPERT ADVICE Talking birth, postnatal checks and newborn worries 60 FOCUS ON: BIRTH OPTIONS A guide to your labour choices 62 KEEPING BUSY aby s first bath, the sweetest sleepwear, and the ultimate labour playlist 64 SAY WHAT? The stars share their birth stories

92 6-9 MONTHS

.U

10 WHAT TO EXPECT Your early pregnancy days 13 THE WISH LIST Pampering picks to perk you up 14 EXPERT ADVICE The pros take on your questions 18 FOCUS ON: SCANS The options available to you 20 KEEPING BUSY The best pregnancy books, the benefits of antenatal classes, and our podcast round-up 22 SAY WHAT? The A-listers give their views

52 BIRTH

O

FIRST TRIMESTER

KEE

8

A Z I N E .C

The Ultimate Baby Book 2021 | 7

RUNNING HEAD

8 | The Ultimate Baby Book 2017

RUNNING HEAD

he rst tri ester 0-12 weeks

ABOUT ME Date I found out I was pregnant: How I’m feeling:

Pregnancy niggles: 12-week scan date:

Due date:

The Ultimate Baby Book 2017 | 9

FIRST TRIMESTER

What to expect Newly pregnant? The Bump Class authors Marina Fogle and Dr hiara unt offer insi ht into the rst sta e of our a ourne

You… This trimester is when most of your baby’s development is happening, so do be aware of what you’re eating and drinking. For a lot of women, the first trimester is the worst: you tend to feel awful and you’re reluctant to tell anyone. Most people start to feel tired and sick from weeks six to nine. This is made worse by the fact a lot people want to keep their pregnancy a secret until they reach 12 weeks, so there’s no sympathy either.

Most women only find out they’re pregnant after the first month, when they’re into their fifth or sixth week and have missed a period.

However, some women find that the moment they conceive something changes, and they may well suspect they are pregnant.

Between week one and week four, you may have tender breasts that are probably already growing. You’ll be surprised by how much more tired you are than usual, and will suffer mood swings, need to pee a lot, feel nauseated – with or without vomiting – and

10 | The Ultimate Baby Book 2021

your appetite will changing (this can be hunger, an aversion to certain foods or cravings).

In weeks five to eight, some additional nausea, flatulence, constipation, headaches and increased vaginal discharge may come your way, and morning sickness usually hits hardest between weeks four and 12 – the time when the crucial development is happening in the fetus. No one really knows why morning sickness occurs.

As you approach week 12, you’ll likely have your first antenatal appointment (or booking appointment). This will probably be the longest appointment in your pregnancy.

Having a proper bump is still a way off, although you’ll notice your waist starting to thicken and there might well be some clothes that no longer feel comfortable. By 12 weeks, your nausea and vomiting may be slowing down but could be replaced by headaches and dizziness. At around 12 weeks you’ll have your first routine scan.

PHOTOGRAPHY: ISTOCK/PEOPLEIMAGES

and your baby • By week four, the embryo (which is actually only two weeks old) looks a bit like a tadpole but much smaller – about the size of half a grain of rice. She has already developed a vague head shape and a heart that’s beginning to pump. At week eight, the embryo weighs about a gram, already has a little tongue and is developing taste buds. Her facial features are becoming more distinct and her heart is fully functioning and pumping blood around the body.

• At the beginning of the third month your embryo graduates into a fetus, and is beginning to grow quickly. During this month the bones and cartilage are forming and the fetus is beginning to swallow. By week 13 she weighs around 23g, is about 7-8cm long and has eyes and ears, fingernails and even tooth buds.

In fruit language, she’s roughly the size of a lime. Your fetus has now completed most of her development and the important systems are fully formed. From now on, it’s all about the growing...

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FIRST TRIMESTER

The wish list

Feeling awful, but keeping it under wraps for now? These pampering picks are designed to help you feel perkier I would like…

1

2

3

Elvie Pelvic Floor Trainer £152.10, johnlewis.com

5

Leather notebook £55, smythson.com

6

Cashmere socks £29, thewhitecompany.com

9

13

Equi London Pregnancy Formula £41, equilondon.com

Pukka Motherkind Pregnancy tea £3, ocado.com

14

Chilly’s 500ml water bottle £25, skinnydiplondon.com

Burt’s Bees Mama Bee Nourishing Oil (115ml) £9.99, johnlewis.com

7

10

Baby gift set £40, thewhitecompany.com

4

Heidi Klein maternity bra £35.99, nursingbra-shop.co.uk

Your Pregnancy Nutrition Guide £8.99, wildnutrition.com

11

Seedlip Garden 108 (70cl) £25.99, hollandandbarrett.com

15

Neal’s Yard Remedies Mother Gift Box £35, huggle.co.uk

Cotton printed pyjama set £150, desmondanddempsey.com

8

Cradle & Tonic Bump candle £36, fortnumandmason.com

12

Nairn’s Stem Ginger Oat biscuits 99p, tesco.com

16

Sheepskin slippers £48, thesmallhome.co.uk

The Ultimate Baby Book 2021 | 13

RUNNING HEAD

Zita West, fertility and pregnancy expert: “For most women, pregnancy is a time of great joy, but for many it can also be a time of serious sleep disturbance.

One of the reasons for sleeplessness during pregnancy is hormonal changes. Rising progesterone levels in the first trimester can account for daytime tiredness, while other changes can have an inhibitory effect on muscles, often resulting in increased snoring and nocturnal bathroom trips. These interruptions, alongside nausea and other pregnancy-related discomforts, can result in significant sleep loss.

Nutrition is one of the most important factors in ensuring a good night’s sleep.

Insomnia can be caused by a vitamin B deficiency, so it’s essential to eat foods rich in the vitamin, such as bananas, egg yolks, nuts, pulses, wholegrains and yeast extract.

Calcium helps to calm nerves, so increase your intake of almonds, yogurt, soya products, dried apricots and milk. They all also contain tryptophan – an amino acid that aids sleep.

There are many complementary therapies that can help with lack of sleep. However, it’s important that you consult your doctor first, and ensure that any practitioners you visit are fully accredited. Research shows that acupuncture can stimulate serotonin production, while a professional homeopath’s prescription can have a positive impact.

Sleeping well during pregnancy is a challenge, but it isn’t impossible. Dedicating time and care to the quantity and quality of your sleep throughout pregnancy will benefit the health of you and your baby.”

WHICH MEDICINES ARE SAFE TO USE DURING PREGNANCY? atie ilton, a ualified nurse, midwife and health visitor, says: “Some medicines, including many painkillers, could harm your baby during pregnancy, but other medicines are safe, including common prescriptions used to treat conditions like asthma, heartburn, thyroid problems and diabetes. To be sure, always check with your doctor or midwife. Decisions are made on a caseby-case basis, on whether the benefits outweigh the risks, so be sure to tell any health professional you’re pregnant before they prescribe anything, and talk to your doctor immediately if you already take regular medication.

Medicines that are usually safe in pregnancy include paracetamol, most antibiotics, local anaesthetics and most vaccinations. However, you should ideally avoid taking medications during pregnancy if you can, particularly during the first three months. If you really feel you do need to take medicines when you’re pregnant, you should use the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time.

As mentioned previously, paracetamol is safe to take as it has been routinely used during all stages of pregnancy with no evidence of any harmful side effects. However, avoid those that contain both paracetamol and caffeine, such as decongestants or ‘flu relief’ tablets. High levels of caffeine can result in low birth weight and potentially miscarriage. Ibuprofen and high-dose asprin should also be avoided, as it has been linked to a number of complications. Ibuprofen shouldn’t be used at all during the third trimester.”

AVOID TAKING MEDICATIONS IF YOU CAN – PARTICULARLY IN THE FIRST THREE MONTHS 14 | The Ultimate Baby Book 2021

I USUALLY GO TO THE GYM THREE TIMES A WEEK, BUT I’VE JUST HAD MY 12-WEEK SCAN AND AM UNSURE WHAT EXERCISES ARE SAFE NOW. WHAT WOULD YOU RECOMMEND? Keith McNiven, personal trainer at Right Path Fitness, says: “It’s always a good idea to keep up some sort of fitness regime while pregnant, although what is a suitable level of exercise for you will depend on a number of factors, including your pre-pregnancy fitness level and exactly how much the demands of pregnancy affect your mood and energy levels day-to-day.

The benefits are endless, though – going to the gym while pregnant will help to alleviate aches and pains, reduce constipation, help you sleep, lower your risk of gestational diabetes, make you less prone to depression, and can even lead to a shorter, less complicated labour.

Whichever exercise programme you choose, make sure you seek professional advice and ensure your instructor knows you’re pregnant.

A suitable programme will focus on exercises that don’t put any unnecessary pressure on the stomach. Try to focus primarily on seated movements if lifting any weights, as standing and performing weight-resistance movements while pregnant can be unsafe as your bump will alter your natural centre of gravity and make it harder to maintain your balance.

As your bump gets bigger, resistance bands are a useful alternative to free weights, as there are no weights to drop on your bump.

Avoid exercises where you have to lie on your back as your enlarged uterus and baby can compress your vena cava, the major vessel that returns blood to your heart, which can lower your blood pressure and reduce blood flow to the placenta. Yoga and swimming are always safe bets during pregnancy, too.”

SOURCES: APTACLUB; MOTHERCARE; THE BUMP CLASS; TENA, ONS.GOV.UK

I’M ONLY EIGHT WEEKS PREGNANT BUT ALREADY STRUGGLING TO SLEEP AT NIGHT – COULD THIS BE PREGNANCY RELATED?

FIRST TRIMESTER

DID YOU KNOW?

Expert advice Our healthcare professionals answer your early pregnancy questions

pregnancy is a time to be enjoyed, as many know it really can be a pain in the backside (or the shoulders, back or groin). Your body will change as it adapts to your growing baby.

As well as changes in posture and mechanical stressors, your spinal curves will become exaggerated and the hormone relaxin will be secreted. Chiropractic care can be a real saviour during pregnancy, not only to relieve the aches and pains but also to ensure that the pelvis is functioning correctly and in good alignment to help to enable a growing baby to get into the desired position and sit comfortably within the womb.

Vital and dramatic changes take place in the body, and these changes can put a huge amount of strain on a mother’s joints and the supporting muscles. Chiropractic care helps to achieve balance in the body, ensure the joints are functioning well and that the muscles aren’t having to work overtime.

While, as chiropractors, we can’t stop the changes that take place, we can support the body through the process and enable it to remain as strong as possible, ready for labour.”

OF PREGNANT WOMEN STOP EXERCISING FOR FEAR OF HARMING THEIR BABY

3KG IS THE AVERAGE WEIGHT GAIN IN THE FIRST THREE MONTHS

You only need to consume about 100 extra calories per day during the first trimester

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF VISITING A CHIROPRACTOR WHILE PREGNANT? Polly Hand, chiropractor and doula at Chiropractic By Hand, says: “While

%

Other questions I want to ask my midwife…

�%

OF WOMEN DON’T DO THEIR PELVIC FLOOR EXERCISES

OVER

699,000 BABIES WERE BORN IN THE UK IN 2019 SPERM CAN LIVE UP TO SEVEN DAYS, AND AN EGG 24 HOURS, SO ACTUAL CONCEPTION MAY HAVE OCCURED A FEW DAYS AFTER INTERCOURSE

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FIRST TRIMESTER

FOCUS ON

Scans

Dr Chiara Hunt AND Marina Fogle DISCUSS THE VARIOUS SCAN OPTIONS AVAIL ABLE THROUGHOUT YOUR PREGNANCY eeing your baby at any of your scans is an unforgettable moment. During your pregnancy, you’ll have two main scans: the 12-week check-up and the 20-week scan – both performed using ultrasound.

Ultrasound scans have been used in pregnancy since the mid-1950s and have no known side effects for mother and baby. They’re a really good way of having a non-invasive yet detailed look inside the uterus at the developing fetus.

It’s now widely accepted that due dates predicted from scans are the most accurate.

Of course, if you’ve had IVF and know the precise date of implantation, you will know exactly. If you believe you know because ‘it could only have happened on one night’, remember that sperm can live for up to seven days, so fertilisation can occur on the day you have sex (if you happen to ovulate that day) or a few days later. It’s fairly common for your due date to be recalculated after your scan, and it might have changed by up to a week or so. The scan date is more accurate, but do bear in mind that your baby is likely to arrive anywhere between three weeks before and two weeks after that date.

It’s important to remember that, although the scans are good, they don’t always detect every abnormality. A normal scan, although reassuring, doesn’t give a 100 per cent clean bill of health. For example, of the one per cent of babies born with a heart abnormality, about half of these are picked up at birth or later.

The scans only look at the structure of the organs; they can’t give us much information about their function; this can be more

S

18 | The Ultimate Baby Book 2021

carefully assessed after the baby is born.

Although for many this is a happy experience, for an unlucky few the 12-week scan is when they’ll find out they’ve had a miscarriage, so it’s normal to feel both nervous and excited.

And while you may have to follow new Covid-19 guidelines, you can be rest assured that you will have all your necessary scans.

THE 12-WEEK CHECK-UP (NUCHAL SCAN) The 12-week check-up is really important.

Using a combination of ultrasound and a blood test, it determines the risk of the fetus having a chromosomal abnormality, such as Down’s Syndrome, as well as many other things, including genetic syndromes and structural abnormalities. The ultrasound scan checks the fetus is growing well, but another purpose is to look at the translucent, or clear, space in the tissue at the back of your fetus’s neck – hence, the name ‘nuchal scan’. The baby’s nasal bone is also measured. Babies with abnormalities tend to accumulate more fluid behind the neck and have absent nasal bones.

Sometimes this scan is also called the ‘dating scan’, as it accurately predicts the due date more so than dating from your last period.

In order for the tests to be accurate, the check-up must be done between 11 and 14 weeks. It doesn’t give you a diagnosis of any abnormalities, simply an idea of whether you are at high or low risk of certain conditions. If the risk is deemed high, you may be advised to have chorionic villus sampling (CVS) or amniocentesis tests; these are the only

EXTRA SCANS There are many other scans and tests available privately. Here are your options: • Fetal viability scans, at six to 10 weeks, will check that the embryo has implanted correctly and, from seven weeks, you’ll be able to hear a heartbeat. This scan is often done internally. Cost: approx £100.

• 3D scans show still images of your baby in three dimensions. 4D scans show moving 3D images of your baby. Parents will see baby’s skin, rather than her insides. You may also be able to see the shape of your baby’s mouth and nose.

The best time to have either of these is between 26-30 weeks. Cost: from £50.

• There’s mounting pressure for late scans to be included routinely in NHS care, but currently, unless there are problems, your final scan would be at weeks.

A late scan will check that the baby is growing nicely and that the placenta looks healthy and is working properly and will measure the amount of amniotic fluid. octors might also do a oppler scan to check the blood flow in the umbilical cord. Cost: approx £150.

FIRST TRIMESTER

Syndrome. Currently in the private sector, this type of test costs around £500. If the test is positive, the result would still need to be confirmed with amniocentesis or CVS. Most professionals agree that NIPT is an exciting medical development, which in future may prevent the miscarriage of healthy fetuses through invasive DNA testing. We all know that the NHS is stretched financially, so cannot always offer the newest tests immediately.

Therefore, for those mothers who have a history of genetic abnormalities or are slightly older – and therefore at an increased risk – and can afford it, NIPT is worth doing.

THE 20-WEEK SCAN (ANOMALY SCAN)

PHOTOGRAPHY: ISTOCK/PEOPLEIMAGES

IT’S COMMON FOR YOUR DUE DATE TO BE RECALCULATED AFTER YOUR FIRST SCAN accurate ways of testing for chromosomal abnormalities. However, they are invasive and associated with a small risk of miscarriage. Bear in mind that CVS isn’t usually done after 14 weeks, so it’s a good idea to have the 12-week scan sooner rather than later, allowing time to arrange further tests if necessary.

NON-INVASIVE PRENATAL TESTING (THE HARMONY TEST) Fairly recently, a new test has become available in the UK, known as non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT). This is offered in private clinics under brand names such as the widely known

Harmony Test, as well as Nifty, Panorama, Verify, MaterniT21 and SAFE. The NHS has started using it, and an increasing number of trusts offer it to women deemed high-risk after the initial combined screening, instead of proceeding straight to invasive testing, such as amniocentesis and CVS, which carry a chance of miscarriage, while NIPT doesn’t.

The NIPT test works by detecting the baby’s DNA in the mother’s blood from a simple blood test, usually taken at around 10 weeks.

By detecting this DNA, the lab can much more accurately (around 99 per cent) assess the risk of genetic abnormalities, such as Down’s

For most women, the 12-week scan is the green light to celebrate and get excited about being pregnant. But eight weeks later you have another ultrasound that looks closely at how the fetus and all her organs are developing.

Rather than just a quick look to see if all is well, or simply to tell you the sex of your fetus, at the 20-week scan the sonographer will spend a lot of time looking at your fetus’s various organs to check that they’re developing as they should be.

What will be checked?

• Head and brain • Heart – its chambers, valves and blood vessels • Abdominal contents – particularly the kidneys and stomach • Spine • Facial features • Hands and feet • Placenta, umbilical cord and amniotic fluid • Genitals – this is usually when they can let you know whether you’re having a girl or a boy.

Unfortunately, it’s at this scan that abnormalities are sometimes found. Most irregular findings are minor and may require rescanning or surgery, but will not necessarily affect the outcome of your pregnancy. But in some cases, the abnormalities are potentially life-threatening. This is devastating for parents, but the teams are specially trained to support couples at this time and offer excellent care.

Do remember that these cases are very rare indeed. In the UK, we’re lucky to be at the cutting-edge of science, and every precaution is taken to ensure that our babies arrive in our arms fit and healthy. For most mothers, the 20-week scan is an amazing window to their uterus, where they can see their perfect little baby growing beautifully. So, enjoy it and be prepared to get emotional!

The Ultimate Baby Book 2021 | 19

FIRST TRIMESTER

WHAT TO READ

There is a wealth of information out there, but these titles cut to the chase with their expert, no-nonsense advice

THE BUMP CLASS: AN EXPERT GUIDE TO PREGNANCY, BIRTH AND BEYOND

Antenatal classes

Give yourself a head start by learning about birth and parenthood, at the same time as making new friends

By Marina Fogle and Dr Chiara Hunt The founders of The Bump Class have compiled this guide to fill you in on everything you need to know, with answers to any embarrassing questions you might have.

YOUR BABY, YOUR BIRTH: HYPNOBIRTHING SKILLS FOR EVERY BIRTH

By Hollie de Cruz This reassuring read from the hypnobirthing coach provides you with all the tools you need to prepare for a positive labour, with breathing techniques and more.

WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU’RE EXPECTING

By Heidi Murkoff At more than 600 pages, it’s not exactly a light read, but this bestselling tome will give you all the facts and advice you need to know during this special time.

THE EXPECTANT DAD’S HANDBOOK

PHOTOGRAPHY: ISTOCK/DEANMITCHELL, WORDS: REBECCA MOORE

By Dean Beaumont Everything that’s going on inside the womb is alien to him, so this book sets out to give reassurance, covering all areas from a father’s role during labour to life as a new dad.

TIME TO SHOP:

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20 | The Ultimate Baby Book 2021

Cotton-blend robe £95, sianesther.co.uk

FIRST TRIMESTER

Tune in, chill out These popular parenting podcasts share invaluable family advice, celebrity mum and dad experiences, and hilarious anecdotes that anyone raising little ones can relate to

P

regnancy brings with it a world of newfound information, and a whole lot of baby paraphernalia.

And it also often marks the blossoming of new friendships, most of which are formed through classes.

Your midwife is likely to recommend you go along to antenatal classes and breastfeeding workshops. The idea behind them is to not only help you prepare for your baby’s birth, but to give you the confidence and knowledge you need to look after and feed them. You’ll also be informed on all of the different birthing options available, helping you to create your own birth plan.

The type of class you go for is completely your choice, and you can do as many or as few as you feel are right for you. The most well-known paid-for classes are run by the NCT, but you might also choose local private classes, such as London-based The Bump Class. The cost of NCT classes depends on the type you choose, where you live and if you’re eligible for concessions, but typically start from around £124 for two people. NHS midwives also run their own free classes from 30 to 32 weeks, which take place at hospitals or children’s centres. These do tend to be held as larger groups, so they may focus on providing information, rather than encouraging participation.

Classes are a great way to make friends with other parents who are expecting around the same time. These friendships can be invaluable in those first few months.

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Vegan leather hi-top trainers £179, airandgracelondon.com

HAPPY MUM, HAPPY BABY Author and mumof-three Giovanna Fletcher continues the motherhood conversation that began with her bestselling book of the same name. Her guests – including the Duchess of Cambridge – show solidarity by sharing their parenting highs and lows.

LOCKDOWN PARENTING HELL Like every parent, comedians Rob Beckett and Josh Widdecombe have found raising little ones during a pandemic tough.

Opting to find the funny in the situation, they invite a celeb mum or dad to share their stories and strategies each episode.

THE PARENT HOOD The Bump Class founders Dr Chiara Hunt and Marina Fogle have brought their life-saving tips, hints and impartial expert advice to the audio realm with this engaging podcast.

From nits to reflux and everything in between, they’ve got you covered.

THE SCUMMY MUMMIES PODCAST With more than 3m downloads and an Edinburgh Fringe show under their belts, comedy mums Ellie Gibson and Helen Thorn have a strong following. Talking everything from pelvic floors to IVF, you can be sure of unvarnished truths and lots of humour.

The Ultimate Baby Book 2021 | 21

FIRST TRIMESTER

Say what?

Discovering that you’re pregnant is a life-changing experience for every woman, as these celebrity mums can attest…

“I was lucky that both pregnancies were good; I didn’t have mood swings or sickness. I got tired like everybody else, but thank goodness I was able to continue with my work – I really feel for women who have acute sickness.”

Pregnant me

KATHERINE JENKINS, SINGER, AND MOTHER TO AALIYAH AND XANDER

“It was so amazing, and even though it’s a lot to handle emotionally, I loved watching my body go through all these changes and feeling my baby kick more and more. It reminded me every day what a miracle motherhood is.”

How I feel…

MILLIE MACKINTOSH, BEAUTY AND WELLNESS INFLUENCER, AND MOTHER TO SIENNA

he first pregnancy with u I felt really wo anly and incredible. he second one I ust felt alright but then this third one I actually felt really awful. I felt a lot hea ier and less able ”

“Oh my goodness, there were tears! Lots and lots of happy tears. We had been trying for quite a while, and Jade and I were together when I found out, so we were just over the moon. Best feeling ever.”

EMMA BUNTON, SINGER TURNED RADIO PRESENTER, AND MOTHER TO BEAU AND TATE

“I had a relaxed approach to pregnancy – I took tablets for morning sickness and heartburn and they made my life so much better. Women can be so hard on themselves. I think it’s okay to get a little bit of help.”

VOGUE WILLIAMS, TV PRESENTER AND MODEL, AND MOTHER TO THEODORE AND GIGI MARGAUX 22 | The Ultimate Baby Book 2021

PHOTOGRAPHY: INSTAGRAM/MILLIEMACKINTOSH; INSTAGRAM/EMMALEEBUNTON

GIOVANNA FLETCHER, PRESENTER AND AUTHOR, AND MOTHER TO BUZZ, BUDDY AND MAX

CLINICALLY PROVEN PREGNANCY SKINCARE *

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A

sm

g n i ooth

TH T OU

CH

9-

ET

N T H ST R O M

D

BE

YO

ND

.

*independent clinical trials on selected products. For full details visit mamamio.com

RUNNING HEAD

24 | The Ultimate Baby Book 2017

RUNNING HEAD

The second trimester

13-27 weeks

ABOUT ME How I’m feeling:

My cravings: Pregnancy niggles: Baby name ideas: 20-week scan date:

The Ultimate Baby Book 2017 | 25

SECOND TRIMESTER

What to expect The Parent Hood podcasters Marina Fogle and Dr Chiara Hunt explain the changes you and baby are experiencing in the second trimester

You… This is generally when that lovely pregnancy glow kicks in. Any morning sickness you’ve been experiencing should ease off by around week 15 and you’ll notice that your skin starts to feel good and your hair may start to thicken. Most tend to agree that this is when they enjoy their pregnancy the most; the nausea subsides and your numerous trips to the loo are less frequent.

This an exciting time, too, as towards the end of week 17, you may start to feel butterflylike flutters in your tummy which are your fetus’ movements. However, it’s not all a bed of roses – you may also experience some strange symptoms such as nosebleeds, nasal congestion, blocked ears and bleeding gums.

You’ll probably have noticed some significant changes to your body during this trimester, including larger breasts and a thickening of your waist. Alongside changes to your appearance, frustratingly you may also experience what’s known as ‘baby brain’,

26 | The Ultimate Baby Book 2021

but remember this is temporary and you can blame your change in hormones. This is also the time when you’ll get to see your baby again at the 20-week scan. The big question is: will you find out the sex?

During weeks 22 to 26, many women notice skin changes, and leg cramps at night can become more debilitating as your pregnancy progresses. You can relieve these by doing some simple stretches and wearing support stockings. You may also have an itchy tummy; as the skin across your bump becomes taut it becomes dry, often resulting in irritated skin.

As your uterus grows, it presses up against your diaphragm, leaving less room for your lungs to expand, which leaves many women experiencing breathlessness. You may notice that you have become clumsier, dropping things or tripping more often – again, you can blame your hormones for this, which are causing your joints to loosen and your hands to swell.

PHOTOGRAPHY: SHUTTERSTOCK/PROSTOCK-STUDIO

and your baby • During weeks 14 to 17, the fetus will start looking more in proportion and is roughly the size of an avocado, with the body now growing faster than the head.

If you could see her you would notice lots of hiccoughing, which is actually the fetus practising her breathing movements.

• Eyelashes, eyebrows and head hair are growing and her hearing is now pretty good; voices from the outside world can be heard, although the ears are not fully developed until 24 weeks. At week 16 you still may not have a visible bump – don’t worry, a lot of firsttime mothers don’t look pregnant until after 20 weeks. By week 17, she weighs about 140g and is 13cm long.

• By week 19, her eyelashes have grown even more and she now has fingernails. By weeks 22 to 26, your baby’s eyes can open and close and she’ll be able to tell the difference between light and dark.

She’ll open and close her fists and curl her toes. You may start to feel her hiccoughs now, too.

Your baby’s vocal cords are fully functional, although she won’t make her first sound until she is born. The hair on her head is still white, as no pigment has been deposited yet and her skin is still thin and translucent as there isn’t any fat underneath. Until 24 weeks fetal length is measured from crown to rump. After 24 weeks the baby is more stretched out, so length is measured from head to heel.

SECOND TRIMESTER

The wish list

It’s an exciting time when you can begin to embrace your pregnancy and start making purchases for your little one I would like…

1

2

3

Leather maternity leggings £349, isabellaoliver.com

5

Dragon plush toy £13.50, jellycat.com

6

Fabric storage basket £15.50, vertbaudet.com

De Mamiel Pregnancy Facial Oil £75, spacenk.com

Cotton & Sweets pillow £36, scandiborn.co.uk

11

Ferm Living Kids blanket £67, smallable.com

14

Mama Mio Tummy Rub Butter £24, mioskincare.co.uk

Zita West Vital Essence 2 capsules £28.50, zitawest.com

8

Rose gold-plated maternity pendant £49, lilyandribbon.com

Baby changing mat £45, mokee.eu

13

Wooden changing table £549, camcamcopenhagen.com

7

10

9

4

Cotton-mix zip-up sleepsuit £32.50, babymori.com

12

Denim dungarees £42, next.co.uk

15

Pram chain mobile £33, oyoylivingdesign.co.uk

Liewood muslins (pack of two) £14, folkinteriors.co.uk

16

Sumptuously Soft™ non-wired bra £20, marksandspencer.com

The Ultimate Baby Book 2021 | 27

DockATot X Morris&Co. a collection of timelessly beautiful essentials for the nursery, home and beyond.

Formerly Sleepyhead of Sweden

E U . D O C K AT O T. C O M

ADVERTORIAL Lisa now lives in Athens, Greece with her husband and two children

DockATot x Morris & Co. Tent of Dreams £477, dockatot.com

In conversation with…

LISA FURULAND KOTSIANIS

As the brand launches its Morris & Co. collaboration, the DockATot founder talks stylish family interiors, functional design and new-mum tips hen Lisa Furuland Kotsianis, the founder and visionary behind DockATot® (formerly Sleepyhead of Sweden) created the first designs for the brand, she could never have imagined it would become the international bestselling baby must-have it is today. Following the birth of her first child, she was unable to find the perfect lounging product to fit his needs, so set about designing something herself. The rest, as they say, is history.

Lisa has always had an eye for beauty and design. She studied art history at Stockholm University and photography studies and architectural education at the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm. Today she lives with her husband and two sons in Athens, Greece.

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What advice would you give to a new mother?

Like most mums, I’m very busy, but I try to prioritise family time before work. I know that the precious days when they’re so young won’t last forever. I think it’s important to take a long view of our lives, even when the days seem a struggle and to try to stay in the moment and be

DockATot x Morris & Co. Deluxe+ Dock £164, dockatot.com

present with the children as much as possible. That said, I’m a big believer in self-care for mothers, and I believe getting enough sleep in the early days is so essential for both mum and baby to bond.

What three things would you recommend to a new mother?

A DockATot Deluxe+ of course!

Also a great nursing pillow. And say ‘yes’ when help is offered.

To date, you’ve done very few collaborations. What drew you to William Morris?

I’ve always admired the works of William Morris. It was his design ethos that pioneered the Arts & Crafts movement while championing the idea of beautiful design for the home. By pairing the iconic Morris & Co. prints with our products, we’re able to offer

families the opportunity to own a meaningful piece of art history that’s also extremely useful.

What are your tips for designing a family-friendly home?

I strongly believe that adaptation is a key concept in any family interiors. I think it’s important to understand the beauty of bespoke design and how almost anything can be adapted for new or additional uses. A lot of my designs are created with longevity and adaptation in mind, such as my other brand Aristot, where the bassinet converts into an ottoman or table once baby has grown. Convert under-stair spaces into reading nooks and transform window ledges into a sketching table – use your imagination! eu.dockatot.com

The Ultimate Baby Book 2021 | 29

RUNNING HEAD

HOW COULD MY BLOOD GROUP AFFECT MY PREGNANCY?

women are always given a blood group test.

Essentially, there are four main blood types – A, B, AB and O. However, each can either be RhD positive or RhD negative, which means there are eight main blood groups in total.

Mixing blood groups can be life-threatening, so you’ll always receive blood from the same blood group in hospital.

In blood group A, for example, there are anti-B antibodies in the plasma, which would attack the cells in blood group B. While more than eight in 10 people in the UK are RhD positive, if a mother is RhD negative but the child inherits an RhD positive blood group from the father, it could cause complications if not treated in a timely manner.

It’s important to identify at-risk pregnancies early on, so women are usually screened during early pregnancy and again at 28 weeks, regardless of RhD status. If a woman is RhD negative, then there’s a few considerations, such as partner testing, and potential steps that will need to be taken. Anti-D prophylaxis may be administered – which can actually be given to an RhD negative mother following birth to protect future pregnancies, too.

Depending on your initial screening results, you may be referred to a specialist clinic for further investigation and detailed antenatal management.

It’s best to have a clear plan in place for your pregnancy – from the planning stages through to labour and beyond – as each individual will have a completely different circumstance.

But there’s no need to worry, if your tests are organised by an experienced professional, you’ll be able to enjoy all the best bits of this special time and relax!”

I’M FOUR MONTHS PREGNANT AND HAVE REALLY BEEN OVERINDULGING THE LAST FEW MONTHS. WHAT FOODS SHOULD I MAKE SURE I’M GETTING IN MY DIET NOW? Melanie Lawson, founder of Bare Biology, says: “Eat more fat. After months of indulgence, the first thing you might be tempted to do is cut back on it, but don’t. Fat – the good kind – is crucial for your wellbeing and the development of your baby’s brain and eyes. At the top of the list is omega 3 DHA. It makes up 20 per cent of your baby’s brain, helps to prevent postnatal depression and lowers the risk of infant allergies. Include DHA in your diet by eating oily fish such as salmon, sardines, mackerel and anchovies. It’s also important to take supplements alongside that – just be sure they are independently certified, pure and fresh.

The UK government recommends eating two portions of fish per week while pregnant. Unfortunately, this doesn’t provide anywhere near the amount of DHA needed to protect the mother’s mental health and support baby’s neurological growth. That’s why supplementation is critical.

Flaxseeds, walnuts and hemp seeds are great sources of healthy fats, too.

Not only do they contain some omega 3s, they’re high in fibre. This may help to ease bloating and keep bowels regular.

The more fibre you can include in your diet, the more energetic you’ll feel.

Aim for at least two cups of salad or veggies with each meal and add avocados, pumpkin seeds or almonds.

This is a great way to provide you with vitamin C, magnesium, calcium and iron.

Nuts and seeds are also high in protein – essential for baby’s growth, too.”

GOOD FATS ARE CRUCIAL FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF YOUR BABY’S BRAIN AND EYES 30 | The Ultimate Baby Book 2021

WHAT IS A FETAL WELLBEING ULTRASOUND AND SHOULD I HAVE ONE? Dr Aris Papageorghiou, professor of fetal medicine and obstetrics and consultant at Ultrasound Diagnostic Services, says: “Currently all women in the UK are offered two ultrasound scans during pregnancy: at 12 weeks and again at 20 weeks.

In addition, some women are offered an extra scan in late pregnancy, for example, 28 or 36 weeks. This is called a fetal wellbeing scan and is also known as a late pregnancy or third trimester scan. Usually this is done due to some risk factor, for example, a maternal condition such as pre-eclampsia or diabetes; a suspected problem with the baby’s growth on examination; or a previous pregnancy complication such as stillbirth. In many countries the scan is done routinely and some doctors believe that this should be offered to all women.

The main purpose of the late pregnancy scan is to identify those babies that show signs of poor growth or poor placental function.

Offering such a scan to all women roughly triples the chances of picking up babies with growth problems; it’s also thought to detect babies at risk of stillbirth. In theory, this should reduce the risks to these babies as they can be monitored more closely and, if necessary, delivered earlier. However, at present, it is not known whether offering such a scan to all women improves outcomes, and there are ongoing studies to assess this.

The scan aims to assess fetal growth and development. This is done by looking at the position and movements of the baby; measuring the size of the baby’s body parts (the head, abdomen and thigh bone length); estimating the fetal weight, based on these measurements; assessing the amount of amniotic fluid; measuring the blood flow from the baby to the placenta (through the umbilical cord) and within the baby; and checking the position of the placenta and its appearance.”

SOURCES: PREGNANCY SICKNESS SUPPORT; NATIONAL CHARITY PARTNERSHIP; APTA CLUB; TOMMY’S ALWAYS ASK CAMPAIGN

Dr Anuj Chaturvedi, medical director and GP at HealthClic, says: “Pregnant

SECOND TRIMESTER

DID YOU KNOW?

Expert advice Our healthcare professionals answer your burning pregnancy questions

important to pay attention to your baby’s own routine, rather than an average amount of movement you’re often told to expect. Every baby is different. It’s essential that you start to recognise your baby’s own specific patterns of movement rather than comparing to others.

In general, you start to feel movement from around 17 weeks. By 24 weeks the baby begins to have more definitive movements, and by 28 weeks there should be a discernible routine of movement and non-movement. It’s this unique pattern that you should be aware of, and take note of any significant changes, too.

Your baby may keep relatively still most of the day, but then become very active at night time, or vice versa. Make sure that you keep track of this and write down any changes you’ve noticed. If your baby appears to be moving as much as they normally would, just be conscious of how these movements are building in strength. Try to stay as relaxed as possible, as stress can have a number of effects on your unborn baby’s routine, development and wellbeing. If you have any concerns, speak to your GP or midwife.”

ONE THIRD OF MOTHERS ARE CONFUSED ABOUT HOW MUCH THEY SHOULD EAT DURING PREGNANCY

60%

OF PREGNANT WOMEN WORRY THEY ARE WASTING THEIR MIDWIVES’ TIME BY RAISING HEALTH CONCERNS

I’M 25 WEEKS PREGNANT, BUT MY BABY DOESN’T SEEM TO BE MOVING A LOT. IS THERE SOMETHING WRONG? Angela Spencer, childcare expert and founder of Babyopathy, says: “It’s more

%

OF EXPECTANT MUMS WEAR THE WRONG-SIZED BRA

Other questions I want to ask my midwife…

34% STOPPED EATING CERTAIN FOODS DURING PREGNANCY BECAUSE THEY DIDN’T KNOW WHETHER THEY WERE SAFE OR NOT

%

OF WOMEN PLAN THE BIRTH BEFORE THEY ARE EVEN PREGNANT

NAUSEA AND VOMITING IN PREGNANCY AFFECTS

70-80%

OF PREGNANT WOMEN TO SOME EXTENT

SECOND TRIMESTER

FOCUS ON

Pushchairs

You may want to consider the pushchair as an investment that will grow with your family

HERE’S HOW TO MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE FOR YOU ON ONE OF THE MOST CRUCIAL BITS OF BABY KIT YOU’LL BUY ith the potential to be the most expensive set of wheels you’ll buy after a car, the pushchair can be one of the most daunting purchases; it’s also quite a surreal, emotional experience, knowing that in a few months’s time you’ll be pushing your little baby around in it.

A product like this will get daily use, so try to see it as an investment, with many models built to see you through two, or even three, children. So while it may seem like a hefty price tag, once you break it down, it’s really worth doing your research and spending on something that suits your family’s needs.

Before you start to shop, think about what your requirements are. There are plenty of questions you need to ask yourself. Firstly, it’s good to think about space restrictions – both within your home and your car boot. Are you in and out of the car a lot, meaning you’ll benefit from a travel system that you can attach the car seat to? What kind of terrain will you be using the pushchair on? Will you be spending most of the time in and out of shops and on pavements, or will you be tackling uneven surfaces with country strolls? With so many things to consider, try to prioritise the two most important elements for you.

While the internet will provide you with an abundance of choice, it’s important to visit a store where the staff will demonstrate the pushchairs, showing you how they fold and how to adjust the seat and handle. Both

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32 | The Ultimate Baby Book 2021

your comfort and the baby’s is of equal importance. Does it work with your height?

Some handlebars extend to different lengths, but some don’t extend at all, which might not work if you and your partner are varying heights. Don’t feel like you’re being a nuisance: it’s important to compare different models.

It’s also worth discussing colour options and lead times, as some styles may be out of stock, so don’t leave it too late to choose.

If, like many, you find yourself tight on storage space, or use public transport or travel a lot, you may want to concentrate your research on a lightweight stroller.

Designed to make daily travelling easier, these typically have a small fold, are lightweight and something you can store out of the way when you’re not using it, or that will fit into a small car boot. Many models are also cabin-sized, which can be quite handy for avid globetrotters. The past few years have seen many brands bring out compact stroller options, such as the Babyzen Yoyo, which offers a super-small handbag-style fold, but still classifies as a travel system with car seat adaptors and can be used from birth. Other strong contenders include the Micralite Profold and Silver Cross Jet. Although it’s hard to predict the future, if you’re planning on having children close in age, you may want to consider a pushchair that can grow with your family. This means the pushchair will start as a single and transform

GLOSSARY • A carrycot is used from birth; this allows baby to lie down and sleep.

• The chassis is the framework of a pushchair.

• Doubles are for twins or babies close in age, with two seats or two carrycots.

• Parent-facing is when the seat is positioned facing the parent.

• Seat units are used from around six months, once baby can support herself.

Note that many now have lie-flat positions, which means that they can be used from birth.

• Tandem – also referred to as in-line pushchairs – means one seat behind the other.

• A travel system is a type of pushchair that’s compatible with a rear-facing car seat, which attaches to the chassis for ease of transportation when out of the car.

• World-facing is when the seat is looking out, so baby can see the world go by as you stroll.

SECOND TRIMESTER

Cybex Eezy S Twist +2 pushchair, £369.95, johnlewis.com

Nuna MIXX Next pushchair and carrycot, £650, pramworld.com

WORDS: REBECCA MOORE PHOTOGRAPHY: JUNIORJONES, J-CARBON

BugaBoo Bee6 pushchair, £649, johnlewis.com

MANY MODELS ARE CABINSIZED, WHICH IS HANDY FOR AVID GLOBETROTTERS into a double by adding an additional seat.

It may be that it comes with all the items to do so, such as the Silver Cross Wave, or a pushchair like the Nuna Demi Grow, which gives the option to add to it when needed.

Also be sure to find out what’s included in the price. You’ll find there’s quite a big difference between brands and retailers on what you get, and you may have to buy carrycots, rain covers, bumper bars, car seat adaptors and cup-holders separately as additional accessories. Some buggies are sold at a complete price with the majority of pieces

included, while others only include the chassis and seat, and everything else is an extra.

Allow yourself time, just in case of any stock complications; it’s a good idea to start searching once you’ve hit the 20-week mark, with the aim of choosing one eight weeks before you’re due. It is a big investment, so don’t rush into it; you should carefully weigh up where you’re going to use it, and where and how it’ll be stored. Buying a pushchair that is well made and sturdy will naturally give it longevity of use, but, most importantly, pick a pushchair that you’ll feel proud to push.

Raffi 3-in-1 pushchair system, £599, bababing.com

J-Spirit stroller, £679, juniorjones.com

The Ultimate Baby Book 2021 | 33

SECOND TRIMESTER

WHAT TO EAT

Nutritionist Charlotte Stirling-Reed gives us the lowdown on nutrition during pregnancy

And relax...

During pregnancy, there’s lots of conversation around what foods need to be avoided, but we don’t talk enough about what foods we should be eating. The reality is that sometimes you’re not feeling your best during pregnancy, so getting in what you can is a bonus. During the second trimester, you might be able to start thinking about eating more of a variety. Healthy eating is all about balance; make the most of mealtimes and get in extras: for example, some seeds added to your cereal or porridge in the morning, veggies and cheese in your omelette and some fish once or twice a week will help.

Eating a varied diet means you’re more likely to get plenty of nutrients – vitamins, minerals, proteins, fibre and antioxidants, which will help you stay healthy and provide the extras needed for a growing baby!

The second trimester is the perfect time to be practising yoga. Tara Lee pro i es e e ercises to tr at ho e

WHAT TO EAT

• Fruit and veg – fresh, frozen or tinned • Starchy foods – wholegrains, oats, rice and potatoes • Protein or iron-rich foods – eggs, chicken, lentils, beans and fish • Dairy or fortified alternatives Remember: it’s recommended that you have around 200kcals extra in the third trimester.

This is the equivalent to a slice of toast with butter or a small yoghurt, fruit and seeds.

SUPPLEMENTS

Folic acid (in the first trimester) and vitamin D are recommended during pregnancy.

Ribbed cotton sleepsuits (set of two) £59.50, babymori.com

TIME TO SHOP:

• Soft blue cheeses – Danish Blue, Gorgonzola and Roquefort, for example • Undercooked foods – especially meats and any ready meals. However, eggs with the British lion stamp are fine undercooked • Unpasteurised goat, sheep and cow’s milk • Raw shellfish such as oysters • Shark, swordfish or marlin – you should also limit your intake of tuna (and other oily fish) to no more than four medium-sized cans or two fresh tuna steaks per week • Liver and liver products – such as pâté or liver sausage • Alcohol – avoid throughout pregnancy • Limit caffeine intake to no more than 200mgs – two mugs of coffee or four cups of tea per day

TWICE AS NICE

WHAT TO AVOID

Twin baby carrier £141.90, en.weego.eu 34 | The Ultimate Baby Book 2021

Out ‘n’ About Nipper Double V4 stroller with accessories From £399.95, babyandchildstore.com

SECOND TRIMESTER

Babymoon boom One last trip before you become a party of three? These dreamy destinations are ideal for squeezing in some pre-baby relaxation

T

hese stretches help to release tension from the muscles and create space for your growing child, while the breathing techniques work on a deep psychological level to bring you a sense of calm and clarity. You can start the following exercises 14 weeks into your pregnancy. If you have any complications or injuries, please check with your doctor that it’s safe.

• Breathing and connecting Sit cross-legged, using cushions if you want to. Rest one hand on your baby and the other hand in the centre of your chest. Take deep breaths in and out through the nose with your eyes closed and sit as tall as possible.

Feel the rise and fall of the abdomen with each breath.

• Calf stretch Come onto all fours and stretch one leg behind, tucking the toes under. Reach back through the heel, feeling the stretch down the back of the leg. Change legs.

• Cat stretch Come onto all fours with the knees under the hips, the wrists under the shoulders. Tuck the chin into the chest as you round your spine and inhale. Repeat, hugging your baby in toward you on each exhale.

• Opposite arm and leg stretches Come on to your hands and knees. Inhale, and lift the right arm and left leg, and as you exhale, release back to all fours. Repeat five times on each side.

• Child’s pose On all fours with the knees wider than the hips, bring your hips back towards the heels and rest the forehead on the floor. Hold as long as you like, breathing deeply.

COAST PENTHOUSE, CORNWALL For stunning sunsets enjoyed in luxury surroundings, it's the perfect spot for pre-baby relaxation. beachretreats.co.uk

LIME WOOD HOTEL & SPA, NEW FOREST Dine at in-house Hartnett Holder & Co and chillax in the Herb House Spa. limewoodhotel.co.uk

LA RÉSERVE GENÈVE, GENEVA On the serene shores of Lake Geneva, this unashamedly opulent hotel houses a fivestar spa and suites. lareserve.ch

Freestyle Flex 2-Phase Double Electric breast pump £349.99, shop.medela.co.uk

LINDOS BLU, RHODES Perched, tier-like, on a tranquil hillside, Lindos Blu is adults-only, so enjoy it while you can! slh.com/lindos-blu Double wooden rocking horse From £3,900, stevensonbros.com

Coulsen McLeod fold-out card £6, notonthehighstreet.com The Ultimate Baby Book 2021 | 35

ADVERTORIAL

The Heritage collection was the first range TeddyOne launched

All TeddyOne nursery sets are beautifully finished with the Farrow all shade of your choice

FROM THE INTERIOR DESIGN SERVICE TO AT-HOME ASSEMBLY, IT OFFERS A MINIMUM-FUSS APPROACH 36 | The Ultimate Baby Book 2021

ADVERTORIAL

Get ready, get Teddy IMAGINE IF YOUR DRE AM NURSERY WAS JUST A FEW CLICKS AWAY? Kate Freud FINDS OUT HOW LUXE ONLINE FURNITURE BR AND TEDDYONE DELIVERS ON THE INTERIOR FANTASY... esigning a nursery for your baby is one of the most emotional investments a parent can make, so it’s understandable to want it to be perfect. It was this realisation, that led Niall Gilfillan to launch TeddyOne, the luxury nursery furniture brand in 2018. “Parents will always want the best for their children,” Niall explains. “But, when I began looking into launching a nursery brand, I was amazed to find products that were nearly identical to what was available when my eldest daughter was born 25 years ago. Nothing had really changed, and I couldn’t find anything that felt special enough.”

Through endless research, Niall also realised that in the ‘juvenile sector’, as it’s known, the purchase circle was much bigger than other interior pieces. “If you say to your parents that you want to buy a new sofa, they’d think nothing of it,” says Niall. “But if you’re looking for their grandchild’s cot, they're keen to chip in, because of the emotional attachment.”

And unlike in the US, where parents-to-be still prefer to browse bricks-and-mortar stores for nursery furniture, in the UK – as the largest e-consumers in Europe – we’re happy to make large-scale home investments online.

D

Its chic geometric pattern makes the Carnaby range a real design stand-out

In 2018, with all this knowledge in hand, Niall decided to launch an online business specialising in luxury nursery furnishings. It coincided with his return to the UK from Vietnam, where he’d lived for 18 years working in custom furniture manufacture for high-end hotels. He understood more than most the ins and outs of the industry, and how to make robust pieces that will take you from ‘crib to college’.

With a young family of his own in tow (daughters Katie, 12 and Rosie, four) – and Katie’s teddy bear, ‘Teddy One’ inspiring the brand’s name, it was the perfect time for a new venture that was more in keeping with this stage in his life.

The classic Heritage collection was the first to launch and included a leather upholstered cot bed, dressers and wardrobes. Designed to last, each item is made from poplar and beech, using post-and-rail mortice and tenon joinery.

By 2019, the expanding brand had become the only nursery company in the world to be 100 per cent British owned and manufactured, with every creation made in its Hertfordshire workshop. And thanks to TeddyOne's partnership with leading British paint brands, each piece is given a superior finish too.

Today you can choose from an array of timeless pieces, from the original Heritage designs to more contemporary ranges, such as Carnaby and Chelsea. One of TeddyOne’s bestsellers is a nursing chair that has proved particularly popular with mums who have undergone a caesarean and struggled to get comfortable while feeding. Every order is delivered to your home and assembled for you – as anyone who has ever attempted to put together a flat-pack cot will know, this service is worth the money in itself.

TeddyOne may be a young online label, but customer feedback shows that the personal touch is what sets it apart.

From the interior design service and a choice of any colour or finish to at-home assembly, it offers the minimum-fuss approach that every expectant parent dreams of, as well as stunning legacy pieces to enjoy for generations to come. teddyone.uk

The Ultimate Baby Book 2021 | 37

SECOND TRIMESTER

Say what?

Pregnancy; it’s not all plain sailing. And as these stars reveal, some days are definitely better than others Pregnant me

“When you’re pregnant, some people like to share their horror stories, and I remember feeling really overwhelmed. I now make a point of telling pregnant friends the good stuff.”

KATHERINE JENKINS, SINGER, AND MOTHER TO AALIYAH AND XANDER

“In the first three months, I felt really, really nauseous – I couldn’t even smell coffee and usually I love it. I went off all fragrances. I couldn’t really eat the things that I used to like… but I’d really crave salt and vinegar crisps.”

How I feel…

TAMARA ECCLESTONE, MODEL, AND MOTHER TO FIFI AND SERENA

“Second time around, I was anxious about the possibility of going through the trauma of perinatal depression again, so I took up pregnancy yoga and hypnobirthing to help.

I ended up really enjoying it.”

ANNA WILLIAMSON, PRESENTER, AND MUM TO ENZO AND ELEANORA

“At the beginning, I just really craved apples, which was a bit strange, because I don’t tend to eat much fruit. But as time went on, I loved tuna mayonnaise on toast with Marmite – I still actually quite like it now! I think it was the saltiness of it.”

“I didn’t find either pregnancy hard, so there’s nothing to put me off a third. Even if I had a bad third pregnancy, I’ve got away with two good ones!”

KIMBERLEY WALSH, SINGER, ACTRESS, AND MOTHER TO BOBBY AND COLE 38 | The Ultimate Baby Book 2021

PHOTOGRAPHY: MICHELLE DREWES

GEORGIA JONES, MODEL, AND MOTHER TO COOPER

ns g i s De le w Ne vailab A

It’s playtime Premium baby playmats

oops

Get Ready To Tumble

No Toxic Nasties

Fits Your Space

Durable

gusandbeau.com

Easy To Clean

Assembly Is Child’s Play

RUNNING HEAD

40 | The Ultimate Baby Book 2017

RUNNING HEAD

The third trimester

28-40 weeks

ABOUT ME How I’m feeling:

My cravings: Pregnancy niggles: Baby name ideas: Birth plan:

The Ultimate Baby Book 2017 | 41

THIRD TRIMESTER

What to expect t s the nal count o n arina o le an r hiara unt e plain hat s oin on ith ou an a in late pre nanc

You… Hooray! It’s the final stretch. Some mothers are ready to see the back of pregnancy, whereas some aren’t quite ready for this final trimester to be over.

In these last few months most mothers tend to put on around 11lb in weight and your abdomen is now accommodating up to three times what it’s used to. You are likely to feel increasingly tired, especially if you’re having difficulty sleeping at night – this is common as you get bigger. You may also be increasingly short of breath and notice your hands, feet and legs swelling.

Not only is your growing baby compressing all your abdominal organs, but your digestive system is slowing, too. These factors combined mean that food takes longer to travel through the stomach and intestines, often causing symptoms of bloating, tummy ache and more likely than not, constipation.

You may find the occasional hardening of your stomach; these are known as Braxton

42 | The Ultimate Baby Book 2021

Hicks contractions – your body’s way of practising for birth. Some women barely notice them, while for others they’re quite uncomfortable, and can make them think labour has arrived early.

During this trimester you’ll begin to have more frequent antenatal check-ups, and your doctor or midwife will want to be checking the baby’s position, size and heartbeat, as well as your blood pressure and urine for any signs of pre-eclampsia. You may also have a late scan if there’s any concern about the size or position of the baby or placenta.

At some point in the last month, it’s common to feel your baby’s head gradually drop lower down into the pelvis and become ‘engaged’. When this happens you’ll feel less pressure against your ribs and diaphragm, but more pressure on your bladder and perineum.

For some women this happens some weeks before labour starts, and for others the baby doesn’t drop until their labour has started.

PHOTOGRAPHY: SHUTTERSTOCK/PROSTOCK-STUDIO

and your baby • A lot changes during this last trimester; by 27 weeks your baby can open her eyes and is the size of a cauliflower, but as due date approaches she’ll end up the size of a small pumpkin.

• By the eighth month, your baby’s organs are pretty much fully developed, except for her lungs which will be ready for action at around 36 weeks. Between 31 and 35 weeks the lungs are maturing incredibly fast, her brain and nervous system are fully developed and her bones (with the exception of her skull) are hardening. She has a bit more growing to do. She is still covered in a white waxy substance called vernix, which is protecting her skin and keeping her warm, but the downy lanugo hair is beginning to shed. If you’re having a boy, his testicles will descend from his abdomen into his scrotum.

• In this last month, her lungs and intestine are fully formed. The intestine contains a sticky, dark green substance called meconium, which is passed as your baby’s first poo. Your midwife will check how engaged your baby is by determining how much of her head she can feel before it emerges into the pelvis. After 36 weeks, if your baby isn’t head down, it’s much less likely to change position because of the limited space, so your doctor or midwife will want to discuss the possibility of trying to turn the baby. Your baby is considered full-term at 37 weeks.

THIRD TRIMESTER

The wish list

As you count those kicks and get ready for birth, these essentials will help you to feel more prepared for what’s to come I would like…

1

2

3

Pregnancy pillow kit £148, bbhugme.com

5

Birthing ball and pump £20.99, birthease.co.uk

6

Rachel Riley x Clair de Lune bassinet £249,preciouslittleone.com

9

13

Ark three-in-one travel system £899, johnlewis.com

Knitted maternity sweater £35, jojomamanbebe.com

7

Kicks Count app Free, App Store and Google Play

14

My First Teddy Bear plush toy £37.99, steiff.co.uk

Perineum Massage Oil (50ml) £11.95, weleda.co.uk

8

Upsie Belly bump support band £79.95, bellybandit.co.uk

10

Maternity jeans £30, next.co.uk

4

Mama Mio Lucky Legs gel £20, mioskincare.co.uk

11

Bravado Designs nursing bra £26, selfridges.com

12

Konges Sløjd activity play mat £128.95, scandiborn.co.uk

15

Gabrielle Paris Organic blanket £62, en.smallable.com

Wooden cot bed £1,490, teddyone.uk

16

Effective Birth Preparation: Your Practical Guide to a Better Birth £10.99, amazon.co.uk

The Ultimate Baby Book 2021 | 43

RUNNING HEAD

Christine Yu, consultant in obstetrics & fetal medicine at The Portland Hospital (part of HCA Healthcare UK), says: “In the UK, approximately 20 per cent of pregnancies are induced. In the vast majority of women, there’s a high chance that natural labour will begin before 42 weeks’ pregnancy.

However, once you are 10 days overdue, it’s likely that your doctor will discuss the option of an induction.

Induction of labour is done to bring on the first stage of a journey that all pregnant women need to take before they’re in the active phase of labour. Induction takes time, and involves artificial hormones being given to women to soften the neck of the womb and bring on uterine contractions. This is usually followed by the use of a Pitocin drip.

A recent patient-experience survey shows that women who underwent post-date inductions were more satisfied with their delivery than those who waited for longer.

Other studies also show that inducing labour carries no increased risk of instrumental delivery, and that it can significantly reduce the risk of caesarean section.

Post-date induction of labour also lowers the risk of your baby inhaling meconium – also known as meconium aspiration syndrome – which can make babies very sick.

On the other hand, going overdue does carry a very small risk to your baby. National statistics show that the risk of stillbirth increase the more overdue you are. At 37 weeks, this risk is at 0.7 per 1,000 and beyond 43 weeks, it increases to 5.8 per 1,000. This risk can be higher with advanced maternal age and if there are other underlying health concerns.

In summary, induction of labour is a very safe process that can help with the natural, safe delivery of your baby with no increased risk for the mother.”

A FRIEND RECENTLY TOLD US ABOUT UMBILICAL CORD BLOOD BANKING, WHY SHOULD WE CONSIDER IT? r eff rew, chief scientific officer at Cells4Life says: “Your baby will be born into a world where medical science is progressing faster than ever. Not only can she expect to live beyond 100, she can also expect to remain healthy. Stem cells will play a pivotal role in this.

Your baby’s umbilical cord blood is a rich source of billions of stem cells that have the ability to repair damage, grow new tissue, and even treat lifethreatening diseases. These cells can be collected and stored at birth, so your baby has her own perfect stem cell match, ready and waiting for any treatments she may need in the future.

Cord blood stem cells are already used for more than 80 different conditions. There are currently more than 6,000 different clinical trials investigating the application of stem cells to treat anything from spinal damage to Alzheimer’s, and there have already been significant breakthroughs using cord blood for brain disorders, like cerebral palsy and autism, which affect 1 in 400 and 1 in 100 children in the UK respectively. Storing your baby’s umbilical cord blood is like taking out a kind of ‘biological insurance’ against these conditions.

Collecting cord blood is quick, simple and totally safe, however it’s only available a few moments after birth, so it’s important that you do your research and set up the service a month or so beforehand. The most crucial thing to look at is cell count, as this dictates how many treatments it could be used for.”

IN MOST CASES, YOU WON’T BE OFFERED AN INDUCTION UNTIL YOU REACH 42 WEEKS 44 | The Ultimate Baby Book 2021

I’VE ALWAYS BEEN INTO FITNESS AND REGULARLY WORK OUT. I CONTINUED DOING A FAIR AMOUNT OF EXERCISE IN MY SECOND TRIMESTER BUT WITH EIGHT WEEKS TO GO UNTIL MY DUE DATE, SHOULD I STOP WORKING OUT? Dr Joanna Helcké, pregnancy and postnatal fitness expert, says “Absolutely not: keep going! As long as you’re still keeping well in pregnancy and there are no contraindications, such as a very low-lying placenta, then you can carry on exercising right up to your due date or, believe it or not, beyond your estimated due date.

With your bump getting bigger in this last trimester you may well feel the need to slow down and take your exercise more gently – be sure to heed your body’s signals to ease off. Land-based exercise will start to feel tougher so you could switch to water-based workouts (when it’s safe to do so) which will give you a lovely feeling of lightness and will also stop you and – importantly – your baby from overheating. The effect of water is to dissipate heat which means that your perceived rate of exertion is lower. In other words, your workouts will feel easier – just what you want to hear! Try aquanatal, aqua jogging and swimming but if pelvic girdle pain is a problem, be sure to avoid breaststroke as is will aggravate the condition.

Alongside your cardio, I’d recommend carrying on with pregnancy tailored core stability work such as prenatal Pilates. This will help protect your lower back by keeping the deepest layer of abdominal muscles toned; it will also keep your spine mobile and postnatally will speed up recovery of the abdominal area encouraging realignment of abdominal separation.”

SOURCES: VOUCHERCODESPRO.CO.UK; LETS-DOTHIS.ORG.UK; ONS.GOV.UK, FACTRETRIEVER.COM; BABYGAGA.COM

MY DUE DATE WAS EARLIER THIS WEEK AND BABY IS SHOWING NO SIGNS OF ARRIVING. IS IT LIKELY THAT I’LL BE INDUCED?

THIRD TRIMESTER

DID YOU KNOW?

Expert advice Our healthcare professionals answer your questions on late pregnancy

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ‘NATURAL’ AND ‘ACTIVE’ DELIVERY OF THE PLACENTA? Dr Shazia Malik, consultant gynaecologist and obstetrician at The Portland Hospital, says: “The difference between the two is that with the natural delivery, no drugs are given. Your midwife will wait for the umbilical cord to stop pulsating before clamping the cord, and then will await spontaneous delivery of the placenta. This can take up to an hour, but can vary. Holding and feeding your baby, as well as passing urine or sitting upright, can help.

With an active third stage of labour (the stage where the placenta is delivered), a drug called syntometrine is given into your thigh, usually as the baby’s body is delivering. You won’t feel it as you’ll be busy delivering your baby! This drug helps the uterus to contract more quickly, so the placenta will separate and deliver without a delay – the benefit is a reduction in the incidence of excessive blood loss. It is recommended if you’ve had a long labour, required drugs to make you contract, have twins, or if you have an instrumental or caesarean delivery – all of which can increase the risk of bleeding. The placenta is smaller and softer than your baby, so apart from feeling an urge to push, it rarely feels painful.”

Other questions I want to ask my midwife…

%

OF PREGNANT WOMEN FEEL UNDER PRESSURE TO EAT LARGER MEALS

200

EXTRA CALORIES ARE ALL THAT’S REQUIRED DURING THE FINAL TRIMESTER

The mean age of new mothers in the UK in 2020 is 30.7, up from 26.4 in 1973

%

OF NEW PARENTS SAY THEY ARE ‘OVERLY CAUTIOUS’

BY 28 WEEKS YOUR BABY’S EYES CAN OPEN, AND DURING THE THIRD TRIMESTER SHE WILL EVEN PRACTICE BLINKING

During the nine months between conception and birth, a baby’s weight increases by

3,000

million

THIRD TRIMESTER

FOCUS ON

Aches and pains THIS STAGE OF PREGNANCY COMES WITH SOME PRET T Y UNFORGIVING AILMENTS. NUTRITIONIST Louise Pyne EXPL AINS HOW DIET CAN E ASE YOUR SYMPTOMS long with the inevitable emotional ups and downs, pregnancy comes with plenty of physical problems, too. From morning sickness to migraines, constipation to persistent back pain, carrying a baby is hard work. But by making small changes to your diet you could relieve your symptoms, and even prevent them in the first place, while nourishing your growing baby with the nutrients you both need.

A

MIGRAINES

uick fix agnesium Migraines and headaches are common in pregnancy and often caused by changing blood sugar levels and an increase in blood volume. Magnesium, which is found in nuts and seeds and green leafy vegetables such as kale and spinach, can help. This is because magnesium is a natural nerve relaxant and helps improve blood flow to reduce the likelihood of migraines.

SWOLLEN ANKLES

uick fix otassium Swelling in the ankles, legs and face (otherwise known as oedema) is most common during the third trimester as your body is producing more fluid and a greater blood volume in order to help your baby grow. Potassium is great at helping to keep fluid levels balanced and reducing excess water retention, so load up on potassium-rich foods, including bananas, avocados, nuts and seeds. Also avoid sodium-

46 | The Ultimate Baby Book 2021

filled foods, like ready meals and pre-packaged snacks, and stay away from the salt shaker as excess salt can cause water retention. Instead, flavour your food with herbs. Bye bye, cankles!

FATIGUE

uick fix rotein While your body is adapting to a growing baby, your hormones are constantly up and down, so it really comes as no surprise that energy levels dip during pregnancy. Another big cause of fatigue, particularly in the first trimester, is fluctuating blood sugar levels, so it’s important to eat little and often in order to keep them balanced. Filling up on protein-rich foods can help, so incorporate plenty of eggs, quinoa, lean meats and fish into your diet.

BACK PAIN

uick fix nti inflammatory compounds Up to three-quarters of pregnant women experience backache; the main cause tends to be increased levels of the hormone relaxin, which loosens joints and ligaments to prepare your body for birth. Added pressure on the pelvis also causes a strain on the back muscles, and as your baby grows, back pain may get worse. Painkillers such as paracetamol can help, but there isn’t much you can take when pregnant). Thankfully, there are some natural alternatives, such as: anti-inflammatory foods, including cherries, which contain antioxidants called anthocyanins; ginger, which also has the added benefit of inhibiting nausea; and oily

fish like sardines and salmon, which are packed with omega-3, can reduce inflammation.

INDIGESTION

uick fix lutamine Around 80 per cent of expectant mothers experience indigestion at some point, and this uncomfortable condition can be caused by a few different factors. The increased pressure of your womb pressing on your digestive system is one of the main culprits, along with the relaxing of muscles in the oesophagus through maternal hormones, which sometimes allow acid to readily escape back out to the stomach. Certain foods can trigger indigestion, so be sure to avoid spicy, processed and fatty foods if you’re prone to heartburn or indigestion. Make sure to take time over meals, instead of chowing down quickly, and leave a gap of at least two hours between

THIRD TRIMESTER

Fresh Meadows Cooling Leg Gel, £22, littlebutterflylondon.com

Microbean maternity sleep pillow, £39, jojomamanbebe.co.uk

Stainless steel insulated water bottle, £20, foshbottle.com

PHOTOGRAPHY: ISTOCK/PEOPLEIMAGES

POTASSIUM HELPS KEEP FLUID LEVELS BALANCED – LOAD UP ON BANANAS, NUTS AND SEEDS eating dinner and going to bed to give your body time to digest food properly. The amino acid glutamine can also be beneficial for a well-functioning digestive system, helping to maintain a healthy intestinal lining. Eggs, dairy and oats are the best sources, so make sure to include these in your meal plans.

CONSTIPATION

uick fi x Fibre The hormone progesterone is responsible for slowing down digestion during pregnancy, and this, coupled with the increased pressure

on the pelvic area as your bump gets bigger, makes you more susceptible to constipation.

Cram fibre into your diet, as this food type helps to eliminate excess waste from your body. Good sources include brown rice, wholemeal bread and plenty of fruits and vegetables (aim to eat around seven to nine portions per day). Also make sure you drink at least one-and-a-half litres of water a day, to help food move smoothly through your system. You can flavour plain H20 with immune-boosting lemon and cucumber for an additional health boost.

Better You Magnesium Flakes (1kg), £9.99, hollandandbarrett.com

Dream Belt wearable pregnancy support, £39.99, babymoov.co.uk

The Ultimate Baby Book 2021 | 47

THIRD TRIMESTER

MATERNITY LEAVE CHECKLIST In most cases, you can start your maternity leave any time from 11 weeks before your due date. Some women choose to work right up until the bitter end, while others like to have more time to themselves before baby arrives.

If along the way you decide you want to change your start date, then you can, as long as you give your employer enough notice. To start your leave sooner, tell your employer at least four weeks before your new start date.

To start your leave later, tell your employer at least four weeks before your old start date.

Pregnancy massage Skincare expert Katherine Pye e plains the ene ts of a soothin treat ent

HOW TO FILL YOUR TIME

Cook up a storm in the kitchen Prepare a batch of meals for the freezer: that way, you’ll have plenty of hearty food ready for when you get home from hospital, when cooking will be the last thing on your mind!

Pack your hospital bag Aim to pack your bag around the 37-week mark, which may be before or after you start your leave. Once you’ve stopped work, make sure you’re all packed and good to go.

Make friends with your new car seat It’s important to know how to correctly fit the car seat in your car – you don’t want to be stuck in the hospital car park working it out.

Host a baby shower What better way to kill time than with friends and family, plates of cake and a heap of gifts?

Just don’t leave it too close to your due date, as you’re less likely to feel like party planning.

Make the most of being two It’s your last chance to be together as a couple, so enjoy this quiet time while you can.

Perhaps consider a last-minute babymoon, although keep in mind that you shouldn’t fly after 36 weeks. Depending on how close you are to your due date, don’t travel too far.

TIME TO SHOP:

CAR SEATS

Uppababy Mesa i-Size car seat £199.95, naturalbabyshower.co.uk

Motion 360 i-Size car seat £350, silvercrossbaby.com

Joie i-Spin 360 i-Size car seat £300, oliversbabycare.co.uk

48 | The Ultimate Baby Book 2021

Mercury i-Size car seat with Isofix base £319, icklebubba.com

THIRD TRIMESTER

aby s first room You’ll want your new arrival’s nursery to look just as beautiful as the rest of your home – here are some brands to visit for the ultimate inspiration

A

part from vision, all of your baby’s senses are stimulated in the womb. Touch is the first sensory system to develop, and is likely to be the most mature at birth. Studies show that by rubbing your belly, your baby will respond, so when you massage your tummy, you are sending powerful signals from your baby’s nerve endings to the brain, helping with her neural development as she grows in the womb.

Alongside aiding baby’s development, pregnancy massage can be beneficial for your own wellness. From improving circulation and the function of muscles and joints – essential in preparation for birth – to helping to calm and de-stress the mind, and relieving aches and pains, it is a valuable treatment to have when expecting.

Pregnancy massage is recommended any time during the second and third trimester. Avoid going in the early days of pregnancy, as this is such a delicate time in your baby’s development and also a period where you may be feeling nauseous.

During the massage, it’s important you’re in a safe position. I favour the natural fetal position or lying on your side. I like to concentrate on the hips, back, feet and abdomen – all areas that are holding more weight, and therefore need special attention. Alongside reflexology, I also focus on yogic breathing, which helps mothers-tobe to keep calm throughout their pregnancy.

Remember: always tell your therapist about any health concerns you may have before the treatment.

BEST FOR: WALLPAPER AND FABRICS hibouhome.com

BEST FOR: LUXURY aristot.com

BEST FOR: ADORABLE PRINTS daisyandbump.co.uk

BEST FOR: COOL CRIBS snuz.co.uk

Rebl Plus car seat £350, shopnuna.co.uk Bugaboo Turtle Air car seat £179.99, mamasandpapas.com

The Ultimate Baby Book 2021 | 49

THIRD TRIMESTER

Say what?

You’ve survived nine months of carrying baby, and now it’s time to look ahead... These celebrities open up about impending birth and motherhood Pregnant me

“I think I fell into it quite naturally but when I look back now, it’s hard to believe how young I was. It’s difficult not to take everyone’s input on board the first time around, but by the second time, I had much more trust in myself and had a good idea what worked for us.”

ROCHELLE HUMES, SINGER AND PRESENTER, AND MOTHER TO ALAIA, VALENTINA AND BLAKE

How I feel…

“It’s true that until you’re actually a mother, there’s no way of coming to terms with the range of feelings and emotions that fill what is a truly special time.”

SERENA WILLIAMS, TENNIS PROFESSIONAL, AND MOTHER TO ALEXIS

MARINA FOGLE OF THE BUMP CLASS, MOTHER TO LUDO AND IONA

“Nothing can ever prepare you until you’re in it and that little person is right in front of you. Everything you think you learned – and I was reading all the books, talking to everyone – evaporates.”

ROSE BYRNE, ACTRESS, AND MOTHER TO ROCCO AND RAFA

“I understood how lucky I was having another baby, but I didn’t love being pregnant – you can’t control what’s happening to your body, but I knew what was coming at the end of it, so I was really excited.”

ZOE HARDMAN, TV AND RADIO PRESENTER, AND MOTHER TO LUNA AND KIT 50 | The Ultimate Baby Book 2021

PHOTOGRAPHY: IMAGE PRESS AGENCY/SIPA USA/PA IMAGES; BIRDIE THOMPSON/ZUMA PRESS/PA IMAGES

“To give birth, however it happens, is a remarkable achievement.”

RUNNING HEAD

52 | The Ultimate Baby Book 2018

RUNNING HEAD

Birth

Labour and beyond

ABOUT ME & MY BABY Welcome to the world (name): Birth date:

Time:

Place: Length of labour: Weight:

Length:

Hair colour:

Eye colour:

The Ultimate Baby Book 2017 | 53

BIRTH

What to expect our ne a is nall here ere, arina o le an r hiara unt outline hat s to co e after the eli er

You… However you delivered, it’s called labour for a reason. Many women compare pregnancy to preparing for a marathon and the labour like the marathon itself. No matter how the marathon went for you, everyone needs to recover afterwards. It’s common to feel exhausted, stiff and generally sore after giving birth. If you had a vaginal delivery your perineum will probably be swollen and uncomfortable, and if there have been stitches (after a tear or an episiotomy) it may be a little painful for the first few days. Use an ice pack, a bag of frozen peas or cooling perineal pad to provide relief. It can burn when you pee, as the urine passes over the stitches. You can make this a lot more comfortable by using a jug to pour warm water over the area while you urinate. Don’t be a hero; take enough painkillers to leave you pain-free. Indeed, evidence has shown that you recover more quickly if you’re not in pain.

Unfortunately, most women tend to get

54 | The Ultimate Baby Book 2021

constipated because they’re dehydrated, haven’t eaten much over the last 24 hours and the nervousness of pushing a poo out of this area makes them ‘hold it in’. In addition, some pain-relief medications can make women constipated. So drink plenty of water, snack on high-fibre foods and take a stool softener.

Regardless of whether you’ve had a caesarean or vaginal delivery, you’ll bleed for four to six weeks after birth. This bleeding is the lining of the uterus shedding itself. For the first few days it’ll be heavy, generally much more so than a period, and you’ll need to wear heavy-duty maternity pads.

Most women are relieved to leave hospital but it is common to feel anxious. We advise getting back into your nightwear as soon as you get home. Although you don’t need to be confined to bed, being in your pyjamas will make you less likely to overdo it. And don’t leave the house for, at the very least, three or four days after leaving hospital.

PHOTOGRAPHY: ISTOCK/TATAYANA_TOMSICKOVA

and your baby • From the moment your baby is placed on your chest, her instinct will be to find a nipple and start feeding. Amazingly, in spite of not even being able to hold up their heads, most babies are capable of wriggling up their mother’s chests until they can find the nipple. Try to feed her as soon as you can.

Also, skin-to-skin contact has been shown to be comforting to her.

• Your baby will have two soft spots on the top and back of her head.

These fontanelles are where the baby’s skull bones have not yet met. They close quite quickly. Your baby may have a slightly elongated head from being squeezed through the birth canal. This settles in a few days. Caucasian babies tend to have blue eyes when they’re born, if this is going to change, it usually does so in the first six months.

Asian or Afro-Caribbean babies usually have brown eyes at birth.

You may also notice that your baby may look a little cross-eyed. This is perfectly normal, as babies aren’t able to focus very well in the early days; this usually settles within a few weeks. The cord remnants still attached to baby will shrivel up and fall off within the first 10 days.

ADVERTORIAL eceive safe, practical advice on pre and postnatal exercise

Farhana Soday is a Women's health specialist and physiotherapist

Why you should consider booking a bespoke Postnatal MOT A BESPOKE PROGR AMME OF TAILORED ADVICE CAN HELP YOU CARE FOR YOUR BODY BEFORE AND AF TER CHILDBIRTH ecoming a mother is an amazing and joyous experience, but once the euphoria of birth wears off, you may notice the toll that pregnancy and birth has taken on your body.

During pregnancy, your body undergoes significant change in a relatively short period of time, causing changes to your hormones, posture and balance.

As the baby grows, you have increased pressure on muscles, joints and ligaments, particularly the abdominal and pelvic floor muscles. It is common to experience a variety of musculoskeletal symptoms during pregnancy, such as upper or lower back pain, pelvic girdle pain, carpal tunnel syndrome and incontinence. The fitter and stronger you are during pregnancy, the better you are likely to manage. Exercising during pregnancy will also prepare you for the physical demands of motherhood.

Every pregnancy is different and this is also the case with women’s pre and postnatal needs. Receiving tailored advice on how best to care for your body will make a big difference to how you feel both during and after childbirth. At Rogers Regenerative Medical Group

B

our dedicated women’s health physiotherapist, Farhana Sonday, can assist you to alleviate pain, advise on safe exercise during pregnancy, give tips on how to manage common prenatal complaints and assist with a safe postnatal recovery. Farhana is a specialist women’s health, musculoskeletal and oncology physiotherapist, with a special interest in women’s health and pre and postnatal care.

Following the 6-week postnatal review with your GP, we recommend a Postnatal MOT (Assessment) before you return to abdominal or high-impact sport or exercise. This is suitable for women with symptoms of pelvic floor or abdominal problems, or those seeking the reassurance of a more bespoke check-up. Don’t worry if your child is no longer a baby; once you’ve had a baby, you’re considered postpartum even years down the line!

Treatment may include an individualised pelvic floor program, abdominal and core strengthening, treatment of any musculoskeletal issues found, scar tissue management and advice on returning to exercise, nutrition, posture and ergonomics.

is an approved supplier and fitter of auerfeind acro oc for relief of the pelvis and the sacroiliac oints

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DURING THE POSTNATAL MOT WE CAN ASSESS: elvic floor muscles and bladder concerns elvic organ prolapse iastasis ecti or Tummy ap abdominal separation and core control car assessment of c section or episiotomy scar eturn to sports and exercise ssessment of any musculoskeletal issues you may have.

For more information, please contact: Rogers Regenerative Medical Group 10-11 Bulstrode Place, Marylebone, London W1U 2HX Tel 020 7112 5400 Email Help@rrmg.com

The Ultimate Baby Book 2021 | 55

BIRTH

The wish list

Before you rush off to deliver, be sure to pack these must-have supplies in your hospital bag I would like…

1

2

Smart Choices Femé Pad £16.99, amazon.co.uk

5

3

BeSafe iZi Go Modular X i-Size £199, johnlewis.com

6

Kit & Kin disposable nappies (pack of 40) £7.99, ethicalsuperstore.com

9

10

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Jersey dressing gown £39.99, mamamoosh.co.uk

aden + anais muslin swaddles (set of three) £25, smallable.com

Avène Thermal Water (150ml) £8.50, lookfantastic.com

12

Breathe candle £25, helpyourpregnancy.com

15

Button-down sleepshirt £71.72, eberjey.com

Ugg slippers £70, asos.com

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Slip eye mask £50, libertylondon.com

Merino wool all-in-one suit £72, pepaandcompany.com

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Yoga nursing bra £34, bravadodesigns.com

Elle TENS Plus machine £99, babycaretens.com

4

Sony Cyber-shot Smart Bridge camera £349, johnlewis.com

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Storksak cabin bag £150, uberkids.com

Organic cotton blanket £45.95, camcamcopenhagen.com

The Ultimate Baby Book 2021 | 57

RUNNING HEAD

Marina Fogle and Dr Chiara Hunt, founders of The Bump Class, say: “Reflux occurs when the muscle at the top of a baby’s stomach that keeps milk in after it’s been swallowed isn’t quite strong enough, allowing milk and stomach acid to travel back up the oesophagus. This happens mildly in a lot of babies, causing them to vomit or ‘posset’ soon after a feed. For most babies this does not cause them any discomfort and they keep enough milk down to not lose weight.

However, when it’s severe, it can cause pain and discomfort or worrying weight loss.

Silent reflux is when the baby doesn’t vomit but the acidy milk keeps travelling up and down the oesophagus. This is often very painful and can be more difficult to diagnose.

These babies tend to scream excessively but don’t vomit any more than normal.

Silent reflux is often confused with colic as the symptoms are similar. Babies with both are clearly uncomfortable, but babies with reflux tend to cry all day long, while colic tends to affect babies more in the evenings. Colic can often be eased with over-the-counter remedies, and babies tend to grow out of it between 10 and 12 weeks.

The treatments for both reflux and silent reflux are the same. Many are mild and require only simple measures to make baby more comfortable, while others require medication prescribed by doctors.

As miserable as it can be for both the baby and mother, rest assured that the vast majority will grow out of it, most within the first six months or when the baby is established on solids, even without treatment.”

WHAT IS TONGUE-TIE AND DOES IT NEED TO BE TREATED? Clare Byam-Cook, breastfeeding expert and author, says: “Tongue-tie (or ankyloglossia) is a condition where the baby has a tight piece of skin (the frenulum) which tethers the underside of her tongue to the floor of her mouth.

This can cause a number of feeding problems, including preventing the baby from opening her mouth wide enough to latch on, sore nipples for the mother, difficulty in feeding effectively, swallowing air and making a clicking noise when feeding. But it’s important to note that these problems can also be caused by the baby latching on badly.

There are two main types of tonguetie. The first is anterior tongue-tie, where the frenulum is too short and tight and extends too far towards the tip of the tongue. This is clearly visible and will often be accompanied by a V-shaped notch at the tip of the tongue.

Posterior tongue-tie, however, is hidden under the lining at the base of the tongue. This is harder to diagnose but can be suspected if the tongue dimples down in the middle, or if the tongue appears to be very short. An anterior tongue-tie is treated by dividing it with a pair of sharp, sterile scissors. It’s a simple procedure which only takes a few seconds and is normally pain-free.

Tongue-tie can be treated on the NHS – you should ask your midwife for details. Do note, however, that a tongue-tie only needs treating if it is causing a problem. The difficulty for the mother is knowing whether her breastfeeding problems are caused by a tongue-tie or just a bad latch. For this reason, it’s best to seek a second opinion, preferably from your GP.”

YOUR EMOTIONAL WELLBEING IS AS IMPORTANT – DON’T FORGET THAT 58 | The Ultimate Baby Book 2021

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF A POSTNATAL CHECK, AND WHAT DOES IT INVOLVE? Dr Anuj Chaturvedi, medical director at HealthClic, says: “Your first check-up will occur between six and eight weeks after giving birth. There may be a lot going on once your little one has arrived, but this is important and a good opportunity to begin the next phase of your life with your GP there to support you.

Around six to eight weeks after baby is born, your anatomy will be returning to its non-pregnant state. This check-up is an opportunity for your GP to ensure you are well both physically and emotionally, along with the chance to meet your newborn for the first time. I always encourage new mothers to bring with them a list of questions they might have, and I tend to allow one hour for each postnatal check-up to run through everything clearly so you can leave feeling at ease.

Your physical examination will involve being weighed, having your urine checked for kidney function, checking the healing process of any stitches and a discussion about bleeding or periods since delivery. Your doctor will also ask whether you have had a smear test recently and book you in for one if not.

Although it is recommended on the NHS to have a smear test once every three years, I recommend my patients have this done annually as there is great evidence to support this being more effective; you are twice as likely to catch early signs of ovarian or cervical cancers.

Finally, your GP will need to ensure you are up to date with your own immunisation schedule (including rubella), and you can even have a discussion about your little one’s immunisation schedule, too. Do also expect a discussion about contraception options, even if this isn’t the first thing on your mind. The most important thing is that you are honest and able to relax. Most worries you may be experiencing are normal, but it is always best to speak to your GP openly about them.

Even if you are slightly overwhelmed, tired or suffering the baby blues; your doctor can help you take proactive steps. Your emotional wellbeing is equally as important – don’t forget that.”

SOURCES: APTACLUB; TWINSUK.CO.UK; PERFECTPATIENTS.COM, ONS.GOV.UK

WHAT EXACTLY IS REFLUX, AND HOW WILL I KNOW IF MY BABY IS SUFFERING FROM IT?

BIRTH

DID YOU KNOW?

Expert advice Our healthcare professionals talk birth, postnatal checks and newborns

OF ALL TWINS BORN ARE IDENTICAL

300

IS THE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUAL BONES A BABY HAS AT BIRTH –

BY ADULTHOOD WE HAVE JUST 206

Every three seconds a baby is born somewhere in the world

HOW DO I CREATE A SAFE SLEEP ENVIRONMENT FOR MY BABY? atie ilton, a ualified nurse, midwife and health visitor, says “Regardless of whether you’re at home, out and about or away with family, good sleep habits are important for your baby’s health and emotional wellbeing.

The safest place for baby to sleep in the first six months is in a cot, moses basket or carrycot. Always be sure to place your baby to sleep on her back, with her feet at the foot of the cot. This helps to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Don’t be tempted to use a pillow; your baby needs a surface that is firm and flat. Position her out of direct sunlight, away from windows, radiators and lamps to keep her at a comfortable temperature. The room temperature should be between 16-20˚C. If you find the room is cooler or warmer, dress baby accordingly, and remove or add a layer of bedding if needed.

Buy a room thermometer to ensure the room is always the right temperature. Don’t cover your baby with too much bedding or wrap them in lots of clothes. As a rule of thumb, don’t use more than you would yourself, and avoid quilts and duvets until your child is over a year old. Finally, make sure your baby’s sleep environment is smoke-free.”

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Other questions I want to ask my midwife…

%

OF EXPECTANT MUMS WERE INDUCED IN 2019

BY THE TIME OF BIRTH, A BABY’S BRAIN IS MADE UP OF MORE THAN 10 MILLION NERVE CELLS

10,951 MOTHERS HAD A MULTIPLE BIRTH IN 2015: 10,786 WOMEN HAD TWINS, 160 HAD TRIPLETS AND 5 HAD QUADS AND ABOVE

BIRTH

FOCUS ON

Birth AS YOU PREPARE TO WELCOME YOUR NEW ARRIVAL, WE LOOK AT THE DIFFERENT CHOICES WHEN IT COMES TO L ABOUR s your pregnancy draws to an end, your thoughts will inevitably turn towards the delivery, quite possibly with a mixture of excitement and dread. While some women can’t wait to experience this everyday miracle, others are consumed by anxiety. Yes, childbirth is messy and it hurts and quite frankly anyone who says otherwise is either lying or showing off. But honestly, you won’t care because it’ll also be the most wondrous, most exhilarating and most memorable day of your life. From living-room floor to operating theatre, aromatherapy to epidural, there are many ways to bring a baby into the world.

A

HOME BIRTH If you’re healthy and your pregnancy is low risk, home can offer a safe and comfortable place to give birth, with a familiar midwife at your side. Some women also like to hire a doula. In England, around one in 50 babies are delivered in a home birth and for low-risk women who have already had their first child, it’s thought to be as safe as a hospital delivery.

If complications arise, you and your baby will be transferred to hospital by ambulance.

MIDWIFERY UNITS & BIRTH CENTRES For those who would like a non-medical setting but don’t want a home birth, then midwifery units and birth centres, which are designed to feel more like home than a hospital, can be a perfect ‘halfway house’.

60 | The Ultimate Baby Book 2021

Women who give birth in midwifery units and birth centres are less likely to end up having intervention, like forceps or ventouse, than women who give birth in hospital. However, if your centre isn’t attached to a hospital, you won’t be able to have certain kinds of pain relief, such as an epidural, and you may need to be transferred if complications arise.

HOSPITAL BIRTH During a normal hospital delivery, midwives provide the majority of care. If labour progresses smoothly, you’ll be able to move around, try out different positions and use breathing exercises and relaxation techniques.

However, you’ll be safe in the knowledge that doctors, anaesthetists and other professionals are on hand if you or your baby need extra support or pain relief. This can be especially reassuring for first-time mums.

CAESAREAN SECTION Around one in four babies are delivered by caesarean section in the UK. This might be a planned c-section due to known pregnancy complications, or an emergency c-section due to problems that arise during labour, meaning the baby needs to be born quickly. This is usually done using spinal anaesthesia, but in some cases, a general anaesthetic may be necessary. Although c-sections are sometimes perceived to be the ‘easy option’, they involve major abdominal surgery and recovery can take several weeks or longer. Consultant

gynaecologist, Mrs Pradnya Pisal from London Gynaecology says, “Caesareans are not without risks, such as infection in the wound or the lining of the uterus, heavier bleeding than vaginal delivery, deep vein thrombosis, and injury to organs such as bowel or bladder, especially if there’s history of previous surgery.”

In addition, babies are more like to be admitted to neonatal intensive care following a c-section birth. Mrs Pisal adds, “Ideally, we recommend vaginal birth unless there’s a very good reason to avoid vaginal delivery.”

WATER BIRTH In England, around 30 per cent of women use water or a birth pool for pain relief, and around six per cent of women actually give birth in a pool. Being in water during labour can help you relax and make the contractions seem less painful. Megan Rossiter is the founder of birth-ed, which runs hypnobirthing and antenatal classes throughout the south east. She says, “Birthing in water can encourage a baby into an optimal position, reducing tearing and the chances of intervention such as speeding up labour with a hormone drip or the chance of instrumental birth. Occasionally, women may find that using the pool in early labour slows things down.” Many women feel that giving birth in

BIRTH

PAIN RELIEF Even if you plan to breeze through labour with a scented candle and some Mozart, it’s good to prepare for every scenario. Babies are notorious rule breakers and there’s no shame in asking for something stronger...

TENS machines Standing for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, a TENS machine sends small electrical currents into your back via a pair of electrodes. This is thought to reduce the number of pain signals. Although a TENS machine can be useful during early labour, it’s unlikely to make a difference later on.

Gas and air Also known as Entonox, this is a mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide gas that’s inhaled through a mouthpiece, so you can control it yourself. It doesn’t stop the pain, but can make it more manageable. There are no harmful side effects, although some women can feel sick or sleepy. In this case, you can simply stop using it.

Pethidine

PHOTOGRAPHY: ISTOCK./SVETIKD WORDS: BECKY DICKINSON

HOME CAN OFFER A SAFE AND COMFORTABLE PLACE TO GIVE BIRTH water provides their baby with a more gentle transition to life outside the womb. The midwife will have waterproof equipment to monitor the baby’s heartbeat and a mirror to check the baby as they emerge. As the baby is brought gently to the surface, they’ll continue to get oxygen through the umbilical cord until they meet the air.

dispelling fear and tension and helping the pelvic muscles to relax. It’s based on the belief that pain isn’t necessary and that a woman’s body is perfectly designed to give birth. For the best chance of success, you’ll need to practise the techniques well in advance. You can use hypnobirthing methods to help you feel calm and in control, both at home and in hospital.

HYPNOBIRTH Hypnobirthing is a birth education programme that teaches simple self hypnosis, relaxation and breathing techniques with the aim of

If you have any concerns relating to Covid-19 and your birth plan, your midwife or maternity team can offer advice and support.

Usually injected into your thigh or buttock, pethidine is an opiate that provides stronger pain relief than gas and air and can help you to relax; it does make some women feel drowsy or nauseous. It isn’t recommended if you’re close to the pushing (second) stage of labour as it may make the baby sleepy and slower to feed.

Epidurals If you’d prefer not to feel a thing, an epidural is your best bet. Anaesthetic is injected into your lower back, into the space around the spinal cord, providing almost total pain relief. Epidurals can also be used for caesarean sections or an instrumental birth. If you have an epidural, your baby’s heart will be continuously monitored and you’ll have a drip inserted into your hand or arm and a catheter inserted into your bladder, giving a more ‘medical’ feel to your baby’s birth. About one in 100 women experience a severe headache or feel sick following an epidural, but more serious complications are rare.

The Ultimate Baby Book 2021 | 61

BIRTH

PUSH PLAYLIST

Music is a great distractration and could even help alleviate anxiety in labour. Could these apt tunes be next on your Spotify playlist?

IT STARTED WITH A KISS

Hot Chocolate Reminisce about how the humble beginnings of you and your partner’s love has led to this moment. A word of warning, though, you’re probably best off playing this early on. Naturally, as labour progresses, you’ll probably want to drag him across the bed and throttle him.

Baby’s rst ath

usanne e ic of u le r shares her tips for a successful rst ip

IF YOU LEAVE ME NOW

Chicago The perfect song for mothers and babies who would like things to remain between the two of them for a little while longer.

Although singing, “Oooh oh no, baby please don’t go” at the top of your lungs may give your midwife cause for concern.

UNDER PRESSURE

Queen & David Bowie Ahem. Not only does this pay homage to one of British pop’s greatest collaborations of all time, but you have to admit, the lyrics are pretty spot on, too.

PUSH IT

Salt-N-Pepa For when you need that extra bit of encouragement in the second stage – it may well raise a smile ever so fleetingly before the next contraction knocks it right off your face.

I’M COMING OUT

ErgoPouch sleepsuit £26.95, naturalbabyshower.co.uk

Cotton printed sleepsuit £14, newbiestore.com

62 | The Ultimate Baby Book 2021

Rachel Riley babygrow £37, bababoom-boutique.co.uk Organic Zoo playsuit £33, naturalbabyshower.co.uk Velour sleepsuit From £11, next.co.uk

PHOTOGRAPHY: ISTOCK/JURASY. WORDS: SALLY COFFEY

TIME TO SHOP:

BABY SLEEPWEAR

Diana Ross Let baby’s entry to the world be all-singing and all-dancing with this epic disco tune that will have everyone in the birthing room singing along.

BIRTH

To treasure Be sure to capture those precious early days. Photographers usually recommend a newborn shoot takes place between five and 12 days old

B

athing a new baby is a daunting task that many find stressful in the beginning. After all, wrestling with slippery babies and cold bathroom floors is rarely covered in the parenting manuals!

• Be prepared Before you start, make sure you have everything you need to hand. You’ll need a soft, warm towel, nappy changing items, something to kneel on, a changing mat and liner, plus clothes to dress baby in.

• Check the temperature Make sure the room is warm enough, and check the water is around 37˚C. Give it a swirl to disperse any hot spots and don’t overfill – a few inches of water is fine.

• Gently lower baby in to the bath The trick to keeping baby happy is minimising discomfort, often caused by being cold. When you undress her, start at the bottom. Remove her nappy and clean her bottom, then remove the rest of her clothes and move to the warm water. Use one arm to support baby’s shoulders and neck, and hold the outside arm with your hand. Place your other hand under the bottom and lower gently into the bath. Once secure, remove that hand and use it to scoop water onto her body. Maintain eye contact to comfort – and enjoy the moment. Bath time really can be the best part of the day and if you’re relaxed, baby will be too. Remember to keep it short – babies can lose body heat quickly, so five minutes is fine.

HELEN BARTLETT helenbartlett.co.uk

BOGGIO STUDIOS boggiostudios.com

SUZI MITCHELL littlewhitephotography.co.uk

Cotton printed sleepsuit £24.95, magnetmouse.com

Ribbed zip-up sleepsuit £32.50, babymori.com

Organic cotton sleepsuit £22, thewhitecompany.com

SUE GREETHAM suegreetham.com Cotton smocked sleepsuit £19, jojomamanbebe.co.uk

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BIRTH

Say what?

From magical to shocking and everything in between, these stars reveal how labour and birth really are different for everyone “Before I had Rex, I was excited, but not prepared for how it would all take place. With Honey, I took the time to do hypnobirthing, and the experience was magical. I had her in the water and the breathing techniques allowed me a completely different experience to my first.”

Me & my baby

FEARNE COTTON, TV AND RADIO PRESENTER, AND MOTHER TO REX AND HONEY

“I was excited, but a little apprehensive, as however many books you read, nothing can quite prepare you for labour.

Both my babies presented ‘back to back’, which was complicated – but having my amazing midwife, Jenny Smith, on hand meant I was able to deliver naturally both times.”

How I feel…

KATE SILVERTON, NEWSREADER AND JOURNALIST, AND MOTHER TO CLEMENCY AND WILBUR

“I spent a huge amount of time learning about deep breathing and contractions and less time talking about changing nappies. The birth only lasts a matter of hours – the aftermath goes on a lifetime.”

RICHARD CURTIS, WRITER, DIRECTOR, AND FATHER TO SCARLETT, JAKE, CHARLIE AND SPIKE

“When I had a tough birth with my son, I felt shattered both physically and emotionally, as I had had high expectations, and when those didn’t materialise, it hit me hard. When it came to Willow, I felt more prepared for the tough time that might come my way, so mentally I was stronger.”

“Nothing prepares you for just how magical and intense giving birth is; I’m so grateful that I was able to deliver naturally with my husband by my side for all six hours of labour. Holding my baby for the first time is a feeling I’ll never forget – it was such a special moment in my life.”

ASHLEY GRAHAM, MODEL, AND MOTHER TO ISAAC 64 | The Ultimate Baby Book 2021

PHOTOGRAPHY: HELENE SANDBERG

NATALIE PINKHAM, TV PRESENTER, AND MOTHER TO WILF AND WILLOW

Scandinavian inspired children’s design

scandiborn.co.uk

RUNNING HEAD

66 | The Ultimate Baby Book 2017

RUNNING HEAD

��

eeks

Life with a newborn

ABOUT ME & MY BABY How I’m feeling:

Best bits: Worst bits: First bath:

First smile:

Average number of nappies per day:

The Ultimate Baby Book 2017 | 67

0-12 WEEKS

What to expect

s ou et rea to rin our ne orn ho e for the rst ti e, Marina Fogle and Dr Chiara Hunt explain what’s in store once you leave hospital

Your baby…

Your baby is likely to arrive home in a car seat, but once home, she needs to sleep flat on her back. She’ll need to be with you for the first few weeks, at least, rather than in a room on her own. Newborn babies are often very noisy. Their airways have been filled with fluid while in the womb and, although most of this will have cleared with the first few breaths, there tends to be a lot of coughing, snuffling and sneezing in the early days, as she tries to clear the remaining fluid. Although the sounds are sometimes worrying for mothers, babies are very adept at clearing their airways. Many mums worry about their babies choking on their spit up if they put them to sleep on their backs, but babies turn their heads to the side to vomit, even during their sleep.

The first couple of weeks is usually a magical time. Providing baby is well, she’ll spend most of the time sleeping, waking every three to four hours for a feed. After a feed, she’ll spend a short amount of time awake before falling

68 | The Ultimate Baby Book 2021

asleep again. Don’t worry too much about getting your baby into a routine in these early weeks. Do encourage her to have a good feed, though, and not fall asleep on the breast or bottle as she won’t have taken much in and will wake after a short period to feed again.

The umbilical cord stump will usually fall off when your baby’s seven to 10 days old; keep it clean with cooled boiled water and cotton wool until then. A newborn’s nappy may need changing 10 to 12 times a day.

At around two weeks, baby will start to wake up, becoming more fun but also more demanding. You’ll have to wind her after every feed, and she may develop colic or reflux. At around six weeks your baby will finally give you a well-earned smile, start to go longer between feeds and you’ll both have a postnatal check with your GP. At eight weeks baby has her first set of immunisations, and around this time she’ll be able to hold her own head up, unsupported.

PHOTOGRAPHY: ISTOCK/ALEKSEYKH

and you • The first night at home with your baby is a whirlwind of emotions.

You’re proud, relieved and happy, but also thoroughly exhausted.

Encourage your partner to be with you during the night feeds when you might be feeling nervous and out of your depth.

• During the first few days your baby might lull you into a false sense of security by sleeping lots and feeding the whole time. Be mindful that around days three to five your milk comes in and the ‘baby blues’ can hit, so be prepared for a flood of unexplained emotions – one minute you might be feeling elated, and the next, totally overwhelmed.

• You’re also likely to be feeling extremely tired, so make sure you sleep when your baby sleeps during the day. But remember, the fear of severe fatigue is often far worse than the reality, so try not to worry about it too much.

• You may also feel teary for no reason, sweaty at night (which is to do with the hormonal changes as your milk comes in), and horrified by the way you look naked. Leave it a few weeks and the view will be a lot better! By six weeks, you should get the green light to start gentle exercise, and six weeks is also the time when many mother describe feeling ‘human’ again. By 12 weeks, a corner is well and truly turned.

0-12 WEEKS

The wish list

From sleep essentials to nursing accessories, these baby basics are the necessities that ll see ou throu h those rst fe onths I would like…

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WaterWipes (pack of 60) £2, boots.com

5

3

Comforter blanket £8, newbiestore.com

6

SnüzPod 3-In-1 Bedside Crib £199.95, jojomamanbebe.co.uk

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7

10

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Colief infant drops £19.99, boots.com

Leather changing bag £199, jemandbea.com

Bepanthen Nappy Care Ointment £7, tesco.com

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Maternity and nursing bra £25, seraphine.com

Full Moon pregnancy and nursing system £169, bellamoon.co

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Maternity denim shirt £29, next.co.uk

Gold-plated engraved necklace £119, mercimamanboutique.com

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11

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Konges Sløjd bonnet £10.95, scandiborn.co.uk

Stretch Mark Oil £9.99, kitandkin.com

Cotton mittens £7.50, babymori.com

ErgoPouch sleepsuit bag £54.99, ergopouch.co.uk

4

Velour babygrow £68, mariechantal.co.uk

Nanit Plus camera and wall mount £299, nanit.com

The Ultimate Baby Book 2021 | 69

RUNNING HEAD

WHAT ARE THE BEST FOODS TO BE EATING AS A NEW MUM?

I WANT TO TRY EXPRESSING MILK. HOW EARLY CAN I DO THIS AND WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO GET STARTED?

when you need to make sure you’re eating well, it’s during those first few months after your baby is born. Here are my top 10 tips for a healthy diet: • Drink plenty of water – more than usual.

Breastfeeding can cause dehydration.

• Go easy on the tea and coffee. It can affect baby’s sleep (gulp!) and the caffeine can make you feel even more anxious.

• Eat regularly, especially after you’ve had a nap when your blood sugar will naturally dip.

Snack on full-fat natural yogurt with seeds, nuts and fruit, or oatcakes with coconut oil.

• Try to consume oily fish several times a week, or take a supplement to promote a healthy mind and ensure your breast milk is rich in DHA for baby’s brain development.

• It’s easier said than done, but try to resist sugar. It’s tempting when you’re emotional and tired, but it can make your baby gassy and will give you terrible blood-sugar spikes, leading to unsteady emotions.

• Eat lots of slow-release carbs such as lentils, chickpeas and beans. A quick lunch idea is a tin of chickpeas, tuna, salad leaves and tomatoes with some olive oil, salt and lemon.

• Have eggs for breakfast, or something high in protein or slow-release carbs, such as porridge with full-fat milk.

• Eat meat and fish if possible, with lots of vegetables, including dark leafy greens.

• Limit your alcohol to a few glasses a week.

Wait until you’ve finished breastfeeding for the evening in order to limit the amount of alcohol in your breast milk.

• Don’t restrict calories! You’ll lose weight naturally if you eat normally and healthily.”

WHEN CAN I START GETTING BACK INTO EXERCISE, AND WHAT AM I SAFE TO DO? Camilla Lawrence, lead women’s health physio at Six Physio, says: “For the first six to eight weeks, focus on gradually getting back to walking, start small with five- to 10-minute strolls, and slowly increase the distance over a few weeks. Also get going on your pelvic floor exercises; try doing them every time you feed your baby.

If you’re struggling with these or any incontinence or prolapse symptoms, be sure to talk to your midwife or visit a women’s health specialist.

At around six to 12 weeks, after your six-week check, start working on rebuilding your core strength with a specialised personal trainer or postnatal Pilates or yoga class. You can also start to increase your cardiovascular exercise but still keep it low-impact at this stage (for example, fast walking, swimming, cycling or using the cross trainer).

When your baby is three months old, continue building on your core strength and conditioning work, and if you’re pain free with no pelvic floor problems, you can start returning to impact exercise again, such as jogging, aerobics, tennis and netball.

I always advise getting a full postnatal body check by a women’s health physio from six weeks post-partum. This should include a detailed assessment of your posture, back, pelvis, pelvic floor and abdominal muscles, identifying any problem areas and how to fix them. They’ll also give you a safe and individualised programme to help get you back to the fitness levels you want.”

SUGAR IS TEMPTING WHEN YOU’RE TIRED – BUT IT CAN MAKE YOUR BABY GASSY 70 | The Ultimate Baby Book 2021

Sioned Hilton, Lactation expert for Medela UK, says: “If breastfeeding is going well, wait until after your baby has her three-week growth spurt, so ideally from four-weeks postnatal. The early weeks are key to getting your breastfeeding established with lots of practise and support to build and maintain milk supply. However, if either of you are experiencing breastfeeding difficulties, expressing might support building your milk supply during this phase. Please seek advice from your midwife, or breastfeeding support group. Mums with babies who need hospitalisation need to express from birth to initiate and build supply in preparation for when baby can breastfeed.

As for when to express, there’s no right or wrong time – it’s based upon your baby’s feeding pattern. Have realistic expectations that if you feed baby often, every one to three hours, your supply is fine-tuned to meet their needs and you may not have much milk available for spare. If you’re away from your baby, or your partner is giving a feed, you can express at this time. Remember the night feeds are critical for milk production – so if you’re not feeding while your partner helps out, ensure you pump milk to supply.

Choosing the right pump for your demand is important, so make sure you research the options. A double pump is the most time efficient, while research also supports that when you express both breasts simultaneously you get an average of 18 per cent more milk than when you single pump. However, a single pump is an ideal option if you express occasionally when the majority of the feeds with baby are on the breast.

Here are some of my expressing tips: • Find a time suitable for you both – early morning, mid-afternoon is a good start • Pump only one breast initially, just in case baby wakes earlier than expected. Once you have more idea of time and patterns you can express both breasts.

• Relax and put your feet up.

• Pump when baby is feeding from the other breast.

• Set a comfortable vacuum and check breast shield size – a shield that’s too big or small can hinder milk flow.

• Be realistic about volumes. Ranges vary – a few ounces are amazing if baby feeds often.”

SOURCES: REDCASTLE.FR; THE BABY SHOW; ONS.GOV.UK; TOMMY'S; CHANNEL MUM; BEPANTHEN

Melanie Lawson, founder of Bare Biology, says: “If there’s a time in your life

0-12 WEEKS

DID YOU KNOW?

Expert advice n those rst eeks it s natural to uestion e er thin e put so e of our ueries to our healthcare professionals

WILL CAFFEINE IN COFFEE AFFECT MY BREAST MILK? Professor Amy Brown, author of The Positive Breastfeeding Book, says: “There are no set rules as to how your baby will be affected by caffeine. Like adults, some babies are more affected by it than others. Caffeine does transfer to your breast milk, but the good news is, not in huge amounts. Although it varies slightly, only around one per cent of what you drink goes to your milk. So, if you’re having one or two small cups of coffee, it’s unlikely to affect your baby. Peak levels can be found in your milk roughly an hour after consumption, so if you like a morning coffee, drink it after a feed.

Babies are more able to deal with caffeine as they get older. Very young babies can take more than 80 hours to metabolise caffeine, so newborns might be affected. However, as they develop, they get better at it: by the time they’re six months old, they’ll metabolise caffeine in as little as two to three hours.

If your baby is affected by caffeine, they’ll be fussy and likely to not sleep well. Of course, this is all behaviour interpretation: it could be down to any number of things, even simply being a baby. If you’re worried, try cutting it out for a week and see what happens. With any luck, it won’t be the caffeine.”

Other questions I want to ask my midwife…

�

IS THE NUMBER OF HOURS NEWBORNS CAN SLEEP IN A DAY

1 in 3 NEW PARENTS FEEL UNDERPREPARED FOR THEIR NEW ARRIVAL

OLIVER HAS BEEN THE MOST POPULAR BABY BOY NAME SINCE 2013

%

OF MUMS HOPE FOR A GIRL, WHILE 13% WANT A BOY

60,000

BABIES ARE BORN PREMATURELY IN THE UK EACH YEAR

HALF OF WOMEN FEEL PRESSURE TO ‘BOUNCE BACK’ IN JUST TWO MONTHS

0-12 WEEKS

FOCUS ON

Breastfeeding FEEDING EXPERT Clare Byam-Cook TALKS ABOUT THE NEED FOR BET TER SUPPORT FOR NEW MOTHERS, AND HOW TO FIND THE RIGHT L ATCHING TECHNIQUE FOR YOU aving taught breastfeeding classes since 1989, it continues to surprise me that the UK still has one of the lowest breastfeeding rates in the western world. Statistics show that about 30 per cent of women won’t even attempt to breastfeed their babies, and of the 70 per cent who do try, roughly half of them give up within the first six weeks. Numerous surveys show that these mothers are giving up because they find it too painful or difficult, rather than because they’re unaware of the health benefits.

H

SUPPORTING NEW MOTHERS I wholeheartedly believe we ought to be more realistic when teaching breastfeeding in antenatal classes so there is less emphasis on discussing the benefits of breastfeeding and more on teaching mothers how to do it and what to do if things go wrong. There seems to be a fear that if we discuss all the potential breastfeeding problems that might arise, mothers will be put off from even trying.

Unfortunately, this policy means most mothers assume that because breastfeeding is natural, it’ll also be easy. It then comes as a shock if they find it difficult and worse still, they have no idea how to overcome common problems, such as sore nipples or difficulty in latching. I also think it’s important to give mothers more information on all the breastfeeding aids that have been designed to enhance the whole experience.

And finally, we should abandon the ‘all or nothing’ approach, which leads mothers and many health professionals to believe that it’s either breastfeeding exclusively or not at all.

Surely it’s better for those mothers who are

72 | The Ultimate Baby Book 2021

struggling to try combination feeding, rather than feeling that if they give even one bottle of formula to their baby they’ve failed and should give up breastfeeding completely.

FINDING THE RIGHT TECHNIQUE FOR YOU AND YOUR BABY The main reason why many mothers find it difficult to latch is because breasts come in all shapes and sizes. Large breasts with flat nipples make latching harder than small breasts with prominent nipples. In the past, midwives used to show mothers how to shape their breast to make it easier for their baby to latch on, but nowadays mothers are told that they must leave their baby to do it alone.

The current thinking is that the mother should align her baby’s nose in front of her nipple and then wait for her to open her mouth wide and latch on of her own accord.

The problem with this is that many babies don’t open their mouths wide enough, so they either struggle to latch on at all, or end up sucking on the nipple rather than on the breast – and this hurts!

When your baby is latched on correctly, her sucking shouldn’t hurt at all. Another bonus of a good latch is that it makes it easier for your baby to ‘milk’ your breast, which means she can feed quickly and efficiently, so feeds will often become shorter.

I recommend that you do your research before baby is born. Read books which reflect the way you would like to breastfeed your baby and keep an open mind about things like feeding on demand versus a strict routine.

You may well change your views once your little one is born!

LATCHING TECHNIQUE TO TRY AT HOME If the ‘nose-to-nipple’ approach isn’t working for you, you might like to try this simple technique which I teach my clients.

This involves making your breasts smaller, rather than expecting baby to open her mouth wider, using the same principle as trying to post a large parcel into a small letterbox – if the opening is too narrow, you have to squash the parcel to make it fit! This is how you do it: • Place baby on a pillow so she is level with your breast and has her mouth (rather than her nose) in front of your nipple.

• Slide your hand underneath your breast and place the balls of your thumb and middle finger level with your nipple, on the outside of the areola.

• Gently squeeze your breast until your nipple protrudes.

• Brush your nipple against your baby’s lips until she opens her mouth, then bring her swiftly to the breast so you get as much areola as possible into her mouth. I like to call this the ‘shape-andshove’ technique!

0-12 WEEKS

Elvie Electric Breast Pump, £249, boots.com

Green People Soothing Nipple Balm, £10, lookfantastic.com

Lansinoh breast therapy gel pads, £12.99, mothercare.com

PHOTOGRAPHY: ISTOCK/EVGENYATAMANENKO

FOR MOST NEW MOTHERS, BREASTFEEDING PROBLEMS ARE ONLY TEMPORARY Ask other mothers if they’re able to recommend any equipment that they found helpful, such as breast pumps and nipple shields, and ask for their recommendations for good breastfeeding counsellors or drop-in clinics in your local area. If the experts, such as your midwife or health visitor, can’t show you how to breastfeed successfully, please don’t feel a failure if you give up. The most important thing is that your baby is well fed and that you’re both happy.

Most importantly, try not to give up on the whole process too soon. For most

new mothers, breastfeeding problems are only temporary, and if you can work your way through them, you and your baby will eventually have many happy months of breastfeeding ahead of you.

Clare Byam-Cook's series of books, What to Expect When You're Breastfeeding... and What if You Can't?, Top Tips for Breastfeeding and Top Tips for Bottlefeeding and DVD, Breastfeeding Without Tears, are available to buy on Amazon, Apple Books and Google Play.

Liewood nightlight, £35, smallable.com

What to Expect When You're Breastfeeding...

And What If You Can’t?, £12.99, amazon.co.uk

The Ultimate Baby Book 2021 | 73

0-12 WEEKS

Say what?

A tiny baby brings with it a rollercoaster of emotions – just ask these celebrity parents...

Me & my baby

“There’s a sense, in fatherhood, that everything you’ve done has been a lead-up to this. I’m enjoying magical moments every day, and it’s more than I could ever have wished for.”

DECLAN DONNELLY, TV PRESENTER, AND FATHER TO ISLA

“Before you become a parent, the idea of having children is so overwhelming that it can feel like you’re reaching the end of something. But I see being a mum as a totally different adventure.”

How I feel…

“I don’t think you’re a hands-on dad until you’ve had your child’s poo under your fingernails. It’s at that point you can say that you’re a proper father! Parenthood’s hard, but all I have to do is look at my kids’ faces and it’s worthwhile. I feel blessed. ” JAMES CORDEN, ACTOR AND COMEDIAN, AND FATHER TO MAX, CAREY AND CHARLOTTE

“Dads, do everything you can to be as free as you can for at least two weeks after the baby is born. There are lots of reasons: because it’s great, because you’re needed, but most of all, because that’s the time when you learn what a child is.”

RICHARD CURTIS, WRITER AND DIRECTOR, AND FATHER TO SCARLETT, JAKE, CHARLIE AND SPIKE

“The first week was amazing – we were just in a baby bubble, napping; I was feeding her… it was just a really, really amazing time, and I embraced it all. I don’t think I even washed my hair. I was just in my pyjamas having lots of cuddles.”

TAMARA ECCLESTONE, MODEL, AND MOTHER TO FIFI AND SERENA 74 | The Ultimate Baby Book 2021

PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTY IMAGES EUGENE GOLOGURSKY/STRINGER; BRETT COVE/ZUMA PRESS/PA IMAGES

HELEN SKELTON, TV PRESENTER, AND MOTHER TO ERNIE AND LOUIS

Supporting & Empowering Parents Support and advice on all areas of early parenting including; • • • • •

Colic & Reflux Breast feeding Bottle feeding Sleep Routines

@theparentandbabycoach

www.theparentandbabycoach.com

RUNNING HEAD

78 | The Ultimate Baby Book 2017

RUNNING HEAD

onths

Development and settling in

ABOUT ME & MY BABY How I’m feeling:

New milestones:

Sleeping progress: We like to:

The Ultimate Baby Book 2017 | 79

3-6 MONTHS

What to expect Marina Fogle and Dr Chiara Hunt explain what’s going on with you and your baby now that motherhood’s in full swing

Your baby…

You’ll notice so many changes in your baby now, and it’s crazy to think how much she has grown from the newborn you brought home just 12 weeks ago.

Your baby should now be able to hold her head up and face forward in a baby carrier – which they generally love, so try to get out on family walks as much as you can.

During these next three months, your baby will experience her fair share of vaccinations.

At 12 weeks she’ll have her second set, which includes the second dose of DTaP/IPV/ Hib (she would have had her first dose at eight weeks – this injection is for diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio and haemophilus influenzae type B), a meningitis C injection and her second oral dose of the Rotavirus vaccine, which protects against the diarrhoea and vomiting illness. At 16 weeks she will have her third dose of DTaP/IPV/Hib and her second dose of pneumococcal, which protects against pneumonia. Bear in mind that

80 | The Ultimate Baby Book 2021

your baby might still be grizzly for up to 48 hours after the vaccine administration.

At around five months, you’ll notice a real change in your baby’s character, as she starts to squeal with laughter. This can feel rewarding but also reassuring that you’re doing a good job. She’ll also show her strength, as she begins to push herself up on her arms. Babies become more aware and start to show a real interest in toys and mirrors.

Once your baby is six months old, she should start eating solids. Most babies love the new tastes and textures, and once she’s established on three solid meals a day, she’ll need less milk and will initiate a slowing down process. It’s also around this time that she’ll get her first tooth – although some get teeth as early as two months and some as late as 10.

At around six months your baby will probably be able to sit up unaided. Remember to enjoy this magical time when they can play, but not move!

PHOTOGRAPHY: ISTOCK/FAMVELD

and you • By month three, many mothers have started introducing a gentle routine for themselves and baby.

This can make your life easier and will encourage your baby to sleep for longer at night.

• You may have your first period since having a baby during these months. This varies from woman to woman, and is often longer for women who have breastfed for longer. If you haven’t breastfed at all, your period will probably have returned by three months.

• Many mothers stop breastfeeding during these three months, but whether you decide to stop at three months or three years, it’s always a good idea to have a plan in place to gradually reduce it rather than going ‘cold turkey’.

Stopping breastfeeding too quickly increases the chances of mothers developing mastitis.

• You might start thinking about having sex again at this time, but don’t forget about contraception.

Helping Mums Make Milk the Tasty Way

www.boobbix.co.uk

SUPER SOFT BABY BLANKETS & SWADDLES Our baby blankets are made of 70% bamboo fabric, the fibres of bamboo are naturally rounded so they won’t scratch your baby delicate skin even after many washes. Our blankets are hypoallergenic, so your baby won’t sneeze or itch making them more special than hemp or wool. Bamboo fabric has been credited with having ‘anti-static’ and ‘uv protective’ features as it is said to ‘cut up to 98%’ of harmful uv rays.

Our swaddles are perfect from birth onward and so versatile: • Swaddling • Nursing/ stroller/ car seat cover • Play mat • Bed linen for crib • Burp cloth • Changing top cover • Lightweight travel blanket • Some mamas use it as a scarf too or at the beach!

Visit as at www.motherofnug.co.uk to discover more about our super cuddly blankets

IMPROVED REST & SLEEP DURING YOUR PREGNANCY Our product is uniquely adjustable to offer premium comfort and support throughout your pregnancy. www.bbhugme.com bbhugme Ultimate Baby Book UK.indd 1

18/11/2020 22:15

3-6 MONTHS

The wish list

From dreamy nursery additions to practical mum-and-baby buys, add these stylish pieces to your shopping list I would like…

1

2

Sophie the Giraffe teether £14.99, mamasandpapas.com

5

3

Bespoke 9ct yellow gold charm £210, philippaherbert.co.uk

6

Noodoll night light £14.50, trouva.com

10

Cuddle Lover fabric softener (1l) £4.99, nimblebabies.com

13

Gabrielle Paris blanket £58, en.smallable.com

Colief Baby Scalp Oil (30ml) £5.98, amazon.co.uk

Baby Wash (250ml) £4, childsfarm.com

8

Metanium Nappy Rash Ointment £3.15, boots.com

11

14

Bouncer Bliss seat £154.99, babybjorn.co.uk

Liewood playmat £98, en.smallable.com

7

Embroidered cardigan From £15, next.co.uk

9

4

Tripp Trapp high chair £217, stokke.com

12

Organic cotton sleeping bag From £44.50, babymori.com

15

Ewan the Dream Sheep soother £29.99, argos.co.uk

16

Konges Sløjd teether £11.90, sorenshouse.com

Nelsons Teetha Teething Granules £4.59, boots.com

The Ultimate Baby Book 2021 | 83

RUNNING HEAD

HOW CAN I HELP MY THREE MONTH OLD TAKE A NAP ON HER OWN?

six-month-old babies will sleep for around 15 hours a day, including regular naps throughout.

During the day your baby ideally needs three sleeps totalling no more than five hours. The key for us as parents is to notice when they are tired. With a young baby, I suggest you lay her on her play mat, sit and chat to her for a while and then let her be stimulated by the toys hanging above her.

Signs she is ready for a nap include baby ‘cycling’ her legs (this is the first sign of becoming tired), next she will start to clasp her hands and try to rub her face. She will then start to get vocal and begin to moan and groan, and finally she will start to shout.

The key is to notice these signals and take her to her Moses basket or cot to sleep at the stage when she starts to moan a little. Don’t wait until she’s shouting, as this is when she will be overtired. Take her to a designated place to sleep – her nursery or a quiet room.

Ensure it is dark. This is a signal to baby that sleep is needed. I truly believe that to swaddle a baby allows her to rest and relax without her hands attacking her face. Babies also like the comfort of being wrapped up – it gives them a sense of security, but this a personal choice.

Place her in her cot (after a nappy change, if needed) and then leave her to settle to sleep.

If your baby is settling herself to sleep at 8pm, she’s able to do it during the day. You might find that she moans and shouts for a short period of time, but she will then sleep. The key is to notice the ‘window of tiredness’ – this tends to be 90 minutes after first waking in the morning, 30 to 60 minutes after the lunchtime feed, and at 4-5pm in the afternoon.”

I’M PUTTING MY SIX MONTH OLD INTO NURSERY, WHAT CAN I DO TO REDUCE THE CHANCE OF HER PICKING UP COLDS? Gillian Stewart, baby and child consultant and founder of Little Routines, says: “Reducing the spread of germs in a nursery setting is difficult.

Infection spreads very easily as there are a large number of children in a concentrated area. Plus, little ones are not good at blowing their noses or washing their hands! Many babies are especially vulnerable because of their underdeveloped immune system. But, it’s important to remember that little ones do need to catch the occasional bug so that they can start to build up their immune system to help them fight germs in the future.

You’ll be relying on the policies of the nursery to ensure that the best hygiene practices are being followed.

To help her, I believe the two most important things are a healthy diet and good quality sleep. Alongside her milk, encourage her to eat a varied diet with lots of fruit and vegetables, which contain essential vitamins and minerals to keep her body strong and help fight any infections. An overtired baby will be much more susceptible to infection, so try to ensure she sleeps well during the day and at night. Lastly, it’s really important that their recommended vaccinations are all up to date.

Everyone is responsible to help reduce the spread of infection, but ultimately it’s inevitable that children who are at nursery will catch more colds than those who stay at home. But don’t worry as colds never last long, and after an initial few days of feeling miserable, children bounce back really quickly!”

SIGNS SHE IS READY FOR A NAP INCLUDE ‘CYCLING’ HER LEGS AND RUBBING HER FACE 84 | The Ultimate Baby Book 2021

NOW THAT MY BABY’S A LITTLE OLDER I NEED TO START THINKING ABOUT CONTRACEPTION, BUT I’M STILL BREASTFEEDING – WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS? Dr Shazia Malik, obstetrician and gynaecologist at The Portland Hospital, says: “Our bodies become fertile again as early as 21 days after childbirth. For this reason, unless you’re hoping to have another child immediately, it’s recommended that you discuss your options with your health visitor or GP around a week after having your baby.

Don’t assume that because you’re breastfeeding, that in itself is an effective contraceptive, even if you’re not having periods. Ovulation takes place two weeks before a period happens, so you’ll be unaware of when there’s a risk of pregnancy.

Some methods can impact upon breast milk supply. This applies mainly to those that contain oestrogen, such as the combined oral contraceptive pill, the vaginal ring or combined skin patch. Apart from these, you can use most other methods. The most common are either condoms or the mini-pill – the progesterone-only pill.

Most women do not have any major side effects when taking contraception shortly after having a baby, especially if you make an informed choice with your GP. As you’re breastfeeding, then you may have no periods, especially while taking the mini-pill.

You can also take emergency contraception while breastfeeding. The coil must be inserted within five days of unprotected intercourse, but may not be suitable if you have had a caesarean section. The emergency pill contains progesterone only, so can also be taken. Levonelle can be taken while breastfeeding, too. Although small amounts of the hormones contained in the pill may pass into your breast milk, it’s not thought to be harmful to your baby.

If you want to have another baby next year or not too much of an age gap, I’d recommend using something that doesn’t affect your cycles too much, such as condoms or a coil.”

SOURCES: TWINSUK.CO.UK; PERFECTPATIENTS.COM; ONS.GOV.UK; HEALTHLINE.COM; WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION

Kathryn Mewes, sleep consultant and parenting expert, says: “Most three- to

3-6 MONTHS

DID YOU KNOW?

Expert advice Our healthcare professionals answer your questions on sleep, teething and birth control

A newborn baby will double her weight by the time she is six months

%

OF TWINS ARE LEFT-HANDED, DESPITE ONLY 10% OF THE POPULATION BEING LEFT-HANDED

2.4

IS THE AVERAGE UK FAMILY SIZE, AND IT’S REMAINED THAT WAY FOR THE LAST 10 YEARS WHEN DO BABIES START TEETHING, AND HOW LONG WILL IT LAST? Maggie Evans, registered midwife and complementary therapist, says: “Babies can have teething symptoms as early as three months, or as late, in some cases, as 12 months.

The primary teeth have usually all erupted by the age of two and a half.

Common symptoms of teething include tender gums, drooling or dribbling, ear-pulling, mood changes and feelings of irritability and crying. To ease your little one’s symptoms, try some of the following: • Gently run a clean finger over her sore gums.

• Keep teething toys or a clean, wet washcloth in the fridge to soothe gums, but do not put teething toys in the freezer as it could damage your baby’s gums.

• Give baby cold food purées and cold water, as well as chilled fruit or vegetables to chew on. Ensure you follow age-appropriate guidelines and supervise your baby so she doesn’t bite off any chunks.

• Give your little one a warm bath followed by a massage with baby oil to help calm her.

• In terms of natural options, chamomile is a homeopathic remedy that’s traditionally used to relieve symptoms.

• Extra cuddles, attention and distraction may help, too.”

Other questions on my mind…

%

OF BABIES AGED 0-6 MONTHS ARE EXCLUSIVELY BREASTFED

A baby has around 30,000 taste buds

AGED

3-6 MONTHS

YOUR BABY’S STARTLE (MORO) REFLEX WILL START TO DISAPPEAR AS SHE GROWS

3-6 MONTHS

FOCUS ON

Routines SLEEP CONSULTANT Lucy Shrimpton EXPL AINS WHY YOU MAY WANT TO GET YOUR LIT TLE ONE INTO GOOD HABITS E ARLY ON etting your baby into a simple sleep routine from as early as two weeks could serve as the best foundation to the development of healthy sleep habits.

The practice of consistently going through the same few steps in the same order every night at bedtime will cue your baby that it’s time for a longer sleep. It will also complement the natural development of the child’s circadian rhythm, otherwise known as the body clock, and the recognition of night and day.

For a very young baby in the first few months, the bedtime routine will be as simple as some bathroom time, nappy and clothes change, milk feed and down for sleep.

I recommend bringing in a step after the milk feed from around three months. This step could be a song or poem or very ‘babified’ bedtime story. Just one step after milk helps to encourage an efficient, full feed and separates feeding from falling asleep.

As a baby grows, the bedtime story can evolve to be age appropriate, but it is wise to stick to a rule of one story. As soon as you allow another, you’ll soon find you have a toddler who just pushed for more and more every bedtime!

I encourage parents to minimise the amount of people involved in the bedtime routine and to stick to just bathroom and bedroom locations. Too many people and lots of moving

G

86 | The Ultimate Baby Book 2021

around from room to room can cause a lot of stimulation which will hinder the brain’s production of sleepy hormones.

When bedtime comes, say good night to other family members and take baby to the bathroom for washing and changing. Next, it’s onto the bedroom where baby will be sleeping, and finish the routine in there with low level, warm light.

Your baby will become familiar with these steps if you implement them consistently.

This routine will encourage easier settling to sleep and longer, more restful sleep.

Morning and daytime routines are important, too. First, when your baby wakes for the day, if this is after 6am, take your baby out of the bedroom and begin the day. If it’s before 6am and technically still night time, try to resettle your baby for a little longer.

By starting the day at roughly the same time each day it will help with the body clock, and you may find the wake-up time becomes very regular too.

Lots of young children wake up very early for the day. We call this early rising and class anything pre-6am as too early. The most common reason for early rising is due to the little one being overtired. Allowing an early start is likely to further fuel overtiredness and the problem just gets worse. This may result in increased night-time disturbance to sleep and more difficulty with settling to sleep.

I recommend you leave the bedroom with your little one and start the day in a more wakeful environment. This will help differentiate sleep time from awake time.

Usually a baby will want milk when they wake for the day, or a young child may be ready for breakfast. Mealtimes can help set a rhythm for them.

Feeding upon waking from sleep will make for healthier sleep habits. Once you start the day and baby feeds, it’s then time for activity before the next sleep. Upon waking from the nap, a feed is appropriate, followed by activity time and then the next sleep. This rhythm will also help to avoid any sleep onset association with feeding and encourage the development of lasting self-settling skills.

The amount of daytime sleep a little one needs changes a lot over the first 18 months, and the length of time that they’re

3-6 MONTHS

Swaddle Up Original, From £27.99, lovetodream.co.uk

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Baby Pillow Spray, £10, bloomandblossom.com

LUCY SHRIMPTON IS A CERTIFIED SLEEP CONSULTANT, AUTHOR AND FOUNDER OF THE SLEEP NANNY (SLEEPNANNY.CO.UK) SHE IS ALSO A REGULAR EXPERT AT THE BABY SHOW (THEBABYSHOW.CO.UK). PHOTOGRAPHY: ISTOCK/CAP53

Floating on Cloud Bedtime Bath Milk, £25.50, littlebutterflylondon.com

A WELL-RESTED CHILD WILL OFTEN APPEAR HAPPIER AND BETTER BEHAVED at their best between sleeps gradually increases. Knowing what these timings look like as an average for your little one’s age is very powerful information!

A sleep needs chart helps you to spot the optimal window for accommodating the most restorative sleep for your little one. Of course, babies rarely stick to the ideal routine we have in mind for them and a nap may not go according to plan.

By understanding your little one’s sleep needs, you’ll recognise where they fall short on sleep and you’ll feel equipped to

adjust the next nap or sleep window to make sure they don’t become overtired.

When babies and young children get used to a routine to their days and for their bedtime, it creates rhythmicity and this is why I recommend practising the basics from the early weeks.

Healthy sleep habits promote healthy brain development and better protection against illness. A well-rested child will often appear happier and better behaved, and these are brilliant foundations for a little one to thrive from.

Sebra mobile, £41.95, scandiborn.co.uk

DockATot x Morris & Co. Deluxe+ Pod, £165, dockatot.com

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3-6 MONTHS

NIGHT TALES

Reading to baby is a great way to stimulate her brain and immerse her in the sounds and rhythms of speech. Here are our classic picks

DEAR ZOO

By Rod Campbell Discover the animals that the zoo has sent in this classic lift-the-flap book that has been delighting children for more than 35 years.

Baby massage Leading perinatal expert and founder of MamaBabyBliss, Justina Perry e tols the ene ts of assa e

GUESS HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU

By Sam McBratney Having sold more than 43m copies worldwide, Guess How Much I Love You is now available as a pop-up book, puzzle book, colouring-in book and even as a keepsake baby book.

MIFFY

By Dick Bruna Miffy was created back in 1955, and there’s now more than 124 books in the Miffy collection. Follow her adventures in Miffy’s Birthday, Queen Miffy and Miffy at the Zoo.

THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR

By Eric Carle It’s 50 years since The Very Hungry Caterpillar first munched his way through lots of delicious food. A classic tale for baby.

EACH PEACH PEAR PLUM

TIME TO SHOP:

BABY CARRIERS

By Allan Ahlberg and Janet Ahlberg This timeless picture book is a bestseller. On each page you’ll find much-loved characters such as Tom Thumb and Mother Hubbard.

Close Caboo + baby carrier £64.99, johnlewis.com

Cybex Yema Click baby carrier £149.95, preciouslittleone.com

88 | The Ultimate Baby Book 2021

Cotton baby carrier From £80, izmibaby.co.uk

Baby Carrier Mini £74.99, babybjorn.com

3-6 MONTHS

Play things These beautiful nursery toys will provide hours of entertainment, all the while keeping baby both physically and mentally active

B

ecause skin is the first organ to develop, touch is a baby’s most powerful sense, even when in the womb. Regular massage can help build a baby’s immune system, boost her respiratory system, help strengthen her digestive system by relieving wind, constipation and colic, and stimulate the circulatory system and balance the baby’s nervous system.

When massaging our babies, we help to release the hormone oxytocin, which regulates the steroid hormone cortisol, or stress levels. In other words, baby massage can help relax your little one. Plus, oxytocin is simultaneously produced in the person giving the massage, and it’s now widely recognised that baby massage can be highly effective for relieving postpartum blues. It can help with breastfeeding, too. Baby massage stimulates the hormone prolactin in mothers, which helps with lactation.

WOODEN ANIMAL STACKING TOYS £13.50 each, sarahandbendrix.com

HOW TO MASSAGE YOUR BABY It’s best to do this when baby is calm and happy. Make sure the room is warm and then apply a little natural oil to the palms of your hands.

Start with baby’s legs. Hold one ankle in one hand and use your other palm to firmly stroke the outside of the leg from the ankle to the top of the thigh. Then glide down the back of the leg. Change hands and repeat on the inside of the leg. Massage the leg several times, then change legs.

Next, move to baby’s chest. Place both hands in the centre of her chest and make a heart shape, sweeping towards baby’s abdomen. Repeat several times. Finish with a short tummy massage; using your hand, make gentle circular movements in a clockwise direction around the belly button. At the end, slowly sweep your hands down baby’s body, from the chest to the toes.

Repeat several times, and remember to take your time.

MAISON DEUX CLOUD ROCKER £399, insidestoreldn.com

PHOTOGRAPHY: ISTOCK/PEOPLEIMAGES

OYOY LIVING CARS AND BOAT SET £44, folkinteriors.co.uk

ErgoBaby Aura Baby Wrap £49.90, buggybaby.co.uk

Nuna CUDL baby carrier £150, naturalbabyshower.co.uk

KID’S CONCEPT XYLOPHONE £25.95, cuckooland.com

The Ultimate Baby Book 2021 | 89

3-6 MONTHS

Say what?

These A-list mums and dads continue to celebrate the joy and unconditional love that comes with early parenthood “When you become a mum, your life simplifies overnight and you focus on basic things. I gained a lot of clarity, and over the past few years it's been liberating to enjoy life with my husband and children and not to worry about things that don’t matter.”

Me & my baby

RACHEL WEISZ, ACTRESS, AND MOTHER TO A SON AND A DAUGHTER

“When you’re expecting, everyone tells you how it’s going to affect your life and how your career is going to suffer as a result. It does affect everything, but only for the better.”

How I feel…

BENEDICT CUMBERBATCH, ACTOR, AND FATHER TO CHRISTOPHER AND HAL

“It’s this new kind of love – a scary kind, but undeniable.”

JESSIE WARE, SINGER, AND MOTHER TO A DAUGHTER AND A SON

JESSICA ENNIS-HILL, OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALLIST, AND MOTHER TO REGGIE AND OLIVIA

“My heart is bursting. I’m bowled over by the well-wishers and this has been a truly magical time for me. I’m trying to savour every moment with Max – the days pass by so quickly, but they’re all different and incredibly special.”

NATALIE IMBRUGLIA, SINGER AND SONG-WRITER, AND MOTHER TO MAX 90 | The Ultimate Baby Book 2021

PHOTOGRAPHY: ANTHONY DEVLIN/PA ARCHIVE/PA IMAGES

“I love that every day is so different. And everything changes in an instant; one minute they’re elated; the next they’re crying hysterically over something totally random!”

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onths

The world of weaning and movement

ABOUT MY BABY New milestones:

Sleeping progress:

Food likes: Food dislikes:

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6-9 MONTHS

What to expect Marina Fogle and Dr Chiara Hunt explain the great developmental strides your little one is making, and what they mean for you

Your baby…

This is the time when adventures really start.

By roughly six months your little one will be reaching out and grabbing anything within her reach, whether this is utilised by her newfound ability to crawl, or just by good old-fashioned stretching. Although crawling is one of the most exciting developments during this stage, it also opens up a world of exploration for your baby. Make sure your house is safe for her and ready for baby life on the move.

Her vision is now almost as it will be in adulthood, although her short-range sight is still better than long-range. However, she can see well enough to recognise people and objects across the room.

At six months, she will turn to her carer’s voice. At nine months, a baby’s hearing is still not fully developed but they are good at discriminating and locating a sound source.

Your weaning journey should be well underway and by seven months you can start introducing protein into your baby’s diet.

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Most babies are delighted to progress from carrots to chicken. Once your baby is well established on solids, she should no longer need feeding at night.

If you haven’t already, now’s a good time to introduce finger foods – a rice cake is a great way to keep a fractious baby entertained.

Finger food also helps with hand-eye coordination and speech development.

However, once she’s on finger foods, the risk of choking becomes all the more real so it’s crucial that you know what to do if this happens – do a paediatric first-aid course.

Some babies start to develop separation anxiety at this age, this is the fear of strangers in young children and can happen from anywhere between the ages of six months and three years. It means they can become very clingy, but don’t worry, it’s a normal part of your child’s development and they usually grow out of it. Be reassuring to her, but know that this is entirely normal and soon passes.

PHOTOGRAPHY: ISTOCK/ZEREMSKI.

and you • You might well be back to your usual size by now, but many women will find that they still have a bit more weight they’d like to lose, which is entirely normal.

• You may start to feel like you’re more in control at this stage, especially if your baby has started sleeping through the night.

• With baby’s new obsession with objects and toys, you’ll probably find you’re constantly picking things up and tidying after your baby. Not to mention all the mess made from weaning!

• On the subject of weaning, you may find you’re spending a lot of time in the kitchen, washing up bowls and bottles and blending purées – remember to pop some in the freezer for a rainy day.

• Life is hectic at this stage; not only are you looking after a mobile baby, but your days are also filled with classes and possibly work.

Remember to make time for yourself – and date nights, too.

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with you every step of the way

6-9 MONTHS

The wish list

When you’re juggling rounds on the NCT circuit with a hungry and active little one, these super supplies might come in handy I would like…

1

2

Babycook Plus food processor £160, beaba.co.uk

5

3

Sleep Time Bath & Massage Oil £28, aureliaskincare.com

6

Silicone teething necklace £17.95, laraandollie.co.uk

9

13

Little Baby Company stacking blocks £14.95, notonthehighstreet.com

Knitted motif sweater £72, pepaandcompany.com

14

First Aid Kit £11.99, minifirstaid.co.uk

Liewood bib £18, folkinteriors.com

Liewood wash cloths (set of three) £22, scandiborn.com

Djeco puzzle £12, smallable.com

8

7

10

Quilted onesie £79, toastiekids.com

4

Stokke Clikk high chair £149, naturalbabyshower.co.uk

11

Piccolo Three Grain Risotto pouch £1.60, waitrose.com

15

Soft-tip weaning spoons £4.29, vitalbaby.com

12

Sleeping bag £25.95, littlegreensheep.co.uk

16

Dining set £18, oyoylivingdesign.co.uk

Sleeved bib £18, camcamcopenhagen.com

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MY SIX MONTH OLD HAS PATCHES OF ECZEMA, IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO TO HELP?

baby’s dry skin or eczema can be successfully managed and controlled at home. Eczema is likely to be a result of a combination of genetic and environmental factors. The impaired skin barrier means that irritants and allergens in everyday life can easily cause flare-ups.

By avoiding certain irritants, you can promote the conditions needed for a healthy skin barrier. Along with allergies to food, pet dander and dust mites, skincare products are one of the most common triggers for eczema.

Always avoid: • SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate) – a cheap foaming agent often found in washes and bubble baths, strips the skin of natural oils.

• Petrochemicals like mineral oil and silicones – found in many baby products, prevent the skin from breathing.

• Alcohol (ethyl alcohol/ethanol) – a common ingredient in many skin care products, dissolves protective skin oils.

• Biological detergent – Avoid using enzymebased washing powders and liquids as these can aggravate eczema.

• Synthetic perfume – a common cause of skin sensitivity and allergic reactions.

• Synthetic colourants and certain preservatives – such as methylparaben or butylparaben can cause skin irritation.

Try to: • Moisturise all over – Dry baby thoroughly, especially in skin creases such as the groin, taking care not to drag the skin. Then apply a suitable moisturiser all over the body, not just on affected areas. Repeat several times a day.

• Avoid wet wipes – Use cotton wool and water to cleanse the nappy area, then apply a nappy rash cream suitable for children with skin conditions, such as Organic Babies Calming Nappy Cream.

• Choose cotton clothing – Avoid wool and synthetic fabrics. At night choose cotton pyjamas and use cotton mitts to prevent baby from scratching.

• Keep bedrooms cool – Dress baby appropriately but keep bedrooms at around 19oC to prevent skin from drying out.

• Consider using a humidifier – Adding moisture to the air will help to combat dry skin.”

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MY FRIEND’S NINE MONTH OLD RECENTLY SUFFERED A FEBRILE CONVULSION, WHAT IS IT AND ARE THEY COMMON? Emma Hammett, founder of First Aid For Life, says: “Febrile convulsions are fits or seizures triggered by a rise in a child’s core body temperature when they are unwell, and are common in little ones. In fact, as many as one in 20 children may experience a febrile convulsion by the time they are five.

They most frequently occur between six months and five years old, and are quite terrifying to watch, but are not usually life threatening and your child is likely to grow out of them. Genetics increase the likelihood, too, and if one or both parents experienced seizures as children, it’s far more likely that their child will suffer from them as well.

If your child does have a seizure, there are things you can do to help. Firstly, if your child has been unwell, try to lower their temperature. Take off excess clothing, give them plenty to drink, and give them paediatric paracetamol (such as Calpol) to relieve symptoms.

A fit is generally not life-threatening – however, if the seizure continues for more than five minutes or they have repeated seizures then it is vital to call an ambulance. The fit can last from seconds to minutes, and they may go blue and stop breathing.

Once the fitting stops, they should be rolled into the recovery position, to keep their airways open. They may be confused and fractious following the convulsion; be calm, they’ll return to their normal selves. Following a first fit, they’re usually admitted to hospital for observation and tests.”

HOW DO I STOP MY NINE MONTH OLD DAUGHTER FROM ALWAYS WANTING TO SLEEP IN MY BED? Kathryn Mewes, sleep consultant and parenting expert for Milton, says: “There’s light at the end of the tunnel! I have been guiding children to sleep for more than 20 years and if you can remain consistent and leave your baby to settle herself, you should be able to resolve this in three consecutive nights. Make sure you have someone to support you and that you feel ready to make the change. You need to feel strong enough in yourself to see this through for three nights.

It’s not an easy process as your baby does need to be left to ‘shout it out’. This is hard to listen to but I don’t believe there’s any other way with a child of nine months. Your daughter is now fully aware of the routine you have of allowing her to come into your room, so breaking this isn’t going to be easy. I would suggest you try the following: • Ensure that your baby’s bedroom is dark. If you haven’t got a blackout blind you can try sprinkling water on the glass and lining the windows with tin foil.

• Make sure the bedroom is warm and cosy, and that she’s not able to climb out from her cot.

• Give a clear bedtime routine that involves milk, a bath and a story before being placed in her cot while she’s still awake.

• Leave the room and accept that she’s going to shout. At first your baby will be shouting for you. Your baby will then accept that she needs to settle alone and will shout due to not quite knowing how to do it.

Listen for the pauses rather than the shouting.

For as long as there are pauses, she is thinking about how to settle. Don’t enter the room as you’re likely to disturb her trying to settle.

The more you go into the room, the more frustrated she will become. She’s shouting because she wants to sleep, not because she needs you!”

SOURCES: FACTRETRIEVER.COM; EMMA'S DIARY; BOOTSWEBMD.COM

Charlotte Vohtz , founder of Green People, says: “The good news is your

6-9 MONTHS

DID YOU KNOW?

Expert advice Our healthcare professionals answer your questions on weaning, bedtime routines and crying babies

go through a natural developmental stage, starting anywhere from six to nine months, called separation anxiety. Until now, your baby may have been more than happy to be held by anyone, even strangers, but now suddenly starts crying when handed to anyone else.

This is normal, but how you approach it is quite crucial. Separation anxiety is a key stage when baby realises that they’re a little person in their own right and dependant on you for their needs. You must nurture them to realise that they’ll be absolutely fine, even when left. It’s a skill for them to learn, and when approached with care will stand them in good stead for future emotional wellbeing too.

When leaving your baby, be as calm and positive as possible – your child will pick up on your emotional state. Make saying goodbye fun; teach them to wave or blow kisses – it also aids as a distraction. Try using a calming essential oil, add a drop or two to a handkerchief and leave it with whoever will be taking care of your baby, so that the smell stays familiar.”

Babies don’t shed tears until they are about eight months, when their tear ducts have formed properly

20/20

MY BABY HAS JUST TURNED EIGHT MONTHS, HE SCREAMS EVERY TIME I LEAVE THE ROOM. COULD THIS BE SEPARATION ANXIETY? Angela Spencer, childcare expert and founder of Babyopathy, says: “All babies

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HOURS IS THE AVERAGE AMOUNT A SIX MONTH OLD MAY SLEEP AT NIGHT

A baby’s vision is usually at normal visual acuity by six months of age

Other questions on my mind…

At around six months, a baby learns that each object is unique

%

OF MUMS SAY SINGING BEFORE BEDTIME MAKES THEIR LITTLE ONE FEEL CALM

UP UNTIL SEVEN MONTHS OLD, A BABY CAN BREATHE AND SWALLOW AT THE SAME TIME

6-9 MONTHS

FOCUS ON

Weaning PICCOLO BABY FOODS INFANT NUTRITIONAL EXPERT Alice Fotheringham EXPL AINS HOW YOU CAN HELP BABY ALONG ON HER WE ANING JOURNEY ntroducing solid foods to your baby can be both exciting and daunting.

There’s so much advice around, and opinions seem to be forever changing. So what does it all mean? And how can you help your baby build a positive relationship with food and support her growth and development?

I

WHEN TO WEAN During the first six months of her life, breast or formula milk provides all the nutrients and calories that baby needs for her rapid growth. After this stage, once she’s physically capable of handling it, the gentle addition of carefully selected solid food is recommended, though milk should remain her main source of nutrition until she’s around 12 months old.

SIGNS OF BEING READY TO WEAN There are many supposed signs of readiness for weaning – such as waking in the night and eyeing up everything you eat; however, these aren’t necessarily actual signs that baby is physically ready for solids. It’s a good idea to look at the below signs collectively, rather than individually; when they all start coming together, your baby may be ready for solids: • Good head control and the ability to maintain a sitting position.

• Hand-eye-mouth coordination: Baby can look at something, grab it and take it up to her mouth.

• Shows an interest in food: Baby watches you eating and reaches for your food.

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• Loss of the tongue thrust reflex: A protective mechanism whereby baby automatically pushes food out with her tongue; this reflex moves backwards and becomes a gag reflex, another protective mechanism to stop food going down that isn’t ready to be swallowed.

Note: I highly recommend first aid courses, so you recognise the difference between gagging and choking and know how to respond.

ACCEPTING THAT FIRST TASTE Before starting to wean, there are a few considerations to think about, from timing, to mood, to which foods to start with: • Environment: Offer first foods in a calm and relaxed environment, at a time when you can give baby your full attention.

• Offer milk first: This is to ensure baby isn’t hungry, reducing the possibility of her becoming frustrated or upset.

• Vegetables and fruits: Parents tend to be most comfortable starting with vegetables and fruit. Think: carrots, sweet potato, parsnip, beetroot, courgette, broccoli, peas, avocado, pears, melon, mango.

• Introduce protein and fat: Soon after introducing some first tastes, get them trying good fats and proteins that are rich in iron and zinc. Try meat, fish (sardines and salmon are good choices), lentils, eggs and beans.

• Variety: It’s important to offer a wide variety of colours, flavours and textures from the very beginning. Avoid just giving sweet fruit

AVOCADO, BROCCOLI & KALE POWERHOUSE PURÉE Preparation: 5 minutes Cooking: 8 minutes Makes 4 portions Suitable from 6 months Not suitable for freezing Getting your babies used to more bitter and savoury flavours is important in the first year. This is a powerhouse green purée, with olive oil to add some good fats and flavour.

INGREDIENTS • 50g fresh or frozen broccoli • 50g kale, tough stalks removed • ½ ripe avocado • 2 mint or basil leaves (optional) • 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil METHOD Steam the broccoli and kale until cooked through, around 6-8 minutes. Drain the vegetables and blend with the avocado, and olive oil and fresh herbs if using.

Tip: For older babies, add some yoghurt or cream cheese to the mixture and make a delicious dip with raw vegetables.

6-9 MONTHS

FOODS TO BEWARE OF BEFORE BABY REACHES 12 MONTHS • Salt: Too much can damage baby’s kidneys.

Don’t use shop-bought stock cubes or add salt to her food.

• Sugar: Provides no nutritional value and depletes vitamins and minerals; be aware of how much is in the foods that you buy, including the not-so-obvious (e.g. yoghurts, pasta sauces, soups, bread).

• Honey: To be avoided completely before 12 months, due to its potential to contain bacteria that’s very harmful for babies.

• Cow’s milk: Can be used to cook with from six months, but don’t introduce it as a drink until at least 12 months.

• Low-fat foods: Provide your baby with fullfat options only. She needs fat at this age!

EQUIPMENT

BABY-LED WEANING HELPS MOTOR SKILLS, SPEECH AND THE ABILITY TO CHEW and vegetables: wider exposure to tastes early on will ward off fussy eating later.

• Try, try and try again: Often food will be refused, but don’t give up: it can take up to 12 times for a new food to be accepted, especially more sour or bitter flavours.

• Allow mess: It’s valuable for baby to feel the food and learn to feed herself.

• Hunger and fullness cues: Babies have a natural ability to regulate their intake. If she turns her head away, shuts her mouth or pushes away the bowl or spoon, respect that.

• Eat together: Eat what you want baby to eat and make it an enjoyable family occasion.

• Take it slow: Some days baby may want more food than others; after a few months, ideally, you want her to be on three meals a day, plus two or three snacks.

PURÉES OR BABY-LED WEANING? Parent-led weaning sees baby fed purées with a spoon held by an adult. Baby-led weaning sees baby provided with food that she feeds to herself, using mainly her hands and being encouraged to use a spoon by herself. You don’t need to choose one or the other. There are pros and cons to both approaches, and they can easily be combined.

Baby-led weaning is good for developing motor skills, the ability to chew (aiding muscle control) and speech. It may also promote better regulation of food intake and can lessen the likelihood of them being a ‘fussy’ eater.

A parent-led approach has the advantage of making it easier for parents to monitor intake, and ensure that baby’s getting enough of certain nutrients, such as iron and zinc.

You really don’t need much for starting your baby on her weaning adventure: • Some soft-tipped plastic spoons.

• Feeding bowls: I love the bamboo ones with sucker pads to keep them on the table.

• Bibs, especially wipe-clean ones with arms, which will save you having to change clothes after each meal.

• A stick-blender or food processor, if you want to make purées.

• Mini Tupperware or pots, for storing leftover finger food, or to take snacks to the park in.

DO I NEED TO SUPPLEMENT MY BABY’S DIET WITH VITAMINS AND MINERALS? NHS guidelines recommend supplementing baby’s diet with vitamins A, C and D, all of which are important for immunity.

• Vegetarian and vegan: The risk of nutrient deficiencies increases with any restricted diet. Special attention needs to be given to ensuring sufficient intake of calcium, zinc, iron, vitamin D and vitamin B12. I would encourage a consultation with a nutritional practitioner to ensure that baby is getting all the nutrients she needs.

Piccolo Organic makes healthy baby meals, cooking products and snacks to help you get the balance right every day. Partnered with City Harvest and Little Village, the brand gives 10% of its profits to charity.

The tasty range is available in all major retailers and from Piccolo Organic’s online store, as well as via a helpful subscription service. Visit mylittlepiccolo.com for more details, information and recipes.

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BIG NIGHT IN

Having a baby changes the dynamic of your relationship, but it’s important that even after you’ve become a family of three (or four, or five...) you give your relationship the undivided attention it deserves. Can’t get a babysitter? We’ve put our thinking caps on to come up with date-night ideas so good, you won’t even need to leave the house...

THE OLD-SCHOOL MOVIE

Once baby has bedded down for the evening, it’s time to get marvellously simple: pop in a DVD, warm up some popcorn, snuggle under the duvet and pray that you don’t fall asleep during the opening credits. If committing to a two-hour film seems a bit optimistic, pick an episode from your favourite box set instead.

Exercise for two

Dig out those trainers, locate your yoga pants and prepare to sweat… but don’t forget to bring baby, too

THE PRIVATE DINNER

Bring the magic of a restaurant to your very own dining room, without the need to stray from the baby monitor. Make it extra-special and hire a private chef for the evening (most of whom also take care of the shopping and washing-up – bonus), or settle down in front of the TV with an indoor picnic.

THE DIY SPA DAY

Dim the lights and turn your bedroom or bathroom into a blissful sanctuary with lightly scented candles, soft background music, herbal teas and face packs aplenty.

You might even get a massage out of him.

If that fails, mobile spa companies, such as Urban, offer couples’ treatments in the comfort of your own home.

THE AFTERNOON DELIGHT

Premium PPSU bottle £20.90, minbie.co.uk

Dr Brown Anti-Colic Blue bottle (pack of two) £16, baby-centrals.co.uk PHOTOGRAPHY: ISTOCK/CECILIE_ARCURS

TIME TO SHOP:

CUPS & BOTTLES

As new parents, your sex life naturally takes a notable hit. It can be easy to direct all your love and attention towards your new baby, but taking some time to be close with your partner (physically and emotionally) is vital.

Elhee baby bottle From £29, kidly.co.uk

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Easy Start Anti-Colic bottles (set of three) £19.99, mambaby.co.uk

Avent Natural bottle £8, philips.co.uk

6-9 MONTHS

Sitting pretty Choosing a highchair for your baby might primarily be about safety and comfort, but that doesn’t mean having to compromise on style

ICANDY MICHAIR £260, icandyworld.com

U

ntil now, exercise has probably been at the end of a very long to-do list. But now that your little one is in more of a routine and you’re (hopefully) getting a few more winks at night, life should start to feel like it’s getting back to normal. It’s important to accept that working out postpartum takes time: a marathon, not a sprint, as they say, but there are also plenty of classes specifically designed for this stage. Exercise doesn’t have to mean being away from your baby, either – it’s actually the perfect bonding activity, whether you’re using baby as a weight, running with her in a buggy, or having her by your side as you perfect your plank.

“Classes are more affordable than a personal trainer, and many are designed so you can bring baby with you,” says Pip Black, founder of Mumhood and fitness studio Frame. “It’s the perfect opportunity to get out and meet other like-minded mothers, as well as know that you’re working out in the presence of an expert who can ensure that you’re performing the exercises correctly.

“Keep exercises low impact in the first six months,” she adds. “You can still break a sweat – it’s more about reducing the pressure on your pelvic floor. Think little and often – 15 minutes a day, four times a week, will be more beneficial than a 60-minute blowout once a week.”

MIMA MOON HIGHCHAIR £424, harrods.com

STOKKE TRIPP TRAPP £178, stokke.com First Choice glass baby bottle From £5.79, nuk.co.uk

Lansinoh baby bottles (pack of two) £10.99, amazon.co.uk

OXO Tot Transitions learner cup £7, amazon.co.uk Calma feeding bottle £15.99, medela.co.uk

LEANDER HIGHCHAIR £210.95, scandiborn.co.uk

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6-9 MONTHS

Say what?

With a weaning and wandering little one on your hands, this is when the fun really begins “When you’re settled into who you are as a parent, and can see your children developing into beautiful little people you just want that moment to last forever. It’s so wonderful to watch them grow up.”

Me & my baby

BLAKE LIVELY, ACTOR, AND MOTHER TO JAMES, INEZ AND BETTY

“I certainly wasn’t going to rush back to work. It was so important to spend time together as a family, so we could become used to this new dynamic… I’m so glad I did that.”

ROSIE HUNTINGTON-WHITELEY, MODEL, AND MOTHER TO JACK

How I feel…

“It’s been the best time of my life – I wouldn’t change it for the world. The unconditional love is amazing and seeing your baby pick up new skills every day is really exciting to watch.”

VOGUE WILLIAMS, TV PRESENTER AND MODEL, AND MOTHER TO THEODORE AND GIGI MARGAUX

EDDIE REDMAYNE, ACTOR, AND FATHER TO IRIS AND LUKE

“Just getting to hang out with your kids is really cool. It’s horrendous at first when you realise you’re probably never going to sleep again, but when you start embracing that, some of the best moments can be at 2am, and it’s just you and your baby. At the moment, I’m sleeping on Max’s floor most nights, and it’s really nice getting to have a little snuggle when everyone else is asleep.”

TOM FLETCHER, SINGER AND AUTHOR, AND FATHER TO BUZZ, BUDDY AND MAX 104 | The Ultimate Baby Book 2021

PHOTOGRAPHY: REX IMAGES/JAMES GOURLEY/SHUTTERSTOCK

“Occasionally there’s that amazing thing where it’s three o’clock in the morning and you’re sort of gently furious, yet you get a little smile, your heart breaks a bit, and it’s all totally worth it.”

LBL Baby Christmas Advert 2019 129x99.pdf 1 09/10/2019 11:58:49

littlebutterflylondon.com

15% off with code UBB15 For mums and dads who love bold prints and vibrant colours. www.bubbleandpop.co.uk

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106 | The Ultimate Baby Book 2017

RUNNING HEAD

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onths From baby to toddler

ABOUT MY BABY New milestones:

Baby’s first word:

Sleeping progress: We like to:

The Ultimate Baby Book 2017 | 107

9-12 MONTHS

What to expect s our a hea s for that rst irth a lan ark, arina o le an r hiara unt look at the a s in hich she s ainin in epen ence

Your baby…

Your baby will be becoming much more mobile by this stage. She may start to shuffle and then crawl, start to pull herself up, and can balance holding on to something. Some babies even skip straight to walking by nine months, while others need another nine months to perfect this art. If you have any concerns, bring this up with your GP, but remember it’s normal for babies to reach different milestones at different ages.

By now, your baby should be eating lots of solids and hopefully enjoying the experience.

Beware, this is the stage it gets messy. Babies love smearing food, dropping it and banging spoons, thereby flinging the content all over your kitchen. This messy experimentation with food is arguably as important as the nutritional benefit, so embrace the mess by making sure the place where you feed your baby can be easily cleaned. Experts suggest babies who are introduced to as many new tastes as possible in this first year are much more adventurous

108 | The Ultimate Baby Book 2021

eaters and therefore have a more balanced diet – so get creative!

Teeth will usually be emerging at this stage and as soon as they do, you need to start brushing them. It’ll feel like yet another task to fit in to your already full day, but even though these milk teeth will fall out when your child is around six years old, it’s important to prevent decay at this early stage. Don’t worry about actually brushing your baby’s teeth – it’s more about the fluoride intake from toothpaste, so let her chew on a toothbrush.

Now’s also the time to start thinking about moving on from the bottle. Paediatricians agree that ideally babies should only be drinking from a sippy cup from 12 months. This is because they no longer need lots of milk, but they can very quickly become dependent on it. Drinking from a bottle is much worse for their teeth than a sippy cup, too. Remember, it’s much easier to change the habits of a 12 month old than an 18 month old.

PHOTOGRAPHY: ISTOCK/WEEKEND IMAGES INC..

and you • Because most babies are sleeping through the night at this stage, you may find you’re feeling much more like yourself. That said, a cold or sick bug can set everything back.

• Life is also physically hard right now. Even if your baby’s walking, she won’t be able to travel far (or in the direction you want), so it means you’re often hauling around a very heavy baby. Make sure you’re eating well and taking time to concentrate on your fitness. Although it might seem selfish at the time, it’s your child who will benefit most from a strong mother.

• As baby’s first year comes to an end, you’ll inevitably plan some kind of celebration. Don’t go overboard – she won’t remember it and often lots of people and noise are too overwhelming for little ones. Concentrate instead on celebrating the journey you’ve embarked on. If anyone deserves a cake and a glass of something fizzy, it’s you!

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It’s an ideal choice for families that aren’t religious – but is also perfect for diverse worldviews, as an inclusive ceremony that can welcome in people of any religion.’’

PROFESSOR ALICE ROBERTS, PRESIDENT OF HUMANISTS UK

Time to celebrate MARK THE ARRIVAL OF YOUR CHILD IN A ME ANINGFUL WAY WITH A HUMANIST NAMING CEREMONY

ave you ever thought about ways to celebrate your baby’s arrival without a religious ceremony? If so, you wouldn't be on your own, as Humanist naming ceremonies are becoming an increasingly popular choice for families looking for a non-religious alternative to a christening. They can take place at any time in a child’s life but are often held before or on a baby’s first birthday, with most parents starting to plan the ceremony when their child is about six months old.

Humanist CeremoniesTM celebrants are full of ideas for how to make your child’s ceremony meaningful, memorable, and fun. They’re highly skilled in creating inclusive, family-friendly ceremonies. At your planning meeting, your celebrant will discuss your wishes for the day and offer help with choosing readings, poems, music, and writing personal promises to your child.

You’ll also learn more about ‘guideparents’ – adults you want to invite to have a significant role in your

H

child’s life. In addition to the naming of your child, the ceremony can also feature poetry readings and symbolic acts, such as planting a tree, lighting a unity candle, or conducting a sand-blending. Feel free to add your own ideas too!

On the day, your celebrant will lead the ceremony and ensure that everything runs on time. This means you’ll be free to welcome your guests, relax, and enjoy chatting with family and friends.

Even in these unprecedented pandemic times, your celebrant can work with you to plan a sociallydistanced ceremony in compliance with your local area’s current restrictions. Alternatively, they can combine a ceremony which includes the attendance of a small number of guests in person with others joining in via Zoom.

To find out more about humanist naming ceremonies in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Channel Isles, visit babynaming.uk

NAME DROPPING What other parents have to say about humanist naming ceremony experiences ‘It was personal, emotional, and just beautiful. Everyone has commented on what a wonderful ceremony it was.’

‘It was a lovely day. All about our daughter, which is just what we wanted! So many comments from our guests on how great the ceremony was!’

‘It was an amazing ceremony and everyone left with a lovely memory of a very sincere service.’

The Ultimate Baby Book 2021 | 109

9-12 MONTHS

The wish list

From cool toys and travel accessories to bathroom essentials an e ti e u ies, here s our top picks for a at this sta e I would like…

1

3

2

ProFold stroller £275, micralite.com

5

Baby Shampoo £4, childsfarm.com

Trotters sweater £45, harrods.com

Wooden book cart £32, gltc.co.uk

Jack N’ Jill Natural Toothpaste £4.99, hollandandbarrett.com

Bamboo toothbrushes £5.99, wildandstone.com

11

Janod water squirters £9, kidly.co.uk

14

Comforter toys £30 each, scampanddude.com

Portable weaning blender £39.99, myitsy.com

8

Travel mattress £29.99, sky-baby.co.uk

10

13

aden + anais playmat £85, naturalbabyshower.co.uk

7

6

9

4

Plan Toys wooden set £24.90, sorenshouse.co.uk

12

Knitted romper From £15, next.co.uk

15

Bumbo multi seat £59, naturalbabyshower.co.uk

Done by Deer walker £79.95, babymori.com

16

Old Soles boots £36, kidly.co.uk

The Ultimate Baby Book 2021 | 111

RUNNING HEAD

Jenny Ward, director of services at The Lullaby Trust, says: “ Many parents ask me at The Lullaby Trust for advice on what bedding their baby needs. To reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), we always advise that babies up to the age of 12 months sleep in a cot or Moses basket with a firm, flat, waterproof mattress that’s in good condition, and a sheet or blanket.

Loose blankets can pose a risk to young babies, as they can cover the child’s face or head. Make sure the blanket is tucked in firmly, no higher than the baby’s shoulders or sleeping bag, and that the baby is in the feet-to-foot position. Babies also lose heat from their heads, so it’s important that loose bedding doesn’t accidentally cover her head, making her too hot. You should also make sure she is in a room at a comfortable 16-20°C. If you worry your baby is getting too hot, feel her tummy and remove a layer of bedclothes if her skin is hot or sweaty.

Any extra bedding such as duvets or pillows, or accessories such as cot bumpers, can increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome or an accident occurring.

The research behind the safer sleep advice applies to babies under 12 months of age.

Once they’re over 12 months old, it’s up to the parents what bedding they choose to use.

Sudden infant death syndrome is very rare over 12 months. However, after 12 months babies are far more mobile so make sure whatever you chose takes this into account.

The Child Accident Prevention Trust and ROSPA have a lot of good advice based on a child’s age on what to look out for.”

HOW MUCH FOOD SHOULD I BE FEEDING MY ONE YEAR OLD? Alice Fotheringham, infant nutritional specialist at Piccolo, says: “Once your little one has reached her first birthday, she should be eating a range of different foods for breakfast, lunch and dinner every day.

By now you should have moved on to offering chopped and minced foods.

It’s important to encourage little ones to start chewing by introducing harder foods and different textures, as well as helping develop the muscles needed to utter their first words.

Every baby is different and so there’s no fixed portion size as such: it’s much better to focus on a variety of ingredients – think a rainbow of colours – and look at what she eats over the course of a whole week, not just day-to-day, to make sure she is getting a balanced diet.

Babies’ appetites often drop when they turn one, as their growth rate slows right down. They also start asserting their independence and enjoy increased activity levels which can make them more fussy about what they want to eat and when. It’s perfectly normal (even though it can be frustrating for you) for your little one to love a certain food one week and completely refuse it the next! It’s important to read her cues and be guided by her appetite.

Great meal options include spaghetti Bolognese, fish pie (make sure the fish is bone free) or risotto. It’s important to avoid filling them up with milk or empty snacks – use snacks to get some good fat or protein into their diet such as cream cheese or houmous on an oatcake, or sugar-free peanut butter on toast or apple slices.”

BABIES’ APPETITES CAN DROP WHEN THEY TURN ONE, AS THEIR GROWTH RATE SLOWS 112 | The Ultimate Baby Book 2021

I’M GOING AWAY WITH MY 10 MONTH OLD. WHAT SHOULD I PACK IN MY FIRST AID KIT? Kate Ball, founder of Mini First Aid, says: “Firstly you are very sensible to pack a first aid kit – whether it’s somewhere sunny, or just to the local park, you never know when you might need one. Always make sure that your first aid kit is accessible; keeping it under the buggy or in a change bag is perfect for when you are out and about. At home, keep your first aid kit in a place that you can easily access. In a waterproof pouch, keep the following: • Bandages • Safety-pins • Hypoallergenic plasters • Dressing pads • Micropore tape • Scissors (you’ll need to pack your kit in your checked luggage if flying) • Tweezers • Individually wrapped wipes (avoid alcoholbased wipes as they sting for little ones) • Burn gel In a personal first aid kit, you may also want to consider adding: • Any medication that your child requires • A sachet of paracetomol suspension and measuring spoon • Baby wipes for cleaning hands after a muddy fall • A spare nappy. Did you know that you can use a clean nappy or breast pad or even sanitary towel on a bleeding injury?

• Useful numbers (doctor, health visitor and next of kin) And always make sure that your first aid kit is kept safe away from little hands. Don’t forget in a medical emergency call 999 or 112.”

SOURCES: APTACLUB; CHEMISTSWORLD.COM; FACTRETRIEVER.COM; AVIVA; KINSAHEALTH.COM; AATH.ORG; KOOCHI

MY DAUGHTER IS ALMOST A YEAR OLD. IS IT SAFE FOR ME TO LET HER SLEEP WITH A BLANKET IN HER COT NOW?

9-12 MONTHS

DID YOU KNOW?

Expert advice Our healthcare professionals talk appetite, safe sleeping and screen time

are drawn to our gadgets, but it’s at this age we need to be especially careful. Babies and toddlers learn so much from interaction with humans and no matter how much a programme or app claims to be educational, it simply is no replacement for that interaction.

Many experts are now recommending parents ban screen time altogether for under-threes. In the real world of parenting, though, occasional use of TV, tablet or phone for short periods can give us a much-needed chance to get on with jobs. At this age, 20 minutes of a good-quality, age-appropriate TV programme or app is hardly going to ruin your child’s life chances, but the key is to keep it at 20 minutes where possible.

It’s really important, too, to not let screens become your default way of keeping your child ‘quiet’ – so talk to her as you push the trolley round the supermarket and point things out, instead of handing her your smartphone. This is such a formative age – yes, it’s easier to rely on screens, but it really isn’t good for very young children.”

BEATS PER MINUTE IS THE AVERAGE HEART RATE OF A ONE YEAR OLD A ONE YEAR OLD’S BRAIN IS AT

��%

OF ITS ADULT SIZE BUT IT MAY NOT FINISH DEVELOPING UNTIL HER MID-20S

One in five mothers are too afraid to discuss flexible working with their boss

MY ONE YEAR OLD KEEPS REACHING OUT FOR MY IPAD. HOW MUCH SCREEN TIME SHOULD I ALLOW MY BABY TO HAVE, IF ANY? Liat Hughes Joshi, parenting expert and author, says: “ Even the youngest children

115

Other questions on my mind…

£��k IS THE AVERAGE AMOUNT SPENT BY BRITISH PARENTS BEFORE THEIR BABY’S FIRST BIRTHDAY

By the age of one year, the average baby has

0.27 laughs per minute during interactions with her mother

A TYPICAL ONE YEAR OLD ONLY KNOWS ABOUT 70 WORDS. BUT BY 18 MONTHS, SHE LEARNS ONE NEW WORD EVERY TWO WAKING HOURS!

9-12 MONTHS

FOCUS ON

Movement PL AY EXPERT AND CHILD PSYCHOLOGIST Emma Kenny EXPL AINS HOW TO NURTURE YOUR BABY ONCE SHE’S ON THE MOVE arents spend on average more than six hours a day holding their baby, so that incredible moment when your little bundle of joy begins to show a certain level of independence, whether that’s shuffling her bum along the floor or showing signs that she can travel by foot, marks huge milestones for both parent and child. Creating a happy environment for little ones to develop in is key, and allowing your baby to have fun within this environment is important, too.

One of the main anxieties parents face is whether their little one is reaching their developmental milestones at the right time. I often remind parents that it’s important to see your child as the individual that she is. Each baby has a mind of their own, and more often than not, babies who don’t progress as quickly ultimately catch up in their own time, meaning you may be worrying unnecessarily, rather than just enjoying being a parent.

Even if it turns out that your baby is experiencing some developmental delay, or health issues, you can’t let anxiety take hold. Instead, try to focus on positive strategies that will make you feel in control of your parenting and, more importantly, allow you to enjoy your baby for who she is. But from the first attempt at crawling, to those wobbles as she stands by herself, I’m a big believer in play being a crucial element of that development.

Toys are, of course, an essential part of playtime, and well designed, safe, age-

P

114 | The Ultimate Baby Book 2021

appropriate toys can help baby along the way on so many levels. Play stimulates physical skills such as balance and coordination, and hand-eye coordination, and hones in on sensory skills, including perception of colours, form, movement and sound. And not forgetting the learning of social skills – interaction, taking turns, sharing and role play.

But how will your little one change and develop from the age of nine to 12 months, and how can you help? There are many things parents can do to encourage more movement. Play games that boost your little one’s strength; these can begin as soon as your baby can sit unaided. Why not try stacking games, or even doing something as simple as rolling a ball out of her reach, so she starts increasing her core strength as she reaches to grab it, or crawl towards it?

As soon as your baby starts pulling herself up, either using you or objects around her to stand with support, be sure to praise her.

Lots of smiles and claps are great to encourage her to keep going. Babies love being rewarded and having lots of reinforcing stimuli such as musical sounds and peek-a-boo mirrors makes their playtime fun, while observing a whole host of positive developmental opportunities. A baby walker will give her a sense of independence, and this will also help to strengthen her leg muscles as she becomes more confident.

Be a support for your little one; walk with her by standing behind and gently holding her

MARKING THOSE MONTHLY MILESTONES Here’s a guide to where your little one may find herself over the next few months (but remember, all babies are different!)

Month 9 • Using her good vision to see where she wants to go • Recognising familiar people • Independently choosing what she wants to play with

Month 10 • Understanding the meaning of basic words such as ‘no’ and ‘yes’ • Cruising around a room • Singling out her favourite toys for maximum fun

Month 11 • Standing independently • Taking her first step • Widening her speech and language

Month 12 • Chatting • Walking or cruising • Playing with some independence

9-12 MONTHS

Toy shopping trolley, £55, gltc.co.uk

Pull ’n’ Chatter lobster, £9.99, littletikes.co.uk

Leather desert boots, £36, poconido.com

PHOTOGRAPHY: SHUTTERSTOCK/DUBOVA

PLAY STIMULATES PHYSICAL SKILLS SUCH AS BALANCE AND HAND-EYE COORDINATION underneath her arms, or by holding her hands.

This way she will feel confident in taking those all-important first steps.

When putting your baby down, make sure you place her in a standing position. This will encourage her to balance and give her the confidence to start to try to walk. Once she seems to have found her feet, support her with one hand. This means she will feel safe but also in control of her steps.

As she begins to take her first steps all on her own, give her a round of applause. Again, praise will encourage her confidence as she

gets set to explore the world. At this point, she will benefit from toys that she can push around, and ones which have lots of sensory reinforcement as she goes on her very first independent adventures.

As your baby approaches her first birthday, it’s time for celebrations, not just for her, but for you, too – you’ve all come a long way! By now, it’s likely you have an active, inquisitive, chatty child with a wide range of abilities, and let’s face it, watching your baby squeal, laugh, grab, play and progress is a fabulous feeling for any parent.

Little Dutch baby walker, £44.95, scandiborn.co.uk

Sebra pull-along toy, £39.96, naturalbabyshower.co.uk

The Ultimate Baby Book 2021 | 115

9-12 MONTHS

Say what?

Think you’ve got nothing in common with these famous faces? Think again!

“I love that every day’s so different. And everything changes in an instant; one minute they’re elated; the next they’re crying hysterically over something totally random!”

Me & my baby

JESSICA ENNIS-HILL, OLYMPIC GOLD-MEDALLIST, AND MOTHER TO REGGIE AND OLIVIA

“It’s not easy being a parent; it comes with lots of challenges; I think if you don’t share your struggles, it can all build up and create a feeling of failure.”

What I’ve learnt…

HARRY JUDD, MUSICIAN AND AUTHOR, AND FATHER TO LOLA AND KIT

ROSE BYRNE, ACTRESS, AND MOTHER TO ROCCO AND RAFA

“Parenthood is a wonderful, wild ride – everyone does it differently. Do it your own way and hang on!”

MARISSA HERMER, TV PERSONALITY AND AUTHOR, AND MOTHER TO MAX, JAKE AND SADIE

“My favourite thing about being a mum is that I’m not thinking about myself anymore, it forces me to think a little outside myself! This may sound a bit dramatic, but I love that I’m raising the next generation – it’s my job.”

ANNA WHITEHOUSE, BLOGGER, AUTHOR AND ACTIVIST, AND MOTHER TO MAE AND EVE 116 | The Ultimate Baby Book 2021

PHOTOGRAPHY: INSTAGRAM.COM/MARISSAHERMER. PA IMAGES/DAVID JENSEN/EMPICS ENTERTAINMENT

“I thought I was prepared, but I didn’t have a clue. All you can do is take every day as it comes, because every day with them is a constant education, but a brilliant one at the same time.”

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RUNNING HEAD

118 | The Ultimate Baby Book 2017

RUNNING HEAD

and onwards… What lies ahead

ABOUT MY BABY New milestones:

Sleeping progress: Started walking: We like to:

The Ultimate Baby Book 2017 | 119

ONWARDS

FOCUS ON

Childcare

TRUSTING SOMEONE ELSE TO LOOK AF TER YOUR BABY CAN BE A DAUNTING PROSPECT. HERE’S A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO YOUR CHILDCARE OPTIONS eciding which type of childcare works for you and your little one will depend on many factors – how many days and hours you need each week, and your budget, just for starters. There are myriad options available, so here are the pros, cons and costs of each.

D

CHILDMINDERS Childminders are self-employed and usually take care of children within their own home.

Registered with Ofsted in England, they are inspected every two years. By law, registered childminders can look after up to six children under eight years old. Three of these can be five and under, and only one can be under 12 months. They must have completed a local authority-approved training course and a 12-hour paediatric first-aid course. Hours are agreed between the childminder and parents.

How much does it cost? On average in the UK, it’s around £118 per week (for under-twos) for 25 hours a week*.

Pros: Childminders are qualified and inspected regularly; they can provide tailored care for your child in a secure home environment; and there may be some flexibility with drop-off and pick-up times.

Cons: If your childminder is ill or away, you’ll need a Plan B, and you may have to subsidise additional outings and activities.

DAY NURSERIES Day nurseries offer care for children from

120 | The Ultimate Baby Book 2021

about six weeks old to when they start school. The number of children attending will vary from nursery to nursery, and many have multiple rooms to separate the various ages and stages. There are different types of nurseries, including private, community, local authority and workplace nurseries. They are inspected by Ofsted and there are legal ratios for each child: for babies aged five weeks to two years, it’s one carer per three children; children aged two to three years is one carer to four children; for children over three, it’s one carer to eight, or 13 if led by a teacher.

How much does it cost? The typical cost of a full-time day nursery place is about £252 per week for a child under two. In London, the average cost rises to around £340*.

Pros: Staff are well trained with valid childcare qualifications, and nurseries are inspected every two to three years. If someone is off sick, there should be enough staff to cover, and they will stay open during the holidays.

Your employer may even subsidise your fees.

Best of all, there are lots of other children for your child to interact with.

Cons: Drop-off and pick-up times are fixed, and staff turnover can be high. You may feel your child isn’t getting enough one-to-one care and is more likely to pick up illnesses.

NANNIES A nanny is employed by you to care for your child in your own home; they may live in or live out. Depending on what you want your nanny

to do and the age of your child, they may be responsible for feeding, bathing and dressing your baby, changing nappies, or helping him use the potty, preparing his meals, cleaning his room, washing and ironing his clothes, and planning activities, such as swimming, reading and social interaction: for example, going to a playgroup. Be aware that nannies aren’t required to hold a qualification in childcare, but many have a form of training, the most traditional being Norland Nannies.

How much does it cost? The UK average for a live-in is £434-£718 per week, and £500-£800 per week for live-out. You’re also responsible for their tax and national insurance*.

Pros: Hours are flexible depending on your needs, especially if you have a live-in nanny, but you’ll need a back-up plan if they’re ill or on holiday. Your child may develop a strong bond with their nanny.

ONWARDS

Janod musical table, £29.95, wickeduncle.co.uk

The Tales of Beatrix Potter book set, £99.95, foliosociety.com

PHOTOGRAPHY: ISTOCK/NADEZHDA1906. WORDS: GEORGINA BLASKEY. *SOURCE: FAMILYANDCHILDCARETRUST.ORG, NANNYPLUS.CO.UK

Wooden xylophone, £19.95, letoyvan.co.uk

THE TYPICAL COST OF A FULL-TIME DAY NURSERY PLACE IS ABOUT £252 PER WEEK Cons: It’s the most expensive form of childcare and nannies aren’t inspected unless they’re registered. You will have to arrange back-up care and cover their tax and NI.

AU PAIRS These are generally students from outside the UK, here to study and improve their English.

They live with you, and you can expect them to help around the house and look after your children when needed, working about 35 hours a week over five days. However, due to their lack of experience, it may not be the best

option if your child is under two.

How much does it cost? They must be provided with a bedroom and meals, and they receive ‘pocket money’ (£70-£85 per week*), rather than a wage; they’re not classified as employees, so they don’t need NI or tax.

Pros: The ‘big sister’ role can be very beneficial to older children (au pairs tend to be aged around 17 to 27) and your child may enjoy the exposure to another language and culture.

Cons: They’re young and may have poor English skills. You need to give them time to attend college, which may limit their hours.

Petit Collage alphabet blocks, £19.99, dotmaison.com

Dinosaur ActionPak, £19.99, littlelife.com

The Ultimate Baby Book 2021 | 121

MEET THE EXPERTS

Zita West

Clare Byam-Cook

Alice Fotheringham

Dr Jeff Drew

Charlotte Vohtz

Miss Christina Yu

FERTILITY AND PREGNANCY EXPERT

BREASTFEEDING EXPERT

INFANT NUTRITIONAL SPECIALIST

CHIEF SCIENTIFIC OFFICER

FOUNDER

CONSULTANT IN OBSTETRICS & FETAL MEDICINE

Zita West Fertility Clinic

AND AUTHOR

Piccolo

Cells4Life

Green People

The Portland Hospital (part of HCA Healthcare UK)

Maggie Evans

Lucy Shrimpton

Dr Anuj Chaturvedi

Emma Hammett

Jenny Ward

Dr Joanna Helke

REGISTERED MIDWIFE AND

SLEEP EXPERT

MEDICAL DIRECTOR AND GP

FOUNDER

DIRECTOR OF SERVICES

PREGNANCY AND POSTNATAL

COMPLEMENTARY THERAPIST

The Baby Show

HealthClic

First Aid For Life

The Lullaby Trust

FITNESS EXPERT

Meet our experts Katie Hilton

Marina Fogle

QUALIFIED NURSE, MIDWIFE

CO-FOUNDER

AND HEALTH VISITOR

The Bump Class

The healthcare professionals on hand to answer your questions

Polly Hand

Liat Hughes Joshi

CHIROPRACTOR AND DOULA

PARENTING EXPERT

Chiropractic By Hand

AND AUTHOR

Professor Amy Brown

Camilla Lawrence

Melanie Lawson

Dr Shazia Malik

Keith McNiven

Kathryn Mewes

AUTHOR AND

LEAD WOMEN’S HEALTH PHYSIO

FOUNDER

OBSTETRICIAN AND GYNAECOLOGIST

PERSONAL TRAINER

SLEEP CONSULTANT

BREASTFEEDING EXPERT

Six Physio

Bare Biology

The Portland Hospital

Right Path Fitness

Milton

Angela Spencer

Dr Aris Papageorghiou

Dr Chiara Hunt

Sioned Hilton

Kate Ball

Gillian Stewart

CHILDCARE EXPERT

PROFESSOR OF FETAL MEDICINE

CO-FOUNDER

BREASTFEEDING EXPERT

FOUNDER

CHILD CONSULTANT

Babyopathy

Ultrasound Diagnostic Services

The Bump Class

Medela

Mini First Aid

Little Routines

122 | The Ultimate Baby Book 2021

Handcrafted nursery furniture that becomes part of the family.

Made in the England.

Classic square-edged design, end panels feature geometrical fretwork design, rounded edges and tapered legs styled in association with our Carnaby Dresser and Wardrobe, this timeless collection suits any taste.

Visit our website for our London stockists

WWW.TEDDYONE.UK

SELF-CATERING FAMILY HOLIDAYS ON A CORNISH BEACH