KEEPING BUSY

from The Ultimate Baby Book 2021

FOCUS ON: ROUTINES

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.

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 Mi y was created back in 1955, and there’s now more than 124 books in the Mi y collection. Follow her adventures in Mi y’s Birthday, Queen Mi y and Mi y 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

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.

TIME TO SHOP: BABY CARRIERS

Cybex Yema Click baby carrier £149.95, preciouslittleone.com

Baby massage

Leading perinatal expert and founder of MamaBabyBliss, Justina Perry extols the benefits o assage

Close Caboo + baby carrier £64.99, johnlewis.com

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

PHOTOGRAPHY: ISTOCK/PEOPLEIMAGES Because 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 e ective for relieving postpartum blues. It can help with breastfeeding, too. Baby massage stimulates the hormone prolactin in mothers, which helps with lactation.

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.

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