Parenting Blog

Pregnancy and preparing for a new baby are often described as a time of happiness and excitement. For many people, there are moments of joy and anticipation but it’s also very common for this time to feel overwhelming, uncertain or emotionally challenging. Your experience might not ma…

Pain relief in labour is a deeply personal and individual choice. What feels right for you may look very different to what feels right for someone else, and your preferences may also change as labour unfolds. Your choices are shaped by many factors, such as your health and pregnancy,…

Colostrum is truly fantastic first milk that your body makes for your baby. It can look thick and golden, pale yellow, or sometimes almost clear – and although it’s made in very small amounts, it’s incredibly powerful. Colostrum is uniquely rich in proteins, fats and antibodies that h…

Staying active during pregnancy can offer a whole range of benefits for both you and your baby. Evidence from maternity care and pregnancy health research shows that gentle, regular movement can help you adapt to the physical changes of pregnancy, support your wellbeing, prepare your…

Finding out you’re pregnant is incredibly exciting, but it’s also completely understandable to suddenly have a million questions. What’s ‘normal’ in pregnancy? What isn’t? What kind of birth can you have? And why do you need to pee so much? With so much information available online, f…

When you think of giving birth, you might imagine a bed being involved – with you lying on your back or perhaps sitting upright. Films and TV programmes often portray birth this way, so unless you’ve given birth yourself or supported someone through labour, this can feel like the “nor…

For many exhausted parents, the promise of better sleep through cry it out methods can feel like a lifeline. When nights are long and broken, advice that suggests babies can learn to sleep independently by being left to cry can sound reassuringly practical. However, modern research in…

If you are expecting or are the parent of a newborn, do not fear – there are well established, commonly agreed upon measures you can take to drastically reduce the chance of something happening while your newborn sleeps.  In fact, since safer sleeping practices have been adopted among…

One of the most common questions new parents ask is what does newborn poo look like? Nappies can be surprising in the early days, and changes in colour, texture, and frequency often cause worry. The good news is that newborn poo goes through several normal stages, and most variations…

If you’re breastfeeding and experiencing breast pain, flu-like symptoms, or feeling suddenly unwell, you may be wondering what is mastitis and whether it could be affecting you. Mastitis is a common inflammatory condition of the breast that can develop quickly but is usually very trea…

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common during pregnancy and can affect both the bladder and kidneys. While most infections are mild and easily treated, it is important for pregnant women and birthing people to understand the signs, symptoms, potential implications, and available t…

Whether you’re planning a caesarean section (C-section) or it becomes a decision during labour, understanding what to expect can help ease anxiety and give you a sense of control. Around 1 in 4 births in the UK are by C-section – and they can be just as positive and empowering as any…