home water birth, contact Splashdown (08456123405 or visit www.waterbirth.co.uk/). Inflatable pools start at around £40. Make sure you try it out before labour.Try using a birth ball. You can sit on this large inflatable ball or use it as an aid

position for birth.'Sit upright and slightly forward with your knees below your hips,' says Gill.Try sitting on a birthing ball while watching TV, and lying on your left side will also help encourage your baby to shift into the correct position. As your due

The average age for the emergence of baby’s first word is typically around 12 months. The National Literacy Trust research reveals that the top 10 most popular first baby words (other than Mummy or Daddy) are: 1. Dog 2. Cat 3.More 4. Baby 5. Ball

and relax, it's more comfy to sit on a birthing ball than a chair. Plus, leaning over the ball can really help you cope with contractions. Don't just wait until you're in labour, though. Sitting on a birthing ball can also affect the way your baby lies

by using a piece of cotton wool dipped in cool, boiled water and gently wiping across your baby’s eye, from the nose outwards. Use a new piece of cotton for each eye.Wipe the ears with a damp cotton wool pad/ ball but do not clean inside them, and never use

stump naturally falls off around two weeks after birth. Good cord care is important, read our guide from Babyexpert midwife, Nikki Khan, on how to keep your baby’s stump clean and free from infection. WHY IS THIS AREA PRONE TO INFECTION? At birth babies

it’s like juggling glass balls. But for me, what I do professionally doesn’t feel like a job – it’s my passion.”Though admittedly her bank balance is not something most working women relate to!Brooklyn, 11, Romeo, 8 and Cruz, 5, are said to be very

Our guide will take you through every step of your birth journey, from the first signs of labour to choosing the best pain relief and what will happen after you have your baby in your arms. The countdown begins As you cross the days off the calendar

the labour became more active. At first I declined the gas and air and slowly rocked on the birthing ball.Ten minutes later I asked for the gas and air.10.45am Christmas Eve: I was 5cm dilated. (I had dilated 3cm in 45minutes.) I was screaming for an epidural

to her and getting her to roll it back saying, ‘Mummy's got the ball...Your turn now.'Speech milestones Birth-4 monthsWhat to expect:Your baby can pick up on your tone of voice. If you sound happy, she'll smile, if you speak snappily she'll get distressed