babies. Today it comprises mainly of bicarbonate of soda and dill seed oil, and works by breaking down trapped air bubbles that cause wind, a common symptom associated with colic.Is it safe to use?Babies from a month-old can be given gripe water up to six

C.It's best if you get in first, then someone passes your baby to you. Ask a staff member to help out if you are on your own.Hold your baby close, keep eye contact and talk reassuringly to him or sing a song. Bouncing your baby up and down in the water is a

Are water births easier?They can be. 'Water helps you stay relaxed,' says midwife Louise Adams. 'It triggers your natural painkillers and helps you get into the best position for your baby to descend into the birth canal.A Swiss study in 2000 found

, and their babies'. Exercise will also improve your suppleness and strength - important for pregnancy and vital during labour.BUT avoid overdoing it in hot weather and make sure you drink plenty of fluids. If you're at risk of miscarriage or have other complications

Until your baby is 6 months old and crawling, you'll need to sterilise all bottle- and breast-feeding equipment, such as express pump, bottles, teats, discs and lids, each time, to kill milk bacteria that could result in tummy upsets.Here's how

Holds up to nine bottles, plus includes water measure, heat sensitive handle, two Bruin bottles and drop-in bottle warmer for warming milk. Unopened it keeps contents sterile for up to three hoursRRP / price at purchase: £29.99

Midwife Nikki replies: There are several theories on this. One concern was whether it puts your baby at risk of infection, but the latest thinking is that it doesn't. Some experts even suggest that bathing can reduce the risk, as water births show

Most women's waters break at the end of the first stage of labour, when the cervix (neck of the womb) is almost fully dilated. But for around 15% of pregnancies, breaking waters is the first sign of labour.It can be a gush of up to a litre or just a

the area for ponds, pools or streams. Don't let your child out of your sight if they are playing near water, and always empty paddling pools when your child has finished playing.'Your baby will love character plasters to cover bumps and bruises. Try Mr

Ingredients1 apple, peeled, cored and chopped2tbsp apple juice or water115g ripe strawberries, hulled1 ripe peach, skinned, stoned and sliced1tbsp baby riceMethod1. Put the chopped apple into a saucepan with 2tbsp apple juice or water