Finding the right baby carrier can make a huge difference to everyday life with a newborn. From school runs and supermarket trips to settling a clingy baby at home, parents need something that feels supportive, secure and genuinely comfortable for both wearer and child.

The Mamas & Papas Kudo Baby Carrier promises ergonomic design, breathable fabrics and multiple carrying positions to grow with your baby. But how does it perform in real life?

Mum Rebecca has been putting the Kudo to the test. Here, she shares her honest experience of using it day to day, from first impressions to long term comfort.

The Mamas & Papas Kudo Baby Carrier is designed to provide comfort and support for both parent and baby during everyday use, whether that’s going out for a walk, going to the shops or simply pottering around the house hands-free. It is positioned at the more premium end of the market, it competes with well-known brands such as Ergobaby and BabyBjörn, focusing on ergonomic support and adjustability.

Before trying the Kudo, I had experience using a more lightweight and basic baby carrier, Tula Free-To-Grow, which I found easier to put on quickly but it does lack the same level of back support and customisation. Because of that, I expected the Kudo to feel more supportive and comfortable for longer periods of wear, especially as my baby grows heavier.

Testing the Kudo Baby Carrier

Build

I am a new mum of a 5 month old little boy in my 30s. Although currently on maternity leave, I work as an accountant and so I am used to spending large chunks of my day sitting at my desk. This has resulted in me struggling with my back in the past, so this carrier should really help with providing a bit of extra support in that area. Outside of work I do have an active lifestyle, enjoying weekly gym sessions and long walks with my dog, hence the appeal of a quality supportive carrier. I tested this product for a couple of weeks, to do jobs around the house, on daily dog walks around my village, as well as a couple of trips to the supermarket.

I was looking for this carrier to provide a safe and comfortable seat for my baby whilst supporting my lower back and not pulling on my shoulders. My baby is used to being in a carrier regularly, and he was quite happy in this one.

The first thing I noticed when unpacking the carrier was the overall quality. The fabric feels extremely soft and padded, making it feel more premium than other carriers. The buckles feel strong giving confidence that the carrier will last. The colour options are also another positive, as they look modern and stylish.

Setting the carrier up for the first time was probably the most difficult part of the experience. There are a lot of straps, clips, and adjustment points, which is great for getting the right fit but also quite overwhelming initially. The instructions included were not the most detailed, so it took a while to get right.

In terms of size, the carrier is definitely on the bulkier side. The thick padding around the waistband and shoulder straps adds comfort but also makes the carrier feel heavy.

Performance

When testing the carrier, one of the best features for me was the lumbar support. Carrying a baby for long periods can quickly become uncomfortable, especially for your lower back, but this carrier distributes weight very evenly and feels supportive once properly adjusted. I also liked the upper back adjustment dial, which felt much easier to use than standard buckles and pull straps.

Another feature I found really useful was the cuddle pocket. This allows you to comfortably rest your hands on your baby while carrying them, which feels reassuring and also helps keep your hands warm during colder weather.

The quick-release buckles are another standout feature. Removing a baby from a carrier can sometimes be stressful, particularly if they are asleep, but these buckles make the process much quicker and smoother.

The carrier advertises ergonomic support for your baby, including helping them sit in the recommended “M” position where the knees sit higher than the hips. While I could eventually achieve this positioning, I did find it more difficult than expected due to the shape of the seat section. I often had to reposition my baby several times before feeling confident they were sitting correctly. This was one area where the real-life experience did not feel quite as simple as advertised.

Usability

Once adjusted properly, the carrier is comfortable to wear and provides very good support for both parent and baby. However, actually putting the carrier on can feel awkward at first, depending on the setup, you either have to pull it over your head or step into it, which took some practice to get used to.

I think first-time parents may need some patience before feeling fully confident using it. After a few uses it does start to become easier, but I probably needed a bit longer testing to get it adjusted quicker.

In terms of cleaning and storage, the carrier is fairly easy to maintain. The fabric can be spot cleaned easily after everyday use.

Final thoughts

Overall, I feel the Mamas & Papas Kudo Baby Carrier largely lived up to my expectations when it comes to comfort and support. The lumbar support is excellent, and the soft fabrics and fully adjustable fit made a noticeable difference during longer periods of carrying. Once fitted correctly, it felt secure and supportive, particularly through my lower back.

That said, I hadn’t anticipated quite how bulky it would feel. I also found it more fiddly than expected to achieve the ideal seating position for my baby, particularly getting them into a true “M” position. I felt their legs didn’t sit quite high enough, as their bottom didn’t seem to sit low enough in the seat.

At £149, it’s certainly an investment. However, the quality of the materials and the strong back support do go some way to justifying the price. For me, the standout features were the PostureAlign dial, which really helped distribute weight more evenly, the cosy cuddle pocket, and the quick-release magnetic buckles, which made getting the carrier on and off much easier.

I would recommend this carrier to parents who prioritise back support and don’t mind spending a little time getting the fit just right. It’s also worth noting that it may suit some body shapes better than others. I have quite a slight frame and felt the bulkiness wasn’t the best match for me, whereas my husband found it suited him much better. He particularly liked how adjustable it was for different body sizes, although he agreed that setting it up properly took some practice and, like me, found positioning our baby in the optimal “M” shape a little tricky at first.

Overall, it’s a thoughtfully designed and supportive carrier, but one that benefits from patience and careful adjustment to get the very best out of it.

Emily Gilbert is the Features & Reviews Editor for Mother&Baby. With a background in both print and digital journalism, she has written extensively on pregnancy, fertility, perinatal mental health, and the best in baby and parenting products. A first-time mum, Emily combines her professional expertise with personal experience, offering readers trusted advice and relatable insight. Specialising in product and travel reviews, she stays ahead of the curve on the latest parenting trends and is passionate about showing that life with a little one can still be full of adventure.

Lightweight, cabin-friendly and designed with travel in mind, the Inglesina Quid³ is a compact travel pushchair aimed at parents who want something easy to lift, fold and store without compromising on comfort. Suitable from birth and weighing in at just over 6kg, it promises fuss-free everyday use alongside holiday-ready convenience.

First-time mum Michelle has been testing the Inglesina Quid³ with her four-month-old son to see how it performs in real life, scroll down to find out how she got on.

Testing the Inglesina Quid³

As a first-time parent with a four-month-old baby, I was looking for a second pushchair that was easier to manage day to day. My main buggy, the Mamas and Papas Ocarro 2, is brilliant for long walks and feels very sturdy, but it is heavy and quite bulky. It is not something I want to be lifting in and out of the car for quick trips or taking on holiday.

I wanted something much lighter, easy to fold, and small enough to take on a plane, particularly if it was possible to get it into the cabin rather than the hold. The Inglesina Quid 3 was recommended to me and seemed to tick all the right boxes, particularly for travel.

I was hoping it would make everyday errands simpler and be a good option for holidays. I was also really looking forward to taking it through the woodlands near our house to see how it handled something a bit more challenging.

Build

The first thing I noticed when switching from my main pushchair was just how light this feels. It is a big difference, especially when you are used to something much heavier. Lifting it in and out of the boot is effortless, and that would make it brilliant for any mothers recovering from a C-section. Despite its lightness, it still feels sturdy and well made, which I was really pleased with.

When the pram is folded, it is compact and works well for both car storage and travel. It fits easily into the boot, taking up roughly the same space as two shopping bags, which makes it suitable for most car sizes.

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The basket underneath is useful for the essentials you will need when out and about with a baby but, as you would expect from a travel pram, it does not have loads of space for much more. The handle is comfortable to hold, with a great grip, and the carry strap is a really handy addition when it is folded, which I plan to use when we next board a plane.

The only downside on the build front is the handle height. It is quite low, and my partner in particular finds himself catching the back of the pushchair when walking. If the handle had been extendable, it would have been perfect.

Overall, it feels like a good balance between being lightweight and still solid enough for regular use.

Usability

In everyday use, it is very easy to push and steer, even one-handed, which makes a big difference when you are juggling a hundred other things for your child. It handles pavements well and feels smooth to push. I was also impressed with how it coped on different terrains.

We took it through some woodland near our house, and it managed tree roots and uneven ground better than I expected. If anything, the bumps helped send my little boy to sleep, which was an added bonus. It also handled grass, gravel and dirt tracks without too much trouble.

Going up and down steps is manageable too. Because it is so light, it is easy to tilt onto the back wheels and guide it up or down, or, if you are like my partner, you can simply lift the entire thing instead. It does struggle a bit with some of the higher kerbs, so you do need to lift the front wheels rather than just push over them.

Folding it is not completely intuitive at first, but once you have done it a few times it becomes much easier. There is also a small marker on the folding mechanism that shows when the pram is fully open and ready to use, which I found really reassuring.

Although it is marketed as suitable from birth, I found that the lie-flat position works best for younger babies. When I tried the more upright setting, my four-month-old tended to slouch slightly. The instructions are not completely clear about the most appropriate age for the upright position, so that is something to bear in mind.

One feature I really like is the hood, which has a viewing flap with a magnet to keep it closed. Being able to check whether he is awake or asleep, and whether he is in the sun or shade, is great, especially after being used to a pram where he faces me. The only slight issue is that there is nothing to hold the flap open, so it tends to fall down again, particularly in windy weather. A second magnet to secure it open would be a welcome addition.

I found it adorable when my baby started resting his feet on the front bar of the buggy. It is not designed specifically for that, but he seems comfortable and it makes for a great photo.

For travel, it feels ideal. I would be happy taking it on planes or trains. My only hesitation is that it does not come with a travel bag. With a holiday coming up, I would prefer something to protect it, particularly if the airline insists on it going into the hold.

Performance

The brake is very easy to use and feels secure when it is on. I tested it during a bus journey, and it stayed firmly in place even when the bus was taking a corner at speed and I was struggling to stay seated.

The harness clips in easily, although on first use you do spend a bit of time adjusting it, especially if you have a small baby like I do. It is worth taking the time to get it right because it feels very secure once properly fitted.

Overall, it feels safe and does exactly what you would expect it to do, without any issues.

Final verdict

What stands out most to me is how much easier this pushchair makes everyday life. It is light, simple to use and much more practical for quick trips than a larger pram. It is quickly becoming my go-to choice for many of our everyday activities.

If I had to change one thing, and honestly there are not many, it would be the handle height. An extendable handle would make it far more comfortable for taller parents.

It is on the more expensive side for a travel buggy, but it does feel like a high-quality product. While I cannot compare it directly to others, I do feel it has been worth it for how much easier it has made things.
Looking back, I wish I had something like this from the start. After my caesarean, I really struggled lifting my heavier pram in and out of the car. This would have been much easier to manage. As a first-time parent, you quickly learn what works best for your lifestyle.

I would definitely recommend it, especially for parents who want something lightweight for travel or quick day-to-day use.

Emily Gilbert is the Features & Reviews Editor for Mother&Baby. With a background in both print and digital journalism, she has written extensively on pregnancy, fertility, perinatal mental health, and the best in baby and parenting products. A first-time mum, Emily combines her professional expertise with personal experience, offering readers trusted advice and relatable insight. Specialising in product and travel reviews, she stays ahead of the curve on the latest parenting trends and is passionate about showing that life with a little one can still be full of adventure.

A new model of miscarriage care that guarantees follow-up support from a first loss onwards could prevent more than 10,000 miscarriages every year in the UK, according to new research from pregnancy charity Tommy’s.

The findings, welcomed by Health Minister Baroness Merron as an “important report”, are already being hailed as a potential turning point for families navigating the heartbreak of pregnancy loss.

For many women in the UK, NHS care currently involves little or no follow-up after a first or second miscarriage. In most areas, investigations and specialist support are routinely offered only after three consecutive losses. Tommy’s says this ‘three-miscarriage wait’ leaves thousands of women without early access to care that could identify treatable health issues and reduce the risk of another loss.

Now, a pilot of Tommy’s Graded Model of Miscarriage Care suggests there is a better way.

What is the Graded Model of Miscarriage Care?

The Graded Model of Miscarriage Care was piloted at Birmingham Women’s Hospital between November 2023 and February 2024. It was led by researchers at Tommy’s National Centre for Miscarriage Research and involved 203 women receiving graded care, compared with 203 women receiving usual NHS care.

Instead of waiting for three losses, the graded model offers escalating support after every miscarriage.

After a first miscarriage, women are offered a one-to-one consultation with a specialist nurse to discuss optimising preconception and pregnancy health. This includes personalised advice on modifiable risk factors such as smoking, weight, managing long-term conditions and taking folic acid – all areas highlighted in NHS guidance on preparing for pregnancy.

If early vaginal bleeding occurs in a future pregnancy, women may be offered progesterone. NHS guidance already recommends offering progesterone to women with early pregnancy bleeding who have previously had a miscarriage, as evidence shows it can reduce the risk of further loss in some cases.

After two miscarriages, women in the pilot were also offered blood tests to check for anaemia and abnormal thyroid function – both treatable conditions that can affect pregnancy outcomes. They were also offered early reassurance scans in subsequent pregnancies.

After three miscarriages, women followed the usual NHS pathway, including referral to a recurrent miscarriage clinic for consultant-led care and investigations for conditions such as antiphospholipid syndrome (sometimes referred to as ‘sticky blood’ syndrome), possible genetic factors and pelvic abnormalities.

What did the study find?

The pilot found a 4% absolute reduction in the risk of a pregnancy after miscarriage ending in another miscarriage among women receiving graded care, compared with usual care.

Based on an estimated 250,000 miscarriages in the UK each year, researchers calculate that rolling out the model nationwide could prevent around 10,075 miscarriages annually.

Professor Arri Coomarasamy OBE, Director of Tommy’s National Centre for Miscarriage Research, said: “If the graded model were implemented across the UK, our study indicates it could prevent around 10,075 miscarriages every year. That’s more than 10,000 families bringing their babies home instead of suffering the trauma of a pregnancy loss.”

The pilot also revealed that earlier testing made a significant difference. Among women in the graded care group who had experienced two miscarriages, one in five were found to have either thyroid problems or anaemia – conditions they would not routinely have been tested for at that stage under standard NHS care.

Overall, 86% of women in the graded model had one or more risk factors identified and received advice on changes they could make, compared with 58% in the usual care group.

Satisfaction was high, too: 99% of women reported being satisfied or very satisfied with their care, and 93% of healthcare professionals involved said the model was straightforward to deliver.

A ‘turning point’ for miscarriage care?

An estimated one in four pregnancies ends in miscarriage, making it the most common complication of early pregnancy. Yet there is currently no central NHS record of miscarriage numbers, meaning the true scale of the issue is not fully understood.

Tommy’s Ambassador, Myleene Klass MBE, who has spoken openly about her own experience of recurrent miscarriage, described the report as “a turning point” and “a life-changing opportunity” for families.

In the foreword to the report, she said it was “an honour” to meet parents who took part in the study and later welcomed a baby. “This is our moment to give every family that same life-changing opportunity,” she wrote.

Kath Abrahams, Chief Executive of Tommy’s, said the three-miscarriage threshold leaves many women feeling isolated and unsupported. “Put simply, it is the right thing to do,” she said, urging policymakers across England, Wales and Northern Ireland to follow Scotland’s lead in embedding the graded model into its miscarriage pathway.

Baroness Merron, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, said: “Pregnancy and baby loss can have a devastating impact on women and families, who too often feel they have been left without the care and support they need.

“I welcome the findings of this important report, and this will be carefully considered as part of our ongoing work to make sure women get the high-quality, compassionate NHS care they deserve.”

What this means for mums

For mums navigating life after miscarriage, the idea of earlier, proactive support may feel reassuring.

While this model is not yet standard across the UK, it reflects a growing recognition that miscarriage care should not be reactive or delayed. If you have experienced a miscarriage, NHS guidance encourages you to speak to your GP or early pregnancy unit about your individual circumstances, especially if you have concerns about symptoms, existing health conditions or planning another pregnancy.

As this research is reviewed under the Government’s Women’s Health Strategy, many families will be watching closely. For thousands of women each year, earlier support could mean not only better medical care, but feeling heard, informed and cared for at one of the most vulnerable times in their lives.

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About the author

Rebecca Lancaster is a Digital Writer for Mother&Baby, drawing on eleven years of parenting her two children to help others navigate their own parenting journey. As a freelance writer, she spent ten years working with leading lifestyle brands, from travel companies to food and drink start-ups, and writing everything from hotel reviews to guides to the best British cheeses. She’s particularly interested in travel and introducing her children to the excitement of visiting new places, trying different foods (less successfully) and experiencing different cultures.

If you haven't seen it already, the World of Paw Patrol has finally come to the UK, and we got to enjoy a sneak preview of the new theme park before it officially opened to the public on Sunday, May 3rd.

With four fantastic rides and a play area, it's been a highly anticipated addition to Chessington World of Adventures that young Paw Patrol fans have been really excited for. It's bright, colourful and packed with so many details that children can instantly recognise, including the iconic Lookout Tower.

But living up North and being a 5-hour drive away, I'm here to tell you whether the lengthy drive with a baby, a 4-year-old, and a 9-year-old was actually worth it, and to share my tips for getting the most out of your experience.

The new World of Paw Patrol experience

As soon as you enter the World of Paw Patrol, you can tell so much thought and effort have gone into the details of the new land. You can also see the Lookout Tower from the Safari Hotel, which really tells you the size of it! I think the most iconic thing about it is that there's a part of the slide children can actually go down, which I thought was a really fun design element.

In the very centre of the land, there's a big Rocky and Rubble play park, with lots of slides and interactive elements for children to run around and enjoy. It was quite busy on preview day, but there was still plenty of room for all the kids to enjoy the park's different elements.

Another huge advantage of the new Paw Patrol land was character appearances. My daughter was so excited to meet her favourite characters, and I loved that you could take your own videos and pictures of your children with them, as well as the option to purchase a park picture (which is delivered via a QR code). You weren't rushed to take your videos and pictures either, which really added to the overall experience.

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Normally, when we go out for the day, I do like to bring a pack lunch, as prices are often really high; however, I did think the prices at the snack stop were quite reasonable, depending on what you got. You can buy a Paw Patrol Pup Pack, which includes a drink, sandwich and snack for £9, but you could get carrot, pepper and cucumber sticks for less than £3.

There were also well-priced parts of the gift shop, and a huge variety of products to choose from, including soft and hard toys, clothing, keyrings, and dinnerware.

What to expect from the rides

The new land features four themed rides, including the UK's first drifter ride. None of them feels scary for little ones, but they're also not boring for grown-ups either!

Chase's Mountain Mission

This is probably the best ride in the park, and it really takes you on an experience which is so fun for little ones! With the option to go through the Lookout Tower for a mission, you join Chase and Everest to save Mayor Goodway and Chickaletta, who are stuck on a tightrope.

You enter the Lookout Tower lift, where little ones can learn about the rescue mission, then exit on the other side to reach the rollercoaster. My nine-year-old loved this ride, and my 4-year-old was really mesmerised by the tower experience. Since it's the most popular ride, I thought the lift experience was a nice break from the queue!

Skye's Helicopter Rescue

Taking to the sky, this helicopter ride is really basic, but it has two seats for little ones with steering wheels in front of each seat (perfect for preventing arguments on who actually gets to steer the helicopter!) and two at the back.

There's not much movement to the actual helicopter carriage itself, but you gently spin around in the air, which is really nice for seeing the whole park from a new angle.

Zuma's Hovercraft Adventure

We didn't realise that there is an interactive element to this ride that would make or break your experience. The first time we went on this, we just spun around, not really doing anything, but the second time we realised there was a lever which you could pull that made the ride 'drift'.

You're assigned a mission before this ride starts, which really hypes up all the children, and it was really great at getting lots of laughs out of everyone, as each grown-up in the two-seater hovercrafts was in charge of how often and how quickly your own hovercraft would drift.

Marshall's Firetruck Rescue

My daughter loved this ride! You hop into Marshall's Firetruck and are assigned a mission to help save a kitten stuck in a tree. The firetruck then spins forward several times before stopping right at the top, then it spins backwards a few more times.

Our overall experience of the World of Paw Patrol

So, after making the five-hour trip down to Chessington, will I be going back? Absolutely! My children had the best day, and even we thought the rides were really fun. However, having checked all the queue times in the first week of it being open, I won't be rushing back anytime soon, but once the newness has eased off, we definitely will be.

I think as a whole, it's really family-oriented, and the attention to detail of the Paw Patrol section itself is phenomenal. I would really recommend it to families with or without Paw Patrol fans in the house!

Top tips for visiting World of Paw Patrol

Make use of the play area

There is a huge play area in the centre, so between rides take the adventure of letting your little one explore, run and have fun, so they don't feel like they've spent all their time queuing.

Pack plenty of snacks

It goes without saying that snacks solve everything, but they are particularly useful when you're standing waiting for a ride and looking for ways to keep your little one entertained.

Take a toilet trip before queuing

With all the excitement (and panic upon seeing queue times!), it’s easy to just want to go from ride to ride, but we found a toilet stop was really helpful. There's nothing worse than getting to the front of the queue and your little one announcing they need the toilet! But note, if this does happen, inform a member of staff that you need to leave the queue to take your little one to the toilet.

Check height requirements before booking

While the World of Paw Patrol is aimed at Paw Patrol fans, there are still height restrictions on the four rides. Children must be at least 90cm tall to go on the rides, with children between 90cm and 1.1m tall being accompanied by an adult.

The Rocky and Rubble park, however, has plenty to entertain smaller children, and my one-year-old daughter had fun crawling around the space.

Consider staying over

We looked at the queue times when the park opened at 10am, and the wait times quickly jumped from 5 minutes to 100 minutes. By staying over (they even have a Paw Patrol themed room!), you get early access to the park, so you can really save on wait times and get more out of your day.

Samantha is a Senior Writer for Mother&Baby, having written for the brand since 2018. She's a mum of three aged nine, four and 11 months old. She loves planning fun family days out, trips and adventures. She also loves to bake, but spends most of her free time between football and ballet classes.

For many new parents, intrusive thoughts arrive as fleeting flashes: a sudden image of dropping their baby down the stairs, a panicked fear that the bath water is too hot, a split-second scenario in which something catastrophic happens. According to Mind, intrusive thoughts are extremely common during pregnancy and early parenthood because the brain is constantly scanning for danger and trying to protect a newborn.

But for some women, those thoughts become relentless, obsessive and deeply distressing. Perinatal OCD is a form of obsessive compulsive disorder that develops during pregnancy or after birth and can trap mothers in cycles of fear, compulsions and shame, convincing them that the very existence of a thought must mean something terrible about who they are.

That silence is exactly what Kimberley Nixon hopes to challenge in her memoir She Seems Fine to Me. In the book, the actor and writer documents her experience of severe postnatal OCD with a level of honesty rarely seen in conversations around motherhood.

When Kimberley imagined becoming a mother, she expected the experience many women are sold: instant connection, overwhelming love, and an almost instinctive ease.

“I thought that I was just gonna give birth to my best friend,” she says. “I was just going to take to it like a duck to water.”

Instead, motherhood arrived alongside terrifying, intrusive thoughts that made her question herself completely. The disconnect between expectation and reality became one of the most shocking parts of early parenthood.

In She Seems Fine to Me, Kimberley describes existing in “two realities” at once: carrying out ordinary parenting tasks while simultaneously battling graphic mental images of harm coming to her baby. The thoughts felt vivid and immediate, even though she knew intellectually they were irrational.

“There are two really important things to understand,” she says. “You might be able to see what’s really going on and be objective, but it feels real to the mother going through it.”

One of the cruellest aspects of perinatal OCD is that sufferers often become too frightened to seek information or support. Kimberley spent months trying to force her symptoms into a postnatal depression framework because the alternative felt too dangerous to even name.

“One of the problems with perinatal OCD is that the symptoms can be so terrifying that you don’t want to Google them,” she says. “Because if you Google, you think you might be in trouble in some way, or that your baby might be taken off you.”

Eventually, during a late-night internet search, she came across an anonymous account written by another mother experiencing intrusive thoughts.

“That was the first time I found something that clicked,” she says.

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In the book, she describes the relief of recognising herself in somebody else’s experience after months of believing she was alone. “This article was like someone had hijacked the livestream of my brain,” she writes.

That fear of disclosure runs throughout Kimberley’s story. Many women with perinatal OCD become convinced that admitting their thoughts aloud will lead to judgment, intervention from social services or separation from their child.

“It’s terrifying to go to someone who, to you, is an authority in a clinical setting and say that you’re scared of harm coming to your baby,” she says, worrying that “if I tell anyone this, they’re going to take the baby away from me.”

The reality, mental health experts stress, is that intrusive thoughts are not intentions. In fact, OCD thoughts are often described as “ego dystonic”, meaning they directly conflict with a person’s values and sense of self.

“Ego dystonic means that the thoughts and fears go against everything you’re about,” she explains. “For a new mum, what’s the most precious thing in the world to her? This tiny baby. And so the OCD pushes everything you don’t want to happen.”

That distinction became central to her recovery. Before understanding OCD, Kimberley became trapped in obsessive attempts to decode what the thoughts “meant” about her.

“Am I secretly a monster?” she remembers thinking.

The condition also distorted her relationship with time. In the depths of illness, days became something to survive minute by minute.

“A day was a very different length of time to me when I was unwell,” she says. “It was hour to hour.”

In She Seems Fine to Me, Kimberley writes about staring at clocks, willing herself through each small section of the day. Recovery did not happen in dramatic breakthroughs, but slowly, through repetition, treatment and continuing to care for her son despite the fear.

Eventually, she began exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), widely considered the gold standard treatment for OCD.

“With ERP, slowly, slowly you begin to recognise what’s OCD and what’s you,” she says.

One of the more striking aspects of Kimberley’s account is her frustration with how poorly understood perinatal OCD still is, even within healthcare settings. In the book’s foreword, psychiatrist Professor Lynne M Drummond writes that while awareness of OCD has improved in recent years, the condition remains “widely misunderstood”, particularly during pregnancy and postpartum.

Kimberley repeatedly sought help while feeling as though she was being funnelled into systems that recognised anxiety or depression more readily than obsessive thoughts. She believes maternal mental healthcare still fails many women because clinicians often do not ask the right questions.

“‘Hi, how are you?’ is not a mental health check,” she says. “Ask twice. Ask three times.”

She also argues that women themselves can disappear inside motherhood, reduced to “mum” before they have had time to process the enormous identity shift taking place.

“Call me Kim. Don’t call me mum,” she says. “Four hours ago, I was pregnant, and you called me Kim.”

That identity crisis became another unexpected layer of her recovery. Kimberley says she spent a long time trying to return to the person she had been before giving birth, only to realise that version of herself no longer existed.

“I wanted to go back to who I was before, but she doesn’t exist anymore,” she says. “Once I let that idea go, it started to lift.”

Importantly, recovery did not mean the disappearance of intrusive thoughts altogether. She still experiences them daily, but now recognises them as symptoms rather than truths.

“I just go, ‘Okay, thanks for the heads up,’ and get on with my day.”

That ability to separate herself from the thoughts is something she hopes other mothers can learn sooner than she did. Much of She Seems Fine to Me is driven by a desire to provide the reassurance she struggled to find while going through this dark time in her life.

“When I was really unwell, and I was looking for other people who talked about their experiences, there were very few people who could or did,” she says. “I made a promise to myself that if I ever survived this, if anyone ever put these symptoms into Google, someone would come up.”

The response from readers has confirmed how many women have been suffering quietly. “All I was met with was more and more messages of, ‘Oh my God, me too,’” she says.

For Kimberley, the silence surrounding maternal mental health remains one of the most dangerous aspects of conditions like perinatal OCD.

“The biggest cause of death in women up to a year after birth is maternal suicide,” she says. “And it’s a very quiet thing that no one talks about.”

Her hope is that greater awareness of intrusive thoughts and a clearer understanding of what they actually are could prevent years of fear and isolation for women experiencing them.

“What I would love,” she says, “is that a woman could go into a room with a medical professional, say these symptoms out loud, and that clinician say, ‘Yep, I’ve heard of that. No worries. Let’s get you sorted.’”

And for mothers reading her story in the middle of the night, convinced they are alone in what they are thinking, she wants the book to offer something she once desperately needed herself: proof that recovery is possible.

“The world is a better place with you in it,” she says. “Don’t take yourself out of it.”

Need someone to speak to?

PANDAS – Offer free support either over the phone, through WhatsApp messages or in person help.

Samaritans – If you need urgent help, you can contact their helpline on 116 123.

Maternal Mental Health Alliance – Provide a range of tools and support to signpost new parents to get the right help for whatever they're going through.

Neurodivergent Birth Support – They provide support for Neurodivergent parents who may be struggling after giving birth.

Mind – Mind has compiled a list of organisations and support networks that can help with a range of mental health crises.

About the author

Lorna White is the Products Editor for Mother&Baby. After running the Yours magazine website, specialising in content about caring for kids and grandchildren, Lorna brought her expertise to Mother&Baby in 2020. She has a keen interest in a range of topics surrounding all things motherhood and has a wide range of experienced medical experts and professionals at her fingertips.

Weetabix is one of those breakfast options that everyone seems to have their own version of. Are you someone who has your Weetabix with warm milk with a spoonful of sugar? Or do you prefer to take yours cold with yoghurt and fruit?

According to NHS guidance, babies can begin weaning at around six months, and simple cereal-based breakfasts like Weetabix can be suitable from this age as part of a balanced diet. As with all first foods, safety comes first.

"Plain Weetabix can be a great breakfast option for babies once they start solids," says Registered Children's Nutritionist Penelope Henderson RNutr. "It softens easily, is quick to prepare, and provides wholegrains, fibre and iron."

"Babies can usually have Weetabix from around 6 months, when they’re ready to start solids. Look for the 3 signs of readiness” for weaning (based on NHS guidance)."

Babies are usually ready to start solids when they can do all 3 of the following:
• sit upright and hold their head steady
• coordinate their eyes, hands and mouth so they can pick up food and bring it to their mouth
• being able to swallow soft foods safely.

Weetabix can be served softened well with breast milk, formula or pasteurised whole cow’s milk. The NHS advises that while cow’s milk can be used in cooking and mixed into foods from six months, it shouldn’t be offered as a main drink until your baby is 12 months old.

It’s also important to not give your baby honey (as this is not safe before 12 months due to the risk of botulism), whole nuts (which pose a choking risk), and any added sugar or salt.

In this article:

"Because Weetabix contains wheat (gluten), you should offer a small amount first and watch for any reaction," recommends Penelope. Many serving suggestions include milk or yoghurt, which are common allergens. Current NHS advice is to introduce potential allergens one at a time and in small amounts, ideally at home, and to watch for any signs of a reaction such as rash, swelling, vomiting or breathing difficulties. If you have concerns about allergies, speak to your GP or health visitor before introducing new foods.

When it comes to serving Weetabix for babies, texture matters just as much as ingredients. Whether you’re spoon-feeding, following baby-led weaning, or doing a mix of both, you can easily adjust the consistency to suit your baby’s stage.

For spoon-feeding (around 6 months)

At the start of weaning, aim for a soft, smooth, porridge-like texture that easily falls off the spoon.

• Crush or break up half to one Weetabix biscuit into a bowl.
• Add warm breast milk, formula or pasteurised whole milk (if your baby is over six months).
• Stir well and allow it to fully soften.
• Add extra liquid if needed so it’s loose and lump-free.

Portion guide: Start with 2–4 tablespoons and follow your baby’s appetite cues. It’s normal for them to eat only a few spoonfuls at first.

As your baby becomes more confident (usually after a few weeks), you can gradually make the mixture slightly thicker, leaving a bit more texture rather than blending it completely smooth.

For baby-led weaning (6+ months)

If you’re offering Weetabix as a finger food, the key is a texture your baby can grasp but that’s still soft enough to squash easily between your fingers.

• Use less liquid so the cereal forms a thick, scoopable paste.
• Press it into a small bowl or silicone mould and let it firm up for a few minutes.
• You can also spread the mixture thickly onto pre-loaded spoons for your baby to pick up themselves.

The finished texture should be soft and moist - never dry or crumbly, which could increase choking risk. Always supervise closely while your baby eats.

Portion guide: Half to one biscuit is plenty for most six-month-olds, served alongside fruit or yoghurt if appropriate.

Progressing the texture (7–12 months)

As chewing skills develop, you can gradually make Weetabix:

• Thicker and less mashed
• Mixed with small, soft fruit pieces (like mashed banana or stewed apple)
• Combined with thicker yoghurt for a denser texture
• Served in soft, scoopable clumps rather than a fully smooth blend

By 9–12 months, many babies can manage a much chewier consistency, provided it’s still well-moistened and easy to break apart with their gums.

As always, watch your baby - not the calendar. If they’re managing thicker textures confidently and moving food around their mouth well, you can slowly progress. If they’re gagging frequently or struggling, loosen the mixture again and take a step back.

With a few simple tweaks to thickness, Weetabix can grow with your baby - from those tentative first spoonfuls to confident self-feeding at the kitchen table.

Weetabix can be a quick, affordable and versatile breakfast option for little ones - and there are plenty of baby-friendly ways to serve it.

We’ve put together some simple ideas and tips on how to prepare Weetabix for babies, with nutritious additions that support weaning.

Weetabix porridge (6+ months)

If Weetabix is one of the first solids you’re trying, start simple.

Cover half to one biscuit with warm milk (make sure it’s not too hot) and mash thoroughly into a soft, porridge-like consistency. You can use breast milk, formula, or pasteurised whole cow’s milk (from six months, in food only).

For natural sweetness, stir through:

• Mashed banana
• Stewed apple or pear
• A spoonful of berry purée
• Unsweetened apple or prune purée

Aim for a smooth, soft texture at first, then gradually make it thicker as detailed above as your baby’s confidence grows.

Weetabix with full-fat yoghurt

Full-fat, unsweetened yoghurt is a great addition from six months and adds creaminess and extra energy.

Spoon thick yoghurt over softened Weetabix and top with:

• Mashed raspberries
• Finely chopped soft peaches
• Stewed plums
• Grated apple (for confident eaters)

If introducing yoghurt for the first time, remember it’s a milk allergen - offer it earlier in the day and watch for any reactions.

Avoid flavoured yoghurts marketed to children, as these are often high in added sugar.

Fruit spread Weetabix (BLW-friendly)

Instead of serving it fully mashed, try using softened Weetabix as a base for self-feeding.

Lightly moisten the biscuit so it softens but still holds its shape. Spread with:

• Thick fruit purée
• Mashed avocado
• Unsweetened nut butter (smooth and thinned with yoghurt or water)

Nut and seed butters are great for early allergen exposure, but always serve smooth (never chunky) and spread thinly to reduce choking risk.

Weetabix fingers

For babies following baby-led weaning, mix crushed Weetabix with just enough milk to form a thick paste. Press into a shallow container and chill briefly to firm up. Cut into soft “fingers” that your baby can grasp.

You can mix in:
• Mashed banana
• Finely ground chia seeds
• A spoonful of unsweetened nut butter

The texture should be soft and squashable between your fingers.

Smoothie Weetabix

For older babies who manage thicker textures, you can swap milk for a homemade, unsweetened fruit smoothie.

Blend fruit with full-fat yoghurt or milk, pour over the biscuit and allow it to soften fully before serving. Keep the texture thick rather than runny to make it easier to eat.

Funny faces (for older babies and toddlers)

To make breakfast more engaging, soften two biscuits in a wide bowl and decorate with soft fruit shapes - kiwi slices, blueberries (squashed for younger babies), banana strips or strawberry pieces.

It’s a simple way to encourage interest in fruit while keeping sugar levels naturally low.

If your baby can’t have dairy due to allergy or intolerance, you might be wondering whether plant milks are suitable to serve with your baby's Weetabix

According to NHS guidance, plant milks (such as oat, almond or soy) should not be given as a main drink to infants before 12 months. However, small amounts of unsweetened, calcium-fortified plant milk can be used in cooking or mixed into foods like cereal from six months, if needed.

For babies with a diagnosed cow’s milk allergy, it’s best to speak to your GP, health visitor or a registered dietitian before introducing plant-based alternatives, to make sure your baby’s nutritional needs are being met.

Breast milk or first infant formula should remain your baby’s main drink until their first birthday.

What about sweeter toppings?

For babies under one, it’s best to avoid added sugar where possible and skip treats like chocolate chips or sweet custard.

For toddlers over one, these can be occasional extras rather than everyday additions. If serving custard, choose a lower-sugar option and keep portions small.

With a few simple swaps, Weetabix can be a nutritious, adaptable breakfast that grows with your child - from first spoonfuls at six months through to independent toddler breakfasts.

About the expert

Penelope Henderson RNutr is a Registered Nutritionist specialising in children’s nutrition with the Association for Nutrition and an SOS trained Feeding Therapist. She is the founder of Nutrition 2 Nourish & Flourish, providing practical and evidence-based nutrition support to parents on children’s nutrition, fussy eating, weaning and feeding challenges through 1-1 consultations, brand collaboration, media work and blog writing. Parents can also follow Penelope on Instagram for practical tips and advice on fussy eating, children’s nutrition and family mealtimes.

About the author

Emily Gilbert is the Features & Reviews Editor for Mother&Baby. With a background in both print and digital journalism, she has written extensively on pregnancy, fertility, perinatal mental health, and the best in baby and parenting products. A first-time mum, Emily combines her professional expertise with personal experience, offering readers trusted advice and relatable insight. Specialising in product and travel reviews, she stays ahead of the curve on the latest parenting trends and is passionate about showing that life with a little one can still be full of adventure.

A Moses basket has a fairly simple job on paper, but in practice it needs to do a lot well. It needs to feel safe, sturdy and comfortable enough for a newborn to settle in, while also being light enough to move around the house and attractive enough that it doesn’t look out of place in your living space. The Clair de Lune Dimple Palm Moses Basket sits in that middle ground of the market where it is clearly not the cheapest option available, but is still more affordable than many premium Moses baskets. At full price, it comes in at £64.99 for the version with rocking stand, which puts it above the flimsy bargain-end products but below many of the £100-plus alternatives.

Testing the Clair de Lune Dimple Palm Moses basket

I tested it as a father of two, with my youngest being five months old at the time of testing. What I wanted from it was straightforward, I wanted somewhere safe, comfortable and practical to put my baby when she needed a nap or when I needed both hands free to get something done.

Build

My first impressions were positive. It was well packaged, the instructions were in the box, and everything gave the impression of a product that had been put together with some care. Assembly took less than 20 minutes and only required a screwdriver. The instructions were easy to follow, but the design is simple enough that most of it feels intuitive anyway. Just make sure you don’t get carried away with the simplicity and forget to put the dowels in! Nothing about the setup felt fiddly, awkward or overcomplicated, which is exactly what you want when you are also juggling family life. That simplicity matters.

In terms of construction, what stood out most to me was how well it balances lightness with sturdiness. The wooden stand is light enough to move around without effort, but once put together it feels structurally sound and secure. The basket itself is handwoven palm rather than the sort of cheap-looking material that can sometimes make Moses baskets feel disposable. Clair de Lune describes it as handwoven natural palm, and that feels accurate in person. It has that classic woven look that people expect from a traditional Moses basket, but without feeling delicate.

The rocking base is the standout feature for me. You can opt for a fixed stand, but I would strongly recommend the rocking version. Having only used fixed-stand Moses baskets in the past, I had always assumed rocking was more of a cosmetic extra than a genuinely useful feature. Having now used one, I’ve completely changed my mind. With such a lightweight frame, you might expect the rocking motion to make it feel less secure, but that was not the case here. The Clair de Lune still felt sturdy and stable throughout use, even when rocking.

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Another feature worth mentioning is the robustness of the stand and the plastic fixtures that secure the Moses basket in place. I have used similar Moses basket designs before, though not Clair de Lune products, where the basket sits on a wooden frame with plastic retaining rims, and in two previous examples that part of the design proved to be the weak point. In one, the plastic was too thin and snapped when bent. In the other, it split where it was fastened to the wood. This one felt much better made than those. The plastic felt thick enough to inspire confidence, flexible enough not to feel brittle, and sturdy enough to hold the basket securely in place.

The third feature is the dimple fabric. It feels soft, padded and more premium than you might expect at this price point. There is a real sense of luxury to both the feel and the appearance, which helps the basket look a little more special than many standard options on the market.

Usability

There is not much to adjust on a Moses basket, and that is not a criticism. In this case, simplicity is part of the appeal. It is easy to move around the house because it is lightweight, and as I mentioned above, it feels secure once in place. The design is also classic enough that it will fit into almost any room without looking out of place. The woven basket and dimple fabric give it a timeless look so you really can’t go wrong.

Cleaning was also easier than expected. Our baby has reflux, so this was tested in real life rather than in theory. There were multiple occasions when it ended up with vomit on it, and both wiping and washing were effective. The dressings are removable and machine washable at 40°C, and the mattress has a removable, machine-washable cover, all of which really help when you have a young baby and very little spare time.

The only usability issue I found was the hood. It fixes on with two wing nuts and an additional securing nut, and there is a bit of trial and error involved in getting the tension exactly right. Too tight and it clamps onto the basket so the hood does not pull down properly. Too loose and it drops when raised. Once you find the sweet spot it works perfectly well, but it is the one part of the setup that felt more fiddly than it needed to be.

Performance

Performance is where the basket impressed me most. My baby seemed extremely comfortable in it and fell asleep in it multiple times. That is particularly notable because she does not typically like to sleep during the day and often resists naps, which has been difficult for us. In this Moses basket, the rocking motion seemed to make a real difference. She would often settle within minutes of being put down and gently rocked, which is about the strongest endorsement a sleep product can get. You can’t get better than a comfortable sleeping baby.

Just as importantly, it felt safe throughout testing. The basket felt secure on the stand, the structure felt sound, and there was nothing about it that made me question whether it was stable enough for daytime naps. The curve in the feet of the stand is pronounced enough to allow a good rocking motion, but not so pronounced that it ever feels unsafe or unstable. In practice, the key features worked exactly as I wanted them to, providing a secure and comfortable place for my baby to settle while still being light enough to move around easily and practical enough for everyday use.

In fact, I would say the rocking function performed even better than I expected. On paper it is a simple feature, but in practice it made a meaningful difference. Sometimes the best baby products are not the ones with the most complicated features, but the ones that do one useful thing very well. This felt like one of those.

Final thoughts

The Clair de Lune Dimple Palm Moses Basket is a very strong option for parents who want quality without spending premium-brand money. It looks good, feels well made, is easy to put together, and most importantly it is comfortable enough that my baby, who usually resists daytime sleep, settled in it repeatedly with the help of the rocking motion.

What I liked most is that it gets the fundamentals right. It is lightweight but sturdy, traditional-looking but not dated, and practical enough for real family life. It also feels noticeably better made than some cheaper Moses baskets on the market, particularly in the parts of the design that often let similar products down.

If I could change anything, the main thing I would change is the hood fastening. It is not a major flaw, but it is the one element that feels a little fussier than it should. Aside from that, there is very little to criticise.

In terms of value for money, I think it lands in a very sensible place. It is clearly a lot better than the cheaper products that can feel flimsy and short-lived, but it also avoids drifting into the sort of price bracket where you start paying heavily for branding. I would recommend it to anyone who wants a good-quality Moses basket on a budget, particularly if soothing and daytime nap support are priorities. For us, it proved genuinely useful rather than simply nice to look at.

Ash Blattner is a very happy father to two daughters. He has reviewed many products for Mother&Baby with a high attention to detail. What he looks for in products is for them to be built to last using sturdy materials. He also looks for intelligent design with due attention paid to child safety. At weekends he likes to watch In The Night Garden, sometimes with his children!

Porridge might not feel particularly exciting - 'Porridge? For breakfast? Groundbreaking' springs to mind - but when you’re feeding a baby, toddler or hungry pre-schooler at 6.30am, it can be a total lifesaver. It’s warm, filling, budget-friendly and packed with goodness – and with a few clever tweaks, it can be the healthy breakfast your child actually eats.

Yet, while porridge can be an simple option, thinking of ways to jazz it up and add extra interest can be tricky, especially early morning after a night of sub-optimum sleep. But don't worry if you're struggling to come up with ideas before your morning coffee. These easy porridge ideas will help you get a nutritious meal on the table fast, without a battle of wills before nursery drop-off.

When can babies have porridge?

Porridge can be introduced from around six months, when your baby is ready to start solids. Along with baby rice, it's a great first food. At this stage, stick to smooth oats or baby porridge mixed to a soft, runny consistency.

You can make it with:

• Breast milk

• Formula milk

• Full-fat cow’s milk (for cooking only, from six months)

Avoid adding sugar or honey (honey isn’t safe until after one year old). Instead, rely on fruit or vegetables to add natural sweetness and flavour.

For younger babies, blend or mash toppings well and make sure the texture is suitable for their stage. As your child grows, you can gradually make porridge thicker and introduce more texture.

Why porridge is a great choice for little ones

Oats are rich in fibre, which supports healthy digestion – helpful if your toddler is prone to constipation. They also provide slow-release energy, which can help keep mid-morning meltdowns at bay.

Made with milk, porridge delivers calcium for growing bones and teeth. Add nut butters, seeds or yoghurt and you’ve boosted protein and healthy fats too.

It's also incredibly versatile. If your child goes from loving bananas one week to declaring them 'yucky' the next, you can simply switch toppings without changing the base.

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Five quick porridge ideas for busy mornings

All of these can be made in under 10 minutes, or prepped ahead.

1. Banana and peanut butter porridge (6 months+ with smooth nut butter)

Mash half a ripe banana into warm porridge and stir through 1 tsp smooth peanut butter. For babies, make sure the peanut butter is runny and well mixed to avoid any thick clumps.

This combo is naturally sweet, filling and packed with energy – perfect for active toddlers. If you’re introducing peanuts, offer a small amount at home and watch for any signs of an allergic reaction.

2. Apple pie porridge (6 months+)

Peel and finely grate half an apple, then cook it with the oats. Add a pinch of cinnamon (no sugar needed). The apple softens as it cooks, creating a naturally sweet flavour.

You can even batch-cook stewed apple at the weekend and store it in the fridge for up to 48 hours, ready to spoon into weekday breakfasts.

3. Berry boost porridge (8 months+)

Stir in a handful of mashed blueberries, raspberries or strawberries. For babies under one, squash the fruit thoroughly to reduce choking risk.

Frozen berries work just as well – simply heat them through until piping hot, then allow to cool before serving. They’re often more affordable and last longer in the freezer.

4. Carrot cake porridge (6 months+)

It might sound unusual, but finely grated carrot cooked into porridge adds sweetness and extra veg without fuss. Add a pinch of cinnamon and a spoonful of full-fat yoghurt on top for older babies and toddlers. You could also add well-chopped seeds or nuts for older toddlers for extra nutrients.

If your child is going through a ‘no vegetables’ phase, this is a subtle way to boost their intake first thing in the morning.

5. Overnight oats for toddlers (12 months+)

For children over one, try overnight oats for an even quicker start. Mix 40g oats with 100ml milk and 1 tbsp yoghurt. Add chopped fruit, then leave in the fridge overnight.

By morning, it’s ready to serve cold or gently warmed. Ideal for nursery mornings when every minute counts.

Easy porridge toppings for kids

Sometimes you just need to be able to make a bowl of porridge and add some easy toppings. Even if all you're doing is throwing on some seeds or fruit, why not try arranging them into a cute animal face for extra domestic goddess points!

• Fruit - bananas, berries, and raisins work well but make sure the pieces are a safe size for your little one

• Nuts and seeds - add protein and crunch but make sure the sizes are safe for your little one's age or swirl through a smooth nut butter

• Yoghurt - add a spoonful of natural or coconut yoghurt

• Vegetables - porridge is a great way to sneak in extra veg such as carrots or this Purple Porridge by Annabel Karmel

How to make porridge more filling

If your toddler seems hungry again by 9am, try adding:

• 1 tbsp ground flaxseed or chia seeds

• A spoonful of full-fat Greek-style yoghurt

• Smooth almond or peanut butter

• Mashed avocado (it blends in surprisingly well)

These additions increase healthy fats and protein, helping to keep little tummies satisfied for longer.

Texture tips by age

6-8 months: Smooth, runny and lump-free. Blend oats if needed and mix with extra milk.

9-12 months: Thicker consistency with soft mashed fruit. Encourage self-feeding with a pre-loaded spoon.

1-2 years: Chunkier texture is fine. Add small, soft fruit pieces.

2-5 years: Most textures are suitable, but always chop harder fruits like apple into small pieces and supervise while eating.

Remember, every child develops at their own pace. If you’re ever unsure about gagging, choking or portion sizes, speak to your health visitor.

Keeping it realistic

If your child only eats plain porridge with nothing on top, that’s OK. If they demand the same topping every single day, that’s OK too. And if they reject porridge completely and only want toast and toppings, that's also fine.

Feeding children under five is often about repetition and patience. It can take multiple tries before they accept a new flavour. Try offering a tiny portion of a new topping alongside a familiar favourite – no pressure, no bribery.

And on those mornings when everyone is overtired and running late? A simple bowl of warm oats is more than enough.

Because sometimes, the best breakfast is the one they’ll actually eat.

About the author

Rebecca Lancaster is a Digital Writer for Mother&Baby, drawing on eleven years of parenting her two children to help others navigate their own parenting journey. As a freelance writer, she spent ten years working with leading lifestyle brands, from travel companies to food and drink start-ups, and writing everything from hotel reviews to guides to the best British cheeses. She’s particularly interested in travel and introducing her children to the excitement of visiting new places, trying different foods (less successfully) and experiencing different cultures.

Keeping your bottle steriliser clean is just as important as keeping your baby’s bottles clean. After all, you can’t rely on your bottles being clean if your steriliser isn’t. If you use your Tommee Tippee steriliser every day, limescale will build up over time. That chalky white residue on the heating plate might not look serious, but it can reduce heating efficiency, slow down cycles, and affect how effectively your steriliser produces steam.

The problem is that limescale isn’t always obvious at first. Your steriliser may still appear to be working, even though scale is gradually affecting its performance. And when you’re sterilising bottles daily, that’s not something you want to overlook. The NHS advises that all baby feeding equipment, including bottles and teats, should be sterilised until your baby is at least 12 months old to help prevent infections like diarrhoea and vomiting.

The good news? Descaling a Tommee Tippee steriliser is simple and takes very little time. If you’ve been putting it off and you’re not sure how to tackle the job, we’ve put together simple step-by-step instructions on how to descale your Tommee Tippee Steriliser safely and easily.

How often should I clean my steriliser?

For cleaning and descaling an electric steam steriliser, like the Tommee Tippee model, regular maintenance is essential. If left unchecked, limescale build-up can reduce the steriliser’s effectiveness.

Hard water areas: Descale every 2 weeks
Medium water areas: Descale every 21 days
Soft water areas: Descale every 4 weeks

This can be done using white vinegar or a stainless steel descaling solution. Avoid using multi-purpose descalers unless specified as safe for use with steam sterilisers​.

How to descale Tommee Tippee steriliser

Step 1: Remove the top and bottom trays of the steriliser.

Step 2: Wash the trays in warm, soapy water or on the top shelf of your dishwasher. Just be sure to avoid washing with strongly coloured foods such as curries or tomato sauces, as they can discolour the trays.

Step 3: In the meantime, tip out any leftover water from the base of the unit and wipe with a dry cloth.

Step 4: If you see discolouration on the heat plate, you need to descale the unit.

Step 5: You’ll need a stainless steel descaling solution or white vinegar (4 - 8 per cent acetic acid) to do this. It’s a good idea to avoid using multi-purpose descaling solutions, perfumed products, multipurpose cleaners and bleach-based products as it can cause damage (unless it says it can be used with an electric steam steriliser).

Step 6: Pour 250ml of white vinegar into the unit and leave for 30 mins or up to 24 hours if there’s a lot of build up.

Step 7: Discard any liquid when it’s done and rinse well with cool water until all the residue has been rinsed off.

Step 8: Once dry, reassemble and plug the steriliser back in and pour 80ml of water back into the unit.

Step 9: Run it on a normal cycle, then give your steriliser a final rinse, and it’s all ready to use.

Alternative methods

If you prefer to avoid vinegar, lemon juice can be used as a natural alternative. Follow the same steps, replacing 250ml of white vinegar with 250ml of lemon juice. While lemon juice is sometimes suggested as a natural descaler, it is less effective than white vinegar and not specifically recommended by most manufacturers.

Why regular descaling matters

• Prevents limescale buildup
• Ensures bottles are properly sterilised
• Helps maintain the efficiency and longevity of the steriliser

For additional guidance, check out the official Tommee Tippee support page or our comprehensive guide on how to sterilise baby bottles and feeding equipment.

How to descale a Tommee Tippee steriliser FAQs

About the author

Lorna White is the Products Editor for Mother&Baby. After running the Yours magazine website, specialising in content about caring for kids and grandchildren, Lorna brought her expertise to Mother&Baby in 2020. She has a keen interest in a range of topics surrounding all things motherhood and has a wide range of experienced medical experts and professionals at her fingertips.

Just so you know, we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this website - read why you should trust us.

Shopping for the best toys for one-year-olds sounds exciting, until you’re standing in a toy store (or scrolling online) faced with hundreds of options and no idea which ones your child will actually play with. At this age, their development is changing quickly, and you want to choose something that’s not just fun, but genuinely beneficial.

But too often, what looks like the perfect toy ends up ignored after ten minutes, or worse, broken by the end of the afternoon. While they'll love a range of activities for one-year-olds, you need to think about what toys one-year-olds are actually playing with. Many parents feel pressure to buy bigger, louder, more expensive toys, worrying they’ll miss something important for their child’s development. Meanwhile, simple toys can get overlooked, and decision fatigue sets in as shelves are stacked with flashing gadgets and bold marketing claims. It’s frustrating to spend money on something that doesn’t hold their attention, especially when you’re trying to make thoughtful choices that support their learning and growing confidence.

In this article:

That’s why we’ve done the hard work for you. We tested more than 30 toys for one-year-olds with real parents and their toddlers to find the ones with true staying power. We focused on durable designs that can withstand toddler tantrums while engaging growing attention spans for more than just a few minutes.

We also spoke to Dr Amanda Gummer, psychologist specialising in child development and founder of The Good Play Guide, who reassures parents that “At this age, simple is best. I always recommend toys that encourage open-ended play… stacking blocks, sensory balls, and books are really good. These grow with your child and offer lots of learning opportunities.”

With expert insight and hands-on testing, we’ve narrowed it down to a carefully chosen range of toys that spark imagination, encourage bonding and communication, and support your child’s development, without unnecessary overspending. Our testers included parents like first-time mum, Anne Lora Scagliusi, mum to one year old Nicolò and Georgi, mum to one-year-old April. We've picked a range of toys that will spark their imagination and encourage confidence in their new skills.

It's probably time to put away the baby rattles and chewable toys (*sobs*), and as Dr Amanda suggests, enter a world of blocks, shape sorters, sensory toys, and kitchen play items. Your toddler will begin showing signs of mimicking in their play, so simple role-play toys are great to introduce. As well as this, Dr Amanda suggests toys that invite them to practice walking, crawling, or engage in active play. "Don’t forget movement, as ride-ons and push-along toys help with coordination and balance."

Often, the simple toys are just as effective in encouraging your child's development and imaginative play. Remember, they're only one and not quite ready for complicated gadgets or toys for two-year-olds; they'll find joy in beautiful, bright and basic toys.

The table below gives an at-a-glance view of some of the key specifications of each toy on our list and what our mum testers thought of each one.

Different toys are designed for specific needs. Your one-year-old's development is unique, and some of their milestones include learning how to walk and say a few words. According to Dr Amanda Gummer, little ones are learning so much through play- without even realising it. "I love toys that encourage movement, like push-along walkers and soft balls, as they help with coordination and strength. Stacking cups and shape sorters are great for fine motor skills and problem-solving, while musical toys and books help with early communication. Anything that encourages interaction, whether with a parent, sibling or carer, is always a winner in my book, as it helps build social skills too," says Dr Gummer.

Why you can trust us

At Mother&Baby, our mission is to provide accurate and reliable reviews, ensuring our readers receive honest and transparent information about the best products available.

Our testers are either pregnant or real parents with a baby or toddler. This could be members of our editorial team, freelance parenting journalists or external reviewers from the Mother&Baby awards. Our Mother&Baby Awards are renowned in the industry and are among the most highly respected product awards for baby and parenting products. Every year, we arrange for thousands of independent parent reviewers to test the latest products on the market.

We don't accept payment from manufacturers for product reviews, and maintain our editorial independence. While we do work with commercial partners on advertorials, these will always be clearly labelled.

Our writers have full control over their content, ensuring that products are selected based solely on the needs of our readers. While we may earn commissions or other compensation from links on our website, this does not affect our product choices. These links allow us to continue offering valuable consumer advice without compromising the integrity of our reviews. We are always honest in our reviews, and we won't recommend products that we wouldn't spend our own money on.

About the expert

Dr Amanda Gummer is a neuropsychologist with over 20 years of experience in child development and play. She is the founder and CEO of The Good Play Guide, a leading independent review platform for children’s toys, apps, and educational products. Dr. Gummer also established Fundamentally Children, a research consultancy focused on child development and parenting. Amanda is now widely considered as the UK’s go-to expert on play, toys and child development.

About the author

Samantha Ball is a Product & Lifestyle Writer for Mother&Baby and freelanced for the website for two years before joining the team full time six years ago. She's a mum of three and loves browsing for the best products for her little ones and cute outfits.

Modern motherhood is equal parts chaos, comedy and quiet heroics, and no two mums do it quite the same way. But there are those universal moments we all recognise… the 7am scramble, the snack negotiations, the “just one minute” that never is. That’s exactly why we’ve created this quick, relatable quiz, to help you find out which TV mum you’re most like, so you can see your parenting style through a slightly more entertaining lens, and finally put a name (and a character) to your everyday chaos.

From the calm, composed energy of Morticia Addams to the warm, witty charm of Lorelai Gilmore, or the beautifully chaotic reality of Amanda, every parenting style has its moment. Maybe you’re a FAFO parent like Peggy Mitchell, or bringing structure (and standards) like Vivian Banks. Either way, your answers will reveal a result that feels very familiar.

This fun “What TV Mum Are You?” quiz is designed for real life, think school runs, bedtime battles, WhatsApp groups and everything in between. It’s quick, surprisingly accurate, and ideal for sharing with your mum friends (because let’s be honest, you already have someone in mind for each result). Take the quiz now and find out which TV mum matches your parenting style.

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About the author

Hannah Carroll is our Senior Digital Writer. In her capacity, she curates top-notch listicles, crafts insightful how-to guides, and delivers expert product reviews. As a mother of three, Hannah draws upon her comprehensive understanding of all facets of family life to bring true insight into all the products that make running a home easier.

Chances are you’ve seen the recent BBC investigation shining a light on a troubling, and largely unregulated, corner of the parenting advice industry: infant sleep. It’s a space where exhausted, anxious parents searching for answers can find themselves turning to confident “experts” whose guidance doesn’t always align with established safety recommendations, including those from the NHS, The Lullaby Trust, and decades of research into Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

So how can you tell who’s truly qualified to guide you, and who isn’t? What should you be looking for when choosing a sleep consultant, night nurse, or parenting “expert,” particularly on social media?

Check for regulated healthcare credentials first

The most important distinction is whether someone is part of a regulated profession. Strong, regulated roles include:
• Registered midwives and nurses: (regulated by the Nursing and Midwifery Council in the UK)
• Health visitors (qualified nurses or midwives with additional public health training, working within the NHS)
• Paediatricians and GPs
• International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) for breastfeeding support

These professionals must meet formal education standards, follow clinical guidelines, and are accountable to regulatory bodies. If someone uses titles like “maternity nurse” or “sleep expert” without clear registration, that’s a red flag, these titles are not legally protected.

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Be cautious with “sleep experts” and night nurses

Roles such as:
• Night nurses
• Sleep coaches/consultants
• Baby sleep specialists

These are not regulated in the UK, meaning anyone can adopt these titles regardless of training.
The BBC investigation described how some self-defined experts, have large followings and commercial sleep consultancy businesses, but no requirement to adhere to medical standards. Some advice reported in the investigation directly contradicted established safe sleep guidance. That doesn’t mean all practitioners in this space are unsafe, but it does mean parents need to verify credibility carefully rather than relying on branding, books, or social media popularity.

Look for alignment with evidence-based safe sleep guidance

Any trustworthy infant sleep advice should be consistent with guidance from organisations such as the NHS or The Lullaby Trust.

Core safe sleep principles include:
• Babies sleeping on their back for every sleep
• A firm, flat, clear sleep space
• No loose items (blankets, towels, toys, cushions) in the cot
• Room-sharing (but not bed-sharing) for at least the first 6 months
• Avoiding overheating and smoke exposure

Advice that deviates from these basics such as placing babies on their front, or adding rolled towels or soft bedding to “contain” them, should be treated with extreme caution.

Check qualifications properly (don’t rely on labels)

When evaluating an “expert,” look for:
• Verified registration numbers (e.g. NMC PIN for nurses/midwives)
• Recognised certifications (e.g. IBCLC, paediatric training)
• Transparent education history (not vague “trained with…” claims)
• Clear scope of practice (“this is not medical advice” is not enough on its own)
Be wary of:
• Self-awarded titles (“certified sleep whisperer”, “baby sleep guru”)
• No traceable training pathway
• Overconfident medical claims (diagnosing reflux, allergies, etc. without examination)

Be careful with social media credibility signals

Large Instagram followings, celebrity endorsements, podcast appearances, or published books do not equal clinical credibility. In fact, the BBC piece shows how visibility can sometimes mask a lack of formal oversight. Algorithms reward confident, simple solutions to complex problems, especially around infant sleep, where parents are highly motivated to find answers.

Questions to ask when following parenting accounts:
• Do they cite NHS or peer-reviewed guidance?
• Do they ever encourage you to seek medical advice for health concerns?
• Are they transparent about qualifications and limitations?
• Do they present “one method fits all” solutions? (a warning sign in infant care)

Safer places to get sleep advice online

More reliable sources include:

NHS Start for Life resources

The Lullaby Trust

NHS health visiting teams

Recognised breastfeeding organisations and IBCLC professionals

These sources may feel less “personalised” than social media consultants, but they are grounded in population-level safety evidence.

Why this matters

As the BBC investigation shows, infant sleep advice sits in a vulnerable space: parents are sleep-deprived, under-supported, and often desperate for solutions. That combination can make confident but unverified guidance feel especially persuasive.

But when it comes to infant sleep, small changes in advice can carry serious consequences. That’s why credentials, regulation, and alignment with established medical guidance matter far more than popularity or reassurance alone.

If there’s one takeaway, it’s this: in infant sleep, the safest “expert” is one whose advice can be traced back to regulated healthcare training and publicly accountable evidence, not just a strong online presence.

Lorna White is the Products Editor for Mother&Baby. After running the Yours magazine website, specialising in content about caring for kids and grandchildren, Lorna brought her expertise to Mother&Baby in 2020. She has a keen interest in a range of topics surrounding all things motherhood and has a wide range of experienced medical experts and professionals at her fingertips.

When you’ve been up since 5.30am, you’ve already fought (and lost) a battle over socks, and someone’s crying because their banana 'broke', the last thing you need is a mealtime meltdown. You need something filling that stands a chance of being eaten and you need it now.

You need toast.

Hear us out on this one. Toast is the quiet queen of the kitchen, the saviour of many a mealtime. It's quick, cheap, endlessly adaptable and – most importantly – most toddlers will actually eat it. Whether you’re feeding a weaning baby, a picky two-year-old or a hungry preschooler who seems to survive on air and chaos, toast is your friend. But how do you make toast into a nutritious and filling meal that you can dish up as dinner, guilt-free? Here are ten easy toast ideas for kids that are quick, healthy and mum-approved.

1. Mashed avocado and soft-boiled egg

Avocados are not just for millennials. Mash ripe avocado onto warm toast and top with finely chopped soft-boiled egg (for babies, mash together to reduce choking risk).

Avocado recipes provide healthy fats to support brain development, while eggs add protein and iron. For older children, you could sprinkle a little mild grated cheese on top.

Time-saving tip: boil a few eggs at the start of the week and store in the fridge for grab-and-go toppings.

2. Nut butter and banana

Spread a thin layer of smooth peanut or almond butter (check your nursery’s allergy policy if sending in a packed lunch) and top with mashed or finely sliced banana.

It’s sweet enough to feel like a treat but packed with protein and slow-release energy – ideal before nursery or a busy morning at playgroup.

For babies under one, avoid whole nuts and ensure the nut butter is smooth.

3. Cream cheese and grated apple

This one surprises people – but it works.

Spread full-fat cream cheese onto toast and top with finely grated apple. The creamy texture pairs beautifully with the natural sweetness of the fruit, and it’s a great way to introduce different flavours.

You could add a tiny pinch of cinnamon for older toddlers.

4. Baked beans on toast (with a twist)

Beans on toast is a parenting staple. Mash the beans slightly for younger children and serve on lightly buttered wholemeal toast.

For an added boost, sprinkle grated cheese on top or stir in some finely chopped spinach while heating the beans.

It’s comforting, filling and ready in under five minutes.

5. Hummus and grated carrot

Spread a generous layer of hummus and top with finely grated carrot or cucumber.

This is ideal for little ones learning to self-feed, as the topping sticks well to the toast. Hummus provides protein and fibre, while the veg adds crunch and colour.

If your toddler is suspicious of visible vegetables, try blending carrot into the hummus instead.

6. Ricotta and mashed berries

For a speedy breakfast or pudding-style snack, spread ricotta over toast and top with mashed strawberries, raspberries or blueberries.

It feels special but takes moments to prepare. Ricotta is mild and creamy, making it perfect for children who aren’t keen on stronger cheeses.

If berries aren’t in season, defrosted frozen berries work just as well.

7. Scrambled egg and spinach

Whisk an egg with a splash of milk and scramble gently. Stir through finely chopped spinach until wilted, then spoon onto toast.

Cut into fingers to make it suitable for baby-led weaning or squares for toddlers.

Egg-based toppings are brilliant for growth and development, and the toast makes it easy for little hands to hold.

8. Mashed sweet potato and soft cheese

Got leftover sweet potato from dinner? Mash it with a little soft cheese and spread thickly onto toast.

It’s naturally sweet, full of beta-carotene and usually a hit with fussy eaters. You can batch-cook sweet potato and freeze in small portions for quick lunches.

9. Greek yoghurt and nut-free granola (for older toddlers)

Spread thick Greek yoghurt onto well-toasted bread and sprinkle with crushed, nut-free granola and sliced fruit.

This is one of our favourite healthy toddler breakfast ideas and works best for confident eaters aged two and over, as it can get messy – but sometimes messy equals fun.

10. Tomato and melted mozzarella

Top toast with finely chopped tomato and grated mozzarella, then grill until melted.

It’s essentially a mini pizza on toast, and what child doesn’t love pizza? For extra goodness, use wholemeal bread and add a thin spread of tomato purée under the cheese.

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Making toast work for every age

Go age-appropriate

For babies under one, ensure bread is lightly toasted (not too hard) and cut into fingers to reduce choking risk. Avoid added salt and honey, and always supervise while eating.

For toddlers going through a beige-food phase, toast can be your bridge. Start with familiar toppings, then gradually introduce new flavours alongside old favourites.

And remember – repetition is key. A food refused today may be happily eaten next week.

Make it fun

Your tot may have their own preferred way of cutting toast (and are more than happy to let you know if you cut it the wrong way!), but mixing things up can make mealtimes fun. Using a cookie cutter to create fun shapes or arranging the toppings into animal faces can take a meal from boring to brilliant in minutes.

Ditch the toast

These toast topping ideas for kids work for a whole range of bases, from rice cakes to pitta breads, crumpets to crackers. You can also branch out and try different types of bread, from rye to wholemeal, to let your little one experience a range of healthy options.

Toast ideas for kids: a parenting win

When time is tight, simple wins. Toast might not look fancy on Instagram, but if it’s nutritious, quick and actually eaten, that’s a parenting victory. Because sometimes the best meals are the ones that get made – and enjoyed – without a meltdown (from you or them). And we'll toast to that!

About the author

Rebecca Lancaster is a Digital Writer for Mother&Baby, drawing on eleven years of parenting her two children to help others navigate their own parenting journey. As a freelance writer, she spent ten years working with leading lifestyle brands, from travel companies to food and drink start-ups, and writing everything from hotel reviews to guides to the best British cheeses. She’s particularly interested in travel and introducing her children to the excitement of visiting new places, trying different foods (less successfully) and experiencing different cultures.

When it comes to face masks, I’ll admit I approach them with caution. As someone with very sensitive skin, I’ve learned the hard way that rich, heavy formulas can quickly compromise my skin barrier. Add hormonal breakouts into the mix and it can be a complete recipe for disaster. So while I love the idea of a glow-boosting treatment, the reality doesn’t always live up to the promise.

That said, I’m also very easily influenced, especially when my social feeds are flooded with rave reviews. After seeing countless reels about the BIODANCE Bio-Collagen Real Deep Face Mask, I finally gave in. Consider me well and truly influenced, and honestly, it might be one of the best beauty decisions I’ve made.

I decided to put it to the test before a Saturday night out, wearing the mask overnight in the hope of counteracting a week of broken sleep. When I woke up, I genuinely couldn’t believe the difference. My skin looked plumper, brighter and noticeably smoother, like I’d just stepped out of a luxury facial appointment. That dull, tired look? Gone. Instead, I had that fresh, youthful glow we’re all constantly trying to bottle.

What impressed me most is that despite delivering serious hydration, the mask didn’t overwhelm my sensitive skin. No redness, no irritation, just calm, balanced and deeply moisturised skin. It helps to even out skin tone, boost moisture levels and soften the appearance of fine lines and blemishes, all without feeling heavy or suffocating.

There are five different kinds of mask to try in the range, depending on your skin concerns. But for me personally, I’d highly recommend starting with the collagen version, it’s the one that delivered those glow-giving results and it also happens to have a discount in the Amazon Spring Sale right now, reduced to less than £10, working out at less than £2.47 per mask with four in a pack. For that price, it feels like a no-brainer.

It turns out I’m not the only fan, either. Stacey Solomon has also been singing its praises on Instagram, saying: “It’s actually ridiculous how it makes my skin feel.” She added, “It makes my skin SO hydrated and firm and just feel so fresh.” And honestly? She’s not wrong.

If, like me, your skin is looking a little lacklustre thanks to late nights, early mornings or just general life, this might be the quick fix you’ve been searching for. A glowing complexion for less than £10? That’s the kind of beauty bargain we can get behind.

About the author

Lorna White is the Products Editor for Mother&Baby. After running the Yours magazine website, specialising in content about caring for kids and grandchildren, Lorna brought her expertise to Mother&Baby in 2020. She has a keen interest in a range of topics surrounding all things motherhood and has a wide range of experienced medical experts and professionals at her fingertips.

Any new mamma will know that getting the hang of breastfeeding in those early weeks can be tricky, and two things we need to give some extra TLC to during our breastfeeding journey are our nipples, and that’s where silver nursing cups can be a godsend.

Nipple soreness during breastfeeding is normal, and it’s very common for mums to experience sensitive, sore, cracked and sometimes even bleeding nipples in the early days of breastfeeding, often caused by poor attachment or positioning issues.

The good news is that there are many things we can try to help soothe our sore nipples including the use of silver nursing cups.

What are silver nursing cups?

If you’ve never heard of them before, silver nursing cups are designed to soothe and protect the nipples during both pregnancy and the breastfeeding journey. Made from silver, their purpose is to speed up the healing process of sore and painful nipples between feeds and often come in a range of different sizes depending on the unique shape of your nipples. {#h-if-you-ve-never-heard-of-them-before-silver-nursing-cups-are-designed-to-soothe-and-protect-the-nipples-during-both-pregnancy-and-the-breastfeeding-journey-made-from-silver-they-re-purpose-is-to-speed-up-the-healing-process-of-sore-and-painful-nipples-between-feeds-and-often-come-in-a-range-of-different-sizes-depending-on-the-unique-shape-of-your-nipples}

Why silver?

You may be wondering why these little nipple shields are made from silver and not something a bit more comfortable and less cold and hard on the nipples? According to the Royal Society of Chemistry, silver is naturally antimicrobial, antifungal and antibacterial with anti-inflammatory properties to help soothe any soreness and aid your nipple recovery.

Thanks to the antibacterial properties, there is no need to sterilise your silver nipple cups, and they just need a good rinse under warm water and thorough dry between each use to keep them clean.

How to use silver nursing cups

Simply place your silver nursing cups over your nipples using your nursing or maternity bra to keep them in place and secure. They’re designed to wear on a regular basis whenever you’re not feeding your little one, either as a preventative measure or on a temporary basis until your nipples are recovered and the pain has subsided. Once you’ve established your breastfeeding routine without any nipple soreness and pain, you can stop wearing them.

The best silver nursing cups to buy

Do silver nursing cups really work?

As with many products, some mums swear by silver nursing cups to keep their nipples pain-free and healthy while it doesn’t make much difference to others. If you are struggling with nipple soreness due to breastfeeding, we’d recommend giving them a go as they’re also something that are endorsed by many midwives and lactation consultants.

If you notice your symptoms worsen and your nipples become increasingly painful, then you should speak to your midwife or GP as it could have developed into thrush or mastitis which cannot be cured by silver nursing cups.

Lorna White is the Senior Digital Writer for Mother&Baby. After running the Yours magazine website, specialising in content about caring for kids and grandchildren, Lorna brought her expertise to Mother&Baby in 2020. She has a keen interest in a range of topics from potty training and nutrition to baby names and early development and has a wide range of experienced medical experts and professionals at her fingertips. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her two young sisters, dog walking and enjoying the outdoors with her family.

In an age of endless parenting advice and algorithm-fuelled anxiety, Holly Hagan-Blyth and Charlie Hedges aren't trying to position themselves as experts. If anything, they're pushing back against that idea entirely.

Speaking about their CBeebies Parenting Helpline podcast, the pair lean into honesty over perfection, sharing the messier, more complicated reality of raising children in a world where everyone seems to have an opinion. Because, as Charlie puts it, "we're all just winging it, really."

Information vs instinct

Parenting in the digital age comes with a unique kind of pressure: too much information. Holly describes it as a "double-edged sword," in which parents are not only more aware of how to raise their children well but also hyper-aware of everything that could go wrong.

"We're now a lot more informed of how not to traumatise our children, but we're also more aware of the things that could go wrong, like Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and febrile seizures, which I would have never heard about if it wasn't for social media."

That awareness can quickly tip into anxiety, something Charlie is careful to avoid.

"I'm quite an anxious person, so I feel like sometimes that can lead me down some holes that I don't want to go down."

Instead, she's learned to trust her instincts and the people closest to her, rather than spiralling through endless advice online. Her approach? Pick up the phone.

"I've always gone down the speak-to-my-family route. But obviously not everybody has that, which is why the CBeebies Parenting Helpline is great, because it's a trusted source."

The problem with 'perfect' parenting

If there's one narrative they'd happily scrap, it's mum guilt, and the idea that parents should feel guilty for not getting everything right.

Charlie doesn't hold back: "Don't feel guilty. You shouldn't. We're all working hard to do good for our children, whatever that looks like."

For Holly, the issue runs deeper than guilt; it's the culture of constant advice-giving, often from people who don't understand the child in question. "Stop giving advice to people on their children when you don't parent their children."

She's quick to challenge the assumption that a well-behaved child is always the result of superior parenting, or that a struggling one signals failure.

"If you have one child and they're really well behaved, that's not always because of the person's parenting. You might just have a really easy child. And somebody who's having a difficult child doesn't necessarily mean their parenting is wrong or bad. It just means that they've got a different temperament child."

When expert advice meets real life

Despite hosting experts on their podcast, both women are clear: real life doesn't always follow expert guidance.

Holly points to the everyday compromises parents make just to get through: "We had an expert on who was talking about not bribing your children, which is absolutely the right thing to do. However, I have been bribing my child because I need the extra hours. If I need to bribe to get another hour out of him, so be it. Sometimes you just have to do what you need to do to get the day... here's a Kit Kat."

It's not about rejecting advice, it's about recognising that parenting often exists in the grey areas between what's 'right' and what's realistic.

Charlie agrees, emphasising that instinct still plays a crucial role: "Of course, experts are there for a reason. But I also don't think you should shy away from gut instincts… I do think a parents' instinct is nine times out of 10. You just know if there's something off."

What's stuck with them most from their expert guests isn't prescriptive advice, it's permission. Charlie recalls lactation consultant Shehida as a standout: "She goes, 'This is what a lot of people think, and this is what I think. However, if you don't do it that way, that's fine.' You're giving people the facts, but then you're also allowing them not to feel guilty for not doing it that way."

The honesty gap

One of the quieter frustrations they both touch on is the lack of honesty around the harder moments of parenting.

Charlie finds it isolating when people gloss over the difficult parts: "If you're reaching out in a friendship group and you're saying, 'Oh, everything's fine all the time,' and you're not telling the downsides as well, I think that's quite isolating for other parents that might be in your circle."

Holly has experienced the flip side, being open about struggling, only to be criticised for it. Recalling a tricky period with her son between four and sixteen months, she remembers the mixed response online.

"I was really open and honest on social media, and I had so many messages saying, 'Thank you so much for being honest. I thought it was just my child.' But I would also get people commenting, saying, 'All you do is moan about your child. He's gonna see this when he's older."

Her response is characteristically direct: "I didn't have anything positive to say in those days, unfortunately, because we were going through a bad time. But it's not always going to be a bad time."

The reality, they suggest, is that parenting exists in cycles, good phases and hard phases, and both deserve space to be acknowledged.

Charlie adds a gentle counterpoint: there's nothing wrong with sharing the positive, either.

"Don't think it's a bad thing to just talk about positive things, if that is your journey. It's nice for other parents to know that things can just go quite smoothly."

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Relationships and friendships shift

Becoming a parent doesn't just change your daily routine, it reshapes your relationships. Holly is strikingly honest about how friendships have shifted, yet it's something most mums can relate to: "I've got no friends. Like, I've literally got no time for any friends."

It's not about conflict, but capacity. Energy is finite, and priorities change. "I just had to realise the stage that I'm in right now is not about friendships. It's about raising my family."

She keeps in close contact with just two friends (Geordie Shore alumni Charlotte Crosby and Sophie Kasaei), both going through similar stages of motherhood, because the dynamic works.

"When a conversation starts with, 'Hi, you okay though?' no. The conversation just needs to carry on from the last time."

Charlie sees it as an evolution rather than a loss: "That's when you know you've got good friends… if you don't see each other for a year, it doesn't matter."

At home, relationships require even more intention. Communication becomes essential, not just for logistics, but for emotional survival. As Holly puts it:

"You have to just communicate and get back to it and actually just express the feelings that you're feeling and ask for what you want. Because we're expecting people to be mind readers of what we actually need, and they're not."

Both push back against the idea that parenting responsibilities must be split exactly down the middle.

"I don't think it's fair to say either way," Charlie says. "Whatever it looks like in your household and however you're managing, I think it's your business."

Holly agrees:"It's never, ever going to be 50/50. But sometimes Jacob will take on more when I'm busy, and that's great."

Confronting the past

Parenthood has a way of surfacing old memories - and prompting reflection on how things were done differently a generation ago. For Holly, it's meant thinking about her own parents' divorce and what she would do differently.

"My last memory of my mum and dad in the same room was my Holy Communion when I was seven. And the next memory after that was when I was 30, getting married."

She's made peace with it, recognising the context of the time: "They didn't know that could have been a good thing for them to do, because they didn't see anybody else doing that. Whereas now you do see families on day trips who have split up, and they are still doing it."

For Charlie, it's less about changing course and more about appreciating what she received. "You can spoil children, but I don't think you can spoil them with love. I've come from a really loving family… I appreciate them on a whole different level now."

That love is something she's determined to pass on. "I will tell her I love her every second of the day, and if she gets sick of me, I don't give a damn."

A shift in perspective

For Charlie, one of the biggest changes has been internal. The things that once felt overwhelming simply don't carry the same weight anymore.

"The things that used to worry me are just… It's just not worth it. It's really put a lot of things into perspective."

She laughs about the anxieties that used to keep her up at night: "I'd wake up and go, 'Oh my god, imagine if I say the wrong words on the radio', stupid stuff. Like, who cares? It's not important, is it really?"

Holly echoes the sentiment: "It really does just make you appreciate everything in life. You just say, 'I've got this little human who is the most important thing, and my job is to make sure that they get through the day unscathed.'"

Looking ahead

With her second child on the way, Holly is navigating a new set of quiet fears, chief among them, whether she'll be able to love two children equally. "I have so much love for him, and I'm like, 'You're my favourite.' What if I have a favourite? What if I like one of them more than the other?"

She's trying to prepare her son for the change, with mixed results. "I've tried to tell him, 'Is she okay to live with us? She's gonna live here with mummy and daddy and you.' And he's like, 'Oh, can she watch the telly with me?'"

What she's determined not to repeat is the sleepless anxiety of the first time around, particularly her fear of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

"I was like, 'The baby's gonna die if I don't watch him all night.' Hopefully this time I'm going to be able to be a bit more relaxed… as long as we're doing our absolute best, you've just got to leave everything else."

Embracing the chaos

There's no illusion of perfection here, no polished version of motherhood. Instead, there's acceptance and flexibility. And a willingness to admit that sometimes, you're figuring it out as you go.

When asked what brutally honest message she'd send to every parent, Charlie keeps it simple: "Breathe. Go to the toilet for five minutes. If you can take yourself to the toilet, shut that door and bloody scream, and then go back in. Have a quick wee. Sometimes that is what it takes, counting to ten and having a wee."

Which is why her earlier words feel like the most honest summary of all: "We're all just winging it, really." And perhaps that's the most reassuring thing a parent can hear.

Lorna White is the Products Editor for Mother&Baby. After running the Yours magazine website, specialising in content about caring for kids and grandchildren, Lorna brought her expertise to Mother&Baby in 2020. She has a keen interest in a range of topics surrounding all things motherhood and has a wide range of experienced medical experts and professionals at her fingertips.

It’s a bright, sunny day in London when we meet Olivia and Alex Bowen. The couple, who rose to fame and found love on ITV’s hit show Love Island, are in the capital for a Johnson's Baby event. They bring an easy warmth to the room, chatting effortlessly with guests and exchanging quiet, affectionate glances. A decade on from their time on the show, it’s clear their connection hasn’t faded. If anything, it feels stronger than ever.

It’s hard to believe that Love Island favourites Olivia and Alex Bowen first appeared on our screens back in 2016. The season before we met the likes of Montana Brown. Finishing as runners-up on series two didn’t stop them from winning over the public, and they’ve remained firmly in the spotlight ever since.

Their love story quickly moved beyond the villa. In 2017, they got engaged, before making history a year later as the first Love Island couple to tie the knot. They married at Gosfield Hall in a lavish Essex ceremony surrounded by hundreds of guests.

Fast forward a few years, and their story entered a new chapter. In 2022, they announced they were expecting their first child, later welcoming their son, Abel (AJ). Their family grew again in August 2025 with the arrival of their daughter, Siena Grace.

So in true Mother&Baby fashion, we couldn't wait to catch up with them to find out what life really looks like beyond the cameras, in the beautifully chaotic world of parenthood.

From fire pit to night feeds

For Olivia and Alex, the jump from villa life to parenthood wasn’t as different as you might expect. “Parenthood is like Love Island in a way, you’re thrown into something with no training, thinking you know what to expect… and you don’t,” Alex says. “You just learn on the job.”

It’s a sentiment Olivia agrees with, reflecting on how both experiences came with a steep learning curve and no real rulebook. “Every baby is different. Every parent is different,” she explains. “You can get advice from people, but you kind of just have to figure it out as you go.”

But while Love Island may have been life-changing, it doesn’t quite compare to what came next. “Seeing your baby for the first time can't be compared to that,” Olivia says. “It’s the most euphoric thing, but it’s scary as well.”

And just like their whirlwind rise to fame, becoming parents meant adjusting fast. “When we came out of the show, everything blew up overnight, and we didn’t know how to deal with it,” Alex admits. “It’s the same with having a kid. You think you know, but you don’t.”

Teamwork makes the dream work (just about)

If Love Island tested their chemistry, parenthood has tested their teamwork, and according to Olivia and Alex, communication is everything. “I think communication is the biggest thing,” Olivia says. “Especially when you’ve had no sleep.”

The early days, they admit, were a shock to the system. “We kind of just became roommates,” Alex adds, describing the all-consuming nature of newborn life. “You don’t have time for yourselves.”

But experience has changed things the second time around. “Because we know how it got before, we speak a lot more now,” he explains. “Liv will do the night, then I’ll get up early and let her sleep; it’s just about finding that balance.”

For Olivia, it comes down to understanding each other’s strengths. “It’s a lot of give and take,” she says. “You play to what you’re good at, we’ve kind of worked it out now.”

That’s not to say they’ve mastered it completely. “It’s not perfect,” Alex admits. “We’re not the best parents in the world.” But what they have figured out is how to move forward as a team. “We’ve learned how to work together rather than against each other.”

And sometimes, that teamwork means a gentle reality check. “You have to remind yourself, they’re three years old,” Alex laughs. “And to be the grown-up.”

Still coupled up (just with less sleep)

Between nursery runs, sleepless nights and the general whirlwind of family life, it would be easy for any couple to lose sight of each other, but for Olivia and Alex, staying connected is a conscious effort.

“I think we still have fun together,” Olivia says. “Even if it’s just little moments.”

Because the reality is, parenting can blur the lines between being partners and simply co-existing. “You’re so in tune with being a parent that you forget Olivia and Alex exist,” she admits.

But it’s in those rare pockets of time, whether it’s a quick trip out or even just sitting together on the train, that they find their way back to each other. “You’re like, ‘Oh… we still do like each other,’” Alex laughs.

It’s that shared humour that keeps things grounded. “We still laugh at the same things, take the mick out of each other,” Olivia adds. “We just try to stay light-hearted.”

Because while parenting can be intense, they’ve learned not to let it define everything. “It can get really serious,” Olivia says. “So it’s nice to hold onto the fun parts.”

And at the heart of it all is something simple but intentional. “We say ‘I love you’ a lot, in front of the kids,” Alex shares. “We want them to grow up seeing that.”

From public votes to personal choices

Having built their relationship in the public eye, Olivia and Alex are no strangers to outside opinions, but these days, they’re far more selective about what they let in.

“I don’t really care what people think,” Alex says frankly. “People see 40 minutes of a 24-hour day and think they know you, but they don’t.”

Instead, his focus is firmly on those closest to him. “The only opinions I care about are my friends and family.”

That mindset has carried over into parenting, too, where judgement can feel constant, especially online. “If someone says, ‘you’re doing that wrong,’ it doesn’t bother me,” he adds. “Everyone parents differently.”

Olivia agrees, admitting it’s easy to get caught in the comparison trap. “There’s so much online now, it’s hard not to think, ‘Am I doing this right?’” she says. “But you have to trust your instincts.”

For the couple, having two children only reinforced that belief. “They’re so different,” Alex explains. “It just shows there’s no one way to do it.”

No gold star for school places

Like many parents, Olivia and Alex have also faced the emotional rollercoaster of primary school applications, something Olivia admits pushed her out of her comfort zone. “Parenthood is hard for me because I revel in control,” she says. “And a lot of parenting, you’re just not in control.” When Abel didn’t get the school they’d hoped for, it came as a shock. “You expect something to go one way, and it goes the complete opposite direction.”

But the experience ultimately shifted their perspective. “We had to stop and think, what does Abel actually need?” Olivia explains. Leaning on advice from other parents helped too. “I reached out and got so much kind advice, like how to appeal a school place; it gave me the confidence to look at other options.”

More than just a villa love story

A decade on from Love Island, it’s clear that Olivia and Alex are no longer the twenty-somethings who first walked into the villa, something they’re both quick to acknowledge.

For Olivia, motherhood has reshaped not just her life, but her sense of self. “Back then, it was very much ‘fake it till you make it,’” she admits. “Whereas now, you can’t do that, you have to do the inner work.” It’s a shift that’s brought a deeper kind of confidence. “Motherhood has shown me who I really am. I probably didn’t know her before.”

Alex, too, reflects on how becoming a parent has redefined his outlook, particularly when it comes to strength and masculinity. “Being a man now is knowing when to be strong and when to show emotion,” he says. “It’s not just about providing anymore.” Having experienced loss in his own life, it’s something he’s especially mindful of passing on. “I want my son to have resilience, but also to be open.”

Together, they’ve grown not just as individuals, but as a couple navigating life well beyond reality TV. “We’ve had the wildest ten years,” Alex says. “Doing things we never could have imagined.”

And while their lives today may look very different from the ones that first captured the public’s attention, one thing hasn’t changed: their willingness to evolve. Because for Olivia and Alex, this was never just a villa love story. It was the beginning of everything that came after.

About the author

Hannah Carroll is our Senior Digital Writer. In her capacity, she curates top-notch listicles, crafts insightful how-to guides, and delivers expert product reviews. As a mother of three, Hannah draws upon her comprehensive understanding of all facets of family life to bring true insight into all the products that make running a home easier.

Meg's day started with 50 lengths at her local pool. By midnight, she was 8cm dilated and told she had HELLP syndrome. By 2am, her baby had been born and rushed to NICU with sepsis. From a broken bathroom lock and McDonald’s in early labour to walking out of hospital with empty arms, this is the story of how an ordinary Saturday turned into the most frightening - and transformative - experience of her life.

The day started like no other Saturday during my pregnancy. I woke up at 7am as my husband left for golf and took my 36+5 week pregnant self to the local swimming pool to complete 50 lengths. I’ve always enjoyed keeping fit and had tried to keep this up throughout my pregnancy with swimming, walking and yoga.

If you’d looked at me swimming up and down those lanes, you would never have guessed I’d go into labour just hours later. I showered, got ready for the day, and drove to my mum’s to take her to see my elderly granddad for lunch. We spent the morning on the high street, picking up bits and bobs, before heading home.

That evening, my husband and I had agreed to look after my best friend’s stepchildren while she and her husband went for a birthday dinner. Once they arrived, I put a film on, and we ordered McDonald’s - sorted for a cosy night in. Or so I thought.

Shortly after, I felt a strange sensation, like I’d wet myself. I went upstairs to the bathroom and saw liquid in my underwear and leggings. I changed and told my husband I thought there was a chance my waters had broken, but that I’d monitor it and see what happened.

While setting the table, I felt more liquid dripping. I was now certain. I told the kids (aged 12 and 8) to stay downstairs and asked my husband to come up. I locked the bathroom door so they wouldn’t hear - forgetting that we never lock it because our cat’s litter tray lives there.

I showed my husband, and we agreed we needed to tell my friend to come back, then head to hospital. Triage told me to come in as soon as possible. My friend was on her way, but wouldn’t be back for nearly an hour. We decided to go downstairs, explain calmly to the kids, and eat our McDonald’s. We were in for a long night.

Locked in the bathroom

As if the evening needed more chaos, the bathroom lock fell apart in my husband’s hand when we tried to leave. The kids were downstairs playing VR, oblivious to us shouting. I rang my parents, who had seen me just two hours earlier and had no idea I was in labour, and asked them to bring the spare key. Meanwhile, my best friend rang, and her stepson was tasked with finding something to get us out. A quick‑thinking 12‑year‑old produced a spatula, and suddenly we were free. I’d been panicking that my husband would have to deliver the baby himself.

By then, the McDonald’s had arrived. I couldn’t eat - contractions were starting in my back - but I insisted my husband did. I needed him standing.

The kids rallied like seasoned adults: tidying, feeding the cat, and helping pack my bags. My friend collected them soon after, gave me a quick cuddle, and wished us luck. Then we headed to the hospital.

At triage, I was asked for a urine sample. As soon as I reached the toilet, the contractions intensified. I remembered being told during hypnobirthing that labour can make you want to hide away - and that’s exactly how I felt. I didn’t want to leave that toilet cubicle; it felt safe compared to the noisy waiting area outside.

When I was eventually called through, my blood pressure was alarmingly high, and there was protein in my urine. I knew where this was heading. I’d also had swelling and chest pain, which I’d dismissed as heartburn - something I assumed was normal late in pregnancy.

They told me I wasn’t leaving the hospital that day, though I was only 2cm dilated. I was moved to a triage bay, frightened and unsure how serious things were. I was connected to a CTG monitor, unable to move freely, and all my hopes for a water birth disappeared. Paracetamol was my only pain relief - and it barely touched the sides.

Blood tests later showed falling platelets and rising liver enzymes. I was later told I had HELLP syndrome. Looking back, I realise how lucky we were that my baby decided to arrive when he did.

When a midwife finally checked me again, her jaw dropped. I was already 8cm dilated. Suddenly, everything moved fast. A delivery room was found, my husband fetched the bags, and I changed into a gown.

At 1.40am, my beautiful baby boy arrived. I cried with relief. My first pregnancy had ended in loss, so I’d spent months waiting for something to go wrong. But he was here, and he was healthy.

Or so I thought.

"Something felt very wrong"

In the hours after his birth, I had tried to breastfeed him several times and he remained uninterested. It got to four hours later, and the midwife encouraged me to feed him some ready-to-feed, which I brought to the hospital in case breastfeeding didn’t work for us. She left us to be a family of three, and I attempted to bottle-feed my baby. He was sleepy, he would not wake up. Something felt very wrong. My husband called the midwife back in and explained what had happened. She took my baby off me to attempt to feed him, which he did. She agreed that my baby was breathing very fast, and she was concerned, so she called the neonatal doctor back in.

For what felt like an age, the doctors worked on my baby in the same room, trying different things, making him cry to check his airways were clear. After so long, they advised that he would have to be taken to NICU. The sight of my son being placed in that huge incubator to travel down to the NICU is something which will haunt me for the rest of my life.

I wasn't able to leave my bed to walk, and there was no wheelchair available, so my husband followed along with the doctors and nurses. While my husband was gone, my midwife helped me to shower, and I tried to process what had happened. One minute I was holding my baby, the next I didn't even know what was happening to him. Six hours ago, he was in my belly, but now I don’t know where he is.

It got to about 9am before I was transferred to the post-natal ward. The neonatal nurses came by to say that our son had been intubated and had been given antibiotics, and I spent the rest of the day walking to NICU to see him and provide milk for him to be fed by an NG (nasogastric) tube, and then back to my ward for my blood pressure monitoring and medication, plus food. I felt split between wanting to be with my baby but needing to be cared for myself.

Going home, but without my baby

I was discharged the following day. Initially, I was relieved to be able to spend all day with my baby. But I didn’t anticipate how difficult it would be to go home, with no baby in my arms or belly. Walking back into the house, exactly how I left it two nights earlier, was torture. Having an alarm go off every couple of hours to hand express milk for my baby, instead of hearing him cry for a feed, was not how I expected to start my journey in to motherhood. The next day, we went straight back to the hospital, ready for the ward rounds. My baby had been born on the same day as twins who weighed 1lb each. I couldn’t believe my baby weighed the same as seven of them, but at the time, he was just as poorly.

He was weaned off his ventilator and was put on Optiflow instead. During the course of the next couple of days, my son endured various tests, including blood tests, brain scans, chest scans, and an awful lumbar puncture. He was a tough cookie, and I just kept praying for an end to this nightmare. They told us it was an infection, and were treating him with intravenous antibiotics, but it wasn’t until much later that I learnt the infection was sepsis.

"NICU changed the way I became a mother"

NICU is a world you never expect to enter and never forget once you have. It's a place where motherhood begins in fragments - holding your baby only when allowed, learning their cues through machines, and leaving the hospital each night with empty arms. I never imagined that the hardest part of giving birth would come after - walking away, again and again, trusting that my baby was being held when I could not be there.

When we finally brought him home, the house no longer felt frozen in time. It felt earned. The experience reshaped my understanding of strength, vulnerability and trust, and left me with a deep respect for the families who live this reality for weeks or months. NICU was not just a chapter in our story - it changed the way I became a mother.

Share your birth story

Do you have a birth story to tell? Whether you went into labour on the A1, met your baby in a memorable setting, or just want to share the magic of your birth, we'd love to hear it. Simply pop as many details as possible in the form below and we may be in touch to share your story with our readers on Mother&Baby.

About the author

Rebecca Lancaster is a Digital Writer for Mother&Baby, drawing on eleven years of parenting her two children to help others navigate their own parenting journey. As a freelance writer, she spent ten years working with leading lifestyle brands, from travel companies to food and drink start-ups, and writing everything from hotel reviews to guides to the best British cheeses. She’s particularly interested in travel and introducing her children to the excitement of visiting new places, trying different foods (less successfully) and experiencing different cultures.

For parents navigating life with two young children, a reliable double pushchair can be a game changer. The Bugaboo Donkey 6 (the latest version of its long-running convertible side‑by‑side stroller following the Donkey 5) promises flexibility, premium design and smooth handling, with the ability to convert from single to double as families grow. But with a price tag of £1,560, is it worth the investment?

First introduced in 2011, the Donkey built a loyal following thanks to its clever expandable frame. It can switch from a single to a double stroller in three clicks - handy for parents expecting a second baby, or those planning ahead. That core functionality hasn’t changed with the Donkey 6 - and for many families, that’s the point.

One of the Donkey’s biggest selling points remains its width. In single mode it measures 60cm (the same as Bugaboo’s Fox), and 74cm in double mode - narrow enough to fit through standard doorways. For parents worried about navigating cafés, shop aisles or school gates with two children, that’s a practical advantage over many bulkier double buggies.

Children sit side by side at the same height, rather than in a tandem configuration. Some parents prefer this for ease of interaction (and fewer arguments about who gets the “front seat”), while others may find side‑by‑side models harder on crowded public transport. We asked mum of two Laura, with a three and a half year old and a six month old, to put the Donkey 6 to the test.

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Testing the Bugaboo Donkey 6

Now that I’m a mum of two, with my eldest nearly three and a half and my youngest just six months old, you can probably imagine what it’s like trying to keep the eldest under control when you’re out and about. I quickly realised that any opportunity she got, she would run off, keeping me on my toes and thinking it was all a game of hide and seek. It can put you in a pretty tricky position when you’re also caring for a young baby and out on your own.

Unless you have an extra pair of hands with you, situations like that can quickly become stressful and you can get a little flustered. So when I was offered the chance to try the new Bugaboo Donkey 6 double pushchair, I was absolutely overjoyed. The idea of having both children safe, secure and within sight sounded like a dream. And what better way to encourage my eldest than letting her ride alongside her baby sister?

Now I seem to have the opposite problem, getting her out of it. Typical.

First impressions and assembly

My first impression of the Bugaboo Donkey 6 was how well it was packaged. It even included wrapping paper, which was a lovely detail and made it feel more premium. Inside the box was a helpful QR code to follow for assembly if you prefer visual instructions over a manual booklet. Both options are included depending on your preference.

I enjoyed using the QR code option, which takes you to the YouTube channel for step by step guidance.
Assembly itself was very easy. All that was required was clicking the handles and wheels into place and stretching the stiffeners into position on the bassinet. As a testament to how simple it is, the YouTube instruction video is under three minutes long. Everything is largely pre built and ready to go on arrival.

Build and design

The Bugaboo Donkey 6 Double feels incredibly well built and sturdy, which is something you would expect at £1,560. The frame is solid and the fabrics feel soft yet durable, making it comfortable for little ones while standing up to everyday use. Even the mattress feels noticeably more comfortable than others I have come across.

The Donkey 6 comes in six colour options: Cocoa, which I have and is a rich dark brown, Heritage Black, Fern Green, Desert Taupe, Deep Indigo and Moon Grey. I genuinely struggled to decide as they are all lovely options.

It has clearly been built to last, engineered from durable materials and designed for longevity. This new generation also features sustainably crafted recycled materials, cutting the pushchair’s CO2 footprint by 17 percent compared to previous Bugaboo models, showing real consideration for the planet.

The standout feature has to be the expandable frame, allowing you to switch from a single to a double pushchair. This is particularly helpful for growing families, as you do not need to invest in a completely new pram later. For me, this flexibility is a huge advantage and makes it feel like a long term investment.

Another key feature is the side luggage basket, which is surprisingly large. This attaches to the handlebar in double mode or sits at the side in single mode. It gives you quick access to essentials like nappies, snacks or your phone without having to bend down. You still get a very large under seat basket too, with a 15kg capacity, which is the biggest pram basket I have used. With two children, having that much storage is incredibly useful.

In terms of size, the pushchair is on the larger side, particularly in double mode. Initially it felt daunting and I worried I might struggle in certain situations, but you would be surprised how well you manage. In double mode it is only 14cm wider than a single pushchair and is designed to fit through standard doorways and lifts. In single mode it is 60cm wide, as narrow as many single pushchairs.

The maximum child weight per seat is 15.2kg. Luella, our eldest, is 14.2kg. She does look a little snug in the sibling seat but still fits comfortably and remains within the weight guidelines.

When it comes to lifting it into the car, it is heavy. This could be an issue if you are frequently loading and unloading it alone, and depending on your postpartum recovery it may feel challenging. The two piece fold helps, but it is not the most lightweight or compact option.

As for car boots, it will fit into most, but how easy that is depends on your space. You can pack it down more compactly by removing the bassinet stiffeners, taking the wheels off and unclipping the handlebar. However, this could feel a bit fiddly if you are doing it every time.

If your boot is large enough, you can fold it in single mode with the bassinet attached by lifting it at an angle and folding the frame while tucking in the wheels, which takes around 30 seconds. In double mode it will fold down, but you will need a bigger boot. For reference, we have a Kia Sportage and it would not fit in double mode. So if you are regularly using double mode, you will likely need to convert it back to single for car journeys.

Usability and performance

The Donkey 6 Double is extremely easy to manoeuvre, which is one of its strongest points. I was genuinely impressed. Even with two children, it feels smooth and responsive. You can steer it comfortably with one hand and the weight feels evenly distributed. It does not feel like a workout.
You do not feel it pulling to one side or at risk of tipping, which I have experienced with other double prams when the weight is uneven. The Donkey 6 feels perfectly balanced.

Because the seats are side by side rather than stacked, each child gets the same size seat and the same view. When Florence is big enough to face forward, one can face me and the other outward, making it interactive for them both while still allowing me to keep an eye on each child easily.

On different terrains, it performs brilliantly. It glides on pavements, handles kerbs well and copes with grass, gravel and uneven paths better than you would expect for a double pushchair. The large wheels make a noticeable difference in absorbing bumps and keeping the ride comfortable. It is such a smooth ride that my toddler did not want to get out, which honestly never happens.

Switching between carrycot and toddler seat is straightforward and the seats recline easily. It is also compatible with car seats using a Bugaboo car seat adapter, which is sold separately.

The cupholder uses a Velcro strap rather than being screwed into the frame. Even at its tightest setting it leans slightly with a very heavy water bottle, so it may be better suited to lighter drinks. That said, it feels secure and well made, and there was no risk of it falling off.

Our package included an organiser bag, rain covers for both seats and footmuffs for colder months. It does not include a sun parasol, which felt slightly disappointing at this price point, although you can purchase one separately.

Travel wise, this is not the most compact option. If you use public transport frequently or travel often, the size may be a challenge. However, for everyday life such as walks, school runs, shopping trips and days out, it performs exceptionally well.

From a safety perspective, the brake is effective and easy to use via a simple foot pedal. It feels secure even on slight inclines. The five point harness is reassuringly sturdy and relatively easy to clip in, although strapping in two children naturally takes a little longer. Once secured, they feel comfortable and safe.

Even when fully loaded with two children and full baskets, pushing it feels effortless. Compared to other double pushchairs I have tried, this does not feel like hard work and does not put strain on your body.

Final verdict

Overall, the Bugaboo Donkey 6 Double is a high quality, versatile pushchair that is ideal for growing families. The ability to switch from single to double is a standout feature and the smooth handling makes everyday use genuinely enjoyable.

What I loved most is how easy it is to push, even with two children, and the generous storage. The side luggage basket in single mode is a game changer and the overall build quality feels premium and built to last. From the comfortable mattress and bamboo bassinet frame to the organiser bag and the faux leather handlebar with its soft but grippy finish, every detail feels carefully considered. Your little ones really are riding in style.

If I could change one thing, it would be the width and overall weight. While the size is understandable given its function as a double pushchair, a slightly more compact fold would make it even better for travel and smaller car boots.

In terms of value for money, it is a long term investment. However, considering its durability, flexibility and performance, it does justify the price if you plan to use it for several years or for multiple children. It is a pram your children can grow into.

I would absolutely recommend this pram to parents of two or those planning to expand their family. If you have the space and the budget, it is one of the best double pushchairs available and makes life with two little ones far more manageable.

Laura is a mum to two little girls, Luella and Florence. While on maternity leave, Laura is making the most of her time with her second daughter and is enjoying swimming, baby sensory and local baby groups.

Set your alarm, mark your calendar and get ready to pounce… If you're planning to take the kids to the theatre this summer, this it your chance to get a free kid's ticket to a huge range of top West End shows in July and August. Representing an incredible 50% saving across all tickets, this is a great way to see top shows, entertain the kids and have fun yourself, all for less money.

Kids Week tickets go on sale at 10am on Tuesday 9th June 2026. Offering the chance to get free child tickets when accompanied by a full-paying adult for performances from Monday 20 July – Sunday 31 August 2026, this is a date you don’t want to miss.

When is Kids’ Theatre Week 2026?

The first thing to say is that it isn’t a week. Despite the name, Kids Week actually runs for a fabulous six weeks – almost the full length of the UK summer school holidays. While the shows taking part haven't been announced yet, last year's line-up was a who's who of top West End shows! With over 50 top shows taking part in Kids Week, there's likely to be something here for everyone.

Queuing opens for Kids Week on Official London from 8am. When ticket sales open at 10am, everyone in the queue will be randomly assigned a position and you may also have to additionally queue for specific shows.

What shows are included in Kids Week?

Participating shows will be released nearer the time but, just like last year, Kids Week 2026 is likely to feature a superstar line-up of fantastic theatre for toddlers, kids and teens.

Last year, younger children watched their favourite characters as part of Julia Donaldson's The Baddies and the Smeds and the Smoos, The Tiger who came to Tea, Fireman Sam - The Great Camping Adventure, and The Enormous Crocodile, while older children were spoilt for choice too. From Matilda the Musical, The Lion King and Six the Musical to Horrible Histories, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, and Back to the Future - The Musical, last year's Kids Week line up was particularly good and we're predicting the same from 2026.

We'll be updating this page as soon as the shows are released so be sure to check back to find out more!

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What is Kids Theatre Week?

While it’s no longer just a week, Kids Week 2026 is designed to introduce young people to the theatre. With that in mind, children aged 17 and under can get a free ticket to participating shows when accompanied by an adult. Not only that, but you can buy up to two extra half price children’s tickets, and there’s no booking fees.

Along with the free theatre tickets, Kids Week includes plenty of added extras, with some shows offering activities or interactive curtain calls. So children can get even more out of their theatre experience, whether they're seasoned theatre-goers or visiting for the first time. Last year, the schedule of interactive theatre experiences included puppetry workshops with 101 Dalmatians, musical theatre with Disney's The Lion king and learning the art of illusions with Harry Potter.

Kids Week is run by Official London Theatre, a ticket-buying platform from the Society of London Theatre. This not-for-profit organisation champions theatres and works to make them as welcoming as possible for all, so Kids Week is part of that inclusivity. To find out more and receive reminders about the sale date, follow Official London Theatre on  X, Facebook or Instagram.

About the author

Rebecca Lancaster is a Digital Writer for Mother&Baby, drawing on ten years of parenting her two children to help others navigating their own parenting journey. As a freelance writer, she spent ten years working with leading lifestyle brands, from travel companies to food and drink start-ups, and writing everything from hotel reviews to guides to the best British cheeses. She’s particularly interested in travel and introducing her children to the excitement of visiting new places, trying different foods (less successfully) and experiencing different cultures.

There’s so much to think about when you’re pregnant that it can be tempting to skip the boring bits like a Mat B1 form and dive straight into buying babygrows and buggies. But before you do that, you should make sure your maternity pay is set up. So while decorating the nursery is fun, it pays (quite literally) to get your paperwork in order first.

Whether you're employed, self-employed or not currently employed, one of the most important forms you'll need is a MAT B1 form. This form essentially confirms your pregnancy and due date, allowing you to claim one of the following:

• Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) from your employer

• Maternity Allowance (MA) from Jobcentre Plus

• Sure Start Maternity Grant (SSMG) from Jobcentre Plus

While it may seem like just more paperwork, having your maternity pay in place will let you make the most out of your maternity leave. We've drawn on the expertise of Midwife Pip MSc BSc to bring you everything you need to know about how to get a MAT B1 form, who needs to fill it out, and what it entitles you to.

In this article:

What is a MAT B1 form?

A MAT B1 form or Maternity Certificate is a government form that confirms your pregnancy and due date to your employer or Jobcentre Plus. It's provided by your midwife or doctor from around the 20th week of your pregnancy.

You'll need a MAT B1 form to claim maternity pay and benefits, whether you're unemployed, self-employed, full-time employed, or part-time employed. The form allows you to claim Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) from your employer or Maternity Allowance from the government if you're self-employed or not currently working.

How and when do I get my Mat B1 form?

Although your midwife should give you a MAT B1 form at the antenatal appointment that takes place after your 20-week scan, you might need to request it - it is available from either your midwife or your doctor.

What do I need to do after I receive it?

Your MAT B1 form will have been completed by your midwife or doctor, so once you receive it, you just need to sign it and make a copy. Then you’ll need to give it to your employer (either your manager or HR team). If you work two jobs, you'll need to give a copy of the MAT B1 form to both employers.

Once you've given it to your employer, you can start arranging your maternity pay and benefits. Remember, you need to give your employer at least 28 days' notice before you begin claiming your SMP, so it's a good idea to get this sorted sooner rather than later.

Bear in mind that you can’t take time off for antenatal appointments and checks until you’ve told your employer about your pregnancy.

What will my MAT B1 form look like?

Your MAT B1 form is a standard medical document. This is a Mat B1 form example:

What happens if I lose my MAT B1 form?

If you lose your MAT B1 form, you are able to apply for a duplicate, but this can take some time and hold things up. For this reason, we recommend making a copy as soon as you sign it and keeping it in a safe place before the baby brain sets in.

What else do I need to tell my employer when pregnant?

Either in a letter or an email (check with your HR department for your company policy), you need to tell your boss your estimated due date and the date you want to start your statutory maternity leave and pay.

Do I need a MAT B1 form for paternity leave?

In the UK, the MAT B1 form is typically used to provide proof of pregnancy for maternity leave and pay purposes. There's no equivalent Mat B1 form for fathers, but you will need to complete a government online form and provide different types of evidence to qualify for Statutory Paternity Pay (SPP) or one/two weeks' Paternity leave and pay.

Can I get a MAT B1 form online?

No, you cannot get a MAT B1 form online. The MAT B1 form is a medical certificate completed by a midwife or doctor confirming the expected date of childbirth. This form is typically issued around the 20th week of pregnancy. You need to obtain the MAT B1 form directly from your healthcare provider during a routine antenatal appointment.

About the expert

Midwife Pip is a truly passionate midwife and advocate for the profession, bursting with knowledge. Pip is an experienced, practicing Midwifery Sister, MSc graduate, founder of Midwife Pip Podcast,  Hypnobirthing and Antenatal Educator, co-author of published research and very importantly, a mum.

About the author

Rebecca Lancaster is a Digital Writer for Mother&Baby, drawing on ten years of parenting her two children to help others navigating their own parenting journey. As a freelance writer, she spent ten years working with leading lifestyle brands, from travel companies to food and drink start-ups, and writing everything from hotel reviews to guides to the best British cheeses. She’s particularly interested in travel and introducing her children to the excitement of visiting new places, trying different foods (less successfully) and experiencing different cultures.

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From day one, your little one can start making a splash, and whilst that is very exciting, water safety is always the top priority. That’s why we've tested the best swimming aids to help keep your little swimmers safe while they enjoy every kick, paddle, and giggle in the water. Whether teaching your baby to swim or enjoying a fun-filled family beach day, these floaties for toddlers will give you peace of mind while boosting their confidence in the water.

To make it easier for you to navigate and find what you're looking for, we've separated our top picks for different kinds of swim aids into the following categories:

In this article:

Watching your little one take to the water is both exciting and nerve-wracking – it’s a mix of proud parent moments and a few extra grey hairs. But with the best baby swim floats or swimming aid, you can breathe a little sigh of relief while they gain confidence in the pool. If you’ve got the swim nappies and baby swim vest sorted, the next step is finding the perfect floaties or swimming aid to help them paddle confidently.

The right swim aid can make all the difference for you and them when it comes to helping them feel secure and build their confidence. If you’re not quite ready for a public pool just yet, a paddling pool at home is a great way to ease them in. If you’re off on a staycation, a private Airbnb suitable for families or a house with a pool is also the perfect place to let them dip their toes in safely!

We spoke with Aine Hanley, ex-competitive swimmer and Associate Director of Aquatics at Water Babies. We asked her for help and guidance when choosing the best swimming aid, and her advice on how you can help your child learn to swim.

Best baby swim seat overall - Zoggs Baby Zoggy Inflatable Trainer - Buy now on Amazon

Best swim vest overall - Konfidence Jacket - Buy now on Amazon

Best armbands overall - Zoggs Armbands - Buy now on Amazon

Best floatsuit overall - Splash About Kids UV Sun Protection Floatsuit - Buy now on Amazon

Best backfloat overall - Splash About Pufferfish Back float - Buy now on Amazon

To help you prepare and feel confident to take your little one to the swimming pool, we have asked experts to help us answer some common questions in this guide.

We'll cover:

Visiting the swimming pool is a fun indoor activity for the whole family. Swimming floaties will help your child improve their swimming technique, but when it comes to toddler swimming aids, many products are available to help you out.

Aine Hanley shares her expert advice and insights on choosing the right swimming aid for your child.

Check age and weight suitability

"Always check the age and, most importantly, weight suitability of the swim vest or buoyancy aid. Products are designed to support different body weights, and using one that doesn't have enough support will not provide enough buoyancy. A swim aid that is too big will float up, and your child could slip down and out of it; a good fit is crucial."

Look for the fun element

Alongside the practicalities of size, Aine notes that adding an element of fun can encourage them to enjoy the water. "We use a variety of swim aids and toys at Water Babies to encourage children to reach, splash and kick. A brightly coloured, fun toy gives them focus and can spark their imagination, making their practice time fun." She says.

Be aware of safety

Whatever swim aid you choose for your toddler, it's important to remember that it isn't a replacement for constant supervision. "Swim aids can be helpful to give both little ones and their carers confidence in the water, but remember a swim aid is not a Life Preserver, and young children should always be within arm’s reach of an adult," says Aine.

The top-rated baby and toddler swimming aids on our list have all been reviewed by real parents and tots, so whether you're looking for a float suit, armbands, or a swim seat, you're sure to find the perfect one for your tot.

The swim aid you use for your child will depend on personal preference, the child's age, and the reason for being in the water. For instance, Aine notes that float suits and swim vests are ideal when children learn to swim, as they hold them more naturally in the water. Armbands provide buoyancy but keep children upright in the water, which is not ideal for swimming.

Regarding other accessories, there is a wide range to add more fun to a child's swim experience. "Floatboards, colourful floating toys, pool noodles, and dive sticks are all tools we use in Water Babies lessons to help a child learn to swim. We use surface toys to encourage little ones to reach through the water, which later becomes swimming strokes. And noodles and floats to give support and confidence when taking those first swim strokes on their own. Any fun pool toy can keep a child engaged and entertained while they get to grips with floating and swimming."

Learning to swim is an essential life skill, so it is good to get them swimming early. The globally recognised Swim England Learn to Swim Programme starts lessons from as young as a few months old. Although you will need to be in the water with your little one, at the age of three, they can begin to learn to swim with instructors on their own.

There is no set age when your child will learn to swim, but the earlier they learn the foundations of swimming, the quicker they progress. At the age of five, they can begin learning to swim. Children can usually learn basic water skills such as treading water, floating, and getting out of the pool by this age. By the time they reach five or six, most children in swim lessons can do front and back crawl.

According to the NHS, 'You can take your baby swimming at any age, both before and after they have been vaccinated. It does not matter if they have not yet completed their course of vaccinations.' So, the choice is yours to make.

Something Olympic swimmer Rebecca Adlington took advantage of, saying, "I first took Summer swimming when she was three and a half weeks old. It sounds early, but it's fine for your baby to go in the pool at that age. Lots of people were shocked when I said I'd taken her swimming before she'd had all her injections, but the NHS guidelines say that you don't have to wait until your baby's had them."

• A swimming costume or baby wetsuit {#h-a-swimming-costume-or-baby-wetsuit}

• Swim nappies - normal nappies are not suitable

• One towel for you and a soft towel or towelling dressing gown

• Snacks if your baby is weaning; swimming is hungry work!

• A bottle of milk if you're bottle-feeding

• A changing bag

• Your changing mat

• A bag for wet clothes and used towels

Most leisure centres offer swimming programmes - here are a few to look into:

• Turtle Tots

• Water Babies

• Aquatots

• Puddle Ducks

• Little Dippers

If you want in-person support when taking your baby swimming, see if your pool offers swimming lessons or classes. It's a great way to meet other parents and for your youngster to see other babies in action.

The price will depend on the swimming lessons you're looking for. While some pools and leisure centres offer pay-as-you-go schemes for swimming lessons, many will require you to pay upfront for lessons.

On average, you can expect to pay around £8 to £15 per class. One-to-one lessons are likely to start from around £17 - £20 per class.

Why you can trust us

At Mother&Baby, our mission is to provide accurate and reliable reviews, ensuring our readers receive honest and transparent information about the best products available.

Our testers are either pregnant or real parents with a baby or toddler. This could be members of our editorial team, freelance parenting journalists or external reviewers from the Mother&Baby awards.  Our Mother&Baby Awards are renowned in the industry and are among the most highly respected product awards for baby and parenting products. Every year, we arrange for thousands of independent parent reviewers to test the latest products on the market.

We don't accept payment from manufacturers for product reviews and maintain our editorial independence. While we do work with commercial partners on advertorials, these will always be clearly labelled.

Our writers have full control over their content, ensuring that products are selected based solely on the needs of our readers. While we may earn commissions or other compensation from links on our website, this does not affect our product choices. These links allow us to continue offering valuable consumer advice, without compromising the integrity of our reviews. We are always honest in our reviews, and we won't recommend products that we wouldn't spend our own money on.

About the expert

Aine Hanley is an ex-competitive swimmer and Associate Director of Aquatics at Water Babies. After her first child was born in 2005, she immediately started looking for swimming lessons and from the first lesson with Water Babies she knew it was the start of something special. Fast forward 6 months and she had became a fully-fledged Water Babies instructor and the first teacher for the Swindon Franchise.

About the author

Rebecca Lancaster is a Digital Writer for Mother&Baby, drawing on ten years of parenting her two children to help others navigate their own parenting journey. As a freelance writer, she spent ten years working with leading lifestyle brands, from travel companies to food and drink start-ups, and writing everything from hotel reviews to guides to the best British cheeses. She’s particularly interested in travel and introducing her children to the excitement of visiting new places, trying different foods (less successfully) and experiencing different cultures.

Modern motherhood is a marathon in itself. It takes strength, resilience, the ability to function on very little sleep, and occasionally, superhuman levels of endurance. But for Katie, mum of two, that endurance took on a whole new meaning when she crossed the finish line of the London Marathon… seven months pregnant.

Katie lives with her partner Jamie, their two boys, eight-year-old Jack and toddler Thomas, and their German Shepherd, Roxy. In her own words, life is “crazy, loving, and caring” - the kind of beautifully chaotic household many mums will recognise.

But just a few years ago, life looked very different. In 2021, Katie experienced a molar pregnancy, which later developed into a rare cancer called gestational trophoblastic neoplasia. What followed was four months of chemotherapy, and a journey no parent ever imagines they’ll face.

After facing one of the hardest moments in her life, Katie decided to turn tragedy into triumph and run the 2024 London Marathon for the baby charity Tommy’s. "They support families who have lost babies, but also women like me who have gone through cancer as a result of pregnancy,” she explains.

About a month into marathon training, Katie found out she was pregnant. “For a while, I didn’t think I’d be able to do it anymore,” she says. And honestly, who would blame her? But instead of stopping altogether, she made a quiet, powerful decision to keep going, for as long as her body allowed. “No pressure. Just see what happens,” she told herself. But her body surprised her.

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Katie didn’t overhaul her routine, but she listened to her body and built up gradually, just as she had before pregnancy, although training for 26.2 miles was never going to be easy. What made all the difference was the support around her, from her partner Jamie and her son Jack to family, friends, and the two friends she trained and ran with; she never felt alone. “As my pregnancy progressed, I definitely felt heavier, and the runs became more challenging,” she admits, “but because it all built up slowly, my body adapted.”

There were moments of doubt, especially when she picked up a foot injury just two weeks before race day (from a rogue pair of trainers, no less). “That was when I really thought, ‘I might not make it to the start line.’” But with rest, the right shoes, and a lot of determination, she did.

Standing at the start line of the London Marathon, Katie felt a mix of excitement, nerves, and disbelief. “I’d run it three times before, but never pregnant,” she says.

Her mantra was simple: listen to her body, don’t push too far. Aside from early ligament pain and a blister at mile six, she felt strong. Instead of energy gels, she fuelled with water and sweets because sometimes, you just have to adapt.

If you’ve ever watched the marathon, you’ll know the crowd carries you. For Katie, that support became overwhelming, in the best possible way. “People were cheering, telling me how amazing it was… around mile 20, I got really emotional. Some people even came up to hug me.” And then came the final stretch. Running down The Mall, towards the finish line, everything caught up with her. “I couldn’t stop crying. I was in complete disbelief,” she says.

For Katie, this wasn’t just about completing a marathon. It was about everything that came before it, and everything that came after. Her baby, Thomas, is her rainbow baby. And running those 26.2 miles while carrying him made the experience even more powerful.

“I truly felt like he carried me through it,” she says. "After cancer, after loss, after everything ,this moment felt like healing."

Katie is the first to say her journey is her own, but she hopes it inspires others in a realistic, reassuring way. “Staying active during pregnancy made such a difference for me,” she says. “But it’s about doing what feels right for you.”

“Running the London Marathon taught me resilience, strength, and that if you listen to your body, head, and heart, you can achieve anything.”

One day, she hopes her son will hear this story and know that even after the hardest chapters, something extraordinary can still come next.

A nursing chair is one of the hardest working pieces of furniture in any nursery. It becomes the spot for middle of the night feeds, early morning cuddles and the quiet pause at the end of a busy day. Comfort is essential, but so is longevity. Many parents want a chair that will move beyond the baby stage and sit comfortably within the wider home.

The Gaia Baby Serena Rocking Nursing Chair has been designed with that in mind. With its smooth rocking motion, generously cushioned seat and supportive high back, it promises comfort through long feeds while maintaining a clean, contemporary look that would not feel out of place in a living room. But does it deliver when put to the test in a real home? We asked mum of two Breige to find out.

Testing the Gaia Baby Serena rocking and nursing chair

If, like me, you haven’t heard of Gaia Baby - they are a British nursery brand founded in 2018, who pride themselves on their sustainable approach to offering handcrafted furniture designed to grow with children from birth through the early years. Their products are handcrafted using ethically sourced materials, offering stylish alternatives to standard nursery furniture. Priced at £399.99 (accompanying footstool can be purchased for an additional £99.99 or bundle deals are available), the Gaia Baby Serena rocking and nursing chair is at the higher end of the market, with many alternative chairs from more well-known brands priced at between £200 and £300.

This one is positioned as a premium, stylish option for new parents, so I was keen to see whether it justified its high price tag. As one of only two rocking chairs in the current Gaia Baby range, the Serena promises a soothing, ergonomic space for feeding and bonding with your baby. I’ve never owned a nursing chair myself, but after perching on many friends’ versions over the years, I was curious to see whether this one would earn its place in our home.

I’m a tourism and cultural events professional based in Edinburgh, as well as mum to two little ones - three-year-old Freddie and five-month-old Lucy. Having never owned a nursing chair before, and with Lucy currently being exclusively breastfed, I was really looking forward to creating a quiet, comfortable space dedicated to her feeds. We’ve had the Gaia Baby Serena rocking and nursing chair for a couple of weeks now, and it’s quickly become part of our daily routine and a go-to spot for our daytime feeds.

Build

The chair arrived in a single large box containing all the components, neatly packaged alongside the ironmongery (helpfully separated into two bags) and an instruction manual. While the unboxing was straightforward, I did feel the experience could have been elevated with a little brand literature or imagery to bring the Gaia Baby story and the Serena chair to life. Taking everything out also involved a little bit of help from my husband, as the main part of the chair is bulky and pretty heavy. But once out and everything was to hand, I was excited to get going.

DIY isn’t usually my department at home, so I’ll admit I felt slightly daunted at first. But the assembly process turned out to be very manageable. The instructions were clear, with useful visual cues, and I was able to build the chair myself in under an hour. The build is essentially attaching the backrest to the main frame, then assembling and securing the legs. The most time‑consuming part was tightening the nuts and bolts with the provided Allen key; the curved design of the rocking legs means you can’t get a full rotation, so patience is required.

I did notice the manual seemed to skip a step, as I was left with a piece of base fabric at the end and briefly panicked I’d missed something. Thankfully, it simply Velcro's onto the underside of the chair once it is fully assembled. A small note: you’ll also need a cross-head screwdriver, and having a pair of scissors handy makes unpacking much easier.

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Performance

Comfort is the main thing you want from a nursing rocker, and this chair absolutely delivers. The extra‑wide seat and plush cushion make it genuinely comfortable to sit in for long stretches. Despite the low back, I can lean back and feel fully supported - the generous width also makes it suitable for taller people. The rocking motion is gentle and soothing, and the chair feels sturdy and secure.

The advertised lumbar support and anti‑tipping design give real peace of mind, especially needed when getting up hands‑free while cradling a sleeping baby. The padded armrests are another thoughtful touch; they’re at just the right height to support feeding without getting in the way, and I often rest Lucy’s head on them when switching sides. The removable, machine‑washable arm covers are a brilliant idea; my main armchair’s arms have definitely seen better days, so I appreciate the foresight. It would be even better if the rest of the chair’s main covers were also machine washable, particularly as we have the pale Ecru corduroy version. We haven’t had any spills yet, but the brand assures the fabric is durable and easy to spot clean - let’s hope so, as this is a must in a busy family home!

This isn’t a compact chair by any means, but the generous proportions are intentional as it’s designed to grow with your family. My husband, who is 6ft and prone to back pain, also finds it comfortable, and it’s become a favourite spot for him to sit with our toddler on his knee. In fact, when Freddie discovered the chair one morning, he immediately climbed up with a book, which bodes well for the chair’s long‑term use.

Usability

I really love the design of this chair. It feels sleek, modern, and far more stylish than many nursing chairs on the market. Despite the low back, it still offers great comfort. The padded armrests are a great touch, and the separate cushion means you can adjust things to make sure you’re perfectly comfortable.

As mentioned, this is not a compact chair by any means. The extra‑wide seat is a huge advantage for comfort and longevity, but if you’re working with limited space, it’s worth considering whether it will fit your room.

The cream ecru corduroy fabric is beautiful - super soft, high‑quality, and neutral enough to suit any décor. The chair also comes in a range of fabric finishes and colours, so you can choose what works best for you. The solid wooden rocking legs are equally impressive, with a premium feel and design that balances practicality with style. Time will tell how well the fabric holds up to family life, and the inevitable spots of baby sick, but so far it feels durable and well-made.

Final thoughts

Overall, the Gaia Baby Serena rocking and nursing chair feels like a premium investment that genuinely delivers on its core purpose: providing a comfortable, calming space for feeding, bonding, and winding down with your little one. Its extra‑wide seat, supportive cushioning, and smooth rocking motion make it exceptionally comfortable, while the modern design and high‑quality materials help it blend into any room.

The chair proved versatile for our whole family - from my husband, who found it supportive even with his additional height and bad back, to our toddler, who quickly claimed it as his new reading spot. While I’d love to have had fully machine‑washable covers and slightly clearer assembly instructions, these are small considerations. If you’re looking for a stylish, sturdy, and long‑lasting nursing chair that will grow with your family, this is a standout choice and well worth considering - we're delighted to have it in our home.

Emily Gilbert is the Features & Reviews Editor for Mother&Baby. With a background in both print and digital journalism, she has written extensively on pregnancy, fertility, perinatal mental health, and the best in baby and parenting products. A first-time mum, Emily combines her professional expertise with personal experience, offering readers trusted advice and relatable insight. Specialising in product and travel reviews, she stays ahead of the curve on the latest parenting trends and is passionate about showing that life with a little one can still be full of adventure.

It's important your baby gets enough vitamin D, and from the moment they enter the world, you should give them tiny drops of vitamin D to help them grow and boost their immune systems. Many baby and toddler vitamins include vitamin D, and it's also recommended to add a vitamin D supplement to your routine if you're pregnant or breastfeeding.

From improving our bone health to boosting our immune system, the benefits of vitamin D are endless. Although our daily dose of vitamin D is typically absorbed when we're exposed to the sun on brighter days, there are other ways to top up our vitamin D levels when the sun isn’t shining. Certain foods contain vitamin D, but supplements are the best way to boost yours and your baby's levels. So, it’s a good idea to take a vitamin D supplement all year round to support our health and wellbeing, especially in the darker months here in the UK.

How much vitamin D do babies need?

According to the NHS guidance on vitamins, how much vitamin D we should be getting changes depending on each stage of our lives.

 • Babies up to the age of one year need 8.5 to 10 micrograms of vitamin D a day.

 • Children from the age of one year and adults need ten micrograms of vitamin D a day. It includes pregnant and breastfeeding women as well as people at risk of vitamin D deficiency.

 • The government also recommends that all children aged six months to five years be given vitamin supplements containing vitamins A, C and D every day too.

Best baby vitamin D drops

Do all vitamin D supplements contain the right dose?

As noted, babies up to the age of one year need 8.5 to 10 micrograms of vitamin D a day, and children from the age of one year and adults need 10 micrograms of vitamin D a day.

However, many children's multivitamin supplements have been found to contain less vitamin D than recommended, so it can be hard to be confident that your baby is getting enough. To give you peace of mind, all of the supplements on our list contain the recommended 10mcg (also shown as 10 µg).

Are vitamin D drops necessary for formula-fed babies?

The NHS explains that babies who are having more than 500ml (about a pint) of infant formula a day should not be given vitamin supplements as formula is fortified with vitamins.

How do I give vitamin D drops to my breastfed baby?

These drops can be easily dropped into your baby or toddler's mouth. If you're breastfeeding and think your baby would prefer to take their vitamin D supplement while feeding, you can pop a drop of the supplement onto your nipple before your baby latches on and begins their feed.

Stephanie Spencer is the Hub Editor of Motherandbaby.com and has recently welcomed her first baby. She has a digital publishing career spanning over 10 years, starting out as an editorial assistant on medical journals and moving onto become a news writer and features editor.

Her degree in biosciences and previous experience on medical journals mean she has a particular interest in the medical side of pregnancy as well as mental health.

A paddling pool is a true summer staple for families. It’s one of the simplest ways to help babies and toddlers cool off while encouraging active, outdoor play. Just inflate the pool, add a few favourite water toys, and you’ve got instant garden entertainment.

If you're looking for inspiration, here are 17 paddling pool games guaranteed to keep your little ones smiling all summer long.

1. Sink or swim

Gather a selection of safe household objects and ask your child to guess whether each item will float or sink. Drop them into the water together and see what happens. It’s a simple activity that introduces basic science concepts in a fun, hands-on way.

2. Make a splash

If you have a small slide, position it so it ends in the paddling pool. Send toy cars, balls or plastic figures down the slide and see which one creates the biggest splash. Expect plenty of giggles.

3. Net a prize catch

Freeze small toys inside plastic cups of water. Once frozen, pop the ice blocks into the paddling pool and let your child use a net or spoon to fish them out. As the ice melts, the hidden treasure is revealed.

4. Treasure hunt

Drop waterproof toys, coins or colourful objects into the pool and challenge your little one to find them. For older children, you could turn it into a timed challenge.

5. Sponge relay race

Place two buckets at opposite ends of the garden. Fill one with water and leave the other empty. Using only a sponge, your child must transfer water from one bucket to the other. It’s brilliant for teamwork if siblings join in.

6. Water balloon toss

Stand a short distance apart and gently toss a water balloon between you. After each successful catch, take a step backwards. The suspense builds as the distance increases.

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7. Submarine race

Place lightweight floating toys in the pool and use straws to blow them from one side to the other. The first one to reach the edge wins. It’s surprisingly competitive.

8. Fish for treasures

Call out specific items and ask your child to retrieve them from the water. This works especially well with brightly coloured objects and helps with listening skills.

9. Race to the finish

Create a simple obstacle course around the garden using cones, hoops or garden furniture. Finish the course with a splash through the paddling pool for a refreshing reward.

10. Singalong splash

Turn up your child’s favourite action songs and add plenty of splashing to the movements. Songs with clapping, stomping or jumping actions like "The Wheels on the Bus" or "If You're Happy and You Know It" work particularly well.

11. Flower pot fun

Give your child old plant pots, watering cans or plastic jugs and let them pour, scoop and cascade water freely. It’s wonderfully simple and surprisingly absorbing.

12. Texture Play

Add sponges, flannels, plastic spoons and cups to encourage sensory exploration. Different textures and materials make the experience more engaging for younger children.

13. Colour mixing splash

Add a few drops of child-safe food colouring to separate cups of water (red, blue and yellow work best). Let your child pour small amounts into the paddling pool or into clear containers to see what new colours they can create. It’s a brilliant way to explore colour mixing while enjoying messy, hands-on fun.

14. Bubbles in the garden

Add a small amount of child-friendly bubble bath to create foamy fun. Swirling, scooping and blowing bubbles adds a magical twist to paddling pool play.

15. Water balls

Add balls of different sizes and materials to the pool and explore how they move through the water. Which ones float best? Which make the biggest splash?

16. Bathtime fun

On especially warm days, fill the paddling pool with warm water and enjoy a relaxed outdoor bathtime. It’s a lovely way to wind down before bedtime.

17. Create a ball pool

Transform your paddling pool into a garden ball pit by filling it with lightweight plastic balls. Older children might enjoy tossing balls into a hoop or basket for points.

About the author

Emily Gilbert is the Features & Reviews Editor for Mother&Baby. With a background in both print and digital journalism, she has written extensively on pregnancy, fertility, perinatal mental health, and the best in baby and parenting products. A first-time mum, Emily combines her professional expertise with personal experience, offering readers trusted advice and relatable insight. Specialising in product and travel reviews, she stays ahead of the curve on the latest parenting trends and is passionate about showing that life with a little one can still be full of adventure.

Sophie Habboo and Jamie Laing are two of the most recognisable faces to come out of Made in Chelsea, but their story has moved well beyond SW3 drama. Now married and settling into life as new parents, the couple are opening the doors to their next chapter with their new docuseries, Raising Chelsea.

For anyone who’s followed their journey, from friendship to romance, engagement, and now life with baby Ziggy, it feels like a natural progression. Here’s a closer look at their relationship, their new podcast, and what to expect from the series.

Who are Sophie Habboo and Jamie Laing?

Jamie Laing first appeared on Made in Chelsea back in 2011, quickly becoming known for his cheeky humour and, at times, complicated dating life. Over the years, he’s also built a successful business with his confectionery brand Candy Kittens, now stocked across the UK.

Sophie Habboo joined the show in 2017 and was soon affectionately nicknamed “Habbs”. With her straight-talking approach and close friendships on the series, she quickly became a fan favourite.
While both found fame in their own right, it’s their relationship that’s really captured people’s attention.

How did they meet?

Although they moved in the same circles, romance didn’t happen straight away. When Sophie first joined Made in Chelsea, their connection was more friendship than anything else, and Jamie was still navigating his (very public) love life.

Things changed in 2019, when their friendship developed into something more off-screen. Viewers later watched their relationship unfold on the show, and while it wasn’t without its challenges, it felt more grounded than many of the romances fans had seen before.

Jamie has been open about his struggles with anxiety and commitment, and their relationship has often been shaped by honest conversations around those experiences. He proposed in 2021, and the couple married in 2023, celebrating first in London before a larger wedding in Spain.

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Sophie and Jamie's new podcast

Sophie and Jamie are stepping into their next chapter with the launch of a brand new podcast, NewlyParents, beginning on 27 April.

Following on from NearlyParents and hot on the heels of Raising Chelsea, the new show will document their journey through parenthood - with all the chaos, comedy and candid conversations fans have come to expect.

While listeners can expect plenty of relatable moments around sleepless nights and the realities of life with a newborn, NewlyParents promises to go far beyond nappies and night feeds. The couple will explore how becoming parents impacts identity, ambition, relationships and family dynamics, as well as the pressures of navigating major life changes in the public eye.

Building on the success of NearlyWeds, NewlyWeds and NearlyParents - and with NearlyWeds now hosted by Love Island: All Stars winners Molly Smith and Tom Clare - Sophie and Jamie’s latest venture continues the podcast journey their audience has followed from engagement to marriage and now parenthood.

What is Raising Chelsea about?

Their new series, Raising Chelsea, follows them as they adjust to life as first-time parents while juggling busy careers and a very public profile.

Expect a mix of everyday family moments and more candid conversations about the pressures of modern parenting. Early glimpses of the show suggest it doesn’t shy away from the tougher parts either – from disagreements to anxieties around pregnancy and those early newborn days.

Life with baby Ziggy

At the heart of it all is their son, Ziggy. Both Sophie and Jamie have shared snippets of parenthood through social media, often describing it as equal parts joyful and overwhelming.

Like many new parents, they’ve spoken about the realities – the sleepless nights, the learning curve, and the constant juggle of work and home life.

Speaking on Elizabeth Day’s How To Fail podcast, Sophie also opened up about the emotional side of motherhood, including “mum guilt” and the constant self-doubt many parents experience.

“I feel content being a mother. Of course, I have doubts, I worry, and I feel mum guilt, but I think that’s completely normal. I hope, and I feel, that I’m doing a good job. He’s such a happy little boy and so loved.

I always thought I’d be quite strict, but I think I’ll probably be the opposite, just completely obsessed and letting him get away with anything. I used to say to Jamie, ‘Your relationship with your mum is a bit weird, you love each other too much.’ But now that I’m a mum to a boy, I completely get it.”

At the same time, they’ve been mindful about how much of Ziggy’s life they share publicly, something more and more parents in the spotlight are thinking carefully about.

You can watch Raising Chelsea on Disney+, streaming from April 2nd, 2026

Lorna White is the Products Editor for Mother&Baby. After running the Yours magazine website, specialising in content about caring for kids and grandchildren, Lorna brought her expertise to Mother&Baby in 2020. She has a keen interest in a range of topics surrounding all things motherhood and has a wide range of experienced medical experts and professionals at her fingertips.

The sibling gift tradition started when my children were very small. With three under three, I simply couldn’t bring myself to buy presents for just one child, even on their birthday. The idea of their little faces looking disappointed, or trying to explain to a child still in nappies why they didn’t have anything to open, was just too much for my postnatal brain to compute.

Now my eldest is eight, and the tradition has well and truly stuck. Every birthday, everyone gets a gift. Of course, the bigger presents go to the birthday child, but everyone has a few things to unwrap. I’m not exactly flush with cash (quite the opposite, in fact), but it’s a tradition I have absolutely no intention of stopping anytime soon.

Whenever one of my sons has a birthday, I already know my trusted mum group chat will soon be pinging with the familiar question: “Are you still doing the sibling gift tradition?” It’s practically a ritual at this point, like the birthday cake itself.

Some of my friends are firmly against it and say it’s a bit like blowing out someone else’s birthday candles, well-meaning, but slightly unfair to the star of the show. And I do get where they’re coming from; in theory, birthdays are meant to be all about one child.

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But in our house, the tradition has taken on a life of its own, and I’m not quite ready to retire it yet. There’s something that makes my heart ridiculously happy about all three of my children running at full speed to see what they’ve each got for the birthday. The excitement is contagious, and in my opinion, it actually helps everyone feel part of the celebration rather than just watching from the sidelines.

With the current cost-of-living crisis, I can completely understand why parents don’t want to add extra financial burdens on themselves. In our home, the gift always has to be small. It’s more of a token gesture to ensure every child feels included rather than creating expectations of equal extravagance. In my opinion, it's very similar to giving a sibling gift, when a new baby arrives.

Some high-profile parents have taken a very different approach to gift-giving, too. Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher faced a fair amount of backlash for saying they don’t buy their children Christmas presents to avoid raising spoiled kids. And to be honest, I do understand that perspective as well. But if I had to choose between sibling gifts or no gifts at all, I would probably lean towards the latter.

In a time when kids are growing up quicker than ever, what’s the harm in spoiling them a little bit? While I am absolutely not advocating for raising the next Veruca Salt, a colouring book or a small toy on their sibling’s birthday feels like a fairly harmless way to spread a bit of joy.

About the author

Hannah Carroll is our Senior Digital Writer. In her capacity, she curates top-notch listicles, crafts insightful how-to guides, and delivers expert product reviews. As a mother of three, Hannah draws upon her comprehensive understanding of all facets of family life to bring true insight into all the products that make running a home easier.

Jack Whitehall may be known for his razor-sharp stand-up and brilliantly awkward on-screen persona, but in recent years the comedian has stepped into a very different role - one he admits has changed him entirely: being a dad.

From navigating newborn life to marrying his wife Roxy Horner in April 2026, here’s everything you need to know about Jack’s career and family life.

From comedy to Hollywood

Jack first made his name as a stand-up comedian, building a loyal following with his sharp observational humour and self-deprecating takes on privilege, relationships and family life. After performing at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe early in his career, he quickly became one of the UK’s most recognisable comedy voices, with sell-out tours and hit shows including Live at the Apollo and Mock the Week.

From there, he successfully transitioned into acting, starring in the Channel 4 comedy Fresh Meat before landing the hugely popular BBC sitcom Bad Education, which he also co-wrote.

In recent years, Whitehall has expanded his career across the Atlantic. He has carved out a growing presence in Hollywood, appearing in major studio films including Disney’s Jungle Cruise alongside Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt, and family features such as Clifford the Big Red Dog. His blend of British charm and comedic timing has helped him establish himself with US audiences, broadening his career beyond stand-up and into mainstream international acting.

Jack's Peacock comedy series The ’Burbs, a modern reimagining of the 1989 cult film, premiered in February 2026 and has already been renewed for a second season.

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Fatherhood with My Father

In September 2024, Jack returned to Netflix with Jack Whitehall: Fatherhood with My Father, a four-part documentary series filmed as he prepared to welcome his first child.

The show sees Jack and Michael exploring parenting styles across the world while reflecting on their own father-son relationship. Blending humour with vulnerability, it captures Jack at a pivotal moment - excited, overwhelmed and very aware of the responsibility ahead.

Ahead of becoming a dad, Jack admitted one of his biggest hopes was simply, "I just don’t want to turn into him," joking about his famously traditional father. Of course, much of the warmth of the series comes from the realisation that the two are perhaps more alike than either would care to admit.

Across episodes focused on birth, technology, survival and longevity, Jack grapples with the kind of father he wants to be - and what lessons, both good and questionable, he might carry forward.

Marriage to Roxy Horner

Jack has been with model Roxy Horner since 2020. The couple became engaged in December 2024 and married on 18 April 2026 at Euridge Manor in Wiltshire in what friends described as a stylish countryside celebration.

True to form, Jack previously joked that their big day would feel like “a mash-up of Downton Abbey and EastEnders,” referencing the coming together of their two very different families.

The lakeside ceremony featured a string quartet playing Beauty and the Beast - a choice Jack joked was “a bit on the nose.” Roxy wore two custom Galia Lahav gowns, while the couple’s daughter, Elsie, was part of the day’s proceedings.

Jack admitted he was emotional at the altar, later recalling that he was “blubbing,” and their first dance to Michael Jackson’s Rock With You didn’t quite go to plan. “We just went for it,” he said of the upbeat track playing faster than expected.

Life with daughter Elsie

Jack and Roxy welcomed their daughter, Elsie, in September 2023 - and Jack has been characteristically honest about the reality of the newborn stage.

Reflecting on those early weeks, he laughed that "you just can’t fathom how something that small and sweet is capable of producing something so evil," referring, of course, to nappies. He also admitted the adjustment was immediate, saying, "I have aged a lot in four weeks."

In an interview with The Standard, Roxy shared that Jack “took to fatherhood like a duck to water”. She also admitted to finding it tough when he was away for work: “It feels like I’m on my own quite a lot, but when he’s around he’s fabulous. We call him every day, we Facetime him every day. Thank god for technology, hey!”

Jack's new tour

Jack is heading back to arenas with a brand-new stand-up show titled Bad Influence, marking his first major UK arena tour in several years.

The tour is set to kick off in January 2027, with opening dates beginning in early January before travelling across the UK.

Emily Gilbert is the Features & Reviews Editor for Mother&Baby. With a background in both print and digital journalism, she has written extensively on pregnancy, fertility, perinatal mental health, and the best in baby and parenting products. A first-time mum, Emily combines her professional expertise with personal experience, offering readers trusted advice and relatable insight. Specialising in product and travel reviews, she stays ahead of the curve on the latest parenting trends and is passionate about showing that life with a little one can still be full of adventure.

As many as four in five women suffer from the baby blues a few days after giving birth. But how do you know when this is something more serious? Here’s our guide to the differences between baby blues and postnatal depression in new mums.

It’s three to five days after your baby has arrived, you’ve been on cloud nine, but suddenly you feel tearful, irritable and exhausted. You’re suffering with the ‘baby blues’ – a very common result of hormones, tiredness and overwhelming feelings of responsibility for your tiny new arrival. Yet for one in seven women, these blues are actually postnatal depression, so here’s how to tell them apart and work out when to ask for help.

The signs and symptoms of baby blues

• Feeling tearful: Your body is in a constant state of change a few days after giving birth. Your pregnancy hormones are on the way out and your breast milk is coming in. Weeping because your slippers are on the wrong feet is normal, so keep the tissues to hand and have a good old cry if you need to.

• Snapping at your loved ones: Unlike the model mother you planned on being, you find yourself snapping at EVERYONE around you. Don’t be too hard on yourself. You’re sleep deprived and making some massive physical and mental adjustments. Besides, you’ve got years of motherhood ahead, worry about being the peaceful earth mother after your nap.

• You’re exhausted but you can’t get to sleep: Everyone has warned you about how tired you’d be, but that’s really not helping right now. When your baby naps, you can’t drop off and when your body is screaming for sleep, your little one needs you awake. This is a super common sign of the baby blues, you’ve got a lot on your plate right now, so even if sleeping is difficult find time to take a break. Have a soak in the bath, or a cuddle on the sofa when you need it.

• You’ve never felt more worried in your life: You look back on the stress you used to feel under at work, or that time you moved house and laugh. Your baby is perfectly healthy and arrived safe and sound, so why do you feel so anxious about everything? The baby blues can make you worry more than you normally would. We promise you’ll feel more confident as you get to know your baby, so try and listen to the reassuring words of those around you.

• You’ve got baby brain, big time: Your home has been flooded with visitors, but you’re struggling to follow any conversation. You can’t concentrate and have given up hope of remembering what day you used to put the bins out. Relax, this is all part of the change happening right now and will go away as things start to settle.

How can I cope with my baby blues?

• Get as much sleep as possible: Easier said than done, but now is the time to forget about the washing and the cleaning and get as much rest as you can, especially when your baby is asleep. Even if you can’t nod off, lying down for an hour will help rejuvenate you.

• Eat well: Sure, have the chocolate you deserve, but keep your energy up with some good nutritious meals.

• Take each day an hour at a time: Looking too far ahead can be overwhelming. Life with a new baby changes very quickly, so just focus a few hours ahead, rather than panic on how you’ll be coping next week.

• Ask for help: Don’t try and be superwoman. If you need someone to bring you a cup of tea, change a nappy or find your house keys, ask.

• Have a cry if you need to: If you’re emotional, let it out.

• It's ok to say no to visitors: Of course all your family and friends want to come and welcome the new arrival, but don’t be afraid to say no if you're just not feeling it.

• Make a list: If you’re a to-do list person, this is definitely something that can help overcome the daunting thoughts in your mind. Write a list of what needs to be done now and what can wait, and delegate some of the tasks to family members – they’ll be more than happy to help.

• Run a bath: Relax and look after yourself. Adding a few drops of tea tree oil can also help stitches to heal.

How long should baby blues last?

Those with the baby blues, while feeling low for a few days or week, can be reassured that they will feel back to their usual selves quite quickly. In fact, this is one of the main differences between baby blues and Postnatal depression (PND).

PND on the other hand, may not become apparent for a few weeks and symptoms can last for months, especially if you don’t get help. Dr Liz McDonald from the Royal College of Psychiatrists says the first way to spot the difference between baby blues and PND is persistence. While the baby blues comes and goes pretty quickly, postnatal depression may not be apparent straight away and gets progressively worse. ‘So if it goes on for more than a couple of days, you can’t be reassured and have started to feel very anxious, in particular about the welfare of the baby, you need to seek help.'

If your low mood, feelings of inability and difficulty sleeping don’t go away within two to three weeks or seem to be getting worse, it might be time to seek help.

Am I suffering from postnatal depression?

If your low mood, feelings of inability and difficulty sleeping don’t go away within two to three weeks or seem to be getting worse, it might be time to seek help. Remember, postnatal depression is nothing to be ashamed of and you are not alone.

‘Women with postnatal depression can start to get very fearful about the normal things that happen with babies and start to think it’s their fault,’ says Dr McDonald. ‘Thinking that you’re not doing a good enough job is a key sign.’

Postnatal depression can often be missed, partly because women worry they shouldn’t be feeling this way and try to put on a brave face for the world. If you’re feeling that they baby blues aren’t going away, then you need to visit your GP or speak to your midwife or health visitor.

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You’ve got the baby you always wanted, but for some reason, you feel low and overwhelmed. On one hand, you may have the “baby blues” (where you feel low, emotional and tearful after birth) but if your symptoms last longer, then you may be suffering from postnatal depression.

What is postnatal depression?

In simple terms, postnatal depression is a form of depression that affects new parents after having a baby. It affects between 10 to 15 in every 100 women who have a baby. Many women feel down, tearful or anxious after giving birth, but if this lasts for more than two weeks, you could have postnatal depression.

“Some women start having symptoms in pregnancy, and some women start having experienced two or three weeks after the baby has come home,” says Dr Jo Black, a perinatal psychiatrist for the Devon Partnership NHS Trust and Chair of the Perinatal Faculty at the Royal College of Psychiatrists. “The start of it can be very slow, so it can creep up on you.”

Like all forms of depression, this is very normal, very treatable and nothing to be ashamed of.

What are the signs of postnatal depression?

“Postnatal depression has the same symptoms as depression with a few additional ones, which we divide into biological symptoms, psychological symptoms and social symptoms,” says Dr Black.

“Biologically you may have a lack of energy, poor sleep or appetite and your sex drive goes down. Psychologically, you may have a lack of interest in things, the lack of ability to enjoy things, you may experience dark thoughts, anxiety and everything feels very hard. Socially you may feel isolated, not be able to pick up the phone or return calls and not want to see people or go out.”

However, in addition to these symptoms of depression, new mums can experience other symptoms postnatally, such as not wanting to spend time with their baby, finding it difficult to bond with them or not even feeling happy when around them.

“People in general say ‘you must be so happy, your baby's perfect’ and a lot of women feel pressured to play that role,” says Dr Black. “But if they're not feeling that way that can be a double whammy, because you're feeling all of the symptoms above, but you have to keep on this public face, and if you do play the role it’s exhausting and if you can't play the role, you feel like you've failed as a woman and mother and can feel a sense of shame or a sense of guilt.”

There are lots of different places to go for support but Dr Black stresses the importance of getting a proper diagnosis from your doctor if you do experience these symptoms as there are lots of other conditions that emotionally affect women during the postnatal period

It’s important to be aware that there are lots of other conditions that can affect women emotionally during the postnatal period which seem similar to postnatal depression but are subtly different and would require different treatments.

What causes postnatal depression and how long should it last?

There are actually a lot of different factors involved. Like all forms of depression, the causes are not black and white, yet it has been associated with the following:

• A history of mental problems, either in pregnancy or earlier in your life.

• A lack of close family and friends to support you after your baby arrives.

• Relationship issues with your partner.

• Stressful life events such as a bereavement

If one of you is experiencing emotional or mental health difficulties, it's more likely that the other is too. Of fathers with depressed partners, 24% to 50% of men experience postnatal depression themselves.

It’s important to remember, even if you have not suffered from any of the above, you could still be suffering from postnatal depression. You’ve just undergone a massive life-changing event, which can often be a trigger in itself.

Dr Black stresses the longer women keep these feelings of postnatal depression to themselves, the longer it may last and recovery will be slow.

Postnatal depression in men

Men - as well as co-parents in same-sex couples - can also experience depression in the postnatal period.

“Some of those co-parents or fathers aren't comfortable referring to it as ‘postnatal depression’,” says Dr Black.”Lots of men feel very de-masculine by the term ‘postnatal depression’ as they always think it relates to a woman, so they don't like it and men find it hard enough to talk about their mental health as it is.”

“If a new mum is depressed and her other half is also struggling with his or her mental health, that baby has a tricky time because both parents are struggling. Paternal mental health is really important and we would definitely encourage both parents to be thoughtful about their mental health and the postnatal period.”

What are the treatments for postnatal depression?

Tackling postnatal depression at home is the first step, yet depending on the severity of your symptoms, you may be offered additional support to help you feel better faster.

Treatments include:

• Visits from your health visitor: This increased support is offered to those with mild depression. These ‘listening visits’ from your health visitor help you try and get back to doing things that you enjoy.

• Talking therapies: If you have moderate postnatal depression, you’re likely to be referred by your GP to a therapist or counsellor, especially if this is the first time you have suffered from a mental illness. One type of therapy commonly used in the NHS is cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), which helps people break cycles of negative thinking.

• Antidepressants: If you have moderate to severe postnatal depression that’s unlikely to go away on its own, you might be offered medication. Although this may seem scary, antidepressants can help treat the condition without having an impact on your family.

Where can I go for support and advice?

From your health visitor to dedicated phone lines, if you are suffering from postnatal depression, there are plenty of resources out there to help:

Friends and family: Having a new baby is definitely a time to call on the people who know you best. Whether it’s for help with caring for your new arrival, or just sharing your thoughts over a cup of tea, don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Your health visitor: He or she is there to make sure you and your baby are doing ok. If you don’t feel comfortable discussing your feelings with your family and friends, they will be able to recommend local recourses and support groups that might help.

Your GP: Your GP is a great person to help give you a formal diagnosis and work out what the best treatment will be to help support you. Remember they are trained professionals and will not judge you in any way.

Charities: There are a number of amazing charities out there who help raise awareness and support for new parents suffering with PND. The Association for Post Natal Illness had downloadable leaflets, as does PANDAS. NCT and MIND also have dedicated sections where you can read more about the condition, and find advice for partners and family members about how best to support you.

Phone helplines: Many support organisations have phone (and sometimes text) lines, which are a great place to start if you want to seek some anonymous advice. Whilst the people on the end of the phone aren’t health professionals, they have training and support and will be able to offer you advice. We've listed some good numbers to call at the end of this article.

Support groups: Although these may feel daunting, support groups are a great way to meet other mothers going through exactly the same thing. Ask your GP or health visitor, or search online to find a PND or new parent support group in your area.

Dr Jo Black, Consultant Perinatal Psychiatrist working in the NHS in Devon. She is currently the Chair of the Perinatal faculty at Royal College of Psychiatrists. Previously   Dr Black was an Associate National Clinical Director for Perinatal Mental Health at NHSE.

When a skincare product promises glow, hydration and brighter-looking skin for just a fiver, it’s bound to get people talking. Add Mrs Hinch’s seal of approval into the mix, and you’ve got what could easily become one of 2026’s biggest beauty buys.

The product in question? Garnier’s Vitamin C Fresh & Bright Hydrating Sorbet Cream - an ultra-light moisturiser designed to tackle dullness, uneven tone and hyperpigmentation, while delivering up to 48-hour hydration**.

And according to Sophie Hinchliffe herself, it’s all about how it feels.

“It is the best feeling on your skin,” she’s said of the sorbet-textured cream - and texture was a huge part of why she loved it.

While the headline might be the price point, it’s Mrs Hinch’s genuine enthusiasm that’s fuelling excitement. She’s previously shared that she was asked to give honest feedback during the product’s development - and for her, the sorbet texture stood out immediately.

That fresh, cooling feel is what makes it different from traditional creams. It’s not thick, it’s not sticky, and it doesn’t leave you feeling like you’ve layered on something heavy.

Instead, it’s designed to melt into the skin and leave behind a healthy-looking glow.

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What makes this £5 moisturiser so special?

At a time when some skincare creams cost upwards of £40, finding a purse-friendly option that still delivers on glow is a win for busy mums everywhere. And you can always count on Mrs Hinch to recommend affordable beauty buys that are worth every penny, like the £6 concealer she swears by.

Garnier’s Vitamin C Fresh & Bright Hydrating Sorbet Cream has a fresh, sorbet-like texture that melts into the skin. It’s designed to feel lightweight, non-greasy and non-sticky – ideal if you don’t want that heavy moisturised feeling, especially when you’re rushing through the morning routine.

The formula promises:

• Up to 48-hour bright hydration**
• Clinically proven brighter-looking skin
• Reduced appearance of dark spots
• All-day oil control
• For anyone dealing with dull skin, uneven skin tone, or post-blemish marks, it’s designed to help restore radiance without clogging pores or sitting heavily under makeup.

The moisturiser is enriched with a 4% blend of Vitamin C* and Niacinamide - two ingredients that have become go-to heroes in skincare routines.

Vitamin C is widely recognised for its brightening benefits. It helps boost radiance and enhance the skin’s natural glow, making it particularly popular for those concerned about pigmentation or tired-looking skin.

Niacinamide, meanwhile, is known to:

• Visibly minimise enlarged pores
• Improve uneven skin tone
• Strengthen the skin’s natural barrier
• Help soothe blemish-prone skin

Together, they create a formula designed to brighten and smooth while keeping skin hydrated and balanced.

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Suitable for all skin types – even sensitive

One of the standout points for many women will be that the cream is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin. It has been tested under dermatological control, which offers added reassurance if your skin can be reactive.

The texture is mattifying too, making it a good option if you struggle with midday shine. And because it’s lightweight, it works well under foundation or tinted moisturiser - perfect if your skincare has to multitask as much as you do.

How to use it

Garnier recommends applying the sorbet cream after your serum. Simply smooth it onto a clean face using circular motions and spread evenly. It’s designed for daily use, making it an easy addition to your existing routine rather than an extra complicated step.

For busy mums, simplicity matters. If a product can hydrate, brighten and help with pigmentation in one go - without feeling heavy or taking ages to absorb - it earns its place on the bathroom shelf.

Glow without compromise

As well as being budget-friendly, the moisturiser is vegan and contains no animal-derived ingredients or by-products. All Garnier products globally are officially approved by Cruelty Free International under the Leaping Bunny Programme, so it’s cruelty-free too.

*Vitamin C derivative.

**Clinical study, 40 subjects; instrumental test, 24 subjects.

***Instrumental test, 24 subjects.

Lorna White is the Products Editor for Mother&Baby. After running the Yours magazine website, specialising in content about caring for kids and grandchildren, Lorna brought her expertise to Mother&Baby in 2020. She has a keen interest in a range of topics from potty training and nutrition to baby names and early development and has a wide range of experienced medical experts and professionals at her fingertips. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her two young sisters, dog walking and enjoying the outdoors with her family.

Many parents and children are breathing a sigh of relief after receiving offers to their first-choice primary school. If, however, this isn't you, and your little one didn't get into their first choice, you're probably feeling a little panicked and worried about what the next steps are.

Although, according to recent Government statistics, the vast majority of children and parents are accepted to their first-choice primary school, some aren't so lucky. If you find yourself in the minority of parents who didn't get their first choice of school, there are some things you'll want to consider, as all is not lost.

While applying for nursery might seem like a doddle compared to this, there are some steps you can take if you're not satisfied with the decision of your child's primary school place. We've put together a handy guide to the appeal process for primary schools as well as some helpful advice to reduce the stress this might be causing you and your family.

Things to consider before appealing your child's primary school place

Should I reject an offer if it's not a school we're happy with?

No! It's tempting to reject an offer from a school you don't want your child to go to, however, we don't advise you to do this. It's essential that you accept the offer, even if it is from a school that isn't on your list of top choices. We're not suggesting that your child should attend this school, it just provides them with a safety net if anything goes wrong with your appeal.

What will happen if I reject an offer?

If you reject an offer, then you could risk losing that place completely. If you then go through with an appeal but are unsuccessful, that safety net won't be in place, and your child could end up having no choice but to go to a different school you're even less satisfied with, or they could experience a delay in starting primary school at the same time as their peers.

Will my appeal be affected if I accept an offer?

No, your appeal won't be affected if you accept another offer. While it is unlikely not to get a place at all, this is still a risk to consider. Therefore, accepting an offer is the most sensible first step, even if you want to appeal for another primary school place.

What happens if you don't receive any primary school offers?

Don't worry if your child hasn't received an offer at all from any primary school. Any child from five years old has the right to have schooling provided by your local council. In the case of children being left without places, classes may be added at local schools to accommodate the discrepancy. Be prepared for this to be a stressful period of time, as it is common for councils to wait several months to observe the situation.

Reasons to appeal your child's primary school place

Read your offer letter carefully

The reason your child was refused their preference should be outlined in the decision letter. Read the letter carefully so you're clear about the reasons provided in order to work out if you have grounds for an appeal. Remember, every parent has the right to appeal, but it is an intensive process and can be very stressful for both you and your child. So, ensure that your reasons for appealing are valid before considering starting the appeal process.

What is an invalid reason for appeal?

While you may strongly believe that a certain school is the best one for your child, you'll have to prove why in order for it to be a valid reason to appeal. Unfortunately, personal preference or beliefs don't come into it.

What is a valid reason for appeal?

Social or medical needs are valid reasons to appeal a decision. If your child has specific needs that the school you have been offered a place at can't meet, but the school you were refused can, then this would be considered strong grounds for an appeal. Look out also for errors made by the school or council during the admissions procedure – for example, wrongly putting you outside of the catchment area, or failing to correctly measure the distance between your home and the school.

How to get your child on a waiting list for primary schools

Don't lose hope if your child doesn't receive the school offer you were hoping for. Even the most popular schools experience significant movement on their waiting lists, with the personal circumstances of families changing all the time, so there is still a chance your child could get a place from the waiting lists.

Who should I contact to get my child on a waiting list?

Check your offer letter to find out if the waiting list for your chosen school is operated by the school or your local council. You should also be able to find this information on your local council's website. Don't be put off if the list is long – reach out to your contact and ask to be put on the waiting list anyway, because as we've said, it's common for waiting lists to change quickly, and you may find yourself buying your child their school uniform for the school you wanted all along. You can contact them via mail or phone, but be aware that phone lines are likely to be very busy on Offers Day with so many parents doing exactly the same thing as you.

What if I don't hear back once school has started?

Most children won't be likely to get a place on the first day of term, so don't be disheartened if you don't hear back once the school year has started. Waiting lists must be kept open for at least the first term. Remember that you can start your child at another primary school and still accept an offer for a place that they are on the waiting list for if one comes up.

Can I defer my child's school entry?

It may be possible to delay your child’s entry to Reception, depending on their age and your local authority’s policy. Children who delay entry usually join Reception with their age group at a later point.

In some cases, places may become available on waiting lists during the year due to families moving or changes in circumstances, but this is unpredictable and cannot be relied on. Councils may occasionally open additional classes in response to demand, but this is not guaranteed.

How to start the primary school appeal process

Appealing a decision can feel daunting, and with so much information to get your head around, you might be feeling confused as to what to do first if you want to appeal a rejection. You can find information on how to appeal if you're not happy with your school offer in the decision letter. It will also tell you the deadline – you should have at least 20 school days from when the letter was sent out - as well as what documentation you'll need to provide, and where to send your appeal.

How to assemble your evidence and documentation

Firstly, clearly explain in writing why you think your child should attend the preferred school. Include what the negative impact on them will be if they are refused. You'll need to include any supporting information, including documentation that verifies your claims – for example, maps that clearly show distances between the school and your house if relevant, and evidence of transport costs or timetables. You can reach out to medical or social-care professionals for medical reports, too.

The more independent evidence you can compile to support your case, the better. For more support to help with your appeal, you may choose to work with a solicitor or, alternatively, a member of the school's appeals organisation. Keep in mind that these may incur costs, so ensure you are aware of these upfront.

With this being quite a lengthy process, you'll be pleased to learn there is a lot of support out there for parents in your position, including Coram Children's Legal Centre, who offer in-depth legal advice on education matters. There's also plenty of help on the Government guidance on school appeals.

After the appeal deadline, your case must be heard within 40 school days, and you'll be told when and where to go at least 10 school days' prior to the hearing taking place.

What to expect at the appeal hearing

The hearing may take place in person, remotely via video call, or a mix of both, and will be heard by an independent panel of at least three people who will follow the school admissions appeal code. It can be a bit intimidating, so feel free to bring a friend, family member, or anyone in an official capacity along for support. The hearing will start by outlining the case for refusing to admit your child to the school in question. Then you'll be given the opportunity to present your reasons as to why they should.

When will I find out the verdict?

After the hearing, we're sure you'll be on edge. Thankfully, you won't have to wait too long for a decision, with the results arriving in writing within five school days. Your appeal will be successful if the panel sees that the school didn't follow the rules for admissions, or if not going to your chosen school would really harm your child more than what the school says. The decision is final, and only a court can change it.

What can I do if I lose the appeal?

Even if you lose the appeal, you can still put your child's name on the waiting list for that school and remain on it as long as needed. Places may still become available during spring and autumn, and even if an opening doesn't arise before the start of the school year, there is still a chance that you could accept an offer later on.

How to deal with the stress and disappointment

Our children pick up easily on stress signals from parents, so it's important to try and remain calm around them throughout the process of appealing. Your child may also be feeling sad about not getting into a primary school that their friends or neighbours have been accepted to as well, and they may be feeling anxious.

Keeping your own negative views about a school that has offered your child a place to yourself is also a good idea, so that you won't influence how your child feels if they do end up having to go there, in the case that your appeal isn't successful. Keeping an open mind and making an effort to get to know the school by talking to other parents and kids who go there can help both you and your child to feel more reassured, no matter what happens.

Rebecca Lancaster is a Digital Writer for Mother&Baby, drawing on eleven years of parenting her two children to help others navigate their own parenting journey. As a freelance writer, she spent ten years working with leading lifestyle brands, from travel companies to food and drink start-ups, and writing everything from hotel reviews to guides to the best British cheeses. She’s particularly interested in travel and introducing her children to the excitement of visiting new places, trying different foods (less successfully) and experiencing different cultures.

Talking about consent might sound like something reserved for teenagers, but in reality, it begins from the very start. From cuddles with grandparents to playful tickles before bed, young children experience physical contact every day. Helping them understand that their body belongs to them is one of the most powerful lessons we can teach – and it can begin in babyhood.

According to Dr Ahmar Ferguson, Educational Psychologist, from birth, babies are already communicating preference through their bodies. They turn their head away, stiffen, reach out, or relax into a caregiver. At this stage, consent is not verbal, but it is still very real. It looks like adults noticing and responding to those cues. By the toddler years, children begin to use simple words such as “no”, “stop”, or “mine”, and while this can sometimes feel challenging, it is actually the early foundation of boundary setting. By the time a child reaches three to five, they are beginning to understand that their body belongs to them, and that others have feelings and boundaries too, although this understanding still needs gentle guidance and repetition.

The good news? Consent doesn’t have to be a big, awkward conversation. For babies and toddlers, it’s woven into everyday interactions, built through respect, boundaries and simple language.

Here’s how to approach it at every stage of their development.

From birth: building the foundations

Newborns obviously can’t verbalise consent, but as they grow, they do communicate through body language. Turning their head away, arching their back, crying or stiffening can all signal discomfort.

Responding to these cues lays the groundwork for consent. For example, if your baby turns away while being cuddled by a relative, it’s OK to say: “He’s had enough for now,” or “She needs a little break.”

By stepping in, you’re showing your baby – and others – that their signals matter. "Beginning this learning early matters because children develop their sense of safety and self through relationships." Explains Dr Ahmah. "When body boundaries are respected from the start, children internalise the idea that their voice matters and that their body is their own. Waiting until they are older risks sending the opposite message, even unintentionally, that adults decide what happens to their body." He continues.

You can also start modelling consent language from the beginning. Before picking your baby up, try saying, “I’m going to pick you up now,” or “Let’s change your nappy.” They may not understand the words yet, but they’ll learn that touch is explained and predictable, which builds trust and security.

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Toddlers (1–3 years): introducing simple choices

As your child grows and their understanding of language develops, they begin to assert independence. “No” may quickly become a favourite word – and that’s actually a positive step.

At this stage, consent is about offering simple, manageable choices. If Grandma asks for a hug and your toddler hides behind your legs, avoid saying, “Don’t be rude – give Grandma a cuddle.” Instead, try: “That’s OK. Would you like to wave or blow a kiss instead?”

This shows your child they have control over their body, while also teaching polite alternatives.

Dr Ahmah says, "Encouraging a child to hug or kiss someone when they do not want to may seem harmless, particularly within loving families, but it can blur an important boundary. It teaches a child that their discomfort can be overridden to please others. In the longer term, this can make it harder for them to recognise and assert their own boundaries in other contexts."

The same goes for tickling and rough-and-tumble play. Tickling can be fun, but it’s important to pause and check in:

“Shall we do more tickles?”

“Say stop if you want me to stop.”

If they say “stop” – even if they’re laughing – stop immediately. This teaches them that their words have power and that “stop” is respected.

You can also model consent in everyday family life. For example: “Daddy doesn’t feel like a hug right now, but we can sit next to each other.” When children see adults respecting each other’s boundaries, it reinforces the message.

"A child can be polite without physical affection. Waving, smiling, or saying hello are all valid alternatives. The message becomes, “We are kind and respectful to others, and we also listen to our own body.” Says Dr Ahmah.

Preschoolers (3–5 years): naming boundaries and body autonomy

Between three and five, children can understand more detailed explanations about their bodies and personal space.

This is a good time to introduce clear language about body autonomy:

• “Your body belongs to you.”
• “You can say yes or no to hugs and kisses.”
• “If you don’t like something, you can tell a grown-up you trust.”

It’s also important to teach them about “safe” and “unsafe” touch in an age-appropriate way. NHS advice for keeping children safe stresses the importance of open communication and teaching children to talk about anything that makes them feel worried or uncomfortable to help support their emotional wellbeing.

You might say:

“Most touches are nice and caring, like holding hands to cross the road. But if anyone touches you in a way that makes you feel confused, upset or uncomfortable, you can tell me, and you won’t be in trouble.”

As Dr Ahmah explains, "When talking about bodies, using clear and simple language is key. Referring to private parts as the parts covered by a swimsuit can be a helpful starting point, and using correct anatomical terms supports clarity and safety. It reduces shame, builds confidence in communication, and ensures that if a child ever needs to describe something important, they have the words to do so."

Keep explanations calm and simple. There’s no need to overwhelm them with detail.

At this age, children also benefit from learning to respect others’ consent. If they tackle a friend in excitement, gently guide them: “Let’s ask first – does Sam want a hug?”

Consent isn’t just about protecting your child; it’s about helping them understand mutual respect.

Handling family expectations around hugs and kisses

One of the trickiest situations for many parents is managing well-meaning relatives. You might worry about offending someone if your child refuses affection. But reinforcing your child’s boundaries is more important than avoiding mild awkwardness.

You could say: “We’re teaching her that she can choose how she says hello and goodbye.”

Most people will understand when it’s framed as a parenting choice. Offering alternatives – high-fives, waves, fist bumps – helps everyone feel included.

Everyday opportunities to practise consent

Teaching consent doesn’t require formal sit-down chats. It’s built into daily life:
• Ask before helping them wipe their face.
• Respect their “no” where it’s safe to do so.
• Encourage them to speak up if they don’t like a game.
• Apologise if you overstep (“I’m sorry, I should have asked before tickling.”)

Of course, there will be times when you must override their wishes for safety – strapping them into a car seat, holding their hand near a road, wiping dirty hands. In those cases, explain why: “I know you don’t like it, but I have to keep you safe.” This helps children understand the difference between necessary care and optional affection.

Creating a home where children feel heard

Ultimately, consent education is about communication and trust. Children who grow up knowing their voice matters are more likely to speak up if something feels wrong.

Keep conversations open. Stay calm when they share worries. Avoid shaming language about bodies. Use correct anatomical terms alongside child-friendly explanations, which experts recommend as part of safeguarding and body awareness.

Teaching consent to young children isn’t about preparing for worst-case scenarios. It’s about raising children who feel confident in their own skin, respectful of others and secure in the knowledge that their boundaries matter.

Dr Ahmah says, "Over time, the benefits of early consent education are significant. Children who grow up with a strong sense of body autonomy tend to show greater confidence, clearer communication, and healthier relationships. They are more likely to recognise when something does not feel right and to seek support."

And it all starts with a simple question: “Would you like a hug?”

"Many of the most powerful opportunities are found in ordinary moments." According to Dr Ahmah. "Asking, “Can I help you with your coat?” instead of assuming. Pausing during play to check in. Respecting a child’s hesitation. Modelling your own boundaries. These small, repeated interactions are where children truly learn what consent feels like, not just what it means," he explains.

Lorna White is the Products Editor for Mother&Baby. After running the Yours magazine website, specialising in content about caring for kids and grandchildren, Lorna brought her expertise to Mother&Baby in 2020. She has a keen interest in a range of topics surrounding all things motherhood and has a wide range of experienced medical experts and professionals at her fingertips.

Hannah Cooper-Dommett doesn’t do sugar-coating, and that’s exactly why so many women (including us) love her. As a model, presenter, and co-host of the hit podcast Never Have I Ever alongside her comedian husband Joel Dommett, she’s built a loyal following by saying what new mums are really thinking (but rarely admit).

From forgetting to wash the back of her neck to confessing a mild croissant addiction, her honesty is as refreshing as it is relatable. It felt only right to sit down with her to talk about all things motherhood, mayhem, and the moments in between.

The village that didn’t go to plan

Now a powerhouse mum to toddler Wilde, with another baby due any day, Hannah says her motherhood journey hasn’t looked the way she once imagined.

“I’d always joked that my mum, a Year One Teaching Assistant of 25 years, would retire and babysit my kids for £100 a month. Perfect candidate. Bargain. Hired!” she laughs. But when her mum became ill, that plan quickly unravelled, and instead of leaning on her, Hannah found herself stepping into a caring role.

Five years on, her mum is stronger, but life looks different now. Slower. Softer around the edges. And the close-knit, family-led “village” Hannah had always assumed would be there needed to be reimagined.

“I’d read so much about pregnancy and birth,” she says. “But I hadn’t really thought about the fourth trimester, or what my support system would actually look like day-to-day.”

What followed wasn’t the ready-made village she had planned, but something more fluid—and, in many ways, more meaningful.

“In the end, it came together in a different way, especially once I opened up more,” she explains. “Your village doesn’t have to be who you expected. It might be another mum you meet in a café, or someone you connect with in the park. There’s this unspoken understanding between parents—we’re all on the same wild rollercoaster.”

The reality of early motherhood

Hannah, a self-confessed super planner, didn't expect the fourth trimester to hit so hard for Baby Wilde. And, for all her reading, planning, and list-making before her baby arrived, she was still shocked by reality afterwards, a common surprise for most new mums.

“The first time you have a baby, you have the luxury of time… and then you get the shock after,” she admits. “You’ve given birth, and you just kind of figure it out from there. But the second time you don't have any time to worry.”

And while the physical exhaustion is expected, it’s the mental load that really hits. Something she's experiencing now, even before the new addition has arrived, “I didn’t know my brain was that big to take on the admin of another child,” she says. “I didn’t even know that part of my brain existed.”

It’s a juggle that can feel overwhelming, especially in those early days when everything is new, intense and, at times, isolating. “It definitely felt like a lonelier period for me,” she reflects. “Sometimes you need someone who knows what’s happening right there and then.”

And then there’s the sleep deprivation, something you can never truly prepare for. “You will go through a period where you are just a bit insane,” she laughs.

Still, amidst the chaos, there’s humour to be found. “You laugh at the pooey nappies, or you’ll cry,” she says. And she says being married to a comedian like Joel, who is "full of energy", definitely helps that and the fact that he always empties the dishwasher.

Second baby, different mindset

If the first baby is all about control, Hannah says the second is about letting go. This time around, there’s no meticulously researched plan, just experience and instinct.

“The first time, I was like, ‘I want a routine, I want to know everything,’” she says. “And this time… I’m chasing a toddler. There’s no time to read anything, I’m just going for it.”

But with that shift comes something else: confidence. “They say your first has your time and attention, but your second has your confidence,” she explains. “And that’s what I’m hoping comes through this time.”

There’s still the familiar anticipation, “the idea of birth is always overwhelming”, but it’s softened by perspective. “I’ve done it once now, so I kind of know what snacks I want,” she laughs.

Love, partnership and the invisible load

For Hannah, parenting isn’t something she does alone, and doing it alongside a famous comedian comes with its own challenges. She says open communication has been key for her and her husband Joel from the very beginning.

“We’ve always been really good at being honest with each other,” she says. “And I think that’s the biggest thing with parenting, making sure you know what each other is going through.”

One piece of advice, in particular, has stuck with her: “Assume the other person has done more that day.”

It’s a simple mindset shift, but one that helps ease the invisible mental load that so often builds behind the scenes. “You’re both busy, whether that’s one of you working, one of you parenting, or it’s a tag team,” she adds. “I feel really lucky that I found someone I can do a good relay race with.”

The small things that make a big difference

When it comes to support, it’s often the simplest gestures that matter most. “It’s definitely a cliché, but freezer meals are everything,” she says. “It’s something I would never have thought to ask for.”

This time around, she’s approaching things differently. “We’ve actually asked for help,” she explains. “Can you make us some freezer meals? Can you help us in these small ways?”

It’s a shift that comes with experience, knowing what you need, and feeling able to say it out loud.
But support doesn’t have to be grand or perfectly timed. “It can even be a hug or a random text at 3am,” she says. “It’s just feeling like people are checking in with you as a mother.”

Because while everyone wants newborn cuddles, she points out something that’s often overlooked: “It’s also important that we get new mum cuddles too.”

Redefining the village

If there’s one thing Hannah Cooper-Dommett has learned, it’s that motherhood rarely looks the way you imagined, but that doesn’t mean anything is missing. In a world full of constant advice and quiet comparison, there’s real power in being honest about how it actually feels.

“That’s why conversations like this matter,” she says. “You realise you’re not the only one finding it hard, or funny, or overwhelming...It’s all part of it.”

That same spirit sits behind MAM Baby’s latest project, an installation in Liverpool (from March 23), featuring letters from new parents to those just beginning their journey. Hannah has contributed her own, adding her voice to a collective reflection on the emotional realities of early motherhood.

The brand has also introduced the MAM Village WhatsApp channel, designed to offer new mums a sense of connection and support, something Hannah knows doesn’t have to look one way to be meaningful.

Because sometimes, the village you end up with, however unexpected, is exactly the one you need.

About the author

Hannah Carroll is our Senior Digital Writer. In her capacity, she curates top-notch listicles, crafts insightful how-to guides, and delivers expert product reviews. As a mother of three, Hannah draws upon her comprehensive understanding of all facets of family life to bring true insight into all the products that make running a home easier.

There’s something about a Justin Bieber headlining Coachella that hits straight in the millennial mum nostalgia. When the global pop star headlined Coachella 2026, I, along with a reported six million other viewers, tuned in to watch the former teen heartthrob take the stage again.

For many of us mums of a certain age, the Bieber era was real. Maybe we weren’t fully‑fledged Beliebers with bedroom posters and Twitter fan accounts, but put on “Baby”, and we still know every single word.

Seeing Justin Bieber at Coachella 2026 wasn’t just another musical festival headline moment, it was a full‑circle reminder of how far he’s come. From chart‑topping teen sensation to husband to Hailey Bieber and now dad to Jack, the “Justin Bieber baby” chapter feels worlds away from the floppy‑haired 15‑year‑old who first stole the spotlight.

Justin duetted with videos of his younger self on Youtube, and perhaps that’s why this performance felt different. We weren’t just watching a pop star. We were watching and father to a young son, stepping into a new era, both on stage and at home.

So on the back of this, we dig into everything we know about Justin Bieber and his new life as a dad, from his marriage to Hailey Bieber to the questions fans are still searching for: how long have Justin and Hailey been together? When did Justin Bieber get married? And how old is Justin Bieber’s son?

Who is 2026 Justin Bieber?

Born March 1, 1994, in Ontario, Canada, Justin Bieber rose to fame as a teenager after being discovered on YouTube. By 2010, “Baby” had become one of the defining pop songs of a generation.

Fast‑forward to 2026, and Bieber is no longer just a teen idol, he’s a Grammy‑winning global artist, a husband, and now a father. His recent Coachella 2026 headline performance marks another major career high, proving his staying power nearly two decades after his debut.

How long have Justin and Hailey been together?

Justin Bieber and Hailey Bieber (formerly Hailey Baldwin) first met as teenagers in 2009. Over the years, their relationship evolved from friendship to on‑off romance, before they rekindled things in 2018.

The couple got engaged in July 2018 and were legally married later that year. That means, as of April 2026, Justin and Hailey have been married for over seven years, and have known each other for well over a decade.

For fans who grew up watching his early relationships play out in headlines, their longevity feels like a plot twist no one saw coming in the best way, although some fans will always cling to his relationship with fellow performer Selena Gomez.

Justin Bieber and his son: How old is Justin Bieber’s baby?

Justin and Hailey welcomed their son Jack Blues Bieber on August 22, 2024, officially meaning there's a new “JB” in town.

While the couple have shared a few glimpses of family life, they’ve mostly kept their son out of the spotlight (even giving him a refreshingly normal baby name), a choice more and more celebrity parents are making to protect their children’s privacy.

What is clear, however, is that fatherhood has reshaped Justin’s priorities. In interviews over the years, he’s spoken openly about growth, maturity, and his desire to build a stable family life, something fans see reflected in this new chapter.

Justin and Hailey Bieber's favourite baby products

Since welcoming their son, Jack, fans have been keen to know what products Justin Bieber and Hailey Bieber are really using behind the scenes in their new‑parent era.

While the couple keep much of their son’s life private, Hailey has openly shared several of her pregnancy and postpartum must‑haves via Instagram. Here are some of the products the couple have been using.

Hannah Carroll is our Senior Digital Writer. In her capacity, she curates top-notch listicles, crafts insightful how-to guides, and delivers expert product reviews. As a mother of three, Hannah draws upon her comprehensive understanding of all facets of family life to bring true insight into all the products that make running a home easier.

One of the most triggering aspects of parents is - you guessed it - sleep. Any aspect of sleep is a worthy topic of conversation for trauma bonding among parents, regardless of whether your child is one who sleeps through the night or if they're more of a "frequent waker". Most families will experience some level of sleep deprivation along the way. White noise is often suggested as a helpful tool, but is a dedicated white noise machine better than a simple phone app?

Mum of two Emma put the ErgoPouch Drift Away White Noise Machine to the test with her toddler, and even trialled it herself, to see whether it really makes a difference.

Testing the ergoPouch Drift Away White Noise Machine

Although my two children are generally good sleepers, sometimes they are not. And the land of sleep deprivation is a rather miserable place to find yourself. Despite the fact that there is very little any of us can do to truly influence a child’s sleep habits or patterns, we will try almost anything for a few hours of uninterrupted sleep.

I have used white noise apps for both my children. My eldest is four and a half and had it in his room until he was about three, when he asked for it to be turned off. My youngest is 18 months old and still has it in her room. I know you are supposed to wean them off it, but it has not affected my son’s sleep now he is without it and, as I said, we will try anything for more sleep.

We have always been reluctant to purchase a white noise machine. Why would I, when a free app seemed to do the trick? But I was curious to see how a dedicated machine would compare, so I have been testing the ErgoPouch Drift Away White Noise Machine for the last couple of weeks and have been very surprised.

Set up and design

In terms of set up, it could not be simpler. It comes with a charging cable, although no plug, and the instructions recommend charging it for two hours for a full battery. This supposedly provides up to 48 hours of charge. I have not timed it exactly, but it lasted around four nights at roughly 10 to 11 hours per night before needing to be recharged.

According to the website, the machine weighs 96g, about the size of a medium apple. It feels like high-quality plastic, with a silicone base to prevent it from slipping or making noise when placed down. There is also a fabric handle with a popper, allowing you to hang it on a pram or even from the handles in the roof of the car.

There are four buttons around the side: power, music selector, volume up and volume down. The power button activates the light with a click and the sound with a press and hold. You can click through three light settings, each increasing in brightness, and a final click turns the light off. To activate the sound, press and hold the power button for a few seconds, then use the music button to choose from seven sounds: White Noise, Heartbeat, Fan, Rain, Nature, Shushing and Ocean.

Personally, I think it might have made more sense to have a separate button for the light and one for the sound, but I am sure there is a reason for the current design.

The built-in soft LED light is genuinely soft on the lowest setting. The website suggests it is useful for overnight nappy changes and I can absolutely see how this would have been kinder on our eyes during that phase, compared with using a harsh phone torch at 2am.

The buttons themselves are excellent. They give a soft but definite click. You know you have pressed them, but they are not loud or intrusive. That might sound overly detailed, but when you have just spent 45 minutes settling a child, any unnecessary noise feels risky.

Safety and features

The instructions advise keeping the machine at least two metres away from your child and never placing it inside the sleep space, in line with safe sleep guidance from The Lullaby Trust. They also suggest turning it off once your child is asleep to avoid dependency.

My only hesitation here is that going from white noise to complete silence can feel quite abrupt. If the intention is to switch it off after use, a fade-out function would be a helpful addition.

It is easy to imagine this feature being included if the machine were app-enabled, with additional settings and timers. However, the thought of downloading yet another app is not appealing to me. I quite like that this is an analogue product. Perhaps a future version could include a simple timer button that gradually reduces the volume over 15 minutes.

Sound quality

Surely one of the most important aspects of a white noise machine is the sound quality. And this is where the Drift Away really impressed me.

I tried the White Noise, Rain and Ocean settings for my daughter and the quality was genuinely excellent, especially for such a small device. The real test came when the battery ran out one evening and I had to revert to my phone app. The difference was stark. The phone sounded tinny and harsh in comparison.

Testing it on myself

For the first week, I used it in my daughter’s room as she was the main candidate. She slept well most nights, with one unsettled night, which is fairly typical for her.

Then I decided to test it on myself. The booklet does say it can be used for adults.

I am usually reluctant to use sleep aids for myself. We are hopefully moving towards a more settled sleep pattern with my daughter and I like to be able to wake easily if she needs me. I worry that improving the depth of my sleep might make it harder to respond in the night.

However, for the sake of a thorough review, I chose the Rain setting, positioned it at a safe distance and adjusted the volume. And I can honestly say it was the deepest sleep I have had in the last 18 months. It felt transformative. I know there are always other factors at play, but I am more than happy to credit the machine.

I have used it a couple more times since. On one particularly bad night for my daughter, she was noticeably harder to wake up than usual, which probably says everything about how effective it is.

The only aspect I would like to test further is the full battery life, to see how closely it matches the 48-hour claim. Even if it falls slightly short, it is still impressive.

Final thoughts

My husband found it easy to use and agreed that the sound quality was excellent. His only suggestion for improvement would be a visible battery indicator with three or four lights to show how much charge remains, which would remove the guesswork.

The RRP is £49.95, which does feel slightly steep given that some similar products are around £20 cheaper. However, this offers more than double the battery life of many alternatives, added portability thanks to the strap and truly exceptional sound quality.

Overall, I found the ErgoPouch Drift Away White Noise Machine worked very well for my daughter. I was particularly impressed by the sound quality, the thoughtfully designed buttons and the gentle night light. What surprised me most, though, was just how beneficial it was for my own sleep.

Emily Gilbert is the Features & Reviews Editor for Mother&Baby. With a background in both print and digital journalism, she has written extensively on pregnancy, fertility, perinatal mental health, and the best in baby and parenting products. A first-time mum, Emily combines her professional expertise with personal experience, offering readers trusted advice and relatable insight. Specialising in product and travel reviews, she stays ahead of the curve on the latest parenting trends and is passionate about showing that life with a little one can still be full of adventure.

It may seem like only yesterday that you brought your tiny bundle of joy home from the hospital, but all of a sudden, they're starting primary school. As parents, seeing your little one all dressed up in their school uniform can be a huge milestone - for both of you. And while nothing can prepare you for the emotional rollercoaster of dropping them off for their first day at school, there's a lot you can do to prepare your child for starting school.

When my eldest started school, I couldn't believe he'd be able to carry his lunch tray himself. His hands seemed too small, and he was just too young. I fixated on the lunch tray, picturing him tripping up or dropping it on the floor. Of course, he was absolutely fine. But it does pay to make sure they're ready for school - for your peace of mind as much as anything!

Preparing for primary school is about more than stocking up on school essentials and making sure their clothes are labelled. With Primary Schools National Offer Day on 16th April 2026, we've taken a look at how you can help your child to prepare for school, and gathered some tips from the people who know - the teachers.

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Encourage independence

Before September, aim for your child to:

 • Use the toilet independently (including wiping and washing hands)

 • Put on and take off their coat

 • Attempt to dress themselves

 • Open their lunchbox and packaging

 • Use cutlery

 • Recognise their own name written down

You don’t need perfection. Teachers expect to help with tricky buttons and the occasional accident. But practising over the summer builds confidence.

A simple swap like choosing Velcro shoes over laces can make a huge difference in those early weeks. Think practical, not Pinterest-perfect.

Build social skills through play

School is as much about navigating friendships as it is about phonics.

Can your child:

 • Take turns?

 • Share toys?

 • Listen to simple instructions?

 • Sit and focus on an activity for five to 10 minutes?

If not, don’t panic. These skills develop with gentle practice and you can help them learn through everyday activities.

Play board games that involve turn-taking. Visit the park and encourage small interactions. Arrange short playdates if you can. Even chatting to the person at the checkout helps build confidence when speaking to other adults.

For children who haven’t been in nursery, practising short periods apart can also help. A morning with grandparents or a trusted friend builds reassurance that you will always come back.

Support emotional readiness

Starting school is a big emotional leap. Some children bounce in. Others cling to your leg.

Help them prepare by:

 • Talking positively about school

 • Reading books about starting school

 • Driving or walking past the school in advance

 • Attending stay-and-play sessions if offered

Avoid framing it as “You’ll be fine” if they’re anxious. Instead, try “It’s normal to feel a bit nervous. I wonder what you’ll enjoy most?”

If you’re feeling emotional yourself, that’s natural. Try to keep goodbyes calm and confident – children pick up on more than we realise.

Encourage communication skills

Children don’t need to write sentences before they start school. But being able to express their needs clearly is important.

Encourage your child to:

 • Ask for help when needed

 • Talk about their feelings

 • Follow two-step instructions such as “Pop your shoes by the door and wash your hands”

Storytime is powerful here. Ask open questions like, “Why do you think she felt sad?” It builds vocabulary and emotional understanding at the same time.

If you have concerns about speech or understanding, speak to your GP or health visitor sooner rather than later. Early support can make a real difference.

Practise simple routines

School has more structure than nursery, so routines help smooth the transition.

Over the summer, you could:

 • Gradually move bedtime earlier if needed and try to stick to the same time every night

 • Practise the school morning routine

 • Encourage tidying up after play

 • Introduce carrying a small backpack

You don’t need to do it daily. Just make the idea of a gentle routine feel familiar.

Don’t worry about academics

One of the biggest misconceptions about being school-ready is that children must already be able to read or write.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum is designed to start from a wide range of abilities. Reception is about learning through play.

If your child is curious about letters or numbers, follow their lead. Count stairs. Spot letters on shop signs. Keep it light and playful.

What matters far more is that they can:

 • Listen

 • Try new things

 • Cope with small challenges

 • Keep going when something feels tricky

That resilience will serve them long after phonics phases are forgotten.

What should I do if I have concerns about my child’s development?

All children develop at different paces, but if you have concerns about your child's school readiness, talk to your childminder/nursery/pre-school team, health visitor, family hub or GP. It's worth raising any concerns with your child's new school too, so they're in the loop from day one.

Toys to help children prepare for school

Getting school-ready can be fun! We know that children often learn best through play, and these toys will help teach them the basic skills they need before starting school.

Tips from the teachers on getting school-ready

We asked 11 teachers for their advice to parents with kids starting school in September. Whether it's nursery, primary school or even big school, just know you're not alone in your feelings!

Ensure your child is used to leaving you

While it's not necessarily a bad thing, building them up to leaving you can make that transition a lot easier.

"Many children haven't ever left their parents' side, and so they find it really challenging leaving their parents to attend school." Autism Lead Practitioner, Miss Whitaker

Start the day right

Getting into a good routine can really help set up your day and your child's day.

"Ensure your child has the correct uniform and the right stationery. Remember that all important PE kit too on the right days." Non-teaching SENDCO, Mrs Hollisey-McLean

Label everything

It's so easy for items to go missing, and by the end of each school year, there's probably enough lost jackets and jumpers to set up a small shop. By labelling your child's clothes, bag, shoes and bottles, you can help prevent any misplaced items.

Don't go overboard on stationary

"Some children come to school with pencil cases full of colouring pencils, sticky notes and highlighters, but not the essentials such as writing pens or rulers. Check what the school requires them to have, which can usually be found on their website." Miss Woodhead

It's okay if things go wrong

"Remember that things might go wrong from time to time, there might be fallouts in friendship groups, or not getting along with another child. It's important as a parent to remain calm and discuss any problems with school, as they will want to support you and your child." Mrs Hollisey-McLean

Get your child to try on their uniform before they start

"If your child has a uniform, keep trying on their uniform as this practice of getting it on and off will help them when it’s time to get ready for PE. Many children find it upsetting to suddenly have to get dressed more quickly than they are used to." Former Early Years Education Consultant & Director of Love My Name, Ms Hampson

Don't cry when you drop them off

It's perfectly normal to feel emotional when dropping your child off at school, especially for the very first time. However, if you cry a lot at the school drop-off, it can make it harder on your child. They're bound to feel just as emotional and nervous, and if they can see you cry, they might feel more anxious or unsure about school.

If you can't hold back the tears until they're through the school doors, reassure your child that they're only happy tears about how proud you are.

Look at after-school activities

You might be nervous about your child starting school and navigating new friendships, especially if they don't know anyone at the school, but these feelings are perfectly natural.

"If your child is worrying about making friends, speak to the school about what after-school activities they can join in with so they can meet other children with similar interests." Mrs Hollisey-McLean

Do a daily bag check

"By checking your child's bag after school, you can see that they have the right equipment for the next day. It's easy to lose things!" Miss Woodhead

Start your routine in advance

It's easy in the holidays to want to bend the rule slightly, but this can actually be harder for your child to adjust to

Attend any parent-teacher meetings

"Attend every parents' evening as this can really help to support your child and to give you an overview of how your child is doing. It also gives you the chance to speak directly to teachers." Mrs Hollisey-McLean

Remember that children share everything

Don't talk about anything you don't want to be shared with their teachers and other school staff - they will find out about everything from swear words used at home to more personal stories!

About the author

Rebecca Lancaster is a Digital Writer for Mother&Baby, drawing on eleven years of parenting her two children to help others navigate their own parenting journey. As a freelance writer, she spent ten years working with leading lifestyle brands, from travel companies to food and drink start-ups, and writing everything from hotel reviews to guides to the best British cheeses. She’s particularly interested in travel and introducing her children to the excitement of visiting new places, trying different foods (less successfully) and experiencing different cultures.

Choosing a newborn car seat is one of the biggest decisions expectant parents make. Safety, ease of installation and weight are all key considerations, particularly in those early postpartum weeks. The Avionaut Pixel 3 is marketed as one of the lightest infant car seats in its category and is compatible with the brand’s rotating Orbit Base, promising convenience alongside comfort and safety.

Mum-to-be Chloe tested the Avionaut Pixel 3 with Orbit Base in her Hyundai i20 to see how it performs in terms of build, usability and overall reassurance ahead of her baby’s arrival.

Testing the Avionaut Pixel 3

A car seat is a must for every new parent and, with so many on the market, it can be difficult to choose the right one. I came across the Avionaut brand and was immediately drawn to the Pixel 3, which comes in an array of colours. It is also renowned for being lightweight, which is ideal for recovery after birth.

I knew I wanted a rotating base too following friends recommendations and saw it was compatible with the Orbit Base which was a big tick. Although I initially loved the pink colour, the mint option felt more practical and neutral, particularly if we have another child in the future.

Build

The car seat and ISOFIX base arrived within a day and I was very impressed with the speedy delivery. One thing that surprised me was how lightweight the box was. It genuinely made me question whether a car seat was even inside.

My husband took the lead with the installation and we decided to fit it in my car. For reference, I drive a Hyundai i20, so it is not the biggest car. I was curious to see how straightforward installation would be in a smaller vehicle.

You can either install the car seat with the IQ Orbit rotating base (sold separately) or a vehicle seat belt. The car seat and base came with paper instructions and, after reading through them, we felt confident about how to install it. There are also helpful diagrams on the base itself.

The ISOFIX base was incredibly easy to fit and even made a beeping sound with red lights to indicate if it was not installed correctly. The lights turn green once properly fitted and the beeping stops, which I found very reassuring as a first-time parent. The base can also be rotated with one hand, making it simple and practical to use.

Once the base was secure, we moved on to the car seat. The seat is angled, which makes it easy to clip onto the ISOFIX base. I was impressed by how lightweight (less than 2.5kg!) and compact it felt in my small car. Bending down to attach and remove the seat did not feel like a struggle, which reassured me about using it once the baby arrives. To detach the seat, it is simply a case of pressing one button and lifting, which is very straightforward.

The newborn insert has been designed in collaboration with physiotherapists and offers 24 adjustment configurations for a precise fit. The three-point harness, with two shoulder straps and one between the legs, is also easy to clip and unclip.

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Usability

The Pixel 3 comes with universal adaptors, meaning it can attach to most pushchair frames, which is a big plus. The upholstery can also be removed for easy washing in case of spills or accidents.

The standout feature for me is how lightweight the car seat is and how easy it is to lift with one hand. I can imagine how helpful this would be during postpartum recovery and how it could make travelling with a newborn that little bit less stressful.

The swivel base makes removing and positioning the seat much easier and can be turned to rear, side and front-facing positions when loading your baby. The upholstery itself feels thin and breathable, which will help with air circulation. That feels particularly important given how unpredictable the British weather can be.

Performance

While we have not yet tested the car seat with our baby in it, the setup and installation features make us feel confident that our baby will be safe and secure. The visual and sound indicators are especially reassuring and would be helpful during the darker winter months when visibility is lower.

The overall design of the car seat is sleek and the mint colour is beautiful. The sun canopy is easy to adjust and everything feels premium without compromising on safety. The car seat is suitable up to 13kg and will support our baby from their very first journey home.

Final verdict

Overall, we are very impressed with the quality, design and reassurance this car seat provides. Despite having a smaller car, fitting and removing the seat was no issue. It does not feel bulky and, thanks to how lightweight it is, it never feels like a struggle.

It is on the pricier side when purchasing both the car seat and ISOFIX base (sold separately, the seat is £239 while the base is £199), but the ease of use and added safety reassurance make it feel worth the investment.

Emily Gilbert is the Features & Reviews Editor for Mother&Baby. With a background in both print and digital journalism, she has written extensively on pregnancy, fertility, perinatal mental health, and the best in baby and parenting products. A first-time mum, Emily combines her professional expertise with personal experience, offering readers trusted advice and relatable insight. Specialising in product and travel reviews, she stays ahead of the curve on the latest parenting trends and is passionate about showing that life with a little one can still be full of adventure.

With hands-free breast pumps becoming increasingly popular among modern parents, convenience and discretion are now just as important as performance. The Momcozy Air 1 Ultra‑Slim Breast Pump promises a hands‑free, lightweight design that fits comfortably inside a bra, allowing mums to express milk without being tethered to a wall or bulky machine.

Designed with busy lifestyles in mind, it aims to combine portability, quiet operation and efficient suction in one compact device. In this review, mum tester Breige take a closer look at the Momcozy Air 1, examining its comfort, ease of use, performance and overall value for money.

Testing the Momcozy Air 1

As a second time, working mum - a double wearable pump felt like the best option to suit my busy life where there are just not enough hours in the day! I'm currently on maternity leave and so my trial pumping sessions with this product were all done over a couple of weeks at home, however, I have seen lots of other online reviews of mums using this device while out and about and at work.

My own pumping journey started in 2023 with my first baby, using a hand-me-down older Medela Swing. That experience gave me a good understanding of the limitations of single, corded pumps - time-consuming, restrictive, and far from convenient. Ahead of welcoming baby number two in November 2025, I upgraded to a more practical solution. I opted for the Lansinoh Double Wearable Pump, which retails at around £149 and which I’ve been using successfully for several months. With that as my baseline, I was particularly interested to see what a top-of-the-range model like the Momcozy Air 1 could offer beyond the plethora of budget and mid-market options.

I tested the Momcozy Air 1 Ultra-Sim Breast pump, a top-of-the-range, wearable, electric, double breast pump with an industry-first transparent design, a wireless charging case, and an integrated app. With a current RRP of £419.99, this model is at the top of the premium end of the market and up against stiff competition from reputable and trusted brands with comparable wearable pump products at much cheaper price points (i.e. Lansinoh, Elvie and Madela etc).

First impressions were very positive. The pump arrives in sleek, premium packaging, and inside, everything is neatly organised, including a stylish leather-effect carry case with a handle. This isn’t just for storage and transport - it's also a wireless charging unit, capable of powering around 15 sessions (roughly five days of average use), which is a genuinely useful feature for simplifying busy routines.

Beneath the main case, the contents are thoughtfully divided into smaller boxes: one containing three flange size options, another with charging cables, and a third with documentation (including the user manual, warranty details and a quick start guide), and a particularly helpful nipple measuring tool. Altogether, it feels like a well-considered unboxing experience that balances practicality with a premium touch.

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Having used a similar style of pump before, I found the build relatively straightforward. The quick start guide and online videos gave me some useful prompts the first time I put the pump back together after an initial clean and sterilisation. Bear in mind that there are 6 washable parts in total for each pump, including the main 24mm flange, fitted flange insert, shell milk collector cup, clip, pump back and duckbill valve. These need to be rinsed after use and washed after use in warm, soapy water. The smallest clip part is coloured pink, which I found really handy to avoid losing them in the basin. Once you get the hang of construction (after doing it a couple of times), it becomes pretty intuitive, and I found things clipped into place more easily than on my other model.

The main USP's marketed by Momcozy of this pump are the transparent top, wireless charging case and ultra slim design and 'silent' motor. The standout feature for me was definitely the wireless charging case - it is worth its weight in gold! Not only does this provide hassle-free and long-lasting charging power, but it also provides tailored storage to ensure clean pumps stay clean, charged, and can be easily transported around the home or while out and about.

The other features were less successful in my opinion. While the transparent top was something I wished my first pump had, in reality, it's still quite difficult to see exactly what's going on under a shirt and bra and impossible in the dark during night pumping sessions. And, while the pump was definitely more slimline and quieter than my mid-range pump, it certainly couldn't be billed as invisible under clothes or 'silent'. I still couldn't see myself pumping in public, to be honest - but for those that need to (return to work or etc.), this is probably one of the best options on the market today - with the charging case also helping a lot with pumping on the go.

Battery life has been excellent throughout my testing. The pumps quickly return to a full charge when placed back in the case, and the app provides a clear battery indicator so you’re not caught short.

Another feature worth mentioning is Momcozy’s complementary smart app, which is a welcome addition. It’s easy to set up and allows you to control the pump, customise settings, and track sessions. It also logs milk output automatically, although I did find myself double-checking the accuracy of the measurements. The option to switch between ounces and millilitres is a useful touch.

Using a double wearable pump has been a game-changer for me, particularly with a toddler and a newborn. It allows me to pump while getting on with other tasks, which simply wasn’t possible with my previous single-corded electric pump, which required me to sit still and pump one side at a time. However, while the Momcozy Air 1 offers this as a main feature, there are more affordable options on the market that perform just as well for milk extraction. With this model, I found I often needed to use higher settings to achieve effective results, and proper assembly and fit are essential for optimal performance.

Final thoughts

The Momcozy Air 1 is a thoughtfully designed, high-end breast pump that excels in convenience, battery performance, and smart functionality, making it a strong option for busy mums. It stands out with its sleek packaging, transparent design, integrated app, and particularly its highly practical wireless charging case.

However, its premium price is difficult to justify given that more affordable wearable pumps can achieve similar results in the core purpose of milk expression. While the added features elevate the user experience, and there's no better time in life to treat yourself, they may not be essential for everyone.

Ultimately, it’s best suited to those willing to invest in comfort and convenience rather than purely functional performance. Overall, this pump feels like a bit of a treat, and particularly after childbirth, you deserve whatever makes you feel good!

Emily Gilbert is the Features & Reviews Editor for Mother&Baby. With a background in both print and digital journalism, she has written extensively on pregnancy, fertility, perinatal mental health, and the best in baby and parenting products. A first-time mum, Emily combines her professional expertise with personal experience, offering readers trusted advice and relatable insight. Specialising in product and travel reviews, she stays ahead of the curve on the latest parenting trends and is passionate about showing that life with a little one can still be full of adventure.

As an ex-tour operator I’ve done my fair share of hotel inspections. We’re talking hundreds of visits to hotels of all standards across the world. So when I say that our family trip to Center Parcs Elveden Forest was possibly the most relaxing family holiday we’ve ever had, you know it’s had some competition!

It’s hard to pinpoint when my shoulders fully dropped and I fell into that rarely seen ‘chilled mum’ mode. It could have been while cycling through the forest or watching my children quite literally jump with joy at the sight of the water slides. It could have been while the therapist kneaded knots out of my shoulders that would have made a sailor proud, or opening the curtains to see a wealth of wildlife on the patio.

Whenever it was, and whatever it was that sealed the deal, it’s safe to say that the whole stay somehow achieved that fine balance of keeping the kids happy while also letting their stressed-out parents slip into second gear.

So if you’re considering a visit, here's my honest review of Center Parcs Elveden, including everything you need to know as a first time visitor to Center Parcs.

Accommodation

The Center Parcs Elveden accommodation blends beautifully into the forest. Think forest hideaway with nature on your doorstep, often literally. We were in a 2-bedroom New Style Executive Lodge which is connected to others - while they aren’t particularly private, we didn’t feel overlooked. Every morning we could open the curtains and say hello to the ducks, squirrels and coots. I suspect this might be what kept the kids off their screens – from the moment they woke up there was something to look at or experience.

The lodges are very well-equipped, with all the utensils and crockery you could need, from a cheese grater to champagne glasses. There's even a wine fridge which was a pleasant surprise. We’d preordered a Family Grocery Pack which took a lot of the thinking and planning out of the arrival, but I would say that you could probably take everything you need - keep reading to find out my top tips for the items you’ll need to pack for a stress-free stay.

If you're travelling with small children, you'll find a cot and a highchair, and there's even a stepstool in the bathroom. You will need to bring your own bed linens for the cot and there's no surface spray so if you'll be using the highchair, you'll want to pack that.

I managed to enjoy how spotlessly clean and tidy the lodge was for about 2 minutes before my kids descended but, like the rest of the village, we were all impressed with how clean and well maintained it was. Obviously, it’s in the middle of a forest so it’s not pristine – the windows and doors are a little tired – but that’s to be expected when you’re surrounded by nature.

Getting around

We hired bikes for our stay which was a great way of seeing more of the forest but you can also just walk (though it’s quite a walk from one end of Center Parcs Elveden to the other so it would depend where your accommodation was). The bikes are £33 for kids and £44 for adults for a 3 night stay, so you’d save money by bringing your own if possible. If your little one isn't on two wheels just yet, you can hire child seats for 12-47 month olds from £22.50, and bike trailers which are suitable from 6 months+ from £44.

At certain locations you can also hire balance bikes for 3-5 year olds so they can start practising their cycling skills. Bike locks and helmets are included, though I'd recommend trying to get your bikes early - we didn't collect ours until day two and there weren't any helmets left in my son's size.

Subtropical Swimming Paradise

If you’re thinking of booking Center Parcs, it’s probably because you’ve heard about the pool. As someone who’s not a fan of swimming pools – cold water, grimy changing rooms etc – I didn’t have high hopes. But I was wrong.

The Subtropical Swimming Paradise is warm, clean and there’s so much to do. The changing rooms are incredibly clean thanks to their clever design – you walk into a family changing room from one side, lock it, and when you’re ready, just walk out the other side where the lockers are, pop your stuff in, use your wristband to lock it, and then head to the pool. This has the benefit of keeping the dirt from shoes away from where you’d be walking barefoot, and funnels everyone in the right direction.

We visited at half term so I was expecting it to be busy, but while there were queues for some slides, they were never too long. The only exception was the Tropical Cyclone but that’s worth the longer wait (even for a scaredy cat like me!). We found the quietest time to go swimming at Center Parc was around 5/6pm when most people were eating.

Many of the slides and rides have height restrictions, though smaller children can go down on their grown-up's lap for some. In general, 1.2m seems to be the cut off point. If your tot is smaller they can also go in the Venture Cove section which is a fantastic area of pirate-style water fun.

As it’s so large, we did all stick together and this ‘enforced’ family time was a bonus. I can’t remember the last time we spent so long together and I think it’s brought us closer together as a family. Admittedly, it would have been nice if we could have achieved that without going down the rapids (my son’s favourite) 57,000 times, but in this case the end justified the means!

Activities

There's plenty of Center Parcs Elveden activities to choose from but you do need to book in advance. We settled on Aerial Adventure. The climb takes you fairly high up into the trees so it’s certainly not for the fainthearted, but the safety briefing was excellent and, as with all the staff we met at Center Parcs, the people who strapped us into the harnesses were superb so I never felt unsafe.

The highlight for us all was the zip wire at the end – a long ride across the lake with incredible views from the 12m high launch platform. Was I terrified? Yes. Would I do it again? Also yes. At £50, the jury is still out on whether it's value for money. It's slightly cheaper to do Go Ape in Thetford Forest but my daughter wouldn't have been able to join us so we'd have missed doing it as a family adventure.

Aerial Adventure is only suitable for anyone over 1.22cm but there’s a Mini Trek circuit for 2-5 year olds where they can be harnessed up and let loose on a series of bridges and obstacles above the ground.

While we only booked the Aerial Adventure before arrival, we were able to book a badminton court while we were there and spent a fun 45 minutes attempting to get something resembling a match. I checked various other activities while we were there and it was possible to book on, as long as you were flexible about timings, so while it’s definitely best to book in advance, there are still options while you’re there.

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Aqua Sana Forest Spa

The spa at Center Parcs Elveden is a dream. It’s set across two levels and is built around the outside pool so you get an incredible sense of light and space, while the birdsong and connection to the forest outside creates a zen-like vibe. At £69 for three hours, it's expensive, but if you need a break (and what mum doesn’t?), it's one to pop on the birthday list.

Just like the rest of the village, it’s spotlessly clean and well-thought-out. The changing rooms are spacious and never felt overly busy, and there are plenty of towels and robes if you need to swap wet ones over. Just like in the pool, your wristband works the lockers so you don’t have to think about bringing change or carrying a key (just another example of how Center Parcs Elveden Forest takes a lot of the thinking out of your day, which is bliss for mums suffering from mental load fatigue).

My husband visited in the morning at 9.15am and found it was very quiet but was starting to get busier when he left at 11am. I was there from 1.30-4.30pm and it was busy but not uncomfortably so.

Top tip – the Nordic sauna on the upper floor is a must for stressed-out mums. It’s hot, there are wooden beds, and views out over the trees. Take a book and soak in the peace - you’ll leave feeling like a new woman!

Food & Drink

Before we arrived, we booked Café Rouge, but while we were there we also booked The Pancake House – so while it is best to book in advance, you should be able to get last minute bookings if you’re flexible about timings. There are plenty of Elveden Center Parcs restaurants to choose from:

Las Iguanas

Hucks American Bar and Grill

Bella Italia

Forester’s Inn

Rajinda Pradesh

Starbucks

Sports Bar

I didn’t have high hopes for The Pancake House – I knew the kids would love it (Oreo ice cream pancakes... what’s not to love when you’re 7?) but I wasn’t sure it would be great for parents. I was wrong.

My husband and I both had the Savoury French Toast which was superb – crispy bacon, a moreish onion confit, fried egg, pea shoots, and a sausage that even my picky husband was impressed with. At £10.95 you could certainly get cheaper breakfasts but this one was a cut above most Full English breakfasts.

The kids menu is definitely an affordable option - £3.95 for two large pancakes, a dollop of ice cream and lashings of chocolate sauce. My kids could have shared one and it would have been even better value.

For parents of little kids (under 125cm), the soft play in the restaurant will let you enjoy a meal in peace while your little ones run off some steam.

Café Rouge was equally great – delicious steaks and a lovely atmosphere. All the staff were delightful, and as there are so many kids there it didn’t feel as though we were the odd ones out.

I don’t know if it’s the Center Parcs-effect but the kids didn’t ask for a screen at all – we did the word-searches on the Children’s Menus, and they learnt about French landmarks. Again, there’s a soft play so you might even be able to squeeze in a glass of wine and a whole conversation with your partner.

Shops

From a brilliant toy shop to a gift shop, a sweet shop to Starbucks and Joules, there’s pretty much everything you could need at Center Parcs Elveden. The quality is excellent – these aren’t your usual tacky holiday shops. Kids can stock up on Lego or board games, and the pic n’mix was a firm favourite and at £5 for a good sized pot it wasn’t as extortionate as many pic n’mixes.

Another way Center Parcs makes holidays easy is postcards. I always buy postcards but then forget to buy stamps or can't find a postbox. Here, you can buy stamps in the shop and the post box is right outside. It sounds minor, but it’s the small details like this that built up to make a stress-free holiday.

Center Parcs App

The Center Parcs app is a great way of booking activities and restaurants, when it works. Mine kept glitching so I’d have to call and book. This is a shame, because when it works, it’s a great way of seeing your itinerary at a glance and adding bookings. It also sends you notifications when your booking is coming up – yet another example of how Center Parcs really is a hassle-free holiday!

Center Parcs Elveden Forest - an honest review

I wasn’t expecting to enjoy Center Parcs Elveden as much as I did. Give me a plane ticket and a backpack and I’m happy. But activity centres and onsite entertainment generally make me think of ‘organised fun’.

So when I say that Center Parcs is one of the best holidays we’ve had as a family, I mean it. That’s despite the fact that it’s ‘organised’ and you really should book your activities well ahead of time. But just like the forest setting, the wooden-clad lodges and the lakes, everything feels natural. You might need to be at your activity at a certain time, but a leisurely bike ride there means you arrive feeling relaxed.

There’s nothing you have to do, or see, or tick off a list if you don't want to. Enjoy the wildlife, wander down to the lake and watch the carp splashing around, take a stroll up to the village and pop into the shops. There’s no constraints on your time, no demands. Grab a cup of coffee and wander out to the playground where the kids can run wild, or spend hours in the pool. As holidays go, this one is as stress-free as they come.

Top tips for a first time visitor to Center Parcs

Whether you're visiting Elveden Forest, Sherwood Forest, or one of the other Center Parcs in the UK, here are some key tips to make the most of your stay.

Max out your stay

While you can’t access your accommodation until 4pm, you can arrive on the site from 10am. So when you’re packing, set aside a day bag of swim stuff or whatever you’ll need. Then you can park your car in the car park and head straight to the pool or a restaurant and max out your stay.

This also applies to your departure. Center Parcs’ checkout is at 10am but once your car is in the car park you can head back and enjoy the facilities. We found the pool was incredibly busy because there are two sets of people – those leaving and those arriving – but having the freedom to stay on site and enjoy the facilities is a great option for making the most out of your holiday.

Park strategically

We arrived at 2pm on Friday and there was only a short queue at check in but when we left at 11.30am on Monday there was a large queue of people arriving. You drive up and check in and then park in the main car park. After 4pm you can collect your car and take it to your lodge to unpack so if you can, park nearest the exit to the lodges. My husband didn’t and ended up sat in a queue to get out of the car park.

What to pack for Center Parcs

The lodge doesn’t come with any food so you’ll need to bring everything you might need, from salt to milk. If you do forget anything, the onsite Parc Market is excellent, whether you’re after fruit and veg, ready meals or baby essentials. In terms of cleaning, Center Parcs provides 3 dishwasher tabs, a surface cloth, a sponge and a toilet roll and soap in each bathroom but you’ll need surface spray, extra toilet roll, and might need to bring a few dishwasher tabs. There’s a hoover and dustpan and brush, a small drying rack and a broom in the utility cupboard.

If you don’t want to eat out every night, plan ahead and you’ll be thanking your past self. We premade a Bolognese and a Curry so we could just heat them up and have two-nights worth of meals. Then all you need are the snacks and lunches.

The rooms both had a hairdryer, and towels are provided for the rooms. You can either bring your own towels for the pool or hire towels for £2 per towel per day. I’d suggest bringing two if you’re planning to go swimming a couple of times a day – we couldn’t get the towel rails in the bathrooms to work without putting the heating on across the whole lodge so the towels were damp on a couple of occasions. We had packed two sets of swim stuff each which made it easier.

Speaking of the pool, flip flops make it easier to get changed. You could bring swim aids but if you forget, there are basic swim vests available at the entrance to the pool. And you can buy swim vests, nappies and pool toys there as well so don't worry if you forget something.

Keep a note of your parking space

Make a note of your parking location, or download what/three/words to help you find it - after a few days of completely switching off you may find you've forgotten where you parked! You can also get your bearings beforehand with the map, and they're also dotted around the site in case you do get lost.

Rebecca Lancaster is a Digital Writer for Mother&Baby, drawing on ten years of parenting her two children to help others navigating their own parenting journey. As a freelance writer, she spent ten years working with leading lifestyle brands, from travel companies to food and drink start-ups, and writing everything from hotel reviews to guides to the best British cheeses. She’s particularly interested in travel and introducing her children to the excitement of visiting new places, trying different foods (less successfully) and experiencing different cultures.

“What’s the story in Balamory, wouldn’t you like to know?” I can still hear it now. It lives rent-free in my head. As a fully-fledged member of the 90's mum club, Balamory was a huge part of my childhood, even if, arguably, I was just slightly too old to be its target audience at the time. (But to be honest, I don't know many people of that generation who can't proudly perform the Balamory theme tune).

The final episode of Balamory aired back in June 2005, after a run of more than 250 episodes. A lot has changed in the last two decades. We’ve said goodbye to dial-up internet and hello to streaming everything on demand, watched social media go from a novelty to a daily habit, and seen children swap squabbling over the TV schedules to having their very own kids' tablets.

But one thing that remains the same is my love for a good children’s TV show on a Saturday morning. The only difference is, now I’ve got three boys of my own, and I’m the one making the bowl of Weetabix to eat in front of the TV. So when I heard the news that Balamory was returning to our screens, I was delighted. I cannot wait to sit down with them and introduce them to Miss Hoolie, PC Plum and that iconic row of brightly coloured houses. Because yes, it’s official: Balamory is back.

After more than 20 years off our screens, the beloved children's show is making its return on CBeebies and iPlayer on Monday 20th April, bringing with it a mix of familiar faces and brand-new characters and ten exciting episodes ready to go.

Miss Hoolie, PC Plum, Penny Pocket, and Edie McCredie are all returning, bringing that same warmth and charm that made the show such a hit the first time around.

At its heart was Miss Hoolie and her nursery, and each episode would take us on a gentle, predictable journey around the island, knocking on doors, meeting neighbours and learning something new along the way. The beauty was truly in the show's simplicity, and as a child, I couldn't get enough of it.

But there are also some fresh additions for a new generation of viewers, including a scientist and inventor, a local vet with two children and a harbour master keeping things in order. It’s that perfect blend of nostalgia for us and newness for them, something the BBC has described as “nostalgia and discovery for families to enjoy together.”

If you’ve spent even a few minutes watching modern children’s television, you’ll know it can often feel fast-paced, noisy and overstimulating. There's only so much Peppa Pig I can watch, even with the amazing new George Pig storyline. And I guess, for me, that’s exactly why the return of Balamory feels so timely.

Unlike many of today’s kids’ shows, it puts real people at the centre, allows stories to unfold at a gentle pace, and focuses on solving everyday problems through kindness and teamwork. In a world that can sometimes feel overwhelming, there’s something undeniably comforting about that simplicity.

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Seven things you forgot about Balamory

Let’s be honest, you remember the theme tune. But here are the details you probably haven’t thought about in years…

1. Every house had a colour (and a personality)

From the pink castle to the blue garage, each character’s home matched who they were, and we all secretly had a favourite. And most importantly, not a grey or beige living room in sight - and I love it!

2. The storyline was always the same

Problem → visit neighbours → solve it → recap with Miss Hoolie.
Was it predictable? Yes.
But... was it also incredibly comforting? Most definitely.

3. There were a lot of songs

Every episode featured multiple songs, including character-specific ones, which is probably why they’re still stuck in our heads decades later.

4. PC Plum was gloriously clueless

Kind-hearted but constantly getting the wrong end of the stick, somehow making him even more lovable. PC Plum walked so Paw Patrol's Chase could run.

5. It was filmed in a real place

The iconic colourful houses were inspired by Tobermory on the Isle of Mull, which became a tourist hotspot thanks to the show.

6. It was basically a soap opera… for toddlers

The BBC once described it as the “world’s first soap for pre-school children.”

7. We all wanted to live there

Balamory felt like the kind of place you wanted your childhood (and maybe your children’s childhood) to be.

About the author

Hannah Carroll is our Senior Digital Writer. In her capacity, she curates top-notch listicles, crafts insightful how-to guides, and delivers expert product reviews. As a mother of three, Hannah draws upon her comprehensive understanding of all facets of family life to bring true insight into all the products that make running a home easier.

A recent survey reported by Parents found that nearly half of parents believe it isn't acceptable to swear around children. It's a view many of us likely held before we actually had children, and of course we aren't actively going to swear in front of our sweet, sponge-like toddlers, but in reality? Life, (and those pesky Lego bricks under our bare feet), has other plans.

We know parenting rarely fits into neat boxes, so what's really going on when it comes to families and 'bad' language?

Tyson Fury’s approach to swearing with kids sparks debate

Tyson Fury has sparked conversation around a taboo parenting topic after his six-year-old son, Adonis, told him to “f*** off” in a recent episode of At Home With The Furys on Netflix.

In the past, Tyson and his wife, Paris Fury, have been open about their relaxed attitude toward swearing and raised voices at home. They’ve spoken candidly about allowing their children a degree of freedom with language, but is this laid-back approach the right fit for every family?

The reality of raising kids in a swearing world

Even if you run a strictly no-swearing household, children are exposed to strong language earlier than ever. From playground chatter and public spaces to YouTube, TikTok and music (even some radio edits), it's nearly impossible to shield them entirely.

One parent (we'll call them Parent A) recently admitted to us that her son's first four words were "Oh for f*ck sake", admitting it wasn't her finest parenting moment and she didn't swear for years after. It's a completely relatable situation, one slip becomes a perfectly enunciated catchphrase and you're suddenly re-evaluating every muttered comment you've ever made.

Parent A went on to say that now her kids are older, occasionally one will slip out now and again, but swear words are everywhere, and when your daughter's favourite singer is Olivia Rodrigo, it makes it harder to avoid. Her rule is, "We can hear the words but you don’t repeat them.”

As a young parent, my son used to accompany me to university, so he heard a lot of swearing there, at football games we took him to, and occasionally he might have heard his dad or I say a swear word now and again. But did we think he was listening? Absolutely not!

We soon got a quick reality check when we took him at two years old to see the seals with his grandparents, and his grandma asked him "What noise does a seal make?" He obliged, made the noise, but what happened next, (and the fact we caught it on video), has stuck with us ever since because kids listen. Our two year old, rather politely, said, "F*ck off". In that moment, we didn't react, my husband and I just shot a look at each other and quickly tried to move on. And honestly? The world did not end in that moment, when surrounded by hundreds of people too.

Does swearing really matter?

For me, I think that context is key. Occasional slip-ups aren't likely to cause harm, and if anything it shows our kids that we make mistakes as grown-ups too, but what matters more is tone, intent and the emotion behind it. Directly swearing at a child is far more impactful (and something I don't agree with), than a frustrated word muttered when you accidentally burn the toast. Children are far more sensitive to how we speak, than the specific words we use.

I am massively guilty of occasionally using a swear word when frustrated or jokingly when I think little ears can't hear. But what we try to do is take the cheeky out of it. As a third time mum, I've come to learn that if there's something your child shouldn't be doing, they're guaranteed to be trying to do it.

In our house, we try to avoid using the word 'swearing' and stick to calling them 'unkind words', or 'words we shouldn't choose'. If we label something as naughty, it often increases its appeal, so by neutralising it and making it less taboo, and more about kindness and choice, it loses some of its sparkle.

But it's also important to remember that children don't need to fully understand a word to repeat it either. If it sounds punchy, it sticks.

Parent B said "As someone who comes from a Caribbean background, I often listen to Dancehall and reggae. I didn’t really give it too much thought because I didn’t think my children would pick up on the Jamaican patois."

"It wasn’t until my youngest son suddenly started shouting ‘Bomboclat’ at every given chance that I realised the error of my ways.”

Children are experts at copying, (they're also experts at detecting hypocrisy), and if we demand perfect language while regularly muttering under our breath, or singing along to songs, they will notice.

Setting family language rules

While there seems to be a divide between a strict 'never ever swear' or 'anything goes', there are families that are landing somewhere in the middle, and instead are creating clear, age-appropriate guidelines, such as:

• Certain words are for adults, not children
• Words that hurt or insult others are never acceptable
• We can listen to the words, but we don't repeat them
• If a word slips out, we apologise and move on

So, is swearing in front of kids okay?

Nearly half of parents say no, but the other half, in my opinion, are navigating a more realistic approach. In 2026, raising children in a world of viral audio clips and chart-topping break-up anthems means total insulation from swearing isn’t realistic. We can't be in control of everything, but what we can control and what is more realistic is teaching context, kindness, and choice in the words we use.

But if a cheeky swear word creeps into your baby's first words, then don't worry, you're in good company.

About the author

Samantha Ball is a Senior Writer for Mother&Baby, having written for the brand since 2018. She's a mum of three and loves searching for the best and current trending products for little ones. She loves to bake, but spends most of her free time between football and ballet classes.

Parents can stock up on Pampers from just £3 until Saturday 3 May 2026 as Morrisons launches its latest Baby Event.

If you feel like you’re constantly adding nappies to your weekly shop, you’re not alone. They’re one of those everyday essentials that quickly add up – especially when little ones are going through several a day.

That’s why Morrisons’ latest price drop is worth knowing about.

As part of its popular Baby & Toddler Event, the supermarket has reduced selected Pampers nappies to just £3, down from up to £11. The promotion runs from Sunday 13 April to Saturday 3 May 2026, giving parents a limited window to stock up and save.

Which Pampers nappies are included?

The standout £3 deals include:

 • Pampers New Baby Premium Protection Size 1 50 pack – was £8

 • Pampers New Baby Premium Protection Size 2 44 pack – was £11

 • Pampers New Baby Premium Protection Size 3 40 pack – was £11

Other Pampers Baby-Dry Nappy Pants and Premium Protection Essential Packs (sizes 3 to 9) have also been reduced to £4.50, down from £11.

With savings of more than 50% on selected lines, it’s a practical opportunity for families to bulk buy a trusted brand for less.

What else is in the Morrisons Baby & Toddler Event?

The Baby & Toddler Event isn’t just about nappies. Parents can also find savings across other baby and toddler essentials, including wipes, snacks, dummies and feeding products.

With household budgets stretched, this is a great way to manage the ongoing cost of raising little ones without switching away from brands you trust.

Extra perks for Baby & Toddler Club members

Don't forget, you can unlock additional benefits by signing up to the Morrisons Baby & Toddler Club. Available to More Card members with children under five, the club offers:

 • Tailored money-off offers

 • Expert hints and tips

 • Access to exclusive freebies and competitions

Members can also receive a free cake slice when they buy a hot drink in any Morrisons Café on a Monday – a small but welcome treat during a busy week.

When does the Morrisons Baby & Toddler Event end?

The Pampers deals are available from Sunday 13 April until Saturday 3 May 2026, while stocks last.

If nappies are already on your shopping list this week, it could be worth checking availability sooner rather than later – especially on the £3 lines, which are likely to prove popular.

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Best items in the Morrisons Baby & Toddler Event 2026

About the author

Rebecca Lancaster is a Digital Writer for Mother&Baby, drawing on eleven years of parenting her two children to help others navigate their own parenting journey. As a freelance writer, she spent ten years working with leading lifestyle brands, from travel companies to food and drink start-ups, and writing everything from hotel reviews to guides to the best British cheeses. She’s particularly interested in travel and introducing her children to the excitement of visiting new places, trying different foods (less successfully) and experiencing different cultures.

The Fury family is known for their large, loving household, their public life, and their Netflix series that portrays them as "Netflix's first family." But behind the fame, Paris Fury, wife of boxing champion Tyson Fury, is a down-to-earth mum raising seven children while managing the challenges of being in the public eye.

Like many mums, Paris' journey hasn’t been all glitz and glamour. In fact, she has recently opened up about one of the hardest experiences any mother could face – miscarriage, leading to the tragic loss of her eighth child.

Tyson and Paris: A love story in the spotlight

Paris and Tyson’s love story began when they were just teenagers. Tyson, at the time a 17-year-old aspiring boxer, met Paris, a 15-year-old schoolgirl, at a family wedding. Paris recalls the first time she saw Tyson, remarking on his six-foot-six frame and joking about his long sideburns. Their first official date was at Paris’ 16th birthday party, followed by a trip ice skating and a movie showing King Kong.

In 2008, after a whirlwind romance, the couple tied the knot in a traditional Catholic wedding, and soon after, began their family. Over the years, they’ve welcomed seven children into their lives: Venezuela (16), Prince John James (14), Prince Tyson II (9), Valencia (8), Prince Adonis Amaziah (7), Athena (3), and Prince Rico Paris (1). Now, they are celebrating 15 years of marriage.

A painful loss

In May 2024, Paris faced unimaginable heartbreak when she miscarried her eighth child, six months into her pregnancy. The loss occurred just before Tyson’s highly anticipated fight with Oleksandr Usyk. In an emotional interview with OK! Magazine, Paris shared that she found out the baby had passed during a routine gender scan when the sonographer was unable to detect a heartbeat.

“I started to cry, and said, ‘No, hold on, hold on’ and went all frantic. I asked them to check again and she said, ‘I can’t 100% confirm, you will have to go to the main hospital tomorrow to have that confirmed.’ I walked outside and started to cry. I was driving home and thought, I can’t go home to the younger kids like this, they didn’t know I was pregnant. The older ones did, so I went to my friend’s house and cried on her shoulder for about an hour.”

Although she was devastated, she didn’t immediately tell Tyson, who was away preparing for the fight. Paris made the difficult decision to keep the news from him, hoping to protect him from the heartache that might distract him during a crucial moment in his career.

Revealing why she didn’t tell Tyson what had happened straight away, Paris explained, “I came to the conclusion that whatever was happening with me, he couldn’t make it better, or change what was going to come.

“But I could change dramatically what was happening in his life. He wouldn’t have been able to fight. His brain would have been all over the place. So I made the decision to not tell him.”

Breaking the taboo about miscarriage

Paris has since bravely spoken out about her loss, hoping to help break the stigma surrounding miscarriage. She wants to encourage other parents who have experienced the pain of losing a child to speak up and find comfort in knowing they’re not alone.

“At the time, it feels like your world is completely ripped to pieces, but everyone can get through it,” Paris told OK magazine. “You didn’t do anything wrong—this just happens, and it’s important to accept it.” She urges other parents not to blame themselves for miscarriages and stresses the importance of talking about the loss, no matter how early or late in pregnancy it may have been.

How does Paris do it?

In her book How Does She Do It?: The Kids, Tyson & Me, Paris reveals the answers to the question she’s constantly asked: how does she manage life as a hands-on mum of seven, while supporting her World Heavyweight Champion husband Tyson Fury, looking amazing, and still finding time for herself?

Paris has an incredible ability to pack a week’s worth of work into a single day, and now she’s letting us in on her secrets.

From school runs and family meals to managing Tyson’s high-profile career, Paris shares how she keeps her household running smoothly despite the inevitable chaos that comes with a large family. A lot can, and does, go wrong, but Paris takes it all in stride.

Her homemaking skills were honed during her traditional Gypsy upbringing, and she’s not afraid to share what works for her family. In the book, she dives into everything from meal planning and organising family celebrations to managing the unexpected and keeping their home clean, warm, and welcoming.

While juggling parenting and Tyson’s demanding career, Paris is refreshingly honest about the pressures they face, including the frequent travel and the challenges of life in the public eye. But she also highlights the fun, the excitement, and the joy they find as a family.

Through it all, she somehow finds time to prioritise herself. Her “can-do” attitude and ready-for-anything mindset are a true inspiration, showing mums everywhere that balance is achievable—even in the busiest of lives.

Why Paris Fury is such an inspiration to all of us parents

What makes Paris so relatable is her honesty about the tough moments of motherhood—like miscarriage, balancing family life, and dealing with the ups and downs of raising children. Her story reminds parents that, no matter who you are, you’re not alone in facing life’s challenges. Paris’ message of strength, love, and resilience resonates with countless parents who, like her, experience both the joys and hardships of raising a family.

If you’ve been affected by pregnancy loss, support and resources are available from organisations like Tommy’s, who offer guidance and comfort for families during such a difficult time.

About the author

Stephanie Spencer is the Hub Editor at Mother&Baby and first-time mum to son Seb. She is also a proud auntie to four nieces and nephews. With a particular interest in health, she loves discovering products that make parent’s lives easier.