Many parents often believe that the order of birth for their children has an impact on how they grow up, things such as their personality and outcomes in life can be affected.

In an effort to get a better answer on the topic, a survey of 10,000 mums was carried out to get their opinions on the subject. The following are examples of some of the questions:

Do you think birth order (ie position in the family) has an effect on a person?
23% answered No and 77% answered Yes.

If you have more than one child, which one do you think will succeed most academically?
Oldest Child 35%, Middle Child 6%, Youngest Child 15% and Cannot Say 44%

If you have more than one child, which of them do you identify with the most?
Oldest Child 39%, Middle Child 7%, Youngest Child 16% and Cannot Say 38%

If you have more than one child which one do you think is more likely to be susceptible to anxiety or depression in their life?
Oldest Child 45%, Middle Child 7%, Youngest Child 16% and Cannot Say 42%

If you have more than one child, which of them do you think will be happiest in life?
Oldest Child 7%, Middle Child 7%, Youngest Child 35% and Cannot Say 51%

Despite 77% of mums believing that birth order does affect a child, there were a large number of mums who wasn’t sure about, or were not able to answer some of the questions. However the results are rather interesting. For example, despite the older child being expected to succeed more academically, the youngest child is expected to be the happiest in life – as well as being least likely to fall into depression or anxiety.

Breastfeeding gives your baby a healthy start in life – and it’s good for you as well. Here we explain how:
Choosing whether to breast or bottle feed can be a daunting decision for any new parents but If you have decided to breastfeed, you can be confident you’re giving your baby the very best. There’s now lots of research that shows beyond doubt that breastfeeding gives your baby several advantages – and that many of these benefits can last into childhood and beyond.
Babies and children who have received their mother’s milk have a reduced risk of
• gastro-intestinal infections
• chest infections
• urine infections
• ear infections
• wheezy breathing
• eczema
• asthma
• obesity in childhood
• diabetes in childhood
• leukaemia
There have been several studies which look at the development of intelligence in babies – and though that’s always difficult to measure, it appears that breastfed babies do have better learning abilities.
Breastfeeding also has benefits for you. Mothers who breastfeed have a
• reduced risk of pre-menopausal breast cancer
• reduced risk of ovarian cancer
• reduced risk of hip fracture in middle and later life, caused by the bone disease osteoporosis
Why is mother’s milk best?
Breast milk has antibodies. These are the special substances which recognise disease and infection and go into battle against it. Babies are born with under-developed immune systems, which means they are less able than children or adults to fight off illness. Breast milk fills the gap.
Breast milk antibodies can’t be manufactured, and they aren’t there in formula milk, so in this respect alone, breast milk is always better than formula.
Breast milk has a unique collection of ingredients, including long-chain fatty acids (LCFAs) , which help with brain development . Some kinds of formula milk have these, but of course they aren’t human LCFAs – just as formula milk has fat, but it is animal or vegetable and not human.
Your breast milk changes, according to the changing needs of your baby. The quality of your breast milk is always high, even if your own diet is poor – though for your own sake try to eat well when breastfeeding as your breast milk will supply everything your baby needs for food and drink for at least four months.
Currently, the UK Government’s infant feeding committee recommends breastfeeding for at least the first six months of life, though of course you can breastfeed for as long as you like. So far, it seems the most valuable health benefits are ensured if you keep breastfeeding with no other foods or drinks for at least this time. However, breastfeeding for a shorter time, or breastfeeding with some bottle feeding, still has clear health benefits.
Anything else?
When breastfeeding’s going well, you feel good and you can feel proud that your baby’s growing on your milk. Feeding time is relaxing and rewarding. Many mothers enjoy it, and feel they’re close to their baby in a warm and special way.
Here are some other advantages:
• Breast milk is always ready and at the right temperature
• There are no feeding bottles or teats to clean and sterilise
• Mothers who breastfeed save about £400 a year

Nicole Richie and Joel Madden have another addition to their family, Sparrow James Midnight Madden Sparrow born in September weighing 7lbs 14oz. Sparrow joins 21 month old big sister Harlow.
Following Harlow’s birth, Nicole said that her new baby “gives life a whole new meaning and a whole new purpose.”

There are lots of styles of maternity wear which use different methods of accommodating your bump. If you do not like the feel of waistbands around your bump, choose below-the-bump and low-rise jeans or trousers. Always buy maternity wear in your pre-pregnancy size. Your expanding bump has been accounted for in the design, so you do not need to go up a size. You may feel the heat more during your pregnancy, so layer your outfit to allow you to cool down when your temperature starts to rise. Accessorise your outfit to complete the look. Choose items that not only fit the outfit, but which also flatter your new found curves. Do not be tempted to wear non-maternity clothing in larger sizes. Maternity wear is specifically designed to fit your body and will therefore be more stylish and flattering. Choose clothes which co-ordinate with various outfits as this will enable a maximum number of looks from a minimum number of garments, creating the complete maternity casual wardrobe.

You will definitely want to offer food and drink at any baby shower, but exactly what you want to offer will depend on time of day, any theme you may have, and your budget – not to mention the practicalities of serving food in your own home, if that’s where the party is.

When preparing your menu, consider foods that you have made previously that are easy to prepare or that can be made ahead of time and frozen. Now is not the time to experiment. The party will be much more enjoyable for you as the host if you are mingling with the guests rather than hanging out alone in the kitchen!

For most baby showers we recommend party food suitable for a finger or fork buffet. Make sure you have plenty of variety to cater for all tastes as well as any vegetarians. You should also try to avoid serving anything that contains foods that pregnant women are advised to avoid, so that the guest of honor doesn’t have to worry about what she can and can’t eat, such as:

Soft cheese (such as brie or mould-ripened cheeses like stilton)
Unpasteurized milk / cheese
Pate
Ready-prepared coleslaw
Undercooked meat (so best avoid doing a BBQ, just in case)
Raw or runny eggs
Peanuts