A recent study claims that children who are breastfed are likely to have fewer behavioural problems. Parents who breastfeed for 4 months are apparently 2.5 times less likely to experience behaviour problems with their children by the time they are 5 years of age. The research suggests that only 6% of children breastfeeding had issues compared with 16 % of those on formula milk. Experts have commented that the nutrients such as fatty acid in the breast milk may have a lasting effect on the child’s brain development. The researchers used data of more than 10,000 mothers and their children.

There are some wonderful pregnancy apps available for children and new mums. We have selected a few to help you gain the most from this magical time:

For the children…..

Inkstrumental – You can create your own band from a range of sounds and characters.

Taking Carl – This provides endless entertainment as you can tickle, pinch and poke Carl to make him repeat everything that you say in a hilarious voice.

ABC Wildlife – This is more of an educational app which provides interesting facts about animals with lots of videos to watch too.

Jack and the Beanstalk Interactive Book – This is the classic story where you can read along with the text and there are lots of additional activate and games to play.

For the Mums…..

Baby ESP – You can record all of the information that you want to remember about your baby. This log book allows you to note sleeping patterns, eating and medicines being taken etc.

Baby Monitor & Alarm – This logs your baby’s sleep pattern and attempts to soothe baby when he cries.

Relax with Andrew Johnson – Hypnotherapist Andrew Johnson eases your stress levels by guiding you through exercises.

New womb song classes are all the rage to boost language skills and to help mums to be develop a closer bond with the child. Mums can learn how to sing in the classes and learn a range of songs and lullabies. The songs are very simple and from all over the world. New mums to be find the whole experience relaxing and quite uplifting.

A 58 year old mother Carole Hobson from Kent had IVF treatment which led to her giving birth to twins. Matthew and Freida were born by emergency Caesarean on Christmas Eve making Carole one of the oldest mothers of twins in the country. The twins each weighed 3lb 3oz when they were born nine weeks prematurely at Medway Maritime Hospital in Gillingham. Carole said the babies were conceived after she travelled to India for a fifth course of IVF treatment. Mother and babies are doing very well.

At first it is hard to tell if your baby is too hot or too cold. They may have too many layers or too few on for the weather outside or for room temperature. Here a few helpful hints to guide you:
If you are feeling too hot or too cold then your baby is likely to be experiencing the same.  You should add or remove layers accordingly.
Your baby should always have one more layer of clothing than you are wearing.
You can check baby by putting your fingers down the back of baby’s neck and make sure baby is warm but not sweaty.
Before long you will easily be adding a blanket when baby is chilly and taking a layer off when baby’s cheeks are a little flush!