Based on the 2023 list of names submitted to the BabyCentre site, Olivia has returned to the top of the list of girls names. However, this is due to a change in listing, not a change in popularity! Because parents have become more focused on how names are spelled, the previous poll topper – Sophia has moved down the list because its variant, Sofia, has been listed separately. Muhammed is still top of the boys list – along with its alternatives Mohammed and Mohammad – both of which are in the top 100. In general, parents across the UK are tending to choose unique names for their children as wel ..read more

For some parents, travelling with a new baby sounds insane, while for others it’s the dream of a lifetime. If you’re in the group that loves, or needs, to travel with a newborn, our Maternity Nurse Company guide will help you have the right kind of memorable experiences of taking your new baby on holiday! Babies are actually pretty adaptable and can travel very soon after birth, assuming they are healthy. Airlines, however have their own opinions on this, and you need to check at what age your chosen airline allows baby travel – remembering that this can vary from route to route. Also remember ..read more

There are many great reasons to have your children close together: Shared experiences like playtime, naps etc Close developmental stages (and shared toys) Getting through the tougher stages (broken sleep) in one go More offers of help, because your friends and family haven’t burned out either! However, there are definitely challenges and here’s the Maternity Nurse Company guide to overcoming them with style. Coping with the birth Whether you’re going into hospital or aiming for a home birth, it’s likely you’ll have a friend or family member taking care of your toddler when you go into labour ..read more

You may not even think you need a hospital bag, if you’re planning a home birth, but it’s always wise to have everything ready, just in case. If you’re planning a hospital birth, see if you can get a tour before your due date, as you’ll bet a sense of the place and be able to ask questions about what’s available and what you need to bring. When to pack your birth bag Babies rarely arrive on time! Have your bag packed at least a fortnight before you due date, so that you can be confident you’re ready to go. What to pack for labour Think about it as two bags: one for the birth and one for after ..read more

It can come as a horrible shock when the name we’ve carefully chosen for our new baby meets with a less than delighted reception. Even celebrities aren’t immune to this experience – Scarlett Johansson revealed that her mother-in-law wasn’t thrilled by the name chosen for her newborn boy: Cosmo.  So how should you handle criticism of your baby’s name?  First, according to one of our most experienced maternity nurses, find out what the traditions are on both sides of the family. Where one side tends to discuss names in advance and get a consensus and the other side likes to do a big re ..read more

If you’re having a December baby, you – and they – are already special. December babies are rare, and the rarest of all birthdays (in the West) are 24 and 25 December. What this proves isn’t clear – maybe that Mums have more influence over birth than they think, and that consciously or unconsciously they decide not to give birth over the festive period. It’s certainly partly due to the fact that Caesareans and induced labours aren’t scheduled for the holidays and it may even be partly a factor that nine months before December, in late March or April, we’re perhaps not thinking about starting a ..read more

It’s that time of year when the weather starts to bite; cold mornings, drenching rain, clammy fog – none of which is designed to please newborns. Winter can create headaches for parents too … how much clothing to add, where and when? Here’s a simple guide to layering for winter, designed by our maternity nurses to help new parents master this tricky topic. Rule of thumb It’s actually quite easy: your baby should have at least as many layers as you are wearing. In practices this will probably mean something like lightweight breathable fabric next to the skin such as a vest, then a sleep-suit or ..read more

There are so many reasons that a woman might choose to work with a maternity nurse: helping establish a routine with your newborn, giving support around feeding, helping other family members with the transition etc. One reason that doesn’t get much discussion, but is definitely something that comes up a lot, is sex. Our experienced maternity nurses often get asked intimate and complex questions about the how, when and where of resuming sexual activity after childbirth and a recent study, published in the International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology (BJOG) shares some comforting data f ..read more

Most things changed during the pandemic – baby showers were no exception. We’re rounding up the best of the new baby shower ideas, along with some tried and trusted tips to give you a complete guide that will make any baby shower a success. Top baby shower tips Don’t wait – holding a baby shower in the second trimester is a better idea than waiting until the third because it gives parents more time to buy anything they still need after receiving their baby shower gifts and because the mum-to-be is more likely to have energy and enthusiasm for the event at this point. Traditions are changeable ..read more

If you’re having a December baby, you – and they – are already special. December babies are rare, and the rarest of all birthdays (in the West) are 24 and 25 December. What this proves isn’t clear – maybe that Mums have more influence over birth than they think, and that consciously or unconsciously they decide not to give birth over the festive period. It’s certainly partly due to the fact that Caesareans and induced labours aren’t scheduled for the holidays and it may even be partly a factor that nine months before December, in late March or April, we’re perhaps not thinking about starting a ..read more