The Fourth Trimester Companion: How to Take Care of Your Body, Mind, and Family as You Welcome Your New Baby

baby, new baby, parenting, A well-cared-for baby is a baby whose mother is taking care of herself. Put simply: good mother care Is good baby care. 

That’s the core of the Fourth Trimester concept. In recent years doctors, nurses, midwives, and others involved in providing baby care have adopted this vital concept enthusiastically. The Fourth Trimester emphasizes that how a mother takes care of herself in the first three months of a new baby’s life brings crucial benefits for her, for her baby, and for her partner and family.

With this important new book, moms (as well as their partners and other caregivers, whether lay or professional) now have the resources to have an ideal Fourth Trimester experience. Cynthia Gabriel, a doula and the author of the best-selling book Natural Hospital Birth, delivers all the information, guidance, and encouragement new mothers need to take care of their bodies, minds, and spirits during the vital months of the Fourth Trimester—so that they feel their best and so their babies have the best possible chance to thrive.

This is a great book to help mothers- and fathers- get through a difficult time. Full of great, accessible information, this book is enjoyable to read. It is like having a friend with you. It is US based but is still relevant to UK readers. Highly recommended.
The Fourth Trimester Companion: How to Take Care of Your Body, Mind, and Family as You Welcome Your New Baby is available here.

Gift Ideas For a New Baby

Shopping for a new baby can be a minefield. Never mind that you might accidentally buy the same present as everyone else. To help out we scoured the internet and have came up with our top picks.

An ISA.

Starting, or putting money into, a junior ISA is a great idea which will have little ones set up for the future. It also stops the home of the new parents becoming cluttered. You can get a stocks and shares junior ISA from Chelsea Financial Services which invests in funds. Chelsea currently offer their junior ISA for no charge. All you pay is the fund managers charge which is typically 0.75% a year. The advantage of investing in a fund versus individual shares is that your money is invested by a professional and your investment will be spread over many different shares, so if one does badly it won’t bring down your whole investment. Chelsea have a number of ready made junior ISA portfolios selected by their research team if you don’t want to choose your own funds.

Investing early is extremely important because it allows the magic of compound interest to take hold, what Einstein called the eighth wonder of the world. By investing early a small amount of money can become much larger over time. The Junior ISA has the same advantages as a regular ISA. It has protection from capital gains and doesn’t need to be included on a tax return. The one disadvantage of a junior ISA is it cannot be taken out early and can only be withdrawn by the child after they turn 18. So if you want to save for school fees you would be better off investing in your own ISA.

Our other picks are from www.notonthehighstreet.com

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Silver Engraved Noah’s Ark Money Box by MY 1ST YEARS. A great little keepsake.

From www.notonthehighstreet.com
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Star Fleece Baby Wrap.

From www.notonthehighstreet.com

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Personalised Hooded Fleece Dressing Gown.

From www.notonthehighstreet.com

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Personalised Noah’s Ark Print by PEPPER PRINT SHOP

From www.notonthehighstreet.com

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Baby Hand And Foot Inkless Print Kit by ELIZABETH JANE. Remember how small those little feet really were forever.

From www.notonthehighstreet.com

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Personalised Percentage Babygrow Or T Shirt by SIMPLY COLORS

From www.notonthehighstreet.com

 

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Personalised Baby Keepsake Building Block by SOPHIA VICTORIA JOY. Unique and makes a great keepsake.

From www.notonthehighstreet.com

 

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Personalised Nutbrown Hare by OH SO CHERISHED. Adorable and great for a cuddle.

From www.notonthehighstreet.com

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Baby Hippo Hooded Towel by BATHING BUNNIES. So cute. 

From www.notonthehighstreet.com

Add your own ideas below.

 

 

William and Kate Wow in Los Angeles

Prince William’s wishes for Beckhams

Prince William has wished David and Victoria Beckham “luck” with their new baby.

The soccer star was without his fashion designer wife- who is due to give birth to the couple’s fourth child this week – at an intimate reception held for the prince and wife Duchess Catherine at British Consul-General Barbara Hay’s Los Angeles residence on Friday, but the royal couple told him not to worry about her absence.

David – who along with Victoria was a guest at William and Catherine’s wedding in April – told them: “Victoria really wanted to come but she is just so tired at the moment. She sent you both lots of love.”

William replied: “Don’t be silly. Please send her all out love and tell her good luck with it all.”

The royal couple have already met with several celebrities since arriving in Los Angeles on Friday for their brief tour.

Yesterday, Billy Zane, Rob Lowe, Joe Jonas, Jennifer Love Hewitt and Zoe Saldana were in attendance when William and Catherine arrived by helicopter to the

Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club, where the prince admitted he is “not a good loser” ahead of showcasing his skills on the polo field.

He said in a brief speech: “Catherine and I have had a busy few days so the prospect of being able to let loose this afternoon is wonderful for me.

“That depends on the result out there today – I’m not a good loser.”

Guests at the $4,000-a-ticket event watched the prince score four goals as his team won 5-2, before tucking into lunch cooked by celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis.

Last night, the pair walked the red carpet at the BAFTA Brits to Watch event, to which Catherine wore a lilac Alexander McQueen gown and earrings borrowed from William’s grandmother, Queen Elizabeth.

On arrival at the Belasco theatre, the couple met a small group of well-wishers before being introduced to the 14 table hosts at the event.

Meanwhile, in the ballroom, Duncan Kenworthy, vice chairman of British Academy of Film and Television Arts, reassured the star-studded crowd – which included Jennifer Lopez, Barbra Streisand, Jack Black, and Tom Hanks – on their interactions with the royals.

He said: “They want to meet all of you. They will try and chat to all of you this evening. When you meet them, you don’t have to bow and curtsy. You can call them whatever you feel, ‘Your Royal Highness,’ ‘Sir,’ ‘Ma’am,’ ‘William’ and ‘Kate’ – just as the mood takes you.”

Speaking on the red carpet ahead of the evening, Nicole Kidman said: “I think they are lovely, they just make you smile.”