There are many different signs of a pregnancy and symptoms can vary a great deal from woman to woman. Below are five signs that you may be pregnant:

Spotting

Some women experience some spotting and slight bleeding normally at the same time that their period is due. This is usually caused by the egg implanting itself on the wall of the uterus.

Tender breasts

Breast tenderness typically begins between weeks four – six of pregnancy. Many women notice that their breasts are sore to touch or are tender when they run, walk up the stairs or sleep on their stomachs.

Tender breasts in early pregnancy are caused by the rising level of estrogen and progesterone hormones, which increase as the body prepares for the baby. As the pregnancy develops the milk ducts and the cells that produce milk in the breasts will form, resulting, for many women, in the breasts becoming larger and changing shape.

Tiredness

Whilst some women sail through the initial stage of pregnancy without so much of a murmur, many are plagued by dreadful fatigue. As a woman’s body works hard to accommodate for all the changes and fluctuations in hormones, it uses a lot of energy and can leave expectant mums feeling shattered!

The good news is that early pregnancy fatigue usually surpasses at the end of the first trimester, although it often returns in the latter stages of pregnancy. 

Sickness

Sickness is one of the most common signs of pregnancy and according to Baby World ‘morning sickness’ affects approximately 70% of pregnant women. Whilst it is referred to as ‘morning sickness’, as some women only feel sick in the morning, many women find that the nausea lasts the whole day.

‘Morning sickness’ can occur as early as when a woman’s period is missed and is believed to be caused by hormonal imbalances and changes.

Fortunately, for most women, ‘morning sickness’ subsides after the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

Missed period

Perhaps the most ‘solid’ sign that a woman is pregnant is when she misses her period, particularly if she has regular periods. It is when a period is missed that it is recommended to do a pregnancy test.

Whilst the size of the christening and how many guests you want to invite is entirely up to you, there are a handful of guests whose attendance is essential! Who has to attend your baby’s christening?

Your Baby!

Your baby is the ‘guest of honour’ at her christening and all eyes will be upon your precious little bundle of joy! To help the day run smoothly try to make sure that your little one is rested, well feed and completely contented!

The vicar

A baby, or anyone for that matter, cannot be christened without the consent of a vicar. Make sure that you have finalised all the details correctly with the priest who will be leading the ceremony, so that you don’t turn up at the church one day and the vicar on another!

The parents!

It goes without saying that the parents of the baby will be wanting to attend their baby’s christening. If you are a single parent or your partner cannot make the service for some reason, don’t worry as a christening can still take place without both parents being present.

The Godparents

Godparents are an integral part of a christening and although becoming a godparent has no legal commitments, many ministers will ask them to declare their desire to be a person’s godparent. Traditionally the role of a godparent in the eyes of the Christian church was as the “sponsor” to introduce an individual to the faith, although nowadays the role of a godparent has become more of a friend and mentor than a spiritual guide.

Ensure that whoever you have chosen to be your baby’s godparents understand the commitment and what they can expect to ‘declare’ during the christening.

If your little one is frightened about going to the dentist then you may find that the following advice on how to deal with dental fear in Children helps him relax and not be quite as scared.

The earlier the better

The longer you leave it until your child’s first dentist visit the harder it will be to get your youngster accustomed to visiting the dentist. The American Academy of Paediatric Dentistry advises that children should make their first trip to the dentist at approximately one year old, when their milk teeth begin to come through.

Play dentist and patient role plays

Young children love to act out role plays and before their first ‘big trip’ to the dentist it could be worth playing dentist and patient role plays and this will get them used to the idea of what will happen at the dentist. Let your child be the dentist and you be the patient and you never know your child may even become slightly excited about his trip to see the ‘real thing’.

Stress how important a visit to the dentist is

Your child’s fear of the dentist may be significantly lessened if you explain to him how important a visit to the dentist is. Show your little one pictures of toothless pirates in his books and explain that if we don’t look after our teeth, including making regular trips to the dentist, our teeth may rot, need fillings and even fall out!

Refrain from using negative words

When talking to your child about his impending visit to the dentist don’t use ‘negative’ words such as ‘pain’, ‘hurt’ and ‘cry’. Instead fill your child’s mind with ‘positive’ images of the dentist, such as being given a special sticker at the end of the check-up and how clean and white his teeth will look. 

Praise your child

When your youngster has finished in the dentist’s chair make sure you give him plenty of praise and remind him that it wasn’t that terrible after all! In praising your child it may make him more mentally prepared and less frightened when his next dentist appointment arrives on the doormat in six months’ time!

As babies grow extremely quickly and finding a pram or a pushchair that will cater for your rapidly growing baby is imperative to save you buying subsequent pushchairs. Below are 15 factors to determine the perfect pushchair for you.

* Adjustable handle height

* Easy to push, fold and manoeuvre

* Lockable wheels at the front that can swivel

* One hand release collapsible pushchair

* Good suspension for those bumpy tracks and to handle kerbs

* Multi-position seat that includes a lie-flat position for a newborn

* Comfortable and ergonomic handles

* The pushchair or pram needs to be strong with sturdy wheels so that it will be strong enough to deal with your baby’s increasing weight.

* Your pushchair needs to be easy to steer, so don’t be afraid to take it on a ‘practise run’ in the shop before you buy it.

* Make sure that the pram or pushchair is waterproof and comes with a detachable waterproof hood.

* Ample size shopping tray

* A reversible seat that can either face forwards or backwards so baby can face you as you push.

* A detachable carry cot which baby can sleep in independent of the pram.

* Optional accessories such as a baby for nappies that can be attached to the pushchair can be useful.

* Ensure that the pram or pushchair reaches the relevant safety standards of the country it was purchased in.

Making your own versions of baby food can be considerably less expensive and not to mention healthier and all you will need is a saucepan and a blender. Below are three simple homemade alternative baby food recipe ideas. 

Lentils with carrots and brown rice puree

Simple mix 2 cups of water, ¾ cup of red split lentils, ½ cup of peeled and diced carrots and ¼ a cup of brown rice into a large saucepan. Bring the mixture to boil and then simmer for 20 minutes. Once the carrots are soft and the lentils have ‘melted’ place the mixture in a blender and blend until it is pureed.

Baby’s curried lentils

Sauté some celery, carrots, onion, two cloves of garlic and some cubes of tofu. Prepare and cook the lentils according to the instructions on the packaging. Add the vegetables to the saucepan of lentils and continue to cook on the stove. Add a pinch of mild curry powder, a pinch of cardamom and some coriander. Blend in a blender until the mixture is completely smooth.

Cream of spinach

Place 1 ½ pounds of fresh spinach chopped into small pieces into a saucepan. Add 2 tablespoons of finely chopped sweet onion and cook over medium heat for five minutes. Drain the vegetables and add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and cook for a further three minutes. Remove the heat and stir in 1 cup of natural yoghurt. Blend the mixture in a blender until it is pureed. Serve hot.