Fact: Attachment is a two–way, interactive process in which your baby reads your cues as you read theirs. If you plan to breastfeed, you will need time to prepare for the process. It can help to get comfortable with nursing pads, nursing bras, sterilizing baby bottles, and pumping. You can ask other parents about their experiences and advice.

I rarely see this recommended by parents or professionals, but discussing formula feeding before baby arrives can be so helpful. These experts may ask questions about your baby, milk supply, pumping, and diet. They may also watch you as you nurse baby or assemble your pump. This initial conversation can be an extremely important, and hopefully it will help prevent disputes and/or resentment later on. You'll have a number of antenatal appointments during your pregnancy, and you'll see a midwife or sometimes an obstetrician (doctor specialising in pregnancy).I know it can be overwhelming to think about all the things above right now. But I promise you: it’s worth taking the time. It’s worth having – or at least starting – the hard conversations on this side of pregnancy. When baby is cluster feeding, they can be extra fussy, sometimes rejecting the nipple only to demand milk a few minutes later. Cluster feeding is your baby’s smart way to tell your body to make more milk, often when they’re getting ready for a growth spurt or developmental leap. Discuss with your partner what you want to do, depending on available space in your room or home. Make sure to consider things like: Sometimes it’s called liquid gold because of its yellow color, and because it gives your baby all the nutrients and healthy antibodies they need in the first few days after they’re born. It’s produced in small quantities but offers the perfect nutrition for your newborn.

Look at your baby as they babble and laugh, rather than looking away, interrupting, or talking with someone else. An alternative to a support group is a private consultation with a lactation consultant or IBCLC, which refers to someone certified by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners. Do not feed home-made infant formula, cow’s milk or other animal milk to your baby. They are not safe and do not give your baby the complete nutrition they need to grow and develop.Evaluate both sources of income and career trajectories/types: maybe it’s more feasible for your partner to stay home for a year? It’s worth weighing all the options. Our fetal medicine units at the Royal Free Hospital and Barnet Hospital consist of a specialist team made up of fetal medicine consultants and specialist midwives. We offer pregnancy care when there is a concern for the unborn baby. The best way to find a pediatrician that’s a good fit is to figure out what you think will be your parenting style. Next, ask for personal recommendations. Make sure to ask your employer if working remotely is an option. If it is, this could potentially be the best arrangement, especially if you absolutely need the income.