Covering the pregnancy and first four years of a child’s life, the first book in the Pearls of Wisdom series, "Pregnancy to Pre-School" will help with the multitude of issues all aimed to make your life easier.

As with any of the Pearls of Wisdom books, if you have your own little gem that you’d like to share then submit it and if it’s published we’ll send you a copy of the book with your name accredited to the idea, hint or tip you sent us.

      
Pregnancy
         
  • Morning Sickness - A nice refreshing pick me up when you're pregnant and suffer with nausea is to fill a container with fresh and include some lemon and/or orange rinds. Leave it to cool in the fridge. It makes for a very tasty alternative to fresh water, it's also much better for you in hot weather than soft drinks and you get a little vitamin c from the rinds!
  • Acupuncture may help relieve the symptoms of nausea or morning sickness. It's also very relaxing. Acupressure is a self-help solution: firmly press two fingers on your tummy button for a minute or so Try ginger in any form. Acupressure bands worn on the wrists can help curb nausea. The ones for travel sickness, but as one sufferer told me, keep a bucket nearby when you take them off!
  • "I dismissed the value of doing my pelvic floor exercises. I didn't go to ante-natal classes during my pregnancy as I was working right up to the end and didn't read any books either. I didn’t have a difficult pregnancy or have any major concerns. Only after my daughter was born did I realise that I had no power to control my urge to wee, embarrassing to say the least. I had to undergo physiotherapy to get the strength back in my pelvic floor. Not pleasant or dignified. I never realised that my mother had suffered in the same way so it was a genetic problem but could have been rectified if I’d done my kegel exercises."

There are plenty of books and lots of advice about labour and delivery from far more experienced people than this humble author. As I've said earlier, your experience is your own and it's not so much about having hints and tips but putting all your own resources into play and experiencing your birth as a unique and wonderful experience.
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Early Days

 
  • While still in hospital, wear dark-coloured pyjama bottoms. They're comfortable and it's more practical for curious people examining your scar - hopefully that'll just be the doctors though!
  • “Use a panty liner or sanitary pad to hold on to your episiotomy stitches when you're straining to go to the loo.” Nikki Ross, mother to Alex and Amy
  • “I found one of the hardest things was being the background feature to my new baby. I had been the focus of everyone's care and concern throughout the pregnancy but now the baby was here, I wasn't important anymore.” Suzanne Purser, mother to Ben, Patrick and Ella
  • Just as you've rediscovered your energy and your brain starts to function again, a midwife or doctor will suggest you consider contraception around six weeks after your child is born. Impulses to screech in horror or guffaw should be stifled, as it is all too common to ignore this advice thinking that that's the LAST thing on your mind. But you may find yourself listening somewhat more earnestly to this sort of advice a year or so later with your latest babe in arms!
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Daily Care
  • When changing a teeny-weeny baby, try using a cotton wool ball and dip it into cornstarch or talcum powder and dab on gently. This way there is less of a risk of baby inhaling any particles.
  • Make disposable nappies go further by using an old fashioned nappy liner inside. You can sometimes throw that (and the nasties) down the toilet and still have a clean nappy.
  • Nappy rash - If your baby has redness on his bottom, it may be nappy rash but always check it out with your GP or paediatrician. Before we move on to the ways to avoid it, do remember that nappy rash is NOT due to bad parenting, but skin sensitivity.
  • Chubs Baby Wipes (or any other brand) re useable boxes are great. You can use them to store small toys, medicines, receipts, clothes and toys. I
  • Bath time - Newborns really don't need any bath solutions as their skin is so sensitive. Just plain old water will do nicely unless your paediatrician has recommended a specific formula for the water. Baby soap is all that is needed really and only for the body, not the face.
  • NEVER LEAVE A BABY OR TODDLER ALONE IN THE BATH! EVEN FOR A MOMENT!
  • Keep the bath full of colourful toys and entertaining things around the baby during bath time, this will relax the baby and make it fun. Specifically designed bath toys are nice but children will have as much fun with empty plastic water bottles or jars, funnels, sieves, sponges, flannels and any regular plastic toy.
 		  
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Feeding
 
  • No matter what birth you went through you WILL bond with your baby and he will flourish.
  • Whether you’re bottle or breast-feeding get the right pillows to help both you and the baby remain comfortable. If you can’t afford the expensive breast-feeding pillows, get a v-shaped pillow.
  • Alternatives to expensive nursing pads are your husband’s cotton handkerchiefs. They’re reusable, don’t cost anything extra and can be folded into various thicknesses.
  • Clothing becomes quite important when breast-feeding. Make sure you have easy access and also choose patterned fabric as if you spring a leak it’s not as obvious. Let alone being something for baby to look at.
  • If you’re breast-feeding and intend to go back to work, make plans to introduce a bottle in good time.
  • Bottle feeding involves lots of bottles (18 per day for our two) and the subsequent washing, sterilising and remembering to take them out with me!
  • A positive side of bottle feeding is the option to share feeding with others. This included night feeds; when my Mum was with us she had Max all night and my husband had Lucie so that I slept through.
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    Sleeping
 
  • “People who say that they sleep like a baby usually don't have one!” Leo J Burke.
  • There should be no big fluffy or cuddly toys in the cot - they may look cute but they may smother your baby.
  • Put the mattress at its lowest setting as soon as your baby starts to stand up in the cot.
  • Light and lights Many experts recommend blackout curtains for baby's room. The light will disturb a baby who's been sleeping for hours so if dawn breaks at 5am and you don't want to be disturbed, then try fitting blackout curtains or at least darker, heavier curtains.
  • Most sleep experts recommend a daytime nap of 45 minutes for toddlers. More than that is too much, leaving them irritable. It always amazed me that a 30 minute sleep resulted in happy bouncy children, yet an hour's sleep left them grumpy for hours!
  • Don't bother to turn down the noises of the house during sleeping hours during the day. It's important for a baby to learn to sleep through noises and ultimately, you won't be so stressed if there's the slightest noise elsewhere.

   
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Fatherhood
  • Pregnancy How to handle the news - if it is a bolt out of the blue to hear that ‘we’re pregnant!’ and if your honest opinion was to reel back in horror, bear in mind that this is not an ideal reaction, and PROBABLY not one your partner was expecting.
  • Help with heavy-duty things; lifting shopping, carrying anything bulky. A pregnant woman should not be lifting anything heavy.
  • Regardless of her well-being and protesting that she feels fine, take the pressure off her. Encourage (if not bully) her to rest more than she feels like she should.
  • Preparing - Whether it's preparing yourself for your newborn or the more practical matters of deciding on names, the colour of the nursery or which car to buy, you have a long nine months (unless its multiples) to decide on these things so take your time.
  • Fatherhood! “Tinky Winky, La La and Po! I never thought those words would become part of my everyday vocabulary but that all changed in October 2000 when my wife and I gave birth (ok, she actually gave birth, I was just there breathing and gasping alongside) to Isabella.
  • FATHERHOOD - Let's be honest, all babies look alike at birth. Some are pink; some are grey some have more hair than others, but basically they all look like Yoda. Guys should be a little more tolerant of any women, regardless of species, anywhere in the world who has given birth to anything. Imagine giving birth to a horse? Ouch!
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        Health & Safety          
     
  • Any safety device you buy should be sturdy enough to prevent injury to your child, yet easy for you to use.
  • It's important to follow installation instructions carefully. In addition, if you have older children in the house, be sure they re-secure safety devices. Remember, too, that no device is completely childproof; determined youngsters have been known to disable them.
  • If you suspect for a moment that there is something 'not right' with your child then don't hesitate, take them to your GP or emergency room at the nearest hospital.
  • If your toddler falls and bumps his head, rub alcohol on it straight away and it won't bruise. If you don't have any rubbing alcohol, try vinegar. Better still for bumps and bruises, put Arnica cream on the sore spot. It's a homeopathic treatment (available from a homeopath or good pharmacy) and works wonders.

 
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Organising
  • Chubs Baby wipe reusable boxes are great. They stack on top of each other and you can use them to store small toys, medicines, receipts, clothes or toys.
  • Don’t throw away your junk mail. Give it to the children to play ‘postman’ with.
  • For birthdays or indeed when baby is born, to make a really personal thank you note, take a photo of the gift on or with the baby/child and send it off with a note on the back. Computer software is so easily available to use in creating cards, etc.
  • If your children want to practice their handwriting, prepare yourself early for Christmas and get them to write names and addresses on the envelopes for your Christmas cards. They can do them over a period of time, the recipients will be really touched and it’s one less job for you to do!
 		  
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Out & About
  • When going camping with a young baby, pack clothes in a plastic toy box. It can be used for bathing baby and washing clothes in, as well as the usual uses ….toys etc.
  • Keep a small box of nibbles (broken rusks, bread sticks etc) in either your buggy or diaper bag as well as a bottle of water whenever you go out – no matter how long you intend to be away from home. You will find out how useful it is to have something to keep baby quiet for just that bit longer when you need it most!
  • If you’re at a restaurant and there aren’t enough safety straps for the highchair, use your husband’s belt. Or you could fashion a strap out of napkins together.Keep the bath full of colourful toys and entertaining things around the baby during bath time, this will relax the baby and make it fun. Specifically designed bath toys are nice but children will have as much fun with empty plastic water bottles or jars, funnels, sieves, sponges, flannels and any regular plastic toy.
  • Peanut butter is an essential thing to keep in your car. It will remove chewing gum from hair and oil from feet – and it tastes great too if you’re stuck for a sandwich as you can always beg or buy a couple of slices of bread

 		  
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Family & Friends
  • Get a first aid kit for the baby. Ask the pharmacist or paediatrician what would be needed in the first three months. (Thermometer, nose syringes, gauze, nappy rash ointment etc.)
  • Pay for a subscription to a baby or parenting magazine or get a good baby book from a library.
  • For Grandparents - make a scrapbook of your time together include photos, ticket stubs, your own letters or mementos of the time you spent with them.
  • Make a video tape of you talking to your grandchildren, perhaps for special days that you can’t share with them, or just a regular contribution.
 		  
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Playtime
  • Cheap plastic tubs with screw lids filled with beads, rice, pasta or coins were much more popular than colourful toys from retailers.
  • If you can afford to, buy a baby swing or try to borrow one. Baby swings could be a lifesaver for you if you have a baby who won't sleep during the day. You'll be able to use the swing for several months but when your baby can reach up and hold the bars, you must stop using it for fear of injury.
  • Sprinkling sandy skin with talcum powder removes the sand without pain or scrubbing. This is great for babies and children who don't like to be sandy.
  • If your toddler likes to play with your mobile phone, ask a mobile phone shop if they have any old dummy models you can have. Your youngster can speak on her phone when you're on yours.

 		  
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Growing Up
  • Tantrums - Get down to eye level and listen to the cause. By showing genuine interest it may limit the tantrum and result in a conversation.
  • Laminate or put pictures in a plastic sleeve and put them above the bath. Bath time can be both fun and educational.
  • Buy a t-shirt or design and print one yourself that says "I am a big sister" on it. It's a great present to give at the first visit to see the newborn. You can include their picture too, and perhaps have one with the newborn afterwards.
  • Going to Nursery - Buy a special school bag for school. Make them feel important about going to school.
  • Potty Training - For rewards, try putting stars of glitter on their hands when they succeed at potty training.
 		  
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