Being a new parent there are always a million questions you wish you knew the answer to and there’s not always an experienced mum or dad around to help you out. That’s why a classic book that every parent we know owns is ‘What to Expect – The First Year’. 

It’s a comprehensive and practical month-by-month guide that clearly explains everything parents need to know – or might be worrying about – in the first year with a new baby. The book features dozens of Q&A sections, as well as a first aid guide and charts on monthly growth and development, feeding and sleeping habits and this is the only book on infant care to address both the physical and the emotional needs of the whole family. 

Covering the most up-to-date knowledge, both medical and developmental, What to Expect – The First Year is, above all, down-to-earth and reassuring and an invaluable aid for all parents of new babies

Sometimes it’s easy to forget the classics that every little one should be introduced to and one of those gems is the excellent book, ‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar’. It is a children’s story written by Eric Carle and was first published in 1969. However even by todays standards it has lost none of it’s charm or magic.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar has sold over 30 million copies and has been praised for its use of easy-to-read words which makes it good for teaching young children to read. The book contains 225 words and large, colourful illustrations. 

It follows a caterpillar as it munches its way through a variety of edibles such as ice cream salami, watermelon, one slice of swiss cheese, and a lollipop before it finally pupates and emerges as a butterfly. The story teaches counting to 5, the names of the days of the week, and about different types of food. It is widely regarded as one of the best children’s books ever written and no home should be without a copy.

We all want to ensure our babies have great learning experiences and anything ‘educational’ that we put their way is always good. So okay, at a few weeks old they are not going to be reading Shakespeare but one book that will have them captivated is Faces by John Fordham.

This well-researched cloth book has been developed to appeal to babies from birth. The mix of high-contrast images, crinkly pages and mirror will stimulate your baby’s senses and make this a perfect first introduction to books. 

Babies love looking at faces and will find the friendly animal images and patterns fascinating. The book also has a strap, so it can be attached to cots or buggies, and very simple text to help parents discuss the images with baby. It’s never too early to give baby the gift of books. 

There are lots of products on the market that claim to help your baby learn quicker/faster/smarter but not all of them live up to their hype. However one that does is Bamba’s First Comforts which has been created by the Baby Sign Factory to develop and promote early communication skills whilst at the same time making baby signing fun and easy.

Bamba is a baby signing kit which allows you and your baby to learn signing at home. Imagine your baby is crying, does he mean I’m hungry, I’m thirsty or I am tired? Bamba will teach your baby to sign “drink” when he’s thirsty, “food” when he is hungry and “sleep” when he’s tired (as well as other important first words). 

The special toys included in the box will help both adult and baby learn to sign whilst you play and then you’re ready to go – it won’t be long before your little one is signing to you. The kit contains six luxurious toys and a list of associated baby signs in a beautifully designed sturdy box.

Key Features:

* Easy-to-read signing instruction booklet showing more useful signs is also included.

* Quick signing reference guide on the inside of the box lid to make baby signing easy.

* Each item has been individually designed to appeal to your baby’s senses.

* Made from the highest quality fabrics and materials.

* Designed by speech and language therapists to help babies communicate early.