The best resources for a parent-to-be
While being a parent is very rewarding, it can also be stressful and overwhelming. For first-time parents especially, it is tough to work out what information you need to listen to and what you should ignore. Well-meaning friends and family may have conflicting opinions and it can be just as difficult to find answers on the internet.
To help you out, here is a list of some of the best resources for pregnancy and parenthood so that you always have a reliable source to turn to.
1. Mumsnet
One of the most prominent parenting websites in the UK is Mumsnet (https://www.mumsnet.com/). This site is a huge online forum where parents can share their concerns or questions and find answers to many of the most common parenting questions. The site is a great way to connect with other parents and find advice on any topic to do with raising a child.
Mumsnet pools knowledge on topics ranging all the way from the conception of your child to their teenage years – no matter what stage you’re at, you are welcome there, and the site is sure to calm your nerves on any issue. If you can’t find an answer, it’s simple to post your own questions so that real parents who have been through exactly the same thing as you can share their experiences and ideas.
2. Bounty
If you’re looking for a network which can support you during pregnancy and parenthood, Bounty is perfect. Alongside articles and tips, you receive goody bags free of charge as soon as you sign up. The site promises up-to-date information from specialists in the area, including doctors, parenting experts, dieticians and midwives. This is a great option if you are trying to find a more reliable source of information that you can be sure to rely on.
Furthermore, Bounty is aimed at families who have financial difficulties and need support with child care. They have a lot of articles on the topic and their pieces are genuinely insightful and helpful. There are plenty of tips and tricks that will be useful for anyone dealing with the costs of childcare and looking after their children.
3. ParentChum
ParentChum is another great online community that you can turn to if you find yourself needing to talk to fellow parents. Here, you can not only get advice but also make new friends who are on the same journey as you. As well as this, ParentChum is a great way to find any events or classes that might be happening in your area that can support you and your child with their development.
The site offers you the opportunity to find your own support system and provides some great links and resources for pregnancy (https://www.parentchum.co.uk/support/pregnancy-support), parenting (https://www.parentchum.co.uk/support/parenting-support), employment, sick babies, mental health, anxiety, autism and much more. Whether it’s a problem your child is facing or an issue you are looking for help with yourself, ParentChum offers some excellent advice.
4. NCT
If you’re a parent-to-be, the best thing you can do is to take each stage as it comes. A network that is good for doing this is NCT, which focuses on parents with younger children. In the early stages of a child’s life, there is a lot to learn, and quickly. It’s easy to get caught up in the hundreds of things it seems like you need to know, but NCT is a helpful network that can clearly break these worries down for you.
NCT also offers workshops and classes which you can take to build on your knowledge and skills to help you keep your baby happy and healthy throughout the early phase of their development.
For me a first time parent NCT classes were something I am so pleased I took part in. We, my NCT friends, recently celebrated 11 years of friendship! To say their friendship, advise and support has been invaluable would be under selling it.
5. Tots 100
Tots 100 is a network that you can benefit from in terms of finding honest opinions and blogs about products and parenthood brands. When it comes to stocking up on the right products and items for your baby, from cots and pushchairs to nappies and food, it can be hard to know what to trust. With Tots 100, you can easily access real people’s experiences and opinions on a range of parenthood brands and equipment.
This takes the stress out of trying to find products that are right for your baby and avoids you from wasting money on items that are not as good as they appear online. As a new parent on maternity or paternity leave, the last thing you want is to get an online purchase wrong, so make sure to head to Tots 100 before making your next baby purchase.
Capture those special moments
If you are a parent-to-be, you’re likely feeling excited as well as nervous about the arrival of your child. However long your pregnancy may seem, they will be here before you know and they’ll change and grow quickly. Since this happens so fast, it’s important to cherish every moment and do your best to capture them wherever possible.
One of the best ways to do this is with photos. Keeping physical mementoes of your baby’s childhood is a great way to celebrate their growth, and if you would like help documenting the earliest stages of your baby’s life, make sure to get in touch with us via our contact form (https://www.hannahcornfordphotography.com/contact/). We can help you preserve one of the most exciting periods of your life!