Picking a name for your baby can be a challenge. Everyone wants the perfect name for their baby. Some people have names picked out long before they are even expecting, others don’t make a final decision till they are holding their newborn in their arms.

We have put together a few things to consider when picking out a name for your new baby.

·         Even if you think you know the sex of the baby it is a good idea to have boy and girl names picked out. Occasionally people get fooled.

·         Kids can be mean, make sure your baby will not have initials that could cause hurt feelings at a later date.

·         Pay attention to nicknames, even though you don’t plan on calling the child by a nickname other people, especially when they start school, will. Don’t pick a name that has a nickname that you despise. For example, if you cannot stand Timmy you may not want to name your baby Timothy.

·         How does it sound when you put it all together? Do you trip over the names, or does it flow?

·         When choosing the spelling for the name you pick out keep in mind you don’t want your child to have to correct everyone’s pronunciation.

·         Go to a crowded playground where there are lots of children and yell it out loud a few times. How many children answer, do people look at you funny, does the name feel right? Don’t tell anyone what you have chosen until after the baby is born. That way you cannot be pressured into a name you don’t like or out of one you do. Also it may keep someone else who has their baby first from using your perfect name.

The latest press releases are claiming that research has been proven that diet can affect the gender of your child.

Studies have shown that women who have a lower calorie intake at the time of conception are more likely to have a girl. Experts claim that this could explain why the birth rate of males is falling in developed countries.

A boy or a girl

They state that not only does a higher energy intake link to giving birth to a boy but the women were shown to have eaten more nutrients containing potassium, calcium, and vitamins B12, C and E.

Apparently ladies who like to tuck into a nice healthy, hearty bowl of cereal in the mornings were also more likely to produce a son.

The study that has been analysed for over forty years indicates that women who have a lower calorie intake are much more likely to have a girl. If this is the case, then my only question is….why is it that Victoria Beckham has three boys? Surely if anyone should have given birth to a girl, it would have to be her?

We’ve all heard of mum’s suffering from post baby blues and sometimes post natal depression after giving birth but recent studies show that 7% of dad’s suffer from the blues or depression following birth too. 

If you are finding it hard to cope, then it is important for you to talk to your doctor or health visitor who will be able to help. They will also know of support groups in your local area where you can talk to fellow sufferers.  

Having a baby is a life changing experience and one that can seem over whelming. Lack of sleep, baby constantly crying and you feeling like your partner no is longer the person she was can all add up and put strain on you and your relationship. 

• Try to get some time just for yourself, it’s not easy with the extra demands on your time but it will be worth it. Even if you only manage an hour just to get away from it all.

• Talk to family or friends about how you are feeling. Don’t bottle it all up or be embarrassed about feeling like you do, you are not alone.

• Try to exercise, get out for a brisk walk or run, it’s great for the body and mind.

Many men find becoming a father difficult but if you are struggling to cope, get help, don’t struggle on.

Having a baby puts a strain on your relationship no matter how good is was before your baby came along.  Finding time to talk through daily events, worries, fears or even having a gossip about what the neighbours are up to will be harder. 

Making time to spend together will be more difficult and it is easy to forget that it is important for you to find time for each other. Your baby’s needs will take priority, sleepless nights will leave you both feeling exhausted and if she is breast feeding you may start to feel left out. 

• Don’t keep your feelings to yourself. Ask a relation or trust worthy friend to baby sit while you get some time to talk.

• Ask her if you can get more involved. She may be feeling really under pressure and if you can help, even if it is something simple like sharing some household chores she will be thankful.

• Try doing some things with her and the baby. Share the baby bath times, make them fun. Getting involved will stop you feeling excluded and give you time together as a family.

It is really hard at first when your children take up all your energy but it will get easier.It’s easy for you to feel left out and your partner feeling resentful for what she sees as a lack of support. Be united, work together and remember to make time for each other even if it is a stroll around the park talking while the baby is a sleep in the buggy.

Wonderful partner, gorgeous baby and a fantastic sex life may seem like the ideal dream but is it realistic?  

Sleepless nights and your partner’s body insecurities after child birth may not be the best recipe for a fantastic sex life. If you are both content with sex not being on the agenda for a while then that’s fine but if it’s causing frustration within your relationship then it’s important to try to improve it. 

• Simply enjoy each other’s bodies by indulging her in a massage with no expectations of sex. She may be feeling unhappy with her post baby shape, give her some encouragement that you love her and that you still find her attractive.

• Why not enjoy giving each other pleasure without penetration until she feels ready. She may be worried about getting pregnant again so get your contraception sorted.

• Your partner may still be sore after childbirth. Ask her if she is concerned that penetration will hurt. Buy some fun lubrication and take it slowly. Sex should be something you both enjoy and not something she thinks about as a chore.

• If the baby is asleep in their cot right next to your bed it may not be the ideal situation to get in the mood for some passion. Why not explore other areas of the house so you can both relax?

It’s not always easy to talk about and you can sometimes wonder if you are alone in your lack of sex life. Most new parents will experience some difficulties at the start but if you talk about how you are both feeling it will make it easier.

Congratulations, you’re a dad! You’ll be bursting to tell everyone your news and of course squeeze in the obligatory male ceremony of wetting the babies head but then what? 

Bringing the baby home from hospital can be a great source of excitement, fear and trepidation……you are now on your own. 

Remember that your partner will have just given birth and probably won’t be feeling like her normal self. She will probably be feeling a little hormonal and will need plenty of support. At times she may even burst into tears for no apparent reason, don’t try to find out why she is upset or try to find a logical reason ( there probably isn’t any!) just give a cuddle and reassurance. She is new to the baby business too and sometimes it can seem a bit over whelming until you get into a routine. Visitors will probably be eager to come around and see your new arrival, while it’s great to see all your well wishers, it can also be draining. The first few days at home will be a time for you to be getting used to being new parents and having to entertain and make endless cups of tea can cause added stress. 

• Ask visitors to make their own cups of tea and if your partner wants to take the baby off for a nap and get some sleep herself encourage her to do so, regardless of having people visiting. They will understand and it’s important for you to get as much sleep as you can.

• Don’t let the baby be constantly passed around from person to person it can cause the baby to become fretful.

• Help as much as you can with the household chores.

• Help from either of your parents will be great but don’t let them takeover. Ask them if they could do some washing or cook a meal but remember that you’re the parents now and no matter how well meaning they are times change and methods change. Rubbing whisky on a baby’s gums to aid with teething may have been the done thing in the sixties but fortunately there are newer methods available now that don’t involve alcohol! Some of their experience may come in handy though so don’t discount all their advice.