fertility lifestyle information lifestyle parents-to-be

baby's first days breastfeeding bottle feeding wellbeing suncare food safety

information medicine cabinet first aid discussion forum

 lifestyle

Eating well and taking plenty of exercise is vital if you're planning to have a baby. You and your partner should both be eating a balanced diet that is low in fat, with lots of fresh fruit and raw vegetables. Here we reveal the best regime to assure you're at your most fertile, including some good advice about exercise and the effects of smoking, alcohol, and drugs on your chances of conception.

 fertility

You will find that your new baby takes up a lot of your time and energy in the weeks after the birth. But it is important for you both that you find time to take care of yourself too. Your Midwife and Health Visitor will be on hand to offer help and advice during the first weeks after the birth. As well as telling you about babycare they will be able to answer some of the more general questions that may arise. The advice we give in this section will help, but if you still have questions, ask your doctor or the pharmacist.

 pregnancy information

Being pregnant brings many changes to your life - some more welcome than others. Here we explore some common concerns such as morning sickness and back-ache as well as explaining the roles of the many health professionals you will come into contact with at various stages of your pregnancy. Looking ahead, you may be already thinking about your birth and how you're going to cope with the pain. We look at BabiTENS, a new drug-free method of pain relief.

 pregnancy lifestyle

Staying fit and healthy during your pregnancy is crucial for both you and your baby. You'll probably find you'll have to make some adjustments to your diet to ensure you get all the essential vitamins and minerals. There are some foods which you should avoid and you may even find you have strange cravings. This is all completely normal. As for keeping fit, don't think just because you're pregnant you can slob out. Exercise is just as important for you during pregnancy as it is any other time.

 parents-to-be

Boots is aware that pregnancy usually involves more than the mother. So here we provide good advice for fathers, too. We'll tell you how to prepare yourself for the changes in your life as a couple and how to adjust to the concept of fatherhood. We also present a step-by-step guide to pregnancy in Jo's diary, where you can check your progress with another mum-to-be.

 baby's first days

Once you and your partner have got over the initial euphoria of your babyís birth and you start the demanding process of childcare, youíll probably have many questions. How do you bathe your baby properly? What nappies should you buy? How soon will your waistline get back to normal? Here we give you tips on everything you need to know from registering your babyís birth to coping with post-natal depression.

 breastfeeding

Choosing how to feed your new baby is a very personal and emotional decision. Breast milk has all the right ingredients, in the right amounts to ensure that your baby will grow and be healthy and will give him the best start in life This is a guide to help you establish successful breastfeeding.

 bottle feeding

Although breast milk is the best food your baby can have, sometimes mothers choose to bottle feed. However you feed your baby it is important to make the time you spend together special.

 wellbeing

As children grow and change day by day, you'll want to be sure of their continued wellbeing. We concentrate on two important areas: young skin and young teeth.

 suncare

Babies and toddlers are particularly susceptible to the powerful effects of the sun. We offer advice about the best protection you can provide for your child.

 food

If you think when it comes to food all babies prefer tasteless mush, we have news for you! Here we'll let you in on Boots' latest developments for the discerning child. We also provide a link to our informative Ask the Pharmacist section, answering common questions such as what age to start your child on solids and the merits of a vegetarian diet. We also look at the issues of pre-prepared baby food.

 safety

Your child is precious to you and safety is one of your first priorities. In this section we help alert you to dangers in the home, outdoors, and while on the road. We also provide useful First Aid advice and tell you how to cope in an emergency.

 information

Parents have to play many roles as their children develop from teacher to cook to chauffeur. Of these roles Home Doctor often causes the most concern. Here we guide you through some of the most common complaints your child will go through from babyhood conditions like cradle cap through the teenage scourge of spots.

 medicine cabinet

A few carefully selected medicines, stored safely in the medicine cabinet, will help you cope with minor illnesses. Youíll see that all medicines have an expiry date on the label or box. Whether you opt for conventional or homoeopathic remedies, always dispose of them after that date, whether youíve used them or not, because they may be ineffective or unsafe to use.

 first aid

It can be a frightening experience if you are called upon to help someone in difficulty, but knowing what to do will help you to deal with the situation calmly and confidently. The advice given here is intended as a guide and should not be a substitute for professional First Aid training.

 new father's forum

Congratulations on your new family! Get any sleep yet? Getting used to being three instead of two? We'd love to know how you're getting on, ploughing through fields of nappies - so would all the other recent fathers out there. So why not share any of your newly acquired skills at being a father with all of us. The more useful information you post, the more all new fathers can make it through their second childhood.