The baby blues... What are the baby blues?


The baby blues are a normal part of motherhood and are linked to hormonal changes that happen during the week after giving birth and most women will experience changes in their mood. You may feel irritable, tearful, irrational, depressed or anxious. If these symptoms last more than two weeks and are interfering with you caring for yourself and your baby this may be a sign that you have developed post natal depression. So don’t suffer in silence, talk this through with your health professional.


Which car seat?


Understanding which car seat is right for your baby or toddler can be a daunting task! Our guidance below should help you choose the right seat for your baby & older siblings too.


• By law children have to use an appropriate seat up until they are 12 or they are 1metre 35cm in height. The seat should be appropriate to the child’s height and weight as age is not an accurate guide. Not all child seats fit all cars so always go to a retailer where you can ‘Try Before You Buy’.


• Avoid second hand seats, as they could have already been involved in an accident.


Type Rearward facing Baby seats


Rearward and Forward facing Combination seats


Booster seats and cushions Booster seats and cushions


Small Steps 8


• Never fit a rear-facing baby seat with an active airbag. In a crash at 30mph an unrestrained child would be thrown forward with a force 30 to 60 times its own weight.


• Follow the instructions for your child car seat carefully and keep the instructions safe - you may not be the only person who has to fit the seat. Check the seat is tightly fitted before every journey.


Stage Group 1


Weight (approx age)


Group 0 and Group 0+


2 Group 0+ & 1


3 4


Group 2 Group 3


Up to 10kg (birth to 6-9 mths) Up to 13kg (birth to 12-15 mths)


9 – 18kg (9 mths approx - 4 yrs)


15 – 25kg (4 - 6 yrs) 22 – 36kg (6 - 12 yrs)


For information & advice visit: www.childcarseats.org.uk


It’s perfectly OK to feel both happy and fearful of this new responsibility. The reality of parenthood may not hit you until you leave the hospital and feelings of being overwhelmed and fretful are common.


To help reduce the symptoms of ‘baby blues’:-


1. Accept help: Reduce stress


Do one thing at a time, multi-tasking is a myth and will only increase your stress. Delegate the housework, and don’t turn down any offers of help. Remember, stress creates adrenaline and the production of stress hormones that increase anxiety.


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