Preparing for baby

  • We can help you choose a baby name. We have hundreds of ideas for boys names and girls names, including popular names, classic name meanings, celeb baby names and more

  • Pregnant? Want to know if you're expecting a boy or a girl? Take our quiz to see what the old wives reckon you're having - it's not as accurate as a scan, but it's more fun!

  • Worried about returning to work after your maternity leave? We've spoken to an expert to get the best advice to make going back to work easy

  • Choosing a baby name can be one of the hardest decisions you will ever have to make. Get inspiration from this list of names from the past and present including the most popular names in 2009

  • Pregnant woman, dressed in a pink top listening to music through headphones
  • Boy and girl baby
  • A mum working from home after finishing maternity leave
  • Top 100 boys names

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Preparing for baby

Baby feet

Ok, so you're over the first big hurdle, you're pregnant! Congratulations. Are you worried about what comes next? How do you begin to prepare for your new arrival? Help is at hand - we've consulted experts, and found real-life stories and great tips to share with you on preparing for a baby.

Our Food & Diets Editor has kept a pregnancy diary as she prepares for her first baby

Don't know what you're having? Try our Chinese Birth Predictor

Lots of ideas for baby names, plus a cute baby name generator to do the hard work for you!

'Why is my baby crying?'

Breastfeeding v bottle feeding

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Today's poll

Will your kids get outside and exercise more now that the weather is improving?


  • Yes, they love to play outside 52%
  • Maybe, I'm not sure yet 5%
  • They always play outside whatever the weather 33%
  • No, they'll still be sat inside playing on the computer or watching TV 10%

Thanks, your vote has been counted!