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When a mother
is born
Tips for the last months with the belly
and the first ones with the baby!
 Summary
1. Introduction 3

2. The last months of pregnancy 4

3. The hospital bag 9

4. Preparate for childbirth 12

5. Mum’s life 15

6. Breastfeeding peacefully 18

7. Plagiocephaly: knowing and preventing it 22

8. Babywearing and its benefits 24

9. Pequeños rituales para dormir 27

10. It’s time for baby food: weaning 30

11. How to stimulate a baby 33

12. First steps 36

13. Conclusion 38

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1. Introduction 1
Pregnancy and motherhood are very special moments in a
woman’s life: as soon as that life-changing test is positive,
2
your whole existence turns upside down!
You are overwhelmed by a wave of emotions, from
unconditional love towards that little one who grows inside
you, to the most despairing anxiety about your future. 3
Besides, you have to consider multiple things: from the exams
you will go through to the name you’ll choose for your baby,
as well as the bedroom furniture, along with the type of 4
weaning you want to follow. You are also concerned about all
kinds of doubts and, even though you may think you’re well
informed, you seem to never know enough. 5
If these situations don’t sound new to you, the first piece of
advice for you is: sit down, put yourself at ease, take a deep
breath, and think it’s absolutely normal! 6
No woman really knows everything she will go through in
these magical and complex experiences that pregnancy and
motherhood represent.
7
A mother is born when she gives birth to her baby: you
will have the opportunity to learn with them and you will be
perfect in your imperfection.
From our side, we have decided to help you with this little 8
handbook about the last months with your baby bump and
the first ones with your newborn in your arms. Here you will
find lots of useful information, 9
which will guide you and shed
some light on some topics
that are sure to populate your 10
thoughts in these intense
months.
11
Happy reading… and enjoy the
adventure!
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2. The last months 1

of pregnancy
The third trimester of pregnancy is, in some ways, the most
2
challenging one.
The belly reaches a considerable weight and volume, 3
tiredness is felt a lot more and a series of inconveniences,
typical of that period, can come up.
Not to mention the impatience: you can’t wait to meet your 4
baby, to observe their features to understand what they look
like, to hold it close to you and enjoy their scent!
It’s a time when you also ask yourself many questions about 5
practical matters, such as how to solve the little annoyances
you encounter or what to take with you to the hospital
when the time to give birth comes. Let’s try to answer these 6
questions in the next chapters!

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Small inconveniences
1
and how to solve them
The last months of pregnancy are as beautiful as physically
tiring. The baby gets heavier and heavier, your belly gets
bigger, and undoubtedly, you get even more exhausted.
2
Please don’t feel alone: ​​some complications are really
common and not insurmountable, fortunately. Here are all 3
our tips to better deal with every little accident you may come
up against.

Stomach ache 4
Around the end of the pregnancy, the uterus becomes so
large that it slightly crushes the stomach, leaving it less room
available for digestion. This can cause heartburn and various 5
types of discomfort after each meal.

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Don’t worry, however, as there is a way to fight this
inconvenience:
7
• Eat lighter and more frequent meals: many snacks
throughout the day are better than one or two very
heavy meals
8
• Avoid foods that are particularly fatty or difficult to
digest
• Try not to drink coffee and not to eat chocolate or dried 9
fruit
• If you rest right after a meal, do it while sitting down
but, in any case, not in a completely horizontal position 10

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Backache
The growth of the baby bump causes the curvature of your
vertebral column to change. As a result, your posture varies 12
and this, together with the weight gain and some hormonal
factors, may cause back pain, especially in the lumbar area.
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Apart from the various reasons that can cause this issue to
appear, what certainly interests you most is how to get better. 1
Right?

• Try to stay active: move a little every day because the 2

spine does not like immobility!
• Following the same logic, do not remain in the same
position (whether standing or sitting) for too long 3
• Sleep on the side, which will help support the
weight of your belly with a pregnancy pillow
4
• Do not make sudden movements and do not lift heavy
objects
• Use comfortable shoes with a wide sole and a heel of 5
2-4 centimetres
• When your baby bump starts weighing too much, try
using a belly band 6

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Leg swelling
1
The longer you are pregnant, the heavier your legs and
swollen feet feel, especially if your last trimester is during
summertime. This is perhaps the most common worry among
expectant mothers, or at least one of the main ones. 2
The reason you experience this sensation is that the baby
bump presses on the veins, causing poor circulation, while
3
hormonal changes cause increased water retention.
A little swelling will still occur, but how can you limit it?
4

• When cooking, use as little salt as possible to decrease 5

water retention
• Try to drink a lot (at least 2 litres of water every day) to
facilitate liquid drainage 6
• Do not be sedentary: even if the belly weighs, try to
move and walk a little bit every day, it will make all the
difference! 7

• When resting, keep your legs and feet elevated with the
help of a pregnancy pillow
8
• Shower your legs and feet with cold water to stimulate
circulation
9

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Shortness of breath
You have perhaps noticed that, lately, all it takes is to walk a
little bit faster than usual or take the stairs to find yourself 11
short of breath. This might have worried you, but you should
know that this is completely physiological: the weight you
carry with you has increased, the blood has been diluted
12
due to hormonal factors and, therefore, carries less oxygen.
Moreover, the uterus presses on the diaphragm and does not
allow the lungs to expand completely… and all this translates
into a feeling of breathlessness. 13

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 How to resolve it? 1

• Take it easy and slow down the pace of daily activities!

• Do light but constant physical activity, such as a stroll 2
for half an hour a day

3
Insomnia
Even if everyone tells you to sleep now that you have the 4
chance, and before the baby is born, you know well that it’s
no easy task with a voluminous baby bump... sometimes, you
just can’t fall asleep despite being exhausted, apparently for
5
no reason.
The reason is that, actually, your body always remains active
to feed the baby in your belly. On top of that, in the last few 6
weeks of pregnancy, it seems like your baby is training you for
what is coming next… including sleep deprivation!
However, restful sleep is instrumental - always, of course, but 7
especially when you’re pregnant. Here are some tips to follow:

• Lie on your left side with your legs bent and your 8
baby bump elevated by a comfortable pregnancy
pillow
9
• Before going to bed, indulge in a relaxing ritual (such as
having a hot bath or drinking milk or herbal tea)
• Have a light meal in the evening and do not eat 10
chocolate or sweets after dinner as sugar worsens
insomnia
• If you want to have a nap during the day, make sure it 11
doesn’t last for more than half an hour
• Stay active, doing yoga or gentle gymnastics… you
will notice your body will want to rest in the evening! 12
• If you can’t fall asleep, don’t stay in bed rolling over
and, rather, get up, stretch out, read a book or listen to
music 13

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3. The hospital bag 1

he big day is approaching: the marvellous moment when you

can finally hold your baby in your arms is coming very soon! 2
One of the things to prepare, considering the happy event, is
the luggage to take with you to the hospital. We are confident
that you will prepare it in due time for, first of all, impatience, 3
and second of all, the advice of doctors and midwives. Ideally,
this should be done around the end of the seventh month to
have it ready in case delivery comes earlier than expected.
4
But apart from the timing, all mothers-to-be wonder what
they should put in their bag not to miss anything but also not
to carry unnecessary weight with them! 5
We have prepared two lists that will make your life easier:
here are all the essential items (for you and the baby) to put in
the hospital bag. 6

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 1

2
For Mums:
• Your prenatal record
3
• Health card and identity card (if they are not already in
your bag)
• 4 to 5 comfortable front open night dresses to make 4
breastfeeding easier
• 3 nursing bras and a small supply of milk collection
shells 5
• 5 to 6 disposable mesh postpartum underwear
• Postpartum pads 6
• Intimate wash specific for postpartum, sterile gauzes
for the bidet (if there is one) and towels
• Standard personal care items (toothbrush, toothpaste, 7
soap, shampoo, hairbrush…)
• Almond oil to moisturize the skin around your breasts
8
• Bedroom slippers and flip flops to use in the shower
• Hygienic humidified and disinfectant wipes
• Your phone charger! 9

• Your favourite music (if you don’t already have it stored

on your phone) 10
• Snacks and drinks for labour: you need to maintain a
good level of energy for birth!
• A nursing pillow 11
• A change of clothes for the moment you leave the
hospital
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 For the baby 1
• 4 to 5 change of clothes, whether rompers or a baby set
with pants, shirt and socks
2
• 4 to 5 baby bodysuits or cotton tank tops/panties
• Baby bibs
• Clothing for the hospital discharge, complete with 3
jacket and cap if it is cold
• Bed cover (thick or thin depending on the season)
4
• Pacifiers
• Nappies
5

Hospitals often give specific indications on what they provide

6
and what you have to bring yourself - and also on how to take
it: it may be that the change of clothes for the little one should
have to be packaged individually in transparent bags with
their name on it. Make sure to be well informed a few months 7
before the expected date of delivery.
Lastly, relax, and enjoy the wait ... the most exciting
8
adventure of your life is about to start!

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4. Preparate 1

for childbirth
2
When the time for childbirth approaches, it’s very common
for expectant mothers to start feeling a little anxious. If that
happens to you too, you’re not on your own!
3
On the other hand, it is normal: you are about to face an event
different from anything you have ever faced before. An event
that will be exhausting but extremely exciting as well… and it
is true, what they say about childbirth pain, it is immediately
4
forgotten; as soon as you hold your baby in your arms, all the
pain will just become a distant memory.
5
To be fully ready for an event as important as giving birth with
the right peace of mind, it is convenient to arrive prepared
both physically and psychologically.
6
Physically because your body will have to collaborate with
your baby, to help them leave the belly as smoothly as
possible. 7
Psychologically because the awareness of what is waiting for
you and the emotional relaxation techniques will help you to
put aside fear, and experience childbirth positively. 8

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That being said, what are the concrete actions that you can
practice to get to that day with the best possible attitude? 1

Prenatal course
Prenatal courses are offered to pregnant women by most 2
public health systems and are an excellent way to learn
how to control breathing and your muscles as well as the
emotions associated with the event. 3

Understand when the time is right

It is important to identify the signs to understand when 4
the time to go to hospital comes, otherwise you risk going
back and forth a thousand times and stressing yourself
out even more. Consider the duration of the contractions, 5
the intervals between each of them, and be aware that if
your waters break, it’s time to go. All this information will
also be given to you during the prenatal course. 6

Don’t listen to others

7
Or rather: don’t pay too much attention to your friends
and relatives’ stories. Always remember that every
pregnancy and every birth is different, so do not let other
people’s stories confuse you. Stay focused on yourself 8
and on living your personal journey to the fullest.

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Prepara in advance
As mentioned previously, make sure that your hospital
bag is ready by the end of the seventh month. Preparing it 10
in advance will take away a source of anxiety and you will
know that, from that moment on, you are ready to give
birth any time.
11

Who is by your side?

It’s also good to decide in advance who will be with you 12
in both the delivery room and your room during labour.
Make sure that only a few people who can support you
and calm you down come in case of agitation from the 13
situation.

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Evaluate options 1
While things may not exactly go the way you planned
them, you can decide on many variables related to
childbirth. Would you like to do it at home or at the 2
hospital? To have the traditional way or water birth? Do
you want to have an epidural or do you prefer to use
natural methods to relieve pain? Would you like to donate 3
the umbilical cord? Get deeply informed and make your
choices in time, communicating them to all the people
involved. 4

Use the power of music

5
Prepare a playlist of the music you love to listen to and
you’re certain will help you during labour - it will help
you relax, get distracted from the pain and even breathe 6
properly.

Remember that you are not alone 7

In this journey, you are joined by the most important
people in your life, and, first of all, your partner. Talk to
them about the emotions you feel about giving birth, 8
both the positive ones and the anxieties and fears: you
will find that by sharing them they will become much
easier to deal wit. 9

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Here we are: the time has come.

Welcome, baby! 12

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5. Mum’s life 1

The first few days and months with your baby in your
arms are certainly the most intense ones. 2
The extreme joy of finally having them with you goes hand in
hand with some worries and with many questions.

What will happen when I come back from the hospital and 3
there are no midwives to help me?
Will I be able to breastfeed or will I have to switch to
formula milk? 4

Will they keep me up all night?

How can I make sure that I am stimulating their growth to 5
the best of my ability?
Will I be able to deal with everything that will happen to us?
6

The answer is: yes, you will know how to do it, don’t worry!
If you feel like you need some help or food for thought on 7
various issues related to the first months as a mother, read on
and you will find them.
8

The return from the hospital

After giving birth, there is another crucial moment to face: 9
being discharged and returning home. Last time, two of you
went out the door, and now, three of you are coming back,
wondering what is coming next. 10
To make a smooth transition, the best thing is to prepare the
house as much as possible before the turning point in your life
... so when you return, you will not have to do anything but 11
rest and get to know your baby properly.
Here are some tips that will overall make your life easier after
coming back home from the hospital. 12

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 1
What to prepare ahead of time
2
• Organise a corner dedicated to breastfeeding only. It
could be the sofa, the bed or an armchair - and don’t
forget to leave the nursing pillow close at hand 3
• Arrange the changing table in the bathroom, already
organised with a good supply of nappies, wipes,
creams, spare clothes and all the necessary for 4
cleaning the navel
• Prepare the room for the baby to sleep in or, if you
keep them in your room, place the cradle there 5
• Get nursing cups to soothe the nipples between
feedings and prevent the appearance of cracks
6

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 1
What to do once at home
• Keep your mobile’s volume low, so, when it rings (and
it will often happen at first), neither you nor your baby 2
will wake up
• Always keep a small supply of milk absorbing cups and
almond oil available 3
• Try to get as much rest as you can by taking
advantage of your little one’s naps
4
• Be clear and honest with friends and family: if
you feel drained or not feeling strong, ask them to
postpone their visits. The priority is you and the
baby… they can wait! 5
• Ask your partner or family for help if you aren’t
able to manage some aspects of your new daily life.
6
However, contact your paediatrician or midwife if you
need consultations for subjects such as breastfeeding
or your baby’s health
7

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It is normal that, in the beginning, you may have a hard
time and not understand your baby’s needs well: you
have to learn to know each other and find your own 10
rhythm. Give yourself time and everything will happen
naturally!
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6. Breastfeeding 1

peacefully
2
Breastfeeding is the most natural thing in the world; however,
it can cause anxiety to new mothers. For a number of reasons,
partly related to the known benefits of breast milk and
partly to personal insecurities, it often happens that women 3
experience it as a test. The feeling that follows is: “If I can’t
breastfeed my baby, I’m not a good enough mum.” Which is
categorically untrue! 4
Some mothers, for different reasons, are unable to naturally
breastfeed their babies: this does not, of course, take away
any value from them. 5

Luckily, for most women, it is possible to breastfeed their

babies without any issues – or, worst case scenario, with a
little help in any difficult moments you might encounter. So, 6
let’s enlarge on ...

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The benefits of breastfeeding
1
Do you know what’s good for both the baby and the mother?
There are a few important reasons why the WHO suggests
breastfeeding exclusively up to 6 months of life. In fact:
2

• Breast milk is a complete food and provides the baby 3

with all the nutrients needed, in the right quantities
• Breastfeeding causes the baby to develop a strong
immune system and a well-functioning nervous system 4
• It is a perfect way to practice breastfeeding on
demand: milk is always available at the right
temperature 5
• Protects the mother against the risk of breast and
ovarian cancers and osteoporosis
• Makes you burn a lot of calories, helping you get back 6
in shape after giving birth
• Allows you to feed your baby in a hygienic and 7
comfortable way

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What to eat when breastfeeding
We said that breast milk is the optimal nourishment for
newborn babies... but what is the ideal food for nursing 9
mothers?
Fortunately, there are no hard and fast rules to follow when it
10
comes to nutrition. Surely, though, you can refer to some tips:

11
• Follow a varied, balanced, and abundant diet (3 main
meals and 2 snacks)
• Never skip wholegrains, white meats, eggs, legumes, 12
oily fish, vegetables, and fruits
• Drink at least 2 litres of liquids per day: water and
unsweetened herbal teas are preferred 13

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 • Do not have more than 2 cups of coffee or tea per day 1
• Do not drink alcohol until the third month of your
baby’s life, then you can enjoy a glass of wine during
your meal every now and then 2
• Beware of asparagus, garlic, onion, smoked fish and
strong spices as they can alter the taste of milk, making
it not pleasant for the baby 3

4
How to deal with nipple fissures
One of the most annoying worries that can arise during
breastfeeding is cracked nipples, small lesions that form 5
around the nipple. The bad news is that some mums top
breastfeeding because of the pain.
The good news is, however, is that fissures can be both 6
prevented and treated, thanks to a few tricks and above all,
professional help.
7
• Make sure that the baby is latching properly: it must
suckle “pulling” introducing both nipple and areola
into their mouth 8
• To direct your nipple into their mouth: support your
breasts and do not squeeze them
• When at home, leave your breasts uncovered as much 9
as possible
• Change your milk pads often
10
• Massage the nipple with a few drops of your milk at the
end of each feed.
• Do not wash your nipples with irritating soaps: washing 11
them with lukewarm water is enough
• Use nursing cups between feedings: they relieve pain,
disinfect and facilitate healing 12
• We are sure that, thanks to this information, you
already feel more at peace with breastfeeding … don’t
you? 13

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7. Plagiocephaly: 1

knowing
and preventing it 2

Have you ever heard of plagiocephaly? It is an anomaly in the

shape of the baby’s skull, which has a flattening in the back, 3
either on the right or left side.

4
The causes that can lead to this inconvenience are
different:
5
• While still in the uterus, the foetus may not have had
enough room to move. This can cause the baby to be
already born with plagiocephaly or otherwise prefer to 6
turn their head to a specific side.
• Even during childbirth, the head can be deformed: it
usually returns to normal within 72 hours, but in some 7
cases, it may not happen.
• The most common plagiocephaly is positional: if the
baby remains in the same position for too many hours, 8
their skull can gradually deform. This can happen
simply because the baby is almost always on their back
or because of suffering from a stiff neck, which means 9
the baby keeps their head turned to the same side all
the time.
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Positional plagiocephaly can be easily prevented with a series
of precautions, which we will list below. You can also use the 1
same tips to treat it in case your baby already has

4
How to prevent or treat
plagiocephaly
5
• Change your baby’s position often, during
breastfeeding or in moments of active wakefulness, so
that they rest on the left or right side alternately. 6
• When laying on the back for sleep, babies should
place their head on a specific pillow to prevent
plagiocephaly: the softness of the memory foam and 7
the hollow will support the little one but prevent it
from flattening.
• If the baby tends to always turn their head to the same 8
side, attract their attention by calling their name or
with interesting games towards the other side.
• From the 2nd month on, whilst wide awake, keep the 9
baby on their stomach so that they can train the neck
muscles to lift their head. Should the little one show
signs of impatience, stop and resume it later during the 10
day.
• To carry your baby, it is better to use the sling or baby
carrier instead of a pram where there would be further 11
extended resting on the head.

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8. Babywearing 1

and its benefits

2
Speaking of slings, how can we not address the
“babywearing” topic? In recent years, this practice has also
been getting more popular but that, actually, has very ancient
origins. 3

It is the action of carrying your baby on, using slings or

baby carriers instead of prams and strollers. This way, the
4
movements are much easier and busy mums can continue to
carry out what they are doing keeping the baby always with
them.
5
This activity is not based only on practical issues, however: it
is, in fact, part of the idea that physical proximity - even skin
to skin - is essential for the baby’s development.
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The benefits of physical contact
1
For newborn babies, physical contact is an innate and
intrinsic need: it allows survival in the first few days and is
fundamental for overall development. Parents also benefit
from it: let’s find out all about them! 2

3
• Improves the physiological parameters of premature
babies… and even full-term ones!
4
• Promotes overall well-being: the baby carried into a
sling rests more and cries less.
• It supports the physiological shape and natural 5
evolution of the baby’s back
• Stimulates thermoregulation and the baby’s
immune system. 6
• Cognitive and learning skills get trained as, from the
sling, the baby can observe the world and interact with
it. 7

• Helps develop a secure attachment bond with the

parents: this translates into greater independence and
confidence for the child as they grow up. 8
• Makes it possible for the dad to create a very close
bond with his baby too.
9
• Stimulates the ability to communicate on the physical
sphere and on the verbal one.

If someone tells you that always wearing your baby will make 11
them to be lazy in the future, now you know what to answer!

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Types of baby slings
1
As you can imagine, there are different types of baby slings.
Depending on your age, weight, your body build, the season
and even on your simple preferences, you can in fact choose
different ones based on: 2

3
• The cloth type, which can be elastic or rigid
• The shape, which can be unstructured, structured with
rings or Mei Tai 4

• Measurements: length, width and maximum weight

supported
5
• Type of fabric, whether it is suitable for hot weather
• Type of knots allowed
6
• Practicality of use

7
Our suggestion is to evaluate all your needs and choose
the most versatile sling. If it fits your baby’s different body
sizes and weight variations, it’s easy to use and clean, it’s
8
comfortable for both you and your baby, and if it’s breathable
and durable ... then it’s probably the right sling for you – yes,
you’ve read it right: for you!
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9. Small sleeping 1

rituals
2
One of the issues that most frequently haunt new parents can
be summarized in one sentence: who knows if the baby will
sleep at night!
3
At birth, every child already has their own temperament:
those who are calmer and those who get very agitated,
not letting mum and dad sleep. In reality, however, what
4
influences the child’s awakening the most is a very simple
thing: hunger! In the beginning, newborn babies need 8 to
12 feedings over a 24-hour period ... so waking up at night
will obviously have to be taken into consideration. Over time, 5
the little one will take a pace more and more similar to that of
adults, perhaps waking up only once or twice each night.
6
Apart from these physiological awakenings, how can you
ensure quality sleep?
Encourage and support the development of the baby’s 7
circadian cycle:

• Always wake the baby up at the same time 8

• During the day, expose the baby to sunlight and keep
them engaged in various activities
• Do not expose the little one to artificial light (especially
9
blue LEDs) when it’s bedtime

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Create a suitable environment:
1

• The room must be dark at night and filled with natural

light in the morning 2
• Prepare a cosy bed with clean sheets and a pillow
suitable for the baby, such as an anti-plagiocephaly
one 3

• For the walls and furniture, choose a soft and relaxing

colour
4
• Maintain an ambient temperature of about 20-22°C

5
Build a bedtime routine:

6
• Always put your baby to bed at the same time and in
the same place, whether it’s the bedroom or a cot in
your room 7

• Use the same blanket, which will preferably have your

perfume
8
• Sing a bedtime song or tell a story
• Uses white noises as a background for them to fall
asleep 9
• Give them their last feed when you are already in the
dark, in the place where they will be sleeping
10
• If you rock your baby while holding them in your arms,
slow down the movement gradually and not abruptly
• Give your little one a warm bath or massage before 11
bedtime
• Create a bedtime routine to repeat every time it’s time
to sleep (even a simple “Good night and sweet dreams” 12
is enough)

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Avoid exciting activities before bedtime:
1

• Do not have them play with exciting games

2
• Don’t show babies coloured videos with energetic
songs
• If the baby cries, do not let them do it in a desperate 3
way as this will wake them up further

4
If they wake up at night, do not pick the baby up immediately
(unless it’s time to feed), don’t start talking and do not turn on
the light. It is better to whisper or repeat the song or phrase 5
from bedtime to the little one so that they understand that
they must carry on sleeping.
When the baby is a few months old, put a doll or a soft rag for 6
some company in the cradle with which the little one can find
comfort. They will become inseparable!
All these new habits, especially those related to the bedtime 7
routine, will be very useful even when you decide that the
time has come to let the baby sleep alone in their bedroom. In
the first few months, however, it may be more comfortable to 8
keep them close to you so that you can breastfeed easily.
Obviously, these practices are not magical and will not give
you immediate results. However, if you make them become 9
an integral part of your habits, you will see that your baby’s
sleep will be much more regular ... and so will yours!
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10. It’s time for 1

baby food: weaning

2
By weaning, we mean the transition from a diet exclusively
based on milk (maternal or artificial) to a solid one, thanks to
the introduction of complementary foods.
3
From the sixth month of life onwards, in fact, the newborn
needs to integrate nutrients that milk no longer provides
them enough of. We are mostly talking about iron and other
4
mineral salts, proteins and fats. From that age on, the child’s
development is exponential, and a lack of these nutrients
would be detrimental to their health.
5
Moreover, the little one around 6 months reaches a
psychological and motor maturity such as to want to try other
foods in addition to milk ... and, they are now able to sit, grab,
6
chew, and swallow foods: therefore, we give the green light to
baby food!

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WHO guidelines
1
The World Health Organization gives very precise indications
on babies’ weaning. The rules are certainly less strict than a
few years ago, but they are very useful for new parents who
might feel a little lost ... 2

What are the key points to keep in mind about weaning?

3

• I t can start between the fourth and sixth months of

4
the baby (never after this age, because there would be
a risk of nutritional deficiencies).
• You can safely continue breastfeeding your baby even 5
after weaning has started.
• There is no longer a specific order in which to provide
food to the child. 6
• It is not necessary to wait long before eating foods with
gluten, fish or egg: it has been found that this does not
influence the development of food allergies. 7
• New foods should be introduced one at a time, first, to
give the child time to get used to their taste and also to
evaluate the appearance of any intolerances. 8
• If the baby shows they does not like some food, do
not insist but offer it to them again the following days,
perhaps cooked differently. 9

• Do not add salt or sugar to the dishes you prepare for

them. Not even honey, which is very dangerous before
one year of age. 10
• Offer the baby food with a spoon, but also allow them
to touch and eat with its hands. 11
• It is important that the baby sits with their back
straight, to avoid the risk of suffocation, and that
they sit at the table with mum and dad to actively 12
participate in the mealtime.
• During the weaning period, start giving the baby water
from a plastic cup that they can hold with both hands. 13

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These are some basic rules that you can follow with your baby
when it’s time to start eating. Obviously, for more detailed 1
or customized information based on your specific needs, we
recommend that you contact your paediatrician.
2
Traditional weaning or self-weaning?
In recent years, more and more mothers have decided not to 3
wean their babies with the traditional method but to choose
self-weaning.
The main feature of traditional weaning is that the foods 4
are offered to the baby and adapted to them. Creams,
soups, homogenized meat or fish, grated fruit, and more are
prepared to the baby. The diet will therefore be different from 5
that of their parents, and their attitude a little more passive
- although they will certainly not miss the opportunity to dip
their hands in the baby food and mess around a bit!
6
In self-weaning, however, the basic principle is to wait for the
child to show interest in food. At around 4 to 5 months, when
the baby can sit by themselves, they sit at the table with their 7
parents and show that they want to taste what is on mum and
dad’s plate. At that point, it will be enough to chop the food
well and leave the little one free to explore it: play with it,
put it in their mouth and can eat it at their own pace. Clearly, 8
in this case, parents must follow a healthy diet that is also
suitable for the child.
9
Which of the two types of weaning to choose for your baby?
It really depends on your needs and your feelings. You may
also decide to go somewhere in between if you find it more
suitable for you and your child. Our advice is to get informed 10
well, possibly with a paediatrician, and then pick the choice
that makes you more comfortable!
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11. How to 1

stimulate a baby
2
Since they were born, you can find playful, pleasant and
appropriate ways to stimulate babies from a psychophysical
point of view.
3
Watching your child grow and acquire new skills is a
wonderful feeling for mum and dad, and, in the first few
months, it happens very quickly. The activities we are about
4
to list will not make the baby rush through the stages, but
simply accompany the little one on this journey of self-
discovery and the surrounding world.
5
There is no need for complex or expensive objects to
stimulate a baby: you, the father, and your imagination are
enough!
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Here are some ideas that will certainly come in handy:
1
Tell your baby lots of fairy tales
Even though the baby does not understand the meaning
2
of the words you speak or the plot of the story yet, the
fact that they can hear your voice is pleasant and relaxing.
In addition, doing so will expose your child to your
language and activate the brain areas that will be needed 3
at a later stage to learn to speak.
Play with a mirror
4
The human face is one of the most interesting shapes for
a newborn and all you need is a mirror to draw attention
to both their own face and yours. By playing with a mirror, 5
you will stimulate their ability to follow the image with
their eyes and to recognise different faces.
Coloured pinwheel 6
You can build it yourself with coloured cardboard or simply
buy it, then place it in front of the baby’s face by spinning
it with your fingers or with a blow. This will improve their 7
perception of depths and their ability to focus.
Touch and feel books
8
In this case as well, you can decide to rely on those you
find on the market or to build one yourself. The principle
is to offer the possibility of touching different textures
and materials, to stimulate the sense of touch and motor 9
coordination.
Sensory bottles
10
You can make two types of sensory bottles: one that
stimulates sight and the other one for hearing - as well
as motor skills. For the first type, you will have to fill the 11
bottle with liquids of different densities that do not mix
with each other (for example, water and oil) or with water
and small objects. For the second, just put a handful of
rice inside the bottle. Always remember to glue the cap 12
so that the child cannot open them. After that, roll them
or flip them over on themselves and notice your baby’s
astonished face! 13

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Basket of treasures 1

When your child learns to sit and wants to start exploring

their environment, prepare a basket with lots of everyday
2
objects. They will have to be different from each other to
stimulate the senses and provoke interest.
Cardboard box 3
But when the little one starts crawling, play this simple
game: place the baby inside a box, on a soft mat
surrounded by objects that attract their attention. The 4
child will do anything to get out of the box and reach
them, and you will be stimulating their motor skills in an
easy and fun way!
5

Obviously, the possibilities to stimulate your child are

many, depending on points of view: these are just some 7
of the possible games to play with the little one ... but
we are confident that your imagination will make you
discover many others! 8

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12. First steps 1

After the first words, the first steps are one of the most
important and most anticipated stages in the life of a child ... 2
and their parents!
By now, you know well that the child will take their first steps
on average around 12 months of age, and you observe your 3
little one impatient to understand if you are almost there
or if they still do not feel ready to stand up and walk. You
also wonder if there is something you can do, personally, to
4
stimulate your little one to take their first steps faster ... or at
least when you feel right.
We answer your question with some considerations: 5

• The baby does not necessarily have to crawl before 6

walking: some skip this phase completely; others crawl
on their stomach or move on their buttocks before
standing up. 7
• Leave your child as free as possible to move on a wide
and rigid base, without obstacles and without dangers
(the classic carpet in the living room or bedroom, for 8
instance), with bare feet or with non-slippery socks.

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• If the little one stands up but does not walk, offer 1
them your support and smile: the more you transmit
confidence, the more comfortable the child will be in
that position… and when feeling that the time comes, 2
they will just go for it!
• The little falls that the baby will experience at the
beginning will make them understand how to manage 3
their body and movements: they are nothing serious,
quite the opposite!
4
• Better avoid walkers or straps: they prevent the
child from falling, it is true, but they also prevent the
little one from understanding how to stand properly
without support. 5
• If you really want to provide your baby with a support
tool, use a walker for first steps: the child will be able
to lean with their hands, but the movement of the legs 6
and the position of the body will be completely under
their control.
7
• Excessive support from you or from other adults is
also wrong: you just offer a finger to your little one,
which the child will cling to and will be able to gain the
confidence to try to walk. 8

Basically, the role of parents in this path towards

autonomy is to be a support, present but not anxious, 10
and to offer the child the opportunity to practice alone
(even if always supervised).
11
Stay by their side, provide a feeling of safety, smile, and
encourage the little one ... but do not force anything:
when children feel ready, then they will take their first
steps. In that moment, you will be right there, crying with 12
emotion and giving your child the biggest hug when they
reach you on their feet!
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13. Conclusion 1

We all know well that being a mother is not easy: it is

a role that brings with lots of happiness but also great 2
responsibilities. It is absolutely normal that you may feel
full of love in certain moments, and extremely drained in
others. It is also normal to have many doubts about practical
matters: no one provides an instruction manual to parents ... 3
it is a hands-on job!

With this little book, we hope to have given you lots of new 4
information which can be useful in the crucial moments of
your pregnancy and in the first months of motherhood.
We thank you for coming this far and we send a hug (like 5
a good Koala) to you and your little one, wishing you a
wonderful adventure together!
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www.koalababycare.com