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Many women will find it refreshing to hear that life as you know it is not over when you have a baby. A very high percentage of women return to work after giving birth and have highly successful careers.

Waiting nine months to meet your baby can seem like a century away and for lots of us, the eagerness and longing to meet our babies when we're pregnant is pretty overwhelming. However, once you start investigating what it will be like to be a parent, you'll find that having a few months to prepare and get used to the idea can help you to feel more relaxed when the day finally arrives.

Giving birth to twins and more can be riskier than with one baby, so it's worth being prepared for things not going according to your birth plan. Maybe you wanted a natural birth, but now you're booked in for an elective caesarean.

If your baby cries inconsolably for hours on end he may have colic. This always used to be blamed on a digestive problem – a form of baby indigestion - but now doctors disagree. Whatever the cause, there is little more distressing than a baby with colic. The inconsolable crying pierces your heart, shreds your nerves, destroys your patience and may leave you as tearful as your baby. Be reassured that your baby WILL grow out of this, and there is much you can do to console him in the meantime.

It might not be rocket science: undress, support in warm water, wash, dry, re-clothe, but for a new mum, it's one of the trickiest little juggling acts she's yet had to face.

Midwife claire friars, manager of baby charity tommy's* pregnancy information line, says: 'often i find the same questions come up again and again, so it's great to be able to answer them, and i hope to provide, not just information but reassurance too.'

Most parents understand how important car safety is, but many people have trouble fitting and using car seats. Recent surveys have revealed that more than half of baby and child car seats are fitted incorrectly. That's why it's so important to read the instructions that come with your car seat.

If you want to be able to carry your sleeping baby from car to house or supermarket trolley, go for an infant carrier (group 0+). These have a handle and are usually lightweight, so they can be removed from the car and carried around, and used indoors as a rocker. You can buy as part of a travel system with the bonus that it snaps into your pushchair chassis.

Pregnancy can be a real roller-coaster ride of the emotions - highs and lows and everything in between. some women appear to 'bloom' during pregnancy; they appear full of life, happiness and vitality whereas other women are tearful and apprehensive.

Couples may feel surprise that they cannot conceive, and may for a long time deny that they are having any problems. Either partner may feel isolated from the other and from their friends who may, apparently effortlessly, be having babies. Couples may become angry and feel guilty and unworthy, and there may be feelings of depression and grief. Talking with other infertile couples or with a counsellor can help you cope with these feelings.

Zita west has a client list including, cate blanchett, kate winslet and davina mccall. now the midwife, fertility expert, and acupuncturist offers her holistically inspired answers to some of the niggling worries you might have about your pregnancy.

Dealing with difficult behaviour is one of the trickiest aspects of parenthood because it is tempting to shout and scream. Children do not know what is expected of them, and what is 'against the rules' unless they are told. It is important to set the limits in a simple way and be consistent with discipline and expectations.

Babies and toddlers love to explore each room, so follow our tips on how to childroof your home, room by room. Once your child becomes mobile, home safety becomes a critical issue. it's amazing what a crawling baby, an active toddler or a curious child can do in a split second.

The second six months of your baby's life is a time of fast development, and for most parents, they'll feel like they've come out of the sleep-deprived early days and are really getting the hang of parenting. babies become stronger, more communicative, dextrous, mobile and much more aware at this age. they will explore everything by putting it in their mouth, and will chew on literally anything in their path to ease sore gums when teething. As co-ordination and dexterity improves, your baby will begin to enjoy toys that move or make a noise when they touch them. they will also enjoy toys that can be taken apart. They will sit up, crawl and stand and begin to see the world from a different viewpoint.

Whether it's a harry potter party for budding wizards or a willy wonka get-together for little oompa loompas, even the most carefree parties need careful planning. Here's how to ensure that the excitement doesn't tip over into tantrums.

Your baby's nutritional needs change constantly as he grows, so you'll find when he is small he needs feeding more frequently, and when he gets to somewhere between five and six months old he'll seem hungrier for something other than milk. here is a quick guide to what your baby may require at each stage. It's worth bearing in mind that all babies are different and may require smaller amounts or need weaning earlier than others. Trusting your instincts can help you to decide what your baby needs.

It's always advisable to see a gp or health visitor if you're worried about your new baby. chances are, you'll find reassurance. But here dr jo nixon - a gp in a busy london practice – answers some of the most frequently asked baby questions she hears.

Every mum-to-be hopes that her pregnancy will pass with little more than a bout of morning sickness, but it's not always plain sailing. The good news is, even some of the most serious antenatal conditions can be controlled successfully as long as they're spotted early. If you're in any doubt at all, ask your gp or midwife for a check-up.