Learning how to soothe your baby is one of the most important and often most challenging parts of early parenting. New born babies communicate through cues such as crying, movement, and facial expressions, and understanding these signals can help parents respond with confidence. This guide explores how to recognise baby cues , understand new born behaviour , and use simple, responsive techniques to comfort your baby and build a strong sense of security. Why understanding baby

When people search for an antenatal course , they often expect it to focus only on labour and birth. While birth preparation is an important part of antenatal education, modern antenatal courses, such as HollyBlue Antenatal courses offer much more than guidance for birthday. Today, high-quality antenatal classes  are designed to prepare parents for pregnancy, birth, and the early stages of parenting, supporting both physical and emotional wellbeing. Rethinking antenatal cours

Becoming a new parent is life-changing and overwhelming, whether this is your first or subsequent pregnancy. Alongside the joy and love, many parents are quietly carrying questions they’re too embarrassed, anxious, or unsure to say out loud. Social media, family advice, and well-meaning comments can make it seem like everyone else is coping effortlessly. The truth is though that most new parents are wondering the same things. Asking questions doesn’t mean you’re failing, it

When we think about preparing for a baby, most of the focus naturally lands on pregnancy and birth. Birth preference lists are written, hospital bags are packed, and antenatal classes are booked. But what about the days and weeks after  your baby arrives? The postpartum period which is also called the “fourth trimester” is a time of huge physical, emotional, and lifestyle change. Planning for this phase isn’t about being perfect or controlling outcomes; it’s about creating su

This year will be my first Christmas as a solo parent. It still feels strange to say that — not sad exactly, just different . Different in the way the calendar looks, the way the house feels, the way traditions I used to know so well have gently shifted into something new. Right now, we’re living with my parents. It’s a blessing in so many ways, but it can be hard having less space and it also means that our old Christmas traditions won’t quite fit the same. And that’s okay.

The holidays have a way of bringing both magic and mayhem. We picture twinkling lights, matching pyjamas, perfectly wrapped gifts, the kind of Christmas that looks like a movie scene. But the truth? Most families are just trying to get through December with their sanity (and their children’s nap schedules) somewhat intact. And that’s okay. Because however you celebrate, or even if you’re just getting through the season - it’s enough. Maybe your tree isn’t colour-coordinated,

If there’s one thing parenting teaches us quickly, it’s that perfection doesn’t live here. It doesn’t live in the kitchen with half-eaten toast and cold coffee, or in the laundry basket that never seems to empty. It’s not hiding behind the mountain of toys in the living room or buried somewhere between school runs, education, teething, and bedtime battles. But you know what does  live here? Love. Laughter. Growth. And a whole lot of beautiful chaos. For so long, many of us ch

Dear Motherhood, For some, motherhood is a long-awaited miracle; for others, an unexpected surprise and for a few, it’s a plan fulfilled but no matter how the journey begins, it changes everything. I didn’t know what to expect when you arrived. You came quietly at first in two pink lines, a fluttering heartbeat on a screen, a feeling that life as I knew it was shifting. You didn’t come with instructions or promises. You just came with love, fierce, consuming, unrelenting lo

Let’s be honest pregnancy and parenthood aren’t always the glowing, picture-perfect experiences we often see online. Yes, there are magical moments: those first fluttery kicks, the excitement of seeing your baby’s face for the first time, the tiny fingers that curl around yours. But alongside the joy, there can also be exhaustion, worry, tears, and moments of wondering if you’re really cut out for this. At HollyBlue Antenatal I believe in keeping it real. Because when we shar

A brief explanation of what you will learn from a HollyBlue Antenatal course

Creating a birth preference list sometimes also called a birth plan is a great way to communicate your wishes and priorities for your...

Welcoming a new life into the world is an exciting and transformative journey. For some parents-to-be, the path to meeting their baby...

As an antenatal facilitator, I’ve had the privilege of guiding countless parents through the amazing but often challenging phases of...

Parenting is better together, Explore how communities empower parents with support, advice and shared experiences.

A blog to help navigate the unknown of parenting with your first child.

A blog to help navigate the adventure of parenthood after birth.

A quick guide to help you decide whether disposable or reusable nappies are for you.

Whether you are planning a caesarean or simply want to be prepared for for any possibility, this blog will give you the information you need

An overview of the benefits of babywearing.

A short blog on why you should love your body during pregnancy