This is the first blog by Hattie Bourn, who has joined the team with her sister Mallory. Hattie is expecting her first child very soon!

At around 6 weeks pregnant I began experiencing morning sickness.

After watching my sister throw up only 4 times in her whole pregnancy I had not expected to have it so bad.

Morning sickness is one of the hardest things I've had to deal with in my pregnancy so far, some woman are lucky enough to not experience any sickness, but around 75% of women will. Good news you're not alone! Only 2% of women will suffer from severe morning sickness 'Hyperemesis Gravidarum'.

I happen to be one of those women!

I was basically sick from the minute I woke up, to when I went to sleep. Sometimes even through the night. Pretty much everyday, for around 5 months. This really took it's toll on me, I felt so guilty about being so upset, as I wanted to enjoy my pregnancy, but I really wasn't! It was so hard to be excited when each day was such a struggle to get through, with absolutely no energy.

I reminded myself how fortunate I was to be carrying a healthy baby, but the sickness really got to me.

9 weeks pregnant, I felt so ill and was sick in the sea that day!

17 weeks

20 weeks

21 weeks

23 weeks

24 weeks, finally my sickness started to ease, I continued to be sick but only in the mornings rather than all day long!

I am lucky enough to have an amazing partner who was so supportive and helped me through it. I would really advise speaking up about your feelings and seeking support from those close to you, as it can be really draining physically and mentally. The doctors did prescribe me with medication, but it didn't help. Everyone is different so this maybe something that could help if you are suffering.

Don't be defeated! Although nothing stopped my sickness some things helped me to cope.

I found always having a snack and sugary drink (Lucozade Sport) next to my bed at all times was really useful. The mornings were often the worst and I needed something to snack on as soon as I woke up. Although I pretty much threw up everything I ate, it was really important not to let myself get hungry, as this can often make you feel even worse!

Another tip I would recommend was keeping really hydrated and resting as much as possible. Your body lacks energy through this time so staying rested is really important - especially when you're not keeping anything down. A glass of milk and a banana was my go to snack and often all I'd keep down in a day. Sometimes I even struggled with keeping down fluids, on these days I found sucking ice cubes really helpful.

I had intended to be super healthy during pregnancy, but this just wasn't possible when I was so sick, so if I fancied a burger and chips that's what I'd eat.

Whatever morning sickness is like for you, there are ways to ease the nausea. Take a look at BabyCentre's 12 top tips:

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This is the first blog by Mallory Bourn, who has joined the team with her sister Hattie. She has a one-year-old daughter called Blythe.

Breastfeeding, for me, has been an amazing experience. My daughter Blythe is now 1 and I am still breastfeeding twice a day.

When I think about stopping I feel really sad, I am so attached to it and can't imagine my day without those feeds. It has been one of my favourite parts of motherhood so far, although it has not been without its hurdles and tears (from both of us!).

When I flash back to week 1 of my daughter's life I realise just how far we have come on our breastfeeding journey. I remember sobbing and screaming in pain, my nipples raw and bleeding. In that moment I didn't think I could manage another feed, I definitely didn't expect to still be feeding her now!

I am no Superwoman, but am proud of my perseverance, and was surprised by the determination that feeding my baby inspired in me.

I only ever expected to breastfeed her for 3-6 months, I never expected to feel the way I do about it and I didn't expect I would be as attached to it as I am. For me there is nothing more special then those cuddles whilst she feeds and strokes me (scratches and pinches!) with her little hands.

It has made me feel so important and empowered that I am providing her with the nutrients she needs to grow, as well as the comfort she needs to thrive.

At first I was so nervous to feed her in public and to leave the house. What will people think? Are they staring at me? Will I offend someone? Those feelings have all gone out of the window. I'm not ashamed to say that just about everyone has probably seen my boobs at this point. When your baby is hungry it really takes priority over your dignity!

It's funny now the people who encouraged me most to breastfeed are shocked I am still feeding. "You're still feeding her?" they ask in shock. "You will be one of those weirdos on This Morning who's still feeding their 7 year old" they joke. And although I am certainly not going to be feeding her at 7, I can now understand those women I once mocked and thought were strange.

There is something so sacred about breastfeeding that I don't think you can understand until you are a breastfeeding mum! I am just not quite ready for it to be over yet!

My daughter was so stubborn she refused to even suck a bottle until she was 10 months old. Which at times was really hard as it meant I couldn't really be parted from her. I was left feeling frustrated and desperate for her to take a bottle as if I was somehow to blame.

Now that she will accept a bottle I can't help but feel a little jealous and replaced, so I still feed her twice a day.

My advice to those of you beginning your journey would be that you have to want to do it, for you and for your baby. There are so many pressures on Mums and so many different opinions will be thrust at you from everyone who's ever had a child. Do what is right for you.

Breastfeeding isn't right for everyone, but if you take one thing from this PLEASE give breastfeeding a try! If you feed your baby for 1 week, 1 month or 1 year at least you can say you gave it a go! After all that is what our boobs are there for!

It may be painful to begin with, but I can promise you it will be worth it! The rewards far outweigh the initial discomfort.

Although the pressures from others do sometimes make me question myself I know It is doing neither of us any harm to continue a little longer.

The first time I fed my daughter I didn't really have a clue what I was doing!

I love the closeness that comes with breastfeeding

1 week into breastfeeding and the pain began to fade, I was getting the hang of it.

Milk drunk

Feeding my daughter on our first family holiday

I didn't think I'd feed for longer than 6 months - but I love it...and love her so much.

A year on and I still feed her twice a day.

If you're nursing, we have community groups for you: breastfeeding, combination feeding, pumping mummies or lactivists.

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When I found out I was pregnant I was determined to stay healthy and fit. My aim was to put on just the weight I needed to, and no more.

I soon discovered that my body had other ideas and due to extreme sickness for the first three months I had to adjust my healthy eating plan! You just can't predict what kind of pregnancy you will have and you have to adapt to whatever your faced with.

For me, it meant eating only what I could stomach for the first 5 months (mostly unhealthy things!). I soon realised that just eating healthy food throughout pregnancy wasn't going to be possible.

Everyone constantly tells you 'you're eating for two now' which makes you think you can just have double the food (I wish!). In actual fact, you shouldn’t really consume any more calories than normal until your third trimester, when you can have an extra 200 a day.

Watermelon was great for morning sickness and really helped with bloating as it’s a natural diuretic and is packed full of fibre. I also loved yogurts throughout my pregnancy and had a real craving for them, which was lucky as calcium is a key pregnancy nutrient that helps your baby develop strong bones and teeth. Whole grain foods are also a great source of fibre and vitamins.

Whatever kind of pregnancy you are faced with, try not to stress over every little thing you eat. If like me you suffer from sickness, just try and eat whatever you can manage, even if it is not the healthiest option. You can make up for not being super healthy as soon as you are over your sickness.

When it came to exercise, I set myself a goal to go for a 20 minute walk with the dog every day throughout pregnancy. I think this really helped me keep fit. I also did pregnancy pilates, which was great for relaxation and for soothing aches and pains. It gives you time to zone out a bit and focus on your body.

Later in pregnancy I enjoyed swimming. You're completely weightless in the water which makes it much easier to relax and exercise comfortably without feeling exhausted after a short time.

There are some exercises you should avoid if you're expecting, but do you know which ones? Take our quiz:

Hattie Bourn

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Sleep is something you take for granted and consider a totally unremarkable part of life...until you have a baby! You will never view that five letter word in the same way again.

In those early weeks with a newborn you can begin to feel rather desperate, unless you have been blessed with a miracle baby who sleeps through the night from day one (do they really exist?)

You turn to books, to blogs, and to family. What can you do to get more sleep? As usual when it comes to parenting, people will be desperate to give you advice. There is so much contradictory information out there, I would urge you to take it all with a pinch of salt.

To begin with I obsessed over the perfect routine. The books told me if only I got my baby's routine right, she would sleep through the night. Not my baby! I ended up obsessing over whether we were being consistent enough, just because one day we bathed her at 6pm, and then next it was at 6.15pm. You can drive yourself a little crazy.

Then it was solids. People will tell you that once your baby starts weaning, they will sleep through. We eagerly anticipated our daughter turning 6 months so we could begin giving her solids, expecting some magical transformation to occur. Nope! She still woke up regularly.

As a breastfeeding mum, I often fed my baby to sleep. It seems so natural to allow your tiny baby to fall asleep snuggled in close to you, but according to some experts this was creating a negative sleep association.

Apparently, sleep training was the answer. There are various methods, and I've probably given them all a go. Desperate times call for desperate measures after all.

One method that stands out in my mind is letting your baby “cry it out”. For me this was the most hideous method of all. While I'm sure it's a success for some, my baby would work herself (and me) into such a state that she would throw up all her dinner and milk. It was too distressing to continue.

To be honest, even if she hadn’t been sick I couldn’t bear to listen to her cry her heart out and ignore my instinct to comfort her. Maybe I am weak. But going against my natural need to comfort my baby seemed wrong.

Feeling miserable, guilty and confused, I decided to ignore the advice, and reverted back to comforting my baby to sleep. Leaving her to cry until she was blue in the face just didn't make sense to me.

Kissing, cuddling and rocking to sleep are all firm favourites in our house!

One-week-old Blythe enjoying a nap in her car seat.

You would think this baby could sleep anywhere, but in the early days she only seemed to want to nap in our arms.

Interesting sleeping position.

Sleeping angel!

There are lots of sleep gimmicks out there but I genuinely found the Sleepyhead Pod really helpful in transitioning her from moses basket to cot bed.

Typical -  having an amazing nap on Christmas day. "Wake up, Mummy wants to play with your new toys!"

Ready for bed in our matching pyjamas.

Sometimes, the only way to get any sleep is to bring her into my bed. I don't do this very often, but when I do I enjoy the cuddles in the morning!

Smile! Its all worth it.

Of course, I still get frustrated sometimes when I’m tired and it takes me 3 hours to settle her back to sleep at 2am, but when I see her smiling little face the next day my frustration is gone. How can I be angry at her for wanting the comfort of her mother? Who am I to deny her that?

You may not be getting as much sleep as you might like but it won't be forever. Hang in there.

Mallory
x

Follow me on Instagram, and check out my blog, bournsisters.com.

Giving birth is an overwhelming whirlwind of emotions, and something you really can't explain to someone who hasn't experienced it.

The first thing my mum said to me after I'd given birth was 'do you see how much I really love you now?'

The tiny human you've been waiting for, making and carrying for nearly 10 months is finally here. When I saw Otis he immediately became the most precious thing in the whole world.

Otis in his car seat for the first time.

First week as parents. We need sleep!

Precious time with my baby.

Ready for an early night.

Loving his sleepy head.

Waiting patiently to be discharged from hospital,

Our matching poorly hands from the drip.

After I gave birth I had an infection so had to stay in hospital for monitoring for 2 days which I was absolutely devastated about.

All I wanted was to go home with my baby and my partner and finally start our family. I really was pleasantly surprised about the amazing care and support I received in hospital and now wouldn't have changed it for the world.

It enabled my very tired partner, who had been there holding my hand for the past 3 days, to go home and get a few full night's sleeps to rebuild energy for our arrival home. It also gave me such support and reassurance that in fact I did know what I was doing, and that I was doing a good job, which let's face it, we all want to hear after bringing a life into the world.

I think bringing your new baby home has to be one of the most exciting, scary, daunting and amazing times in your life. You've been preparing for so long but are you ever really prepared for it? How can you be prepared for the unknown? No baby is the same, so what your best friend's baby loved, your baby might hate.

I found listening to advice useful, but I think what's really important is to go with what's best for you and what's best for your baby and your life.

The most important thing your baby needs is love.

They need love from their mother, which really does mean you'll be doing everything you can for them. Whether that's breastfeeding or bottle feeding, night shares or all nighters. Everyone will give you their experiences and advice, but my advice to you is listen and take it on board, but you'll soon find out what your baby wants and what you need to do in order for your baby to keep happy and sleep well.

Also - don't be afraid to ask for help! You've just created a new life and it's a tough ride bringing them into the world, so ask for as much help as you can. My mum came to stay with us for the first week and I couldn't be more grateful. She was amazing and remembered to do absolutely everything to keep things running smoothly in the house.

Hattie

x

To find out more about me find me on instagram @hattiebourn and check out my personal blog bournsisters.com 

From peeing like a horse, to uncontrolled farting, there are some things about those early post-birth weeks that you may not hear about at your antenatal classes. Here, 21 mums share the biggest shock they had post-birth:

"When my baby cried for the first time my milk started leaking from my boobs straight away, before I even had time to start feeding."

"My first period after having a baby was horrific - the blood was pouring out with giant clots. I ended up going to hospital and having an internal but they told me it was completely normal!"

"Babies can projectile poo and vomit. My daughter puked on my face when I was about to give her a kiss and my son's bum exploded all over me and the sofa."

"Yes, you do bleed, a lot. But not everyone has the massive clots and bleeds for weeks. With my youngest it was four days and was no worse then a period after the first few hours."

"If you tear vaginally they might stick a finger up your bum to check that there are no tears up there too. They will warn you if they have to check!"

"You pee like a horse for a good while afterwards - its just your body converting those extra litres of blood from pregnancy into water. I couldn't believe how many times I needed to go for a wee in a day!"

"Be prepared for not being able to hold in any farts! I normally wouldn't trump in front of my husband but after the birth I remember doing one that seemed to last for about a minute!"

"For a few days post-birth I would get this dropping sensation every time I stood up. I really thought my womb might fall out of my fanny! Needless to say it didn't. It went away once all the muscles had a chance to heal."

"I was shocked by how hard my boobs were when my milk came in. My husband elbowed me by accident and didn't understand why I was nearly crying."

"Have water next to you before you sit down to breastfeed. The second I began to feed I needed water so badly."

"Be prepared for night-time sweating. The bed sheets were soaking when I'd get up for a night feed."

"I had awful trapped wind. I had to send my mum out on an emergency shop visit for peppermint tea and wind-eze before she could come to visit us."

"I wish someone told me that I may not feel that instant thunderbolt of love for my baby. I had a nasty tear and difficult recovery and think that made it hard for me to bond initially. If this happens to you don't worry, you absolutely will fall head over heels in love with your baby, it might just take a little time."

"During my first shower after birth I could barely stand up I felt so weak. I lent over a plastic chair and my hubby had to wash me."

"Baby boys will pee on their heads. Numerous times. Have a wet wipe ready as soon as that nappy comes off, or you'll be covered too."

Have a pillow nearby if you have a c-section. It hurts when you sit up, but if you lightly press a pillow across your scar it helps."

"I was very sore down there. Epsom salts in a bath twice a day helped with a speedy healing process."

"If you've had a c-section, lie flat on your back after your first shower to air dry your stitches. It's too sore to use a towel and it's best to make sure it's totally dry so it doesn't get infected."

"Sometimes you're on such a high after the birth you can't sleep! When I had my second baby I didn't sleep for two days straight."

"Witch hazel is heaven. Pour it on a pad - it gives great relief down below and helps stitches heal. I swear by it now."

Just given birth too? Did you know we have birth clubs you can join to meet others who had their baby straight

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I was 23 when I gave birth to my daughter, which is well below the average age of 29 for first-time mums in the UK. As far as I am concerned age is just a number and doesn't define you as a person or a mother.

I know that for some pregnancy is a happy accident, but for us it was something we talked about daily. We were excited to begin a family and simply couldn't wait! When we found out we were pregnant we were overjoyed with happiness and impatient for our baby to arrive. We were confident in our ability to be parents, our relationship, our love and our financial situation. We were ready!

When we announced our pregnancy, most of our close friends and family were not surprised; they knew that it was something we were planning. However, there were some people who questioned our decision, asking “was it planned? Is it what we really wanted? Had we not considered how much our lives may change?"

Ever since, I've felt a stigma attached to us for being young parents. Wherever we go I notice people staring at us, watching us, trying to work out if we are just babysitting, or if we are parents.

"You must be the nanny" they ask innocently. I know I shouldn't let comments like this bother me, but I can't help but be hurt by them. "No this is my child, who I carried inside me for 9 months and love more then life itself" I want to shout like a mad woman. Instead I smile sweetly and confirm that this is my daughter.

Then comes the judgement. You can almost read their minds. "Wow she's young, I wonder how old she is, bet that wasn't planned." I feel like I have to explain myself and my choices. Then I realise, it's none of their business!

As a young mum I can't help but feel like I have to constantly prove to myself to people. I'm a mother and I'm happy about it! In fact, it's my biggest achievement and my greatest passion. I love being a mother. It shouldn’t matter that I am young.

I always knew I wanted to have children in my early 20s. I have been lucky enough to find the perfect person early in my life to make that dream a reality, and we haven't looked back or regretted our decision once.

I don't believe your age determines how good a parent you are and I think that the right time is different for everyone. I believe women should unite in motherhood and support each other. Young and old, we share a common goal. Next time you see a mother, whatever their age, I urge you to strike up a conversation. I promise you will have lots in common!

Mallory

x

Blythe and I hanging out at home.

My little family celebrating Blythe's first Birthday.

Twinning is winning.

We love nothing more then dressing up, being silly and playing all day!

I have taken to wearing this jumper to proudly show everyone I am a mum!

So proud to be a mum to this little monkey!

I always wanted to be a mum and she truly is all I ever dreamed of and more!

Who needs a pram when you can walk? Or Mummy can carry you?

Her favourite pastime is jumping in muddy puddles.

Our second Christmas.

Find Mallory on Instagram @mallorybourn and follow her personal blog, bournsisters.com

Are you a young parent? We have a community group just for you.

There is so much pressure on new mums to breastfeed. From the moment you find out you're pregnant it's all you'll hear people ask you, and to be honest, from the beginning I was never really sure exactly what I wanted to do.

All the woman in my family breastfed (including my sister who is still breastfeeding), and of course it's the most natural thing to do, but I wasn't sure it was the right thing for me.

Is that selfish?

My little Otis having his milk

I've made this little person so surely I want to provide the 'best' thing for them? But surely the best thing is to be happy so you can make your baby happy and ensure you're doing what fits in with your life. Not what's right for your fellow NCT mums.

My sister breastfed my niece from the beginning and I watched her sit for hours on end feeding with little time for herself.

My partner and I soon decided we both felt bottle-feeding was what we wanted to do. He was keen to be involved and help me as much as he could, and to be honest I was really keen too, despite what those closest to me thought. I almost felt guilty every time they'd ask me what I'd decided on and I still feel it now when people ask.

Once I had my baby I breastfed for the first 3 days as we were both fighting an infection and I wanted to try and help him as much as I could.

As I was really weak and unwell after labour my mum gave him his first bottle which he absolutely loved and got the hang of straight away. Once he had his first bottle I then tried breastfeeding him again, but he would feed for over half an hour and still seemed so hungry. I started getting anxious he wasn't getting what he needed and he seemed to prefer the bottle.

I was also getting such sore nipples, and after a long and painful labour and post-partum infection all I wanted was to enjoy my baby and not have another thing cause me such anxiety.

Something I worried about was the 'bonding' issue, as everyone tells you breastfeeding gives you such a special bond and really helps mother and baby bond.

I think for me I found bonding with my baby happens daily, which comes with not only feeding but nurturing. I feel such a close connection with my newborn every time I feed him and look forward to each feed we have together.

I know I've made the right decision and feel proud of myself now that I wasn't pressured into anything I didn't want to do. I love bottle-feeding my baby boy and think it's just as special and wonderful as breastfeeding.

Please don't punish yourself if breastfeeding isn't for you. Whatever feeding method you decide you and your baby will develop a fantastic bond, enjoy every moment of it.

Love Hattie x

Bottle-feeding is right for some women, some babies and some families. Bottles can also mean pumped breastmilk, or formula. So to celebrate all those bottle-feeding families, here are some beautiful pictures of bottle-feeding babies from our BabyCentre Community.

However you're feeding, have a chat with other mums in the BabyCentre Community. If you're expressing breastmilk, you may enjoy the pumping mummies community group, or if you're combination feeding chat to others like you in the group. There's also a formula feeding group and breastfeeding group you can join.

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Like lots of women I have always felt under pressure to ‘maintain my figure’. Whilst I do believe there is something truly beautiful about pregnancy, I certainly didn’t feel my most attractive during those 9 months. I had pictured myself looking like the glossy magazine images of glowing pregnant celebrities, but the reality didn't quite match up to that.

‘WOW you are HUGE’ was a comment I got used to hearing. I put on around 3 and a half stone and had very extreme water retention just about everywhere!  I convinced myself that when I gave birth I would be really motivated to lose weight. How naive I was.

I think I was fooled by those pregnant celebrities, who magically return to a size 6 within weeks of giving birth, and taunt us with their stretch-mark free bikini bodies. The reality, for me, was a little different!

Around 20 weeks pregnant I had a neat little bump.

This was taken at my baby shower when I was around 35 weeks pregnant. I felt huge and I spent the day without shoes on as my feet were so swollen. I like this photo - my sister did my hair and makeup so despite feeling huge, I was happy, excited and not concerned about eating too many cakes!

I hate this photo. I was uncomfortable and heavy and my legs rubbed together all day! My mum kept telling me how 'huge' I was.

A few weeks after giving birth. I wore clothes that were baggy and loose to hide my body.

Our first family holiday. My daughter was 6 months old, and I felt uncomfortable in swimwear.  Friends with babies of similar ages were already looking good in bikinis!

Still wearing baggy clothes, 'mum jeans' and oversized jumpers. ( I love these jumpers from Magnificent Stanley.)

Wearing trousers 3 sizes bigger then my pre-baby size. I just didn't feel like the 'old me'.

I love how happy we look in this photo. I was wearing baggy loose trousers to hide my legs.

Wearing baggy clothes to hide myself, but still smiling!

I may be smiling, but I wasn't feeling body confident next to my slim sister.

Finally starting to feel more like me again. Love yourself, your image isn't everything, don't push yourself to extremes and enjoy your baby - they are only young once! You have plenty of time to lose your baby weight.

My sister is one of those ‘lucky ones’ who didn't gain much weight and miraculously fitted into her pre-baby jeans a week after giving birth. What's her secret? She doesn’t have one, she is naturally petite. Yes, she looks after herself but she didn’t exercise any more then I did during pregnancy and she didn’t eat exceptionally healthily either. Everyone is different. She felt just as uncomfortable with her figure during pregnancy as I did, but from where I stood she looked perfect!

Despite it being over a year since I gave birth I still don’t fit into my old jeans. At first I didn’t really care because I was so wrapped up in my beautiful little newborn. Then I attempted to fit into an old dress to go to a birthday party and was shocked and depressed that I couldn't get into it anymore.

I felt miserable and I couldn’t bear the sight of my reflection. I was disgusted by my stretch marks, my massive boobs, and my ‘mum tum’. I didn’t feel like myself.  I felt like my body had turned into someone else’s.

What's scary is that even pre-baby I wasn’t content with my body. I felt ‘fat’ when I compared myself to others. Looking back at photos now, I can see that I was actually quite slim. It's made me realise that women scrutinize themselves far too much!

I am slowly and healthily returning to my old self, whilst still enjoying the occasional treat or two. My advice would be not to put pressure on yourself to return to your pre-baby body - give yourself the time you need to adjust to life as a mum.

Your body has been through a remarkable journey and you might be left with a few reminders, but it's worth it.

Find Mallory on Instagram @mallorybourn and follow her personal blog, bournsisters.com.

Having been a birth partner for my sister and seeing her get by on gas and air, I didn't feel daunted by labour, and looked forward to doing it myself.

My experience, however, was very different. Due to suffering from intense pelvic pain (SPD), I was offered an induction on my due date. At the time this felt like a god send, because I couldn't bare the pain any longer. I arrived at 8.30am on the 13th January ready to go!

I soon discovered induction wasn't what I had expected at all. I didn't realise how slow and painful it would be. My vision was blinkered and I was only thinking about the end result of having my baby in my arms and no longer being pregnant and in pain. I don't think the consultant really explained to me what the induction itself would involve.

My body was really sensitive to the pessary and then to the hormone drip. My baby's heart rate was dipping below what was normal after every contraction. My body was having too many contractions without pause. At one point I had to have an injection into my stomach to stop the contractions all together.

I felt really guilty and as if there was something wrong with me. Why couldn't I just have a baby naturally? Why did I decide to put me and my baby through this? Part of me wanted to have a ceasarean because I was terrified at the thought my baby was in distress.

The doctors and midwives urged me to continue and my sister and partner reassured me that I was doing a good job. I opted for an epidural the following day as the pain just became unbearable and my energy was running low. Unfortunately this didn't work first time round so I had to have a second. Everything seemed to be going wrong which was making me more distressed and disheartened that I wasn't going to be able to do this without help.

Finally, two days later, I gave birth naturally to my beautiful baby boy with the help of a ventouse. I was so relieved that he was safe and healthy, but as a result of having my waters broken I picked up an infection. It was hard for me to hold and enjoy my baby because I was so weak. We were in hospital for two days to ensure I hadn't passed the infection on to him, which luckily I hadn't.

I don't regret induction because I have a beautiful healthy baby, but I just urge anyone else in my position to really do your research into all possibilities in case you end up needing more intervention then you planned for. I hope I'll have a more natural birth next time.

You can't prepare for everything but knowledge is power and I definitely wish I had known more about induction.

Love Hattie x

Here are some photos from my baby's birth:

See what induction involves in BabyCentre's slideshow:

Ask a question in BabyCentre's online antenatal classes.

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Leaving my baby for the first time was terrifying. My daughter spent most of her time in my arms, so it was so hard to imagine being away from her. It seemed really unnatural; as if someone was asking me to saw off a limb.

“It is important to leave them” I was told, and "you need time for yourself". While I agree it's important to have some time where you're not covered in baby sick, I really wasn’t desperate to ‘escape’ my baby, at all.

As a breastfeeding mum with a baby who wouldn’t accept a bottle until recently it was logistically quite tricky to leave her, especially in the evenings. The first time I left the house without her she was 6 months old and I went to get my hair done while her dad looked after her.

He's an amazing hands-on dad who knows what he's doing, but that didn’t stop me worrying. What if she missed me, or worse, what if she didn't? What if she forgot who I was?

Walking along the street without a pram to push or a baby to carry I felt quite lost. I had forgotten how to be just me and do things purely because I wanted to do them. I felt so guilty for leaving her, as if I was the worst, most selfish mother in the world! Of course, I knew I was being ridiculous - it's perfectly normal to leave your baby with someone else sometimes.

The first time my partner and I went out for dinner together we found ourselves talking about our daughter non-stop! We checked our phones constantly for updates from her grandma, ready to rush home at a moment's notice. We didn't really enjoy ourselves because we were too busy worrying about her.

Celebrating Mother's Day in our matching pyjamas.

Enjoying a champagne afternoon tea with my partner was a really lovely treat.

Having fun at home. Blythe loves wearing things on her head!

I love taking Blythe to art classes. She really enjoys getting messy and it's lovely to see her being creative.

We love doing things together as a family...

but it's also really lovely to spend time as a couple. Here we are enjoying my first night away from Blythe.

This was taken when I got back home. Blythe had a lovely time with her grandma but she was so pleased to see me. We had lots of cuddles.

I think it's really important to have a good balance of family time and time with your partner, or a little bit of 'me time'.

My daughter is now 15 months old and I have still only left her handful of times. I know that many women have to go back to work and I can only imagine how hard that must be, especially if you are not quite ready to leave your baby yet.

I am slowly learning to enjoy the time I spend away from Blythe. We have realised that it is not the end of the world if she wakes up a few times whilst we are gone and if her grandparents adapt her routine slightly. I do still feel guilty when I leave her but I know that when I am gone she is enjoying quality time with her grandparents or aunty.

It's really important to make time for yourself and your partner (if you have one). I believe it really can make you a better mother because when you return to your baby you will be excited about spending time with them again.

As much as I love my daughter, I know we can’t spend ever single second together and we both have to learn some independence. It is starting to feel a little bit more normal now although the best part of leaving her has to be the coming back! The squeals of “mummy" and the big cuddles and kisses make me want to leave more often, just so that I can come back again!

Mallory x

Find Mallory on Instagram @mallorybourn and follow her personal blog, bournsisters.com.

Being a first time mum comes with a whirlwind of emotions, one being worry! My mind never seems to settle and I seem to always second guess myself. I don't think I really slept properly for the first few weeks of his life worrying he was safe and ok!

When your baby gets their first cold it can be really quite terrifying. You feel so guilty, as if you've somehow caused it. Should I have wrapped him up warmer when we went for that walk? Did I do something wrong?

This tiny little human I have made and brought into the world is relying on me to make sure he's safe and well, and I'm seriously feeling the pressure. There's no handbook that comes with every cough and sniffle telling you the cause and solution, but I really wish there was! I feel I need my doctor's number on speed dial and find myself calling my mum asking 'is this normal' frequently. Google can be really helpful but also confusing. It can either reassure you or make you feel like you need to rush to A&E!

I've been to the doctors twice about his little cough that's now turned into a not-so-little cough. After speaking to the health visitor and doctor several times I now know it is really normal for young children to pick up coughs and colds. They can have up to 8 in their first year. Yikes! That being said it definitely doesn't stop me worrying and feeling so helpless every time I hear him cough and splutter.

I really recommend calling your health visitor if you're worried about something like a cough or cold or just need a second opinion, or someone to talk to. Mine have been amazing and really put my mind to ease. They have a way of making you feel not so crazy, where in some cases doctors end up doing the opposite.

I will forever feel blessed to love someone so much, but can only hope it gets better and easier as time goes on or with a second child. However I have a feeling this worrying isn't going anywhere in a hurry and I suppose I need to just trust my instinct and try and remember that I am in fact doing a good job.

Hattie x

See which common illnesses your baby may experience in his first year:

To chat to other mums with a baby the same age as yours, join your BabyCentre Birth Club.

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From a young age my daughter was mesmerised by the TV. The colours and shapes fascinated her and I really didn’t see it as a problem for her to watch it. I know lots of people who don’t allow their children to watch TV at all. This is something that I find quite shocking.

I think watching TV can be massively educational and stimulating for young children, because their minds are like sponges. Whilst I'm not saying you should leave your child in front of the TV all day, I don't think it's a problem when you combine it with other activities.

I love seeing my daughter get excited to see her favourite TV characters. It's really sweet how attached she is to particular programmes and on those days when nothing else works, an episode of ‘Bing’ or ‘Peppa’ makes everything ok! She can say all her favourite character’s names, and she copies actions and repeats sounds and words from her favourite shows. TV is a clever way of teaching children because they don’t even realise they are learning.

My daughter also watches TV on a tablet and mobile. I have to admit that before I had a child I judged parents who gave their child a device rather than entertaining them themselves, but now I know that sometimes as a parent you can be a little desperate. Sometimes nothing else works.

Young children get bored easily - if watching a tablet pacifies them so be it! My daughter has always been a terrible traveller - she’s very active and hates being restrained in a car seat. I have always sat in the back with her, and we sing, talk, read stories and play, but she tires of these things after a while and can get really hysterical. Watching her favourite shows on a tablet has finally made journeys a pleasant experience for us all!

People often refer to children watching TV as ‘lazy parenting’ but I disagree. I talk to my daughter about what’s happening on the screen, so it becomes an interactive experience. Of course there are times where I let her sit quietly whilst I quickly empty the dishwasher, but what's wrong with that? I'm not ashamed to say that my daughter watches some TV almost every day.

Blythe watching some Mickey Mouse.

Enjoying reading one of her many books.

Holding her favourite 'Bing' toy whilst watching him on the TV.

A tea party with friends.

Watching Peppa at a cinema club.

Getting messy at toddler art class.

Watching TV in the car.

Enjoying a muddy walk.

Watching Daddy play rugby.

Watching a Disney film together.

No TV today - too busy hunting for eggs.

Take our poll!

Mallory x

Find Mallory on Instagram @mallorybourn and follow her personal blog, bournsisters.com.

As a new mum it can be really overwhelming knowing what you need for your new baby. I found it so hard to separate between essentials and things that were not really necessary. I used to go into Mothercare with a huge list and leave with so much more before I realised I didn't really need it all.

There have been a few items that have really made life easier though, and that I couldn't have done without, so I thought would be helpful to share.

Hattie

x

1. Next to me crib - this has to be my favourite purchase. I absolutely love having my son so close to me and have loved being able to just turn over and pick him up rather than getting out of bed through the night. That might not seem like a hard task but with only a few hours sleep at 2am those little steps can sometimes feel like a lot more. Also great for breastfeeding mums!

2. Sleepyhead - this is like a mattress that goes inside the crib which is supposed to help your baby feel more secure and less likely to startle themselves. It works a treat. The dreaded night I washed the cover and realised at bedtime it was still soaking wet in the machine, let's just say was a terrible night. Otis was kicking and darting all over the place and only settled once he was back in the Sleepyhead.

Sleepyheads are quite pricey, but so worth it. Luckily my sister lent me hers, but I would definitely recommend investing in one of these!

Here's Otis sound asleep in his Sleepyhead!

Here's a pic without Otis in it. All ready for a good night's sleep.

3. Baby bath - Kicking tiny babies are very slippery and it's harder than it looks to try and wash a newborn and hold them at the same time. The one I have is called 'Angelcare soft touch bath support' which I would recommend. Although nothing beats a lovely bath with him, he really loves bath time so I try and have them with him as much as I can.

Here's Otis enjoying his bath with his angel care bath support.

4. Muslins and lots of them! Sometimes 4 in one room just isn't enough. They're great for everything. Wiping/mopping sick, protecting yourself and your furniture from sick and much more. You really can't go wrong with these.

5. Car seat adapters for your pram. I couldn't recommend these enough. There's nothing better than lifting your peaceful sleeping baby from the car onto the pram and keeping them asleep. It's hassle and stress free and has made life much easier for us.

Here's Otis and I using the car seat adaptors on the pram to go for lunch.

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When your baby is unwell it's the worst feeling; you would do anything to take away their pain. But what happens when you're ill and you still have a tiny person relying on you to take care of them?

The first time it happened my daughter was only a few months old and my partner was working away which was really tough. When you're ill you want to be selfish and sleep and feel sorry for yourself, but when you’re a mother that’s not really an option.

My first thought was, "will I make my baby ill?". I could hardly stay away from her especially because I was breastfeeding. I couldn’t sleep all day like I would have done before I had a baby. But I lived another day and I am definitely tougher for it!

I have recently just had a horrible sickness bug which was exhausting. My daughter is a very active 15 month old so there is only so long she will sit quietly with a book or a cartoon before she is trying to climb the kitchen table or pull every single book off the book shelf.

I have to laugh when I’m throwing my guts up and she is mimicking me but I also wonder, "how are we going to get through today when I feel like this?" All my plans for fun toddler-tiring activities are out the window. I try my best to play enthusiastically but when I am running to the bathroom every 20 minutes she isn’t best pleased with me.

The house looks like a bomb has gone off and I have given up attempting to tidy up after her. All the things I would usually stop her doing, like putting the dog's food into his water bowl, jumping in the water bowl, and emptying the water bowl onto the dog's head, I don’t have the energy to say no to.

My advice would be don’t stress about keeping the house in order, and get as much rest as you possibly can, even if that means lying on the floor whilst your baby climbs on you. Try and have a bath or shower if you feel up to it because it will make you feel more human, even if that means sharing the tub with a splashing toddler.

Being unwell when you're a mother isn’t much fun but you can do it!

Me feeling sorry for myself and hoping my daughter naps well today!

Blythe enjoying her favourite game of putting our dog's kibble into his water bowl!

The game always ends with splashing in the dog's bowl or the 'puddle' as she likes to call it. On days when I am feeling unwell I tend to let her do it. Parent fail, but I don't have the energy to argue with a very persistent toddler.

Reading books in the shower is a great form of entertainment when mummy is unwell.

Blythe having a lie down in a restaurant. When I am ill I can't face taking her to public places I don't have the energy for toddler chasing!

I usually like to tire her out with trips to the park but on days when I am ill these just aren't possible.

Blythe and I when we are both fit and well!

On a recent trip to Hounslow urban farm, happy to be feeling better after a horrible sickness bug.

No sickness bugs here.

Love Mallory x

To hear more from me, check out my personal blog or say hello on Instagram.

Before I was a mum I can hold my hands up and say I used to get really annoyed with mums, especially my poor sister for doing things I just thought were so unnecessary.

Firstly, creeping around the house at night time while my niece was asleep, and being told I couldn't sneeze in the same room in case I woke her up, really used to irritate me. Now I am that person. Once my son has had his bedtime bottle and is getting settled for bed, any loud noises send me into an instant rage. Something I never thought would happen.

Worrying! I am now the world's biggest worrier. I diagnose my son with something new each week and constantly think he needs an emergency appointment to the doctors, when in reality he's fine and I need to chill out. I used to get so frustrated with my sister for doing this exact thing and now I couldn't sympathise more. Being a new mum is so hard and knowing what's normal and what's not is even harder. It's okay to worry mums; it's natural.

Picking my son up as soon as he cries. I really thought I was going to be a cry it out kind of mum, but oh, how wrong I was. I cannot stand the sound of my son's cry, it sends shivers down my spine and I honestly feel like my heart is hurting. His little screwed up face staring up at me - how could I ever leave him to cry?

Taking 24 pictures of him in the exact same position, yep, that's me. I mean there was nothing more annoying than being shown a hundred pictures of a baby which are all the same, but I am now that person who thinks each picture is just even more cute than the last.

Constantly talking about his poo. I love to describe my son's latest bowel movement to anyone that will listen. Explaining how it exploded up to his neck and covered me, the dog and the sofa! I was definitely one of those people who got bored of listening to these stories.

Hattie

x

Forever taking pictures of my son asleep! I could stare at him all day.

Let's talk poo explosions.

Oops, another sleeping picture!

A teething grumpy baba, I'm sure other mums can relate to how awful this is!

'They grow so quickly' - a phrase I truly understand now I'm a mum.

Now I'm a mum I love it when people tell me my son looks like me, something I never thought I'd love as much as I do.

Another picture of my little boy, it might look like the same picture but I promise his expression is a little different and this one is even cuter.

Baby milestones are so special to mums, but can be annoying to other people. This is definitely a laugh, he doesn't just have wind.

To chat to other mums with a baby the same age as yours, join your BabyCentre Birth Club.

Check out Hattie's personal blog, bournsisters.com.

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Whilst I am aware of the health risks of sugar, especially when eaten in excess, I believe it's equally dangerous to prevent your child from having something completely. (Unless they have an allergy!)

On my daughter's first birthday she sampled her first taste of birthday cake. I can understand why parents choose to keep sugar a secret from their children but I believe doing so can have a negative impact on your child’s physical and mental health.

I, like many, feel angry at the parents of children who are suffering from obesity as the result of being fed sugary foods regularly. However, I feel just as cross with those who are so strict about their children’s diets that they forbid any sugar at all.

You won't be able to prevent your child from eating sugar forever as other children around them will be eating sweets and chocolate at birthday parties and play dates. When your child is old enough to be able to buy sweet treats themselves they are likely to end up eating the foods you don’t allow in secret. I’m certainly not saying you should feed your children high sugar foods on a regular basis, but if they occasionally want to share a slice of cake with you I don’t see it as a problem.

Teaching your child about healthy food is important, but you don’t want to cause an unhealthy obsession with food. It's all about balance. It's terrifying how many young children have a negative body image and refuse to eat certain food groups because they are afraid to be fat. I want my daughter to have a positive body image and  a healthy relationship with food.

As a parent, it's my responsibility to educate her about a healthy diet. I believe this means teaching her that having the occasional treat is fine, but eating sweets all day everyday is not okay. I want my daughter to try a wide variety of foods, just as I was encouraged to do as a child. My parents certainly never gave me a ‘child's menu’. I ate what they ate, which included the odd slice of cake and a chocolate biscuit or two!

Come summer, I will allow my daughter to have the odd ice cream when we go for a trip to the seaside. I will continue to share a slice of cake with her when we go to coffee shops. However, I will also be making sure she eats fruit and vegetables daily.

Children need to learn how to make healthy choices for themselves. With our help they will hopefully become responsible young adults who know the difference between healthy and unhealthy foods, but wont punish themselves for enjoying sweet things from time to time.

See some delicious baby and toddler dessert ideas from food blogger Jac Meldrum:

Creamy Banana Rice Pudding

recipe from BabyCentre UK

Cheats Banana and Custard Tart

recipe from Tinned Tomatoes blog

10 Minute Strawberry and Oat Pot

recipe from Baby Centre blog

Chocolate and Peanut Butter Mousse

(Dairy and egg free. Leave out the peanut butter if you have any worries over a nut allergy)

recipe from Tinned Tomatoes blog

Chocolate Chip and Raisin Scotch Pancakes

recipe from Tinned Tomatoes blog

Chocolate Peanut Butter and Banana Tart

recipe from Tinned Tomatoes blog

Delicious, but it's a messy old business!

Mini Lemon and Blueberry Cheesecakes

recipe from BabyCentre UK

Easy Strawberry Ice Cream

recipe from Tinned Tomatoes blog

Banoffee Trifle

recipe from Tinned Tomatoes blog

Quick Banana Pops

recipe from BabyCentre UK

Serve the banana pops as finger food or thread them onto a straw for older children.

Homemade Yoghurt Ice Lollies

recipe from Tinned Tomatoes blog

Messy but baby will love them.

No-Churn Raspberry Ripple Ice Cream

recipe from Tinned Tomatoes blog

Chocolate Pie

(with shop bought pastry case)

recipe from BabyCentre UK

Quick Homemade Scones

recipe from Tinned Tomatoes blog

Perfect for little hands.

Easy Jam Tarts

Cooking with Cooper recipe from BabyCentre UK

You may need a helper for these too!

Mallory x

Find Mallory on Instagram, @mallorybourn, and follow her personal blog, bournsisters.com.

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So here was me thinking you give birth to your lovely baby and that's you done for major pain and discomfort till next time.

Oh I wish! When I talk to my friends who aren't mums about after-birth details, they are genuinely horrified and have no idea about these things - and to be honest neither did I.

I think pregnancy and birth is really glamorised, and people don't really tell you about the nitty gritty not so nice things that come along too. Like giving birth and pushing out your placenta, after just spending hours in labour delivering your baby! I couldn't hold my son straight after birth as I was in labour for so long and in so much pain that I couldn't manage to comfort him and deliver my placenta at the same time.

After delivering my placenta I was so exhausted I could hardly hold myself up let alone my new baby. I was also shocked to find I still looked 6 months pregnant for a good few weeks after - which is just horrible. At least when you're pregnant your belly is hard and big, but after birth mine was just big.

Another thing is the bleeding. Everyone is really different with how long they bleed for after birth, but mine was a lot longer than I ever thought. It feels like it's never ending and wearing, well basically a nappy kind of becomes normal to you. Along with the blood comes the most painful wee you'll probably ever experience. This lasts a few weeks but gradually becomes less painful as everything starts to heal. Something that can help relieve the pain is filling a squeezey water bottle and spraying it while you wee, this helps ease it just a little, so is definitely worth a try.

The hormones! I thought these would go back to normal after birth, but if anything they get worse. I was super hormonal for weeks after birth and cried even when I was happy, some people call it 'baby blues'. It takes a lot longer than you'd think for your body to go back to normal.

The worst part for me was the pain of my boobs when the milk comes through about 3-5 days after birth. I literally had no idea this could ever be so painful. My boobs grew to the size of watermelons, and because I wasn't breastfeeding I had to keep them tightly strapped in a bra to tell my body to stop producing anymore milk, which eventually happened but for about a week I was in pure agony. I would cry in pain and I could barely touch my boobs they were so tender. They were burning hot to touch and bright red in colour with huge lumps all around my nipple and breast. My mum had to reassure me regularly this was normal as I was so shocked and upset as I had honestly never heard of this happening.

I'm not writing this to scare anyone at all, I just think it's important to know the 'behind closed doors' facts about after birth and trying to normalise it to make woman feel more comfortable about talking and dealing with these things!

You're not alone new mums, hang in there!

Hattie x

***

Members of the BabyCentre Community have been sharing their post-birth shocks too:

"When my baby cried for the first time my milk started leaking from my boobs straight away, before I even had time to start feeding."

"My first period after having a baby was horrific - the blood was pouring out with giant clots. I ended up going to hospital and having an internal but they told me it was completely normal!"

"Babies can projectile poo and vomit. My daughter puked on my face when I was about to give her a kiss and my son's bum exploded all over me and the sofa."

"Yes, you do bleed, a lot. But not everyone has the massive clots and bleeds for weeks. With my youngest it was four days and was no worse then a period after the first few hours."

"If you tear vaginally they might stick a finger up your bum to check that there are no tears up there too. They will warn you if they have to check!"

"You pee like a horse for a good while afterwards - it's just your body converting those extra litres of blood from pregnancy into water. I couldn't believe how many times I needed to go for a wee in a day!"

"Be prepared for not being able to hold in any farts! I normally wouldn't trump in front of my husband but after the birth I remember doing one that seemed to last for about a minute!"

"For a few days post-birth I would get this dropping sensation every time I stood up. I really thought my womb might fall out of my fanny! Needless to say it didn't. It went away once all the muscles had a chance to heal."

"I was shocked by how hard my boobs were when my milk came in. My husband elbowed me by accident and didn't understand why I was nearly crying."

"Have water next to you before you sit down to breastfeed. The second I began to feed I needed water so badly."

"Be prepared for night-time sweating. The bed sheets were soaking when I'd get up for a night feed."

"I had awful trapped wind. I had to send my mum out on an emergency shop visit for peppermint tea and wind-eze before she could come to visit us."

"I wish someone told me that I may not feel that instant thunderbolt of love for my baby. I had a nasty tear and difficult recovery and think that made it hard for me to bond initially. If this happens to you don't worry, you absolutely will fall head over heels in love with your baby, it might just take a little time."

"During my first shower after birth I could barely stand up I felt so weak. I lent over a plastic chair and my hubby had to wash me."

"Baby boys will pee on their heads. Numerous times. Have a wet wipe ready as soon as that nappy comes off, or you'll be covered too."

Have a pillow nearby if you have a c-section. It hurts when you sit up, but if you lightly press a pillow across your scar it helps."

"I was very sore down there. Epsom salts in a bath twice a day helped with a speedy healing process."

"If you've had a c-section, lie flat on your back after your first shower to air dry your stitches. It's too sore to use a towel and it's best to make sure it's totally dry so it doesn't get infected."

"Sometimes you're on such a high after the birth you can't sleep! When I had my second baby I didn't sleep for two days straight."

"Witch hazel is heaven. Pour it on a pad - it gives great relief down below and helps stitches heal. I swear by it now."

Expecting or had your baby? Join your BabyCentre Birth Club and get to know other mums-to-be.

Comfort objects and dummies can be a massive cause for debate amongst parents and can often be a topic that causes friction in families.

My daughter has never taken to a particular toy and has never liked a dummy, her comfort object is ME! Most of the time I think this is just lovely and I am happy to be the centre of her universe, but there are times when I think it would be nice if she could soothe herself with a cuddly friend! I would love to see something bring her comfort especially when I am not with her.

I was recently witness to just how important a comfort toy can be when on a weekend away with another mum. She received a phone call from her children’s grandparents, and as she listened to the call her face fell. I immediately thought the worst - something must be seriously wrong with one of her children was my assumption from the horror on her face.

“I feel sick” she said! She soon divulged that ‘Monkey' was missing, and some of our child-free friends laughed at this. “It’s just a toy” they mocked, but it was clear from my friend's face that it was much more than this!

This reminded me that a comfort object is not fool proof tool to keep your child happy. When you misplace or lose your child’s most precious item it can feel like the end of the world! How will they sleep? How will they be comforted? A comfort object becomes like a member of your family and you can end up really needing them to maintain your child’s happiness.

However, they won't need a comfort object forever. I understand that a dummy can cause dental issues so there is more of an urgency to wean children off these, but I don’t see the problem with a child having a soft toy or blankie that brings them happiness and soothes them.

I think children should be able to wean themselves naturally when they decide they are too grown up to be cuddling ‘Monkey’. I think we should let children be children. If an object brings them comfort, taking it away before they are ready could be really distressing.

My daughter is becoming more and more independent, she is very confident but also very affectionate and loves to cuddle or 'duddle' as she calls it!

I love that I can give her comfort especially when she is teething or hurts herself. A kiss and a cuddle makes it all better.

Cuddles and stories before bedtime. My daughter quite likes this 'wabbit' and often chooses to bring it out with us but she isn't any more attached to it then any other toy, she tends to go through phases of favouring a toy.

Always time for cuddles even when I am drying my hair!

My nephew Otis already seems quite attached to his monkey!

Recently when staying in a hotel Blythe fell asleep on me and I didn't have the heart to move her for a good few hours! I love how much comfort being close to me brings her.

My friend's gorgeous little boy with his precious monkey! Thank goodness they found him!

See some much loved cuddly toys, whose years as beloved teddies have left them threadbare, and sometimes missing a limb, but still bursting with character:

Much Loved by Mark Nixon, £10.68. Published by Abrams Image.

Mallory x

Find Mallory on Instagram, @mallorybourn, and follow her personal blog, bournsisters.com.

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Why did no one warn me about tantrums? At only 16 months old I wasn’t expecting these quite yet! Call me naïve but I thought tantrums were for two-year-olds.

The tantrums seem to have appeared out of nowhere and are coming thick and fast. My daughter has grown up quite a bit recently. She is now chatting away and she can say lots of words, but there are times when trying to get her point across can frustrate her. When I don’t understand her attempts to express herself it can result in a meltdown.

However, the biggest cause of tantrums is being told she can’t do something or can’t have something. For example ‘No, you can’t use the kitchen scissors’, or 'No, you can't stick your finger up the dog's bum’. She knows exactly what she wants and doesn’t want already, and is very determined to get her own way.

When a tantrum starts it can be quite a remarkable thing to see, your sweet little baby is somehow possessed by an angry little devil! There is so much raw emotion and without the tools to properly convey their feelings and thoughts these explosions are kind of inevitable for even the sweetest of children.

Once the anger takes over, screaming, shouting and wildly flinging their bodies to the floor are common practice. What may seem very minor to you, can seem like the end of the world to a toddler. It usually isn’t long before the anger melts into sadness, the flailing arms reach out for comfort and all they want is a cuddle.

When tantrums strike it can be really embarrassing, especially when in a public place, but I try to remember that tantrums are a normal part of a child's development. It doesn’t make me a bad parent and it doesn’t mean my child is naughty or bad.

There is so much conflicting advice out there on how to deal with toddler tantrums and I’m not quite sure exactly where I stand yet. 16-months-old seems too young to understand punishment, and I don’t really blame her for expressing her emotions the only way her toddler brain knows how. So I'm hanging in there, trying to give her help and be patient in the hope she'll soon learn how cope with her emotions and will outgrow tantrums.

Love Mallory x

Here are my top tips for dealing with tantrums:

It can go from from butter wouldn't melt...

... To total meltdown in Waterstones! All because I said she couldn't pull the books off the shelves and fling them across the shop floor.

When tantrums take place in public it can be so embarrassing but try not to lose your cool. Stay as calm as possible because your toddler feeds off your emotions and will be studying your reactions closely.

I generally let her get out the anger and have a good old scream and shout. It usually only lasts a few minutes before she wants a cuddle.

Distraction can be a great way of defusing the situation. It won't always work but I find removing my daughter from the situation or showing her something interesting stops tantrums in their tracks.

While it can be tempting to join in sometimes and match them at their own game it probably is best you don't! Losing your temper (we have all done it) never makes the situation better.

Try not to laugh! As funny as crying because you can't wear wellies and a shower cap to bed might be, you don't want your toddler thinking these reactions are amusing.

Try not to hold a grudge. Don't blame them for something they don't really understand and can't control yet. Tantrums are generally not a learnt behaviour at this age.

Pick your battles. It can often feel like all you say to a toddler is no because they are so inquisitive and want to touch everything! It is not always worth the trouble and as long as they are not in danger letting them experiment is all part of the fun!

"What are you looking at?" If all else fails close your eyes and count to ten, it will all be over soon!

They soon return to their adorable selves and leave you wondering if it was all just a horrible nightmare... Until next time!

Find Mallory on Instagram, @mallorybourn, and follow her personal blog, bournsisters.com.

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Holidays are supposed to be an exciting, relaxing time but packing for our first family holiday together has been pretty stressful. There is so much to think about, I felt like I needed to pack everything we own in the suitcase in order for things to run smoothly while we were away. It's definitely more daunting than I ever imagined it to be.

For the first time I regretted bottle feeding, because of all the equipment I would need to take. Making bottles and sterilising in a hotel room? How does that work? Will my magic Tommee Tippee Perfect Prep Machine fit in my suitcase?

Luckily I found a great travel alternative. Cold water sterilising bags allow you to sterlise about four bottles at time and hardly take up any room in your suitcase. They've been a life saver and I would definitely recommended them! I also bought a flask and milk powder container to make bottles up by the pool which has been super easy! The flask keeps the water boiling for about five or six hours.

My big beach bag has been my must-have this holiday! It's like Mary Poppin's bag and is great for chucking everything in and making a run for it when my son starts screaming by the pool. I definitely over-packed clothes for him as he's basically lived in just a nappy due to the heat!

I've got an amazing muslin which is absolutely huge. This has been great for covering the pram with to block out distractions for nap times during the day. My son loves watching everyone and it stops him sleeping, so without this I would have a very tired baby on my hands.

My partner and I have been taking it in turns this holiday to play with and feed our son while the other gets an hour or so in the sun to relax! It's been working well although because he's on crutches I've been having a few more shifts than him. (Which I guess is fair enough.)

I think a holiday with a new baby is definitely stressful, but watching our son in the pool and the sea for the first time made it all worth it.

Lots of toys to keep him occupied during lunch!

Large muslins come in really handy.

Ready for his first day at the beach!

Relaxing in the shade together. I have had to reduce the amount of sun worshipping I do!

Keeping cool with a cold flannel on his head.

Disposable sterilising bags. Amazing for travelling.

Enjoying a day by the pool.

Keeping cool in just his nappy.

Happy holidays! Love H x

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