9 ways to give babies the best start in life

PARENTS just want the best for their baby - and there can be nothing better than a healthy start to set them up for the rest of their lives.

- Midwives and the NCT tell LISA SALMON

"Giving babies the best start in life lays the foundation for their future health, development and wellbeing," stresses midwifery sister Pip Davies, the founder of the Midwife Pip podcast.

"There's no single best approach, every family will find what works best for them and we're all individual. But small, easy, everyday actions can add up and make a big difference."

And Katherine Walker, service development manager at NCT, the charity for birth, pregnancy and early parenthood, says: "Babies are born ready to learn and develop. Every positive interaction with their caregivers helps promote oxytocin and positive pathways in the brain, which in turn helps to set them up for a healthier adult life.

"There are so many ways to support your baby's development."

Here the experts advise parents on how they can help their babies have the best possible start to life...

1. HARVEST COLOSTRUM

Colostrum is the first milk produced by new mothers after their baby's born, but it can be expressed from around 37 weeks, says registered midwife Lesley Bland.

She explains: "It's a highly concentrated personalised medicine in the form of pre-milk that's packed with antibodies which protect your baby from infection and helps their immune system to develop."

She says colostrum helps to mature the baby's digestive system, offering some protection from allergies and illness, and helps to encourage baby to pass their first poo - meconium - which can help to reduce the risk of jaundice.