Starting a family is one of the most confusing, crazy and busy times of your life. The last thing you have time for is research so to help you along the way here's a few links to some life-saving websites, services and products we would not have survived without.

Babycentre

Join the community for your child's birth month and you can ask other mums how they are coping with all the challenges you are facing. When your friends are sick of hearing all about babe's latest achievement these mums are happy to celebrate, commiserate and share problems 24/7. Quite frankly though if you can find the time you must be doing well!

Bump to 3 and Perfectly Happy People

Even if you had time to go out to the shops, the prospect can seem daunting in those early days. Then when you are brave enough to venture out once you've got hold of baby and all his accessories there are no spare hands to carry the shopping so why not just get it delivered to the house. Then you don't even have to bother getting dressed or bothering with make-up!

Kiddicare

Anyway why go all the way to the shops when you'll just pay more than you would online, especially if you find what you want on this website!

Gina Ford

Ok I know some people get irate just hearing her name but if you are an advocate of routine, i.e. getting baby to feed and sleep at the same time everyday then this website could be a lifeline. The expert information here is that valuable people are willing to pay for it (translation: you have to subscribe). But when your little darling decides 4am is his favourite playtime you'll sell your soul to the devil for a solution!

Totseat

Ok jumping forward to baby-sitting-stage, we love the Totseat. High chairs are great, except when you don’t have one. That’s where Totseat comes in. It’s washable. It’s squashable. It’s highly portable. It’s for babies who lunch.

Bibetta

Suffice to say I've done the research for you. Other bibs may be cheaper or cuter but these ones made from the same

hi-tech material as wetsuits really do the job with messy toddler feeders. The first prototype of these was made by a frustrated dad out of his own wetsuit! I've said it before and I'll say it again, necessity is the mother of all invention!