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Are Baby Hiccups Normal? A Midwife’s Answers

A caregiver gently holds a baby sitting upright on their lap with a cloth on the baby’s shoulder, illustrating burping after a feed. A playful graphic speech bubble says “hic-hic-hic,” and the title reads “Are Baby Hiccups Normal? A Midwife’s Answers” on a bright, cheerful background.

This is probably one of the most common questions I get from parents. There is hardly a day when I visit a family and someone does not ask, “Why does my baby keep hiccupping?” It does not matter if their baby is a few days or a few weeks old; hiccups are something every parent […]

The Truth About the First 24 Hours With Your Newborn

Mother holding her newborn baby skin-to-skin shortly after a water birth, both calm and bonding, representing the first 24 hours with a newborn.

The first 24 hours after your baby’s arrival are a whirlwind of emotions, hormones, and learning curves. Many parents imagine an instant picture-perfect moment, but in reality, this day is full of natural adjustments for both you and your newborn. Knowing what to expect helps you feel more confident, calm, and prepared for this incredible […]

Never Shake a Baby: Protecting Your Little One from Harm

mother lovingly kisses her baby’s forehead while holding them close. Bold blue text on a green gradient background reads: 'Never shake a baby: Protecting your little one from harm.' In the top right, a stylized letter 'N' is shown with the words 'Never, ever shake a baby.' The bottom text includes 'ICON Week 2025' and the website www.midwifeviv.com

N= Never, ever shake a baby The Most Vital Step of ICON The final and most crucial message of ICON is clear: never shake a baby. Even a few seconds of shaking can cause devastating harm. Babies have weak neck muscles and fragile brains. A violent shake can make the brain move inside the skull, […]

Overwhelmed by Crying? It’s OK to Walk Away

A crying baby in a light blue outfit lies on a soft surface. Large blue text on a green gradient background reads: 'Overwhelmed by crying? It’s OK to walk away.' On the top right, there’s a simple blue baby face icon with the phrase 'It’s OK to walk away.' Bottom text reads 'ICON Week 2025' and www.midwifeviv.com."

O = It’s OK to Walk Away  Reassurance Parents Need This is the part of ICON that parents often need the most reassurance about. When I say “it is OK to walk away” I can see the relief in their faces. Parents often carry guilt for even wanting a moment of peace. But this step […]

Comforting a Crying Baby: Proven Soothing Methods That Can Help

A mother gently holds and looks lovingly at her calm newborn in a warmly lit room. The image includes large blue text that reads: 'Comforting a crying baby: Proven soothing methods that can help.' A green gradient overlays the left side. In the top right corner is a 'C' logo with the text 'Comforting methods can help'. Bottom text includes 'ICON Week 2025' and the website www.midwifeviv.com

C= Comforting methods can help Comforting Does Not Mean Perfection When parents hear “comforting methods can help” they often think it means there is always a perfect solution. The truth is sometimes there is and sometimes there is not. But it is worth learning and trying different methods, because often one of them will make […]

Why Babies Cry So Much and Why It’s Completely Normal

A newborn baby crying while being gently held by a caregiver. Bold blue text on a green gradient background reads: 'Why babies cry so much and why it’s completely normal.' The image includes the phrase 'Infant crying is normal' and a logo in the top left corner, along with 'ICON Week 2025' and a website URL at the bottom for Midwife Viv's website.

I = Infant Crying Is Normal As a midwife one of the first things I tell new parents is this: crying is normal. It may sound obvious, but when you are holding a screaming baby for the third night in a row it does not feel normal at all. It feels endless, stressful, and sometimes […]

ICON in Focus: Protecting Babies from Shaken Baby Syndrome

  It’s ICON Week This week is ICON Week, so each day we will take a closer look at what ICON means, why it matters, and how it can support parents and protect babies. Today we begin by exploring ICON in general before diving into each step throughout the week.   A personal note from […]

The Dark Side of Postpartum That No One Talks About

A young mother with a distressed expression holds her sleeping baby in a dimly lit room. She rests her head in her hand, visibly overwhelmed. Bold white text on the left reads: "The Dark Side of Postpartum That No One Talks About: Postnatal Depression."

Becoming a parent is often painted as a joyful time filled with cuddles, tiny fingers, and endless love. But for many new mums, the reality is far more complicated. Postnatal depression (PND) affects 1 in 10 women in the UK and can leave parents feeling overwhelmed, isolated, and guilty for not enjoying what is “supposed” […]

Pram Packing secrets: What To Pack In The Pram

Baby in pram covered by knitted blanket, mum gently checking on baby. Title : pram packing secrets: what to pack in the pram on the bottom

When you’re heading out with your baby, knowing how to pack your pram the right way can make all the difference, especially when it comes to preventing overheating. Whether it’s a brisk autumn walk or a sunny September afternoon, babies can quickly get too hot in their prams, and often we don’t even realise it. […]

The Hidden Reasons Your Baby Won’t Sleep (And the Powerful Fixes That Work)

Baby sleeping peacefully swaddled

Sleep deprivation is one of the biggest shocks for new parents. You have just welcomed your beautiful baby, and instead of glowing with joy, you are stumbling around like a zombie, wondering if you will ever sleep again. If your newborn is waking up constantly, refusing naps, or seems restless at night, you are not […]