Breastfeeding is the best for babies and a healthy diet / maternal nutrition is important when breastfeeding. A decision not to breastfeed can be difficult to reverse. Infant formula is suitable from birth when babies are not breastfed. It is recommended that all formula milks be used on the advice of a doctor, midwife, health visitor, public health nurse, dietitian, pharmacist, or other professional responsible for maternal and child care and the financial implications should be considered. All preparation and feeding instructions should be followed carefully as inappropriate preparation could lead to health hazards.

37 Weeks Pregnant

Your baby’s development

If your baby’s of average weight, they’ll probably be around 6lb by now. Because they now have less and less room to move around, their movements may feel more like squirming than kicking.

Your baby's face is filling out, and now has eyelashes. Their neck is thickening and their eyelids can now open and close easily. Your baby is about 49cm long.

Pregnant woman standing and reading a book by the window --- Image by © AID/amanaimages/Corbis

You & your body

You may feel the urge to do some DIY, spring clean or just plump-up a few pillows in time for the birth – but not all moms-to-be experience this ‘nesting’ urge. Just be careful in whatever you are doing and don’t overdo it! Be cautious of the fumes from paint and it’s also best to also avoid climbing ladders as your balance is affected during pregnancy.

You’ll probably also be feeling hot in this stage of late pregnancy, because your body is now working extremely hard to carry all the extra weight around and sustain the life inside you. As a result, you have more blood circulating and are burning more calories.

Need to cool off? You could try:
• Putting a gel mask in the fridge until cold and then relaxing for a while with it over your eyes
• Holding your wrists in the sink under cold running water
• Keeping a mini-fan or water spray in your handbag for cooling down on the move
• Drinking lots of water – sweating will dehydrate you quickly