I have to agree that I found the NHS ante-natal classes very helpful, but they only focussed on the birth. Very little was said about what you do with it afterwards .... Again, I found the NCT not overly welcoming and as it cost ????, I decided to give them a miss.

However, the Health Visitors also ran a post-natal group at the Jenner which I really enjoyed. It was run by a lovely lady called Dee, who I believe has now moved to the Vale Practice. They had all sorts of guest speakers e.g. about aromatherapy, kids teeth, pediatric 1st aid etc. I met loads of new mums there and really kept in touch with them. It was also a place to get informal access to the Health Visitors for little hints and tips (who - sorry, Deanos - I found very helpful).

It can be very frustrating though, asking HVs for advice and they are so vague - but now I understand that there often isn't a one-size fits all answer and you have to find out what works for you the hard way.

However, I can heartily recommend a series of books called "What to Expect when you're expecting/the first year/the toddler years" (especially the first year was good), which usually put both sides of most arguments (sometimes jars, as it is a bit american and assumes you have a paediatrician at your beck and call all the time!)