The Oxford Baby Base

• National Childbirth Trust
  Tel 0870 4230260
  Oxford & District Group, part of the NCT network. Essential and excellent education and preparation for childbirth and parenthood, support with breastfeeding, practical help after birth. Social events, meetings, daytimes and evenings

• Birth Tides (also Maya Massage)
  Massage for pregnancy and labour, holistic birth preparation, maya abdominal massage, baby massage class, doula service and birth pool hire. 01865 515025

• Physically-fit
  Specialists in 1-to-1 personal fitness training for pre and post natal women. Feel confident and positive throughout your pregnancy and beyond. For a free consultation please call Angela Lockwood on 07766 984381 or go to www.physically-fit.co.uk for more information

• La Leche League Oxford
  International nonprofit, nonsectarian organisation dedicated to helping women who want to breastfeed. Mother-to-mother support, encouragement, information and education plus monthly baby and toddler meetings, social events and lending library. Telephone help also on offer. Full details on website

• The Baby Café
  Roundabout Centre, next to Barton Pool
  Breastfeeding drop-in session for mothers and babies, those who support them and pregnant women to find out more about breastfeeding. Friendly and informal. Wednesdays, 11.30-1.30pm. Free entry, free refreshments, small charge for lunch

• The Baby Café Bus
  Venues in Marston, Didcot, Wheatley, Grandpont, East Oxford, Cutteslowe, Florence Park
  See www.thebabycafe.org and click on Find your nearest Baby Cafe

• Choose Chiropractic
  Gentle effective chiropractic care for all the family. Annabel is an experienced chiropractor with a special interest in treating babies and children. Home visits. Please call or e-mail for more information: 07970967774 / annabel@choosechiropractic.org.uk

• Oxford Doula
  Former JR midwife offers antenatal home visits, support during labour and postnatal visit to help with any problems - first baby bath, breast feeding advice etc. Call 01865 513984 to discuss your requirements. References available

• Naturechild Clinics
  Pre-conception, pregnancy and childbirth support. Doula, antenatal classes, acupuncture for fertility, antenatal, preparing for labour, and for post-natal care. Home visits, clinics in Oxford, Whitney, Wantage. Please ring Jani White on 07932 000025 or see www.naturechild.co.uk

• Baby About Town
  A delightful and extremely practical new blog (2011) describing what it's like to visit Oxford cafes, restaurants and so on with a tiny person in tow. Do staff rush to get you a highchair? Are there changing facilities, and if not, where are the nearest? Is the food to baby's liking? etc.

• Babyworld
  A comprehensive online guide for parents (& parents-to-be) of the very young. Shopping, discussion forums, advice, product tests, competitions & much more

• Oxford For the Under Eights
  Published by the New Parent Network (look under 'Publications' on the website)

Nappy Laundry Services

• www.numberonefornappies.co.uk
  National nappy laundry service. The Oxford area is no longer part of the incentive scheme for real nappies, but a laundry service is still a financially competitive alternative to disposables, and much less messy/time consuming than washing your own - as well as being more ecologically sound. Charges are £9.50 - £11.50 per week for collection and delivery of around 50 nappies. The price and the number of nappies depends on the style of nappy you go for (square or fitted, respectively). This is payable per month, by cheque or bank transfer. They recommend getting in touch with them at least a month before you want to start using the service.

  They can come and visit you and discuss your needs either before or after the birth, and can also let you purchase a subscription as a gift for expectant friends. Tel. 07951 687730, 07539 308376 or 0203 051 5616 or email infonappytales [AT] yahoo.co.uk

• www.goreal.org.uk
  All about natural nappies in the abstract, including a comprehensive search for national nappy services.

Maternity Shops

• Have a look at our Children's Things sales page too for bargainous second-hand and nearly new items.

• www.beamingbaby.co.uk
  Natural and organic baby products from Totnes, including: biodegradable nappies, organic cotton clothes, organic baby wipes and toiletries, biodegradable nappy sacks and even organic bedding. Delivery is next day and free if over £60, bulk buy offers are available (along with free samples) and they have a 'no quibble' returns guarantee if you're not satisfied

• www.cottontails.co.uk
  Natural, environmentally-friendly products for babies and small children, including tree-saving "proper" nappies

• www.fromheretomaternity.co.uk
  Comprehensive website of independent Wallingford-based outlet. Everything from morning sickness treatments & maternity lingerie to nappies & musical toys

• www.teeheebaby.co.uk
  Witney-based company selling natural, organic baby products including cloth nappies, toiletries and bedding

• www.thenaturalbabyresource.com
  The natural baby resource provides environmentally friendly alternative mother and baby products to conscientious parents. Products extend from cloth nappies to baby accessories and gifts and maternity wear. Find your local agent on the site for free advice and demonstrations in your area and to obtain a catalogue

• www.tumbebe.co.uk
  Visit this site for slings and soft baby carriers. Plus babywearing consultations and workshops around Oxfordshire. Based in Kidlington. There also exists Oxford Sling Meet: monthly meetings where parents can get advice and try on carriers. Details from: http://oxfordslingmeet.wordpress.com

• In the holidays, keep an eye on our Family/Kids' Events page for children's activities at Oxford's museums, galleries and beyond. There may also be useful nuggets in other of our What's On sections, so it's worth a trawl.

• Baby College
  Weekly parent and baby development classes. Gain an insight into your baby’s development whilst enjoying a fun and active class. Classes include music, signing and much more. Contact Bea or Donna for details on 01865 436920 or 421879.

• Baby Lab (Oxford University)
  Finding out how children learn.

• Baby Lab (Oxford Brookes University)
  See above.

• Busy Bees
  Musical fun for the under-fives.

• Creative Tots
  Arts and crafts class, for toddlers to pre-schoolers.

• FullStride/OxfordGuide
  Though dating from 1995, this site still features a lot of useful info for parents looking to keep young children occupied in the city. It was compiled by visiting Canadian parent Lynne Siemens - to whom, many thanks!

• Jambinos (Ozone Leisure Park)
  Indoor activities for children aged between 0 and 8 (with things to amuse the grown-ups too)

• Kat's Chorus
  Fun, interactive music club for pre-school children. Call Kat on 07946 348840 or email katgardner10@hotmail.com for more information.

• Monkey Music
  Weekly music classes for babies from birth, to children aged 6 yrs. Fun, stimulating educational classes available every day, in age appropriate groups, to learn and explore action/signing songs, developmental games, musical movement and percussion. Small friendly classes. Free trial available. Call Liz on 01865 326746.

• The Owl Speech Centre
  Private speech and language therapy clinic for children aged 0 - 16 based on Park End Street, central Oxford, staffed by highly qualified, experienced NHS therapists. Assessments and therapy available either in-house or through outreach (e.g. home and school) visits throughout Oxfordshire.

• The Story Museum online
  Online resource of stories, searchable by age (of listener), theme, country of origin etc. Plus information and suggestions for enjoying books and stories at home, at school, everywhere.

• Sunflowers Toddler Group
  Toddler group for parents/carers and pre-school children. Meets Thurs 10-12am (term times), with music time at 11.00am, at Magdalen Road church, 41a Magdalen Road, East Oxford. 'Lots of great toys, refreshments, comfy sofas and friendly people'. More info: Nic Carpenter 01865 778909.

• Tatty Bumpkin and Baby Bumpkin
  Yoga inspired movement classes for babies and children across Oxford. Classes actively encourage positive parenting skills and provide a creative environment for all to stretch their imaginations and bodies! For more information about a class near you please contact Zoe on 07929 288964 or email classes@oxford.tattybumpkin.com

• Water Babies (www.waterbabies.co.uk)
  Winner of 3 National Awards. Swimming with your baby is great for physical, mental and emotional development. Just as important, it's a really sociable activity - offering the perfect opportunity to make new friends and have fun. We offer progressive, structured courses for babies and toddlers in pools all over Oxfordshire. Call 01869 325499 or email chasethatfishy@waterbabies.co.uk

• YogaBugs (www.yogabugs.com)
  Fun and creative yoga for children aged 2.5 - 7 years old. Yoga postures, breathing and relaxation techniques are woven together into exciting stories and games. Children increase their fitness, use their imagination and build their confidence by being the hero of the story and learning positive affirmations.
  Call Carol for class details on 0845 863 0696