The parent trap: is expensive baby tech making us paranoid?

When a baby comes, suggestions for clobber that claims to nurture, protect and monitor come with it. My daughter is now nine but I remember the constant parade of product recommendations and decisions. The Bumbo floor seat, the co-sleeper cot, the playmats, the egg-shaped thermometer that changes colour according to how warm the bedroom is. The sheer amount of stuff might have caused me more stress than not having any of it. Like many mums, I became a collector of baby fear gear.

There are obvious policy changes that the UK can start with. In Finland, expectant mothers can choose between a maternity grant of ¤170 (£145) or a maternity package which includes products such as a sleeping bag, clothing and babycare items. We could also use policy to address the high cost of childcare and our low rate of paternity pay.

To find or donate to a baby bank near you, visit littlevillagehq.org and look for the interactive map