Meet the experts:

Jacqui Tomkins, independent midwife and chair of IMUK (the organisation that represents self employed midwives).
Nursing Mama’s Katie Mugan, IBLC and infant feeding specialist
Erica Hargaden, sleep consultant and founder of Babogue Sleep Solutions
Dr Kalanit Ben-Ari, therapist and author of Small Steps To Great Parenting: An Essential Guide For Busy Families
Aoife Lee, parent coach and founder of Parent Support

1) How do you have sex in the same house as your kids without them hearing?

“Children at different ages may require different techniques,” says Ben-Ari. “Discretion is key. You can use white noise, background music or the TV to mask sounds.

“It’s helpful to make sure the children are either occupied or asleep, and quieter forms of intimacy may be more suitable. Having your own space, like a locked bedroom, can maintain boundaries. Over time, you might prefer to get more creative – ask a babysitter to take them to the park, plan a late morning at home while they’re at school or even consider a short break at a local hotel.”

2) Can you leave a child in the car to nap on your driveway?

“Even if you’re sitting there beside them, it’s generally not considered safe for a child to nap in their car seat while the car is stationary, and that includes when it’s parked in your driveway,” says Hargaden.

“There are safety, supervision and temperature risks associated with it. So, if your child falls asleep in their car seat, it’s safest to transfer them to a flat, firm sleep surface, such as a crib or bassinet, as soon as you arrive home. This ensures a safe sleep environment where they are less likely to experience breathing difficulties.”

She adds that “short, supervised naps while travelling are OK, as long as the car seat is properly installed and you can keep an eye on the baby. However, once the car stops, it’s best to move them to a safer sleep setting.”

3) Why has my relationship with my partner changed so much?

“Having a baby or adding to a brood of siblings is a very exciting time for everyone, but there is no doubt that it can be a testing time, too,” says Lee.

“Prioritising, a lack of sleep, new responsibilities, intimacy and changing roles within a relationship when a baby arrives – all of these factors can create irritability and frustration and leave people feeling isolated and overwhelmed. This can lead to a breakdown in communication, which further impacts how we relate and connect with one another.”

Ben-Ari agrees, adding: “Open communication, patience and prioritising time together can help you reconnect. While it may not return exactly to how it was, it’s often the case that new, more fulfilling rhythms and balance emerge within the first year.”

4) How long can you go without bathing your newborn?

Tomkins says: “You do not have to bathe your baby very often at all, as they are not moving around and finding little pockets of dirt to wallow in. It is so important that we support and build a healthy microbiome for our new babies, and because they have come from a sterile internal environment, they do not require any immediate cleansing. The priority should be to get as much skin-to-skin contact with their mother as possible. The friendly bacteria on a mother’s skin is vital to colonise her baby’s skin, building immunity and a nurturing bond.”

She adds that babies have very sensitive new skin that should be protected from any soap products, regardless of how Ph-balanced, organically sourced or perfume-free they promise to be.

“If you must wash them, it should be with water only. As a good rule of thumb, babies should be bathed only after the umbilical cord has dried and separated – then maybe a bath every 10 days or so. Or a quick rinse if a heavily soiled nappy has caused a major clean-up effort.”

5) And how long can you go without bathing an older baby/child?

Ben Ari says: “It depends on the child’s age and activity level. Toddlers and older children may need more frequent baths (every day or every other day), especially if they’re active. However, three times a week may suffice if they’re not particularly dirty. It also depends on your own values, routines and the importance you place on hygiene. And timing, especially during stressful times for the family.”

Lee adds: “Regularly ‘spot cleaning’ with a gentle cloth is just as helpful when it comes to milk spillages, dribble or baby vomit.”

21 embarrassing questions that parents are desperate to ask, answered by experts