The Family You're Becoming: 25-26 Weeks Pregnant

The family you’re becoming

At 25–26 weeks, your baby is starting to feel much more like a family member. Maybe you’ve given them a cute nickname, like 'Pip, Bean, or simply ‘The Bump’ or noticed they start a kickboxing session in your ribs the moment you lie down.

As you look ahead to life with a newborn, your focus turns from scans and symptoms to what family life is actually going to look like and the people who’ll be alongside you for the ride.

Preparing your family for a new baby

A new baby changes the picture for everyone, grandparents, little ones, and partners are all finding their place in your growing family.

It helps to start having a few gentle, low-key chats now. Grandparents might be bursting to step up with hands-on childcare. Or they might prefer occasional weekend visits. And you might have your own ideas about how much involvement feels right. Of course, if family isn’t in the picture or able to offer support, that can feel really hard but it also gives you the freedom to build your own rhythm and focus on the people who are in your corner.

If you already have a toddler running around, making them feel like it’s their baby too helps ease the transition. Getting them to stroke your bump, help sort through tiny socks, or pick out a sleepsuit gives them a sweet, fun way to join in the excitement.

And if you have a partner, now is the time to start exploring the bigger questions like how you want to raise your child, the values that matter most to you both, and how you'll handle decisions when your parenting instincts don't quite align. Knowing you've got each other's backs will set you up far better than any perfectly styled nursery.

Your family, your way

One of the best things about modern family life is that there’s no single template. Whether you’re on this journey with a partner, as same-sex parents, solo parenting, or ‘building a village’ with family and close friends, your setup is uniquely yours.

Growing a human is a lot, though, and having people around who can lend a hand, or just listen, makes a world of difference.

When people ask how you’re doing, it’s natural to say, "Oh, I'm fine!" even when you're exhausted. But friends and family usually want to be useful. When someone offers help, take the chance and put them to work: ask for a takeaway delivery, a pint of milk, or someone to assemble the crib while you nap.

Four pregnant women sitting together, smiling and touching their bellies.

Finding your 3am club: connecting with other parents

Some of your biggest supporters in the months ahead might be people you haven’t even met yet. Having nearby friends who are at the exact same stage is a total lifeline when you’re navigating unpredictable sleep routines and 2am feeds.

That’s why Mamas & Papas has partnered with NCT to make it easy to meet local parents-to-be in a relaxed, low-pressure space. Whether you check out free hospital classes, sign up for an NCT course, or pop into one of our in-store events, connecting with people due around the same time is an easy way to expand your circle.

Those connections often turn into lasting friendships the kind that evolve into active late-night group chats and café meet-ups when you just need to get out of the house.

And if face-to-face groups aren’t your style, online spaces make it easy to connect from your sofa. You might swipe on Peanut (‘Tinder for mum friends’) for a casual local coffee or scroll Mumsnet at midnight for unfiltered advice on weird pregnancy symptoms and which pushchair actually fits in a small car boot.

Buying baby gear with confidence

Your support network can include expert help, too. Preparing for a baby comes with lots of choices, and having clear, honest advice makes those decisions less overwhelming.

You don't have to figure out car seat ISOFIX bases or pushchair suspension on your own. From straightforward buying guides to testing out products in store, we offer expert advice right when you need it.

If you’d like a hand working out what you’ll need as your family grows, you can book a free one-to-one Buying for Baby appointment with our experts.

Book a free Buying for Baby appointment

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