The advice, rituals and lessons passed down from one generation to the next and the things we’ve learned along the way.
Before there were parenting podcasts, Instagram reels and a ChatGPT question for every single thing your baby did, there were our mums.
They were the ones we called when we didn’t know why the baby was crying. The ones who somehow knew when we needed to put another layer on, when we’d overdone the bath or when we simply needed to stop worrying and go to bed.
When I became a mum myself, I realised just how much of what I knew about caring for a baby had been quietly passed down to me.
Some of it was practical. Some of it was instinctive. Some of it was probably advice I rolled my eyes at years ago only to find myself doing exactly the same thing.
Less really can be more
One of the biggest things I remember being taught is that babies don't need much.
A warm bath. A clean nappy. A cuddle. Fresh clothes. A good feed. Sleep when you can.
When it came to their skin, the same thinking applied: don't overcomplicate it.
Baby skin is different from adult skin. It's more delicate and its natural barrier is still developing, which means it can be more sensitive to the environment and to the products we put on it.
That doesn't mean we need a bathroom shelf full of products.
In fact, I've found the opposite.
I think there is something really reassuring about keeping a baby's routine simple and choosing products thoughtfully rather than constantly adding something new.
The bath is about more than getting clean
Growing up, bath time was just part of the rhythm of the day.
Having babies of my own made me realise that those everyday routines become some of the moments you remember most.
The warm water. The sleepy baby. The tiny hands gripping your finger. Wrapping them up afterwards and holding them close.
It's also a good reminder that babies don't necessarily need long or frequent baths to be clean.
For many babies, a simple, gentle routine is enough, particularly when their skin is dry or sensitive.
After a bath, what you put on their skin matters too. We wanted BebaSkin to be something that felt simple and comforting: skincare designed with baby's delicate skin in mind without making parents feel like they need a ten-step routine.
Trust your instincts but don't be afraid to ask questions
This might be one of the biggest lessons I've taken from my own mum.
There is so much advice when you have a baby.
Everyone has an opinion. Your mum. Your mother-in-law. Your friends. Your neighbour. The person in the supermarket queue and of course, the internet.
Some of it is brilliant. Some of it is outdated and some of it will make you question absolutely everything.
I've learned that it's okay to listen, take what feels right for your family and ask questions when you're unsure.
Motherhood doesn't come with a perfect instruction manual.
And I don't think it should.
What our mums knew and what we've learned since
I love the idea that we can hold onto the wisdom that has been passed down to us while still learning more.
Our mums didn't have access to the information we have today. They didn't have ingredient lists at their fingertips or the same understanding of the skin barrier, microbiome and how baby skin develops.
But they did know something incredibly valuable:
Keep your baby close. Pay attention. Keep things simple and trust yourself.
That's something I come back to often.
It's also a big part of why I created BebaSkin.
I wanted to make baby skincare that felt uncomplicated and reassuring. Products made with thoughtful ingredients, backed by what we now know about baby skin but still grounded in that same instinct to keep things simple.
Because caring for a baby's skin shouldn't feel overwhelming.
It should be one more part of those everyday moments like bath time, bedtime, cuddles, changing and getting ready for the day that you look back on and realise were actually the big things.
Now it's our turn
The beautiful thing about becoming a parent is that one day, without really noticing it, you're the one passing things on.
Maybe it's a bath-time ritual.
Maybe it's the way you settle your baby.
Maybe it's something your mum said to you twenty years ago that suddenly makes perfect sense.
Or maybe it's something you've figured out completely on your own.
I'd love to know what it is for you.
What's one thing your mum taught you about caring for your baby that you still do today?
Share it with us because some of the best advice isn't found in a parenting book.
Sometimes it's been passed down through the women who came before us.