I hope you are all well and getting ready for the festive season. We've been as busy as ever and I've got lots to update you on!

The Small Wonders pilot is in the process of being printed right now and will be piloted in several hospitals throughout December. This 3-year labour of love is nearing completion and we are so grateful to everyone who has been involved, from funders to stakeholders. Watch this space for news of the spring launch.

Best Beginnings Policy & Development Manager Susi Farnworth and I were at the 2011 Royal College of Midwives Annual Conference in November along with the Get Britain Breastfeeding Art Exhibition. I was thrilled to give a presentation on Small Wonders along with Best Beginnings trustee Francesca Entwistle. Thank to RCM for another excellent conference, we look forward to 2012.

The Big Give is approaching. For those of you who have been friends of Best Beginnings for a while you will know that this is something we do every year and is an important event in the Best Beginnings calendar. On the mornings of December 5th – 9th all donations to Best Beginnings can be doubled if you give through new.thebiggive.org.uk/project/bestbeginnings. Last year we raised over £6,000 - help us do even better for UK babies in 2011.

2012 will be Best Beginnings' fifth birthday. So much has happened over the last 5 years and we've gone from strength to strength. We are all very excited at the prospect of an exclusive birthday ball. More news will follow in 2012.

I'm now on Twitter and getting into the tweeting way of life. Follow me at @alisonbaum.

Thanks for reading and have a lovely festive break and great New Year.

Alison