It isn’t easy to find English-speaking mother and toddler groups in Barcelona, which is why there is a certain solidarity among foreign resident mums. Groups provide an outlet for mums to vent frustrations on the Spanish birthing system, which has a tendency to favour caesarean methods over natural birth. Hospitals do not use TEN machines either during labour, as they do in other modern Western countries. You can hire these pain-relieving machines from the Born-based shop Mujer (93 315 15 31, Carders 28). Other mothers find the additional support of a doula reassuring both during and post-labour. Meaning ‘mother who serves the mother’ in Greek, a doula provides emotional and practical support to a woman (or couple) in all stages of childbirth. Contact Manuela Garcia (627 994 328) at Doulas BCN for more information.

Aside from the groups listed below, many creches encourage parental participation in toddlers’ activities, so it’s worth finding out how your nearest creche does. El Cigaronet d’Or (93 246 94 63, www.cigronetdor.com) is a cheerful and relaxed place that keeps children entertained, charging just €5 per hour. Also, the Fira Allada Vermell artisan market, every Saturday from 10:00 to 21:00, hosts drama and games for children once a month. Pop down to find out when the next performances are on. Finally, if it’s you that needs entertainment rather than your baby, Tender Loving Canguros (647 605 989, www.tlcanguros.com) is an invaluable contact for English, Spanish and Catalan speaking babysitters.