CANNY MOTHERS have found a gap in the baby market, creating a potentially lucrative industry. A generation ago, expectant mothers would simply turn to their own mother for advice on bringing up baby, but in the modern world of working mothers and scattered extended families, a new service industry has sprung up, aimed at guiding busy new parents through the myriad of decisions they have to face before and after the birth of their child, as well as getting a share of the baby market, which is worth more than £1 billion nationwide.

The UK market for the most expensive item a new parent has to purchase, baby carriages and car seats stood at £256 million at the end of 2005, a growth of 7% between 2001 and 2005. The baby carriages market alone grew by 13% over the period to record £205m in sales, with higher-priced items attracting take-up.

These new companies offer parents a range of upmarket services, which include sourcing the best products, pre-natal classes in luxury hotels and parent coaching classes. One company even promises to cover everything necessary for the first few years of a child's life.

Katie Watt, founder of Little Beans, explained: "The concept for Little Beans came about when I was pregnant and found it daunting to learn about all the products I needed and what they did."

She set up the business with a friend three years ago, providing a consultation and advice service. Little Beans and the new parents draw up a baby gift list, accessed by the parents and friends and families. The average spend on each baby is between £400 and £600, although some have upwards of £2000 spent on them.

Keely Paice's business Baby Planners was also inspired by personal experience. The company, which offers expert advice on everything for new parents, started trading only last September, but already Paice has plans to franchise Baby Planners across the UK.

Sonya Murray was also driven by personal experience in setting up The Baby Gurus, which offers classes for expectant parents from every social group. Costs range from 50p for community classes to £895 for a weekend at a top hotel.

The company's first Babymoon event at Gleneagles Hotel in Perthshire was a big success, with 10 couples coming from all over the UK, and there are now plans to expand into Dublin and London.