Getting some time to look after yourself as a parent after having a baby can be tough and some parents like to make the most of creche services based in gyms to get some time for themselves to get fit and a bit of time baby-free. I've created a list of gyms in Berlin that offer creches for babies. I don't have any personal experience with any of these companies, so they are not recommendations, but I thought the list may be useful.

The German health insurance system can be a bit if a minefield for those who aren't used to dealing with it, especially if your German isn't quite yet up to scratch. I've lived in Germany for coming up to 6 years now and I am only just starting to make full use of what my health insurance has to offer me.

Beyond your standard care, doctors visits, hospital stay etc etc, there is the opportunity to have 'preventative' fitness classes paid in a large part by your health insurance. I kid you not. The exact type of courses that are covered, the percentage of the cost that is reimbursed etc can vary dependent on the health insurance so please make sure to contact your health insurer first to ask what your insurance covers. Here is a general overview of what could well be available from your health insurance: