Newborn care and advice
Newborn babies do not come with an instruction manual and as a new parent you are bound to have questions on everything from getting started with breastfeeding/ formula feeding to washing and bathing your new baby and changing their nappy.
Please click the links below for support and information:
Looking after a newborn – BBC Tiny Happy People
Birth to five | HSC Public Health Agency (hscni.net)
What is ‘Tummy Time’ and when should you start it? – BBC Tiny Happy People
Brain Development
It is now widely recognised that what happens in the first 1001 days of life are incredibly important. Children’s brains develop fastest and are at their most ‘plastic’ or adaptable in the womb and early years of life. During this time, many millions of neural connections are made and then pruned. This builds the architecture of the brain upon which other forms of development will rest.
Brain-development-through-childhood.pdf (solihullapproachparenting.com)
Immunisations
It is recommended that your child receives their scheduled immunisations to give them the best protection against serious diseases and illnesses. It is natural to have questions about your baby’s immunisations. Knowing what to expect on the day and being aware of common side effects can help to put your mind at rest.
Please click the link below to hear commonly asked questions and other useful information:
Publications | HSC Public Health Agency (hscni.net)
Childhood immunisation programme | nidirect
Rotavirus factsheet for parents (Immunisation) | HSC Public Health Agency (hscni.net)
Advice on giving infant paracetamol after MenB vaccination | HSC Public Health Agency (hscni.net)
Feeding your infant
As a new parent, feeding your baby healthy foods—and in the right amounts—is one of your biggest concerns. Ensuring your baby eats the most nutritious diet possible might seem overwhelming at first, but your Health Visitor can support you and provide the most up to date advice in relation to all aspects of infant/child feeding.
Please click the links below for more information and support:
Weaning – Start for Life – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Feeding your baby – BBC Tiny Happy People
Meals with babies and toddlers – BBC Tiny Happy People
Infants & new mums — First Steps Nutrition Trust
Infant feeding helpline
The Trust’s Health Visiting Infant Feeding Helpline can answer questions or worries about babies up to nine months old on a range of issues such as:
- breastfeeding
- crying
- colic
- constipation
- allergy
- reflux
- formula or
- mixed feeding
We want all mums to feel supported and have the confidence to achieve their infant feeding goals and we are delighted to have received lots of positive feedback from parents who have availed of the telephone service.
The helpline operates Monday to Friday from 6pm to 9pm (excluding bank holidays) and can be accessed by phoning 073 4206 5152.
Crying
All baby’s cry, it is how they let us know that something is making them unhappy. A crying baby can be overwhelming and exhausting and it can be hard to know what they need, especially in the early days. Talk to your Health visitor, GP or Midwife if you have concerns.
Click the links for more information and support:
Baby crying constantly? How to cope when baby won’t stop crying – BBC Tiny Happy People
Soothing a crying baby – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Play
Play is one of the main ways in which children learn and develop. Play improves the cognitive, social and emotional wellbeing of children. It helps to build self-worth by giving a child a sense of his or her own abilities and to feel good about themselves. Through play, parents can connect fully with their children and have fun.
Click on the links for more information and ideas on Play:
Lets-Play.pdf (solihullapproachparenting.com)
Ready, steady, go! – BBC Tiny Happy People
Look, Say, Sing, Play – Brain-building tips | NSPCC
Home Safety
One of the most important responsibilities as a parent is to keep your child safe and free from harm. Home is the most common place for accidents to occur. Most injuries are predictable and preventable. Your Health Visitor can provide advice and support in helping you make your home environment as safe as possible for your child.
Click the links below for further information and support:
Child Safety Advice | Child Accident Prevention Trust (capt.org.uk)
Keeping children safe in the home | NSPCC
Sleep
Sleep is important to help our bodies and minds process, heal and recover from the day. Our minds and bodies are intrinsically linked, so getting good sleep can help us maintain good physical health. Poor sleep habits from an early age can lead to long term sleep problems.
Click the link below for information and support on promoting good sleep routines:
Safer sleeping – Reducing the risk of sudden infant death | HSC Public Health Agency (hscni.net)