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Help us learn from your experience, please rate our service and help us identify areas for improvement.

https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/JG8YNB8

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Postnatal Ward  01305 254245 (24hr)
Maternity Reception 01305 254267

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If at some point in the future you would like to discuss your birth experience with a midwife, please telephone 01305 254223 for details

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"Women should be offered relevant and timely information to enable them to promote their own and their babies' health and wellbeing and to recognise and respond to problems" NICE 2006

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Expressing and Storing Breast Milk. Breastfeeding and Mastitis

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To order our leaflets or publications in larger quantities please visit our online shop.

Leaflets

Mastitis and breastfeeding (Please note this updated version differs slightly to the one currently in print but the previous version is still available through the shop and can still be used.)

Expressing and Storing Breastmilk
(Please note this updated version is not yet available in print but the previous version is still available through the shop and can still be used.)

How Safe Is...? Alcohol, Smoking, Medicines and Breastfeeding PDF (1.14MB)

Supporterline Leaflet PDF (130kB)

Miscellaneous
Page last updated Feb 2021

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Publications & Leaflets - The Breastfeeding Network

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To order our leaflets or publications in larger quantities please visit our online shop. Leaflets Mastitis and breastfeeding (Please note this updated version differs slightly to the one currently in print but the previous version is still available through the shop and can still be used.)

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Breastfeeding is good for you and your baby, this resource provides great support with how to breastfeed, signs that your baby is feeding well and information to help identify if your baby is getting enough milk.

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A guide for parents

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Everything you need to know about registering the birth of your baby. You can do this online or phone to book an appointment.

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Book, amend or cancel an appointment to register a birth online.

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Ongoing breastfeeding support is really valuable following discharge from Midwifery care.

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Click here to view the 2016 Real Baby Milk Guide. It is packed full of information about breastfeeding and caring for your baby! Please see below links for al

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Babies need a lot of sleep in the first few months so ensuring that they are sleeping as safely as possible is important.

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Help us keep our bereavement services free

The sudden death of a baby or young child is absolutely devastating for any family. With your help, we can ensure that our services keep reaching the families who need us. Please donate today if you can.

We use cookies to give you the best possible online experience. If you continue, we will assume you are happy for your web browser to receive all cookies from our website. Accept

How to reduce the risk of SIDS

Our safer sleep advice gives simple steps for how you can sleep your baby to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) which is commonly known as cot death. It can give you the peace of mind to enjoy this special time.

Our advice is based on strong scientific evidence and should be followed for all sleep periods, not just at night.

If you have any questions about SIDS or safer sleep, please call our information line on 0808 802 6869 (lines open Monday-Friday 10am-2pm).

Watch our free presentations on how to sleep your baby safely and reduce the risk of SIDS

Things you can do

Always place your baby on their back to sleep

Keep your baby smoke free during pregnancy and after birth

Place your baby to sleep in a separate cot or Moses basket in the same room as you for the first 6 months

Breastfeed your baby

Use a firm, flat, waterproof mattress in good condition

Things to avoid

Never sleep on a sofa or in an armchair with your baby

Don't sleep in the same bed as your baby if you smoke, drink or take drugs or are extremely tired, if your baby was born prematurely or was of low birth-weight

Avoid letting your baby get too hot

Don't cover your baby's face or head while sleeping or use loose bedding

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How to reduce the risk of SIDS for your baby

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The sudden death of a baby or young child is absolutely devastating for any family. With your help, we can ensure that our services keep reaching the families who need us. Please donate today if you can. We use cookies to give you the best possible online experience.

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Helping you to live healthier

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Do you provide your consent to share your information with the LiveWell Dorset team - part of Public Health Dorset ?

When you register with LiveWell Dorset, we ask you some questions about you and your health (how much you smoke, how active you are, how much you drink and how much you weigh). We store that information and use it to shape our service offer to you - such as the advice we give or the extra services we connect you to. The only people who will see this information will be those involved in the delivery of the service and management of the data. If you would like to use extra services (such as slimming clubs and pharmacies) we have to share this information with them. For us to be able to put you in touch with these services, we must have your consent to share that information with the service (we'll ask for that later, when if you sign up for extra services).

Before we can sign you up any further, we need to know:

You're happy for your personal information to be shared with LiveWell Dorset.

You understand what information may be shared and why, and that at times, our contact to you may be supported by technology partners, who have the same data protection standards and safeguards as we do

You acknowledge that you can withdraw your consent at any time by informing LiveWell Dorset.

You understand that if you do not give consent or withdraw consent then it could be difficult for us to connect you some of the services we offer.

If you require any more information to help you make your choice then please contact the LiveWell Dorset team on 0800 840 1628. All telephone conversations at LiveWell Dorset are recorded for quality and training purposes, and stored whilst you are registered as active within the service.

Yes I consent No I do not consent

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LiveWell Dorset | Health & Wellness Coaching | Free Advice & Support

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When you register with LiveWell Dorset, we ask you some questions about you and your health (how much you smoke, how active you are, how much you drink and how much you weigh). We store that information and use it to shape our service offer to you - such as the advice we give or the extra services we connect you to.

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You don't need to bathe your baby every day. You may prefer to wash their face, neck, hands and bottom instead. This is often called "topping and tailing".
Choose a time when your baby is awake and content. Make sure the room is warm. Get everything ready beforehand. You'll need a bowl of warm water, a towel, cotton wool, a fresh nappy and, if necessary, clean clothes.

Topping and tailing tips

Hold your baby on your knee or lay them on a changing mat. Take off all their clothes, apart from their vest and nappy, and wrap them in a towel.

Dip the cotton wool in the water (make sure it doesn't get too wet) and wipe gently around your baby's eyes from the nose outward, using a fresh piece of cotton wool for each eye. This is so that you don't transfer any stickiness or infection from one eye to another.

Use a fresh piece of cotton wool to clean around your baby's ears, but not inside them. Never use cotton buds to clean inside your baby's ears. Wash the rest of your baby's face, neck and hands in the same way and dry them gently with the towel.

Take off the nappy and wash your baby's bottom and genital area with fresh cotton wool and warm water. Dry very carefully, including between the skin folds, and put on a clean nappy.

It will help your baby to relax if you keep talking while you wash them. The more they hear your voice, the more they'll get used to listening to you and start to understand what you're saying.

Bathing your baby safely

You don't need to bathe your baby every day, but if they really enjoy it, there's no reason why you shouldn't.

It's best not to bathe your baby straight after a feed or when they're hungry or tired. Make sure the room you're bathing them in is warm.

Have everything you need at hand: a baby bath or clean washing-up bowl filled with warm water, 2 towels, a clean nappy, clean clothes and cotton wool.

The water should be warm, not hot. Check it with your wrist or elbow and mix it well so there are no hot patches.

Don't add any liquid cleansers to the bath water. Plain water is best for your baby's skin in the first month.

Hold your baby on your knee and clean their face.

Next, wash their hair with plain water, supporting them over the bowl.

Once you've dried their hair gently, you can take off their nappy, wiping away any mess.

Lower your baby gently into the bowl or bath using one hand to hold their upper arm and support their head and shoulders. Then use the other hand to gently swish the water over your baby without splashing.

Keep your baby's head clear of the water.

Never leave your baby alone in the bath, not even for a second.

Lift your baby out and pat them dry, paying special attention to the creases in their skin.

This is a good time to massage your baby. Massage can help them relax and sleep. Avoid using any oils or lotions until your baby is at least a month old.

If your baby seems frightened of bathing and cries, try bathing together. Make sure the water isn't too hot. It's easier if someone else holds your baby while you get in and out of the bath.

Video: how do I bath my baby?

In this video, a midwife shows you how to bath your baby properly.

Cutting your baby's nails

Some babies are born with long nails and it's important to cut them in case they scratch themselves. You can buy special baby nail clippers or small, round-ended safety scissors. Or you could try filing them down with a fine emery board instead

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You don't need to bathe your baby every day. You may prefer to wash their face, neck, hands and bottom instead. This is often called "topping and tailing". Choose a time when your baby is awake and content. Make sure the room is warm. Get everything ready beforehand.

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Taking care of your emotional wellbeing after having your baby

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Postnatal depression is a type of depression that many parents experience after having a baby.
It's a common problem, affecting more than 1 in every 10 women within a year of giving birth. It can also affect fathers and partners.

It's important to get help as soon as possible if you think you might be depressed, as your symptoms could last for months or get worse and have a significant impact on you, your baby and your family.

With the right support most people make a full recovery.

Depression during pregnancy

Depression in pregnancy (antenatal depression) is also common, affecting more than 1 in 10 women.

Other mental health symptoms that can occur during or after your pregnancy include anxiety, panic attacks and psychosis.
Read more about mental health in pregnancy

Symptoms of postnatal depression

Many women feel a bit down, tearful or anxious in the first week after giving birth.

This is often called the " baby blues" and is so common that it's considered normal.

The "baby blues" do not last for more than 2 weeks after giving birth.

If your symptoms last longer or start later, you could have postnatal depression.

Postnatal depression can start any time in the first year after giving birth.

Signs that you or someone you know might be depressed include:

a persistent feeling of sadness and low mood

lack of enjoyment and loss of interest in the wider world

lack of energy and feeling tired all the time

trouble sleeping at night and feeling sleepy during the day

finding it difficult to look after yourself and your baby

withdrawing from contact with other people

problems concentrating and making decisions

frightening thoughts - for example, about hurting your baby

Many women do not realise they have postnatal depression because it can develop gradually.

Speak to a GP, midwife or health visitor as soon as possible if:

you think you may be depressed

Many midwives and health visitors have been trained to recognise postnatal depression and have techniques that can help.

Remember that:

a range of help and support is available, including talking therapy

depression is an illness like any other

it's not your fault you're depressed - it can happen to anyone

being depressed does not mean you're a bad parent

it does not mean you're going mad

your baby will not be taken away from you - babies are only taken into care in very exceptional circumstances

Treatments for postnatal depression

Postnatal depression can be lonely, distressing and frightening, but support and effective treatments are available.

These include:

self-help - things you can try yourself include talking to your family and friends about your feelings and what they can do to help, making time for yourself to do things you enjoy, resting whenever you get the chance, getting as much sleep as you can at night, exercising regularly, and eating a healthy diet

talking therapy - a GP may be able to recommend a self-help course or may refer you for a course of therapy, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)

antidepressants - these may be recommended if your depression is more severe or other treatments have not helped; your doctor can prescribe a medicine that's safe to take while breastfeeding

Local and national organisations, such as the Association for Post Natal Illness (APNI) and Pre and Postnatal Depression Advice and Support (PANDAS), can also be useful sources of help and advice.

Causes of postnatal depression

The cause of postnatal depression is not completely clear.

There are a number of things that may make you more likely to have postnatal depression. These include:

a history of mental health problems, particularly depression, earlier in life

a history of mental health problems during pregnancy

having no close family or friends to support you

a difficult relationship with your partner

recent stressful life events, such as a bereavement

physical or psychological trauma, such as domestic violence

Even if you do not have any of these, having a baby is a life-changing event that can sometimes trigger depression.

It often takes time to adapt to becoming a new parent. Looking after a baby can be stressful and exhausting.

Preventing postnatal depression

There are things you can do during pregnancy to help you keep well, such as maintaining a healthy lifestyle and having someone you can talk to and turn to for support.

Going to antenatal classes and making friends with other pregnant women or new parents can also be helpful.

If you are pregnant or thinking about getting pregnant, talk to a GP or your mental health team if:

you have a history of depression or mental health problems

someone in your family has had mental health problems after childbirth (for example, your mother or sister)

This is so they can offer you appropriate treatment.

You can also talk to a midwife, who can support you or refer you to specialist mental health services if needed. If you have had a mental health problem while pregnant, your doctor should arrange for you to be seen regularly in the first few weeks after birth.

The mental health team, maternity team and GP will work closely with you during your pregnancy and after you have given birth.

Myths about postnatal depression

Postnatal depression is often misunderstood and there are many myths surrounding it.

These include:

postnatal depression is less severe than other types of depression - in fact, it's as serious as other types of depression

postnatal depression is entirely caused by hormonal changes - it's actually caused by many different factors

postnatal depression will soon pass - unlike the "baby blues", postnatal depression can persist for months if left untreated and in a minority of cases it can become a long-term problem

postnatal depression only affects women - research has actually found that up to 1 in 10 new fathers become depressed after having a baby

These factors are equally true of antenatal depression.

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Postnatal depression is a type of depression that many parents experience after having a baby. It's a common problem. Depression in pregnancy (antenatal depression) is also common.

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Newborn blood spot screening involves taking a blood sample to find out if your baby has one of nine rare but serious health conditions.

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Your guide to the newborn blood spot (heel prick) test, including which diseases it screens for and when to expect the results.

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Prevention of infection following childbirth

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Prevention of infection following childbirth

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To reduce the risk if infection, it is vital that you wash your hands before and after passing urine, opening your bowels or changing your sanitary towel.

Signs of infection following childbirth are:
1) Fever and chills
2) Lower abdominal pain and tenderness
3) Offensive, foul smelling vaginal discharge and tender uterus.

Please contact your Midwife if you develop these symptoms.

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Free information for families.

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Childrens Centres - dorsetforyou.com Mobile

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There are 27 Sure Start Children's Centres across Dorset providing a range of support services, activities and events.

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Improving the health of children and young people.

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Accidents and injuries - Keeping your child safe in the home

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Take a look at some feedback received. We are always striving to provide the best care possible.

"All my postnatal care here has been excellent"

"Friendly professional service, everyone has been brilliant"

"Wonderful service from start to finish. We couldnt be more happier"

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Information provided by the Physiotherapy Outpatient Department

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Post Natal Exercises - Source Document.pdf

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Using contraception after having a baby.http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/contraception-guide/Pages/contraception.aspx

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Find out about the 15 methods of contraception (to prevent pregnancy) available on the NHS, plus where to get them and how to decide which method suits you. Including emergency contraception (the morning after pill, and IUD).

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A guide to safe cleaning and sterilising of feeding equipment