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All births in England, Wales and Northern Ireland must be registered within 42 days of the child being born.

You should do this at the local register office for the area where the baby was born or at the hospital before the mother leaves. The hospital will tell you if you can register the birth there.

If you cannot register the birth in the area where the baby was born, you can go to another register office and they will send your details to the correct office.

Information you need when registering a birth

When registering the birth, you should know:

place and date of the birth

name, surname and sex of the baby

parents' names, surnames and address

places and dates of parents' birth

date of parents' marriage or civil partnership

parents' jobs

mother's maiden surname

You might not need to give all of this information, depending on who is registering the birth.

What you should take

You should take at least one form of identification when you go to the register office. You can use:

passport

birth certificate

deed poll

driving licence

proof of address (for example, a utility bill)

Council Tax bill

marriage or civil partnership certificate

You should also take your child's personal child health record or 'red book' as some registrars may ask to see it.

If you're going to the register office on your own, you may need proof of paternity from the other parent before you give their details.

After the birth is registered

Once you've registered the birth, you may be able to claim:

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Find out how to register a birth - who can register, birth certificates

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The newborn hearing screening test helps identify babies who have permanent hearing loss as early as possible. This means parents can get the support and advice they need right from the start.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) update

Newborn screening appointments and vaccinations are continuing as normal, including the:

newborn blood spot test

newborn hearing screening test

newborn physical examination

It's important to go to your appointments unless you or your baby have symptoms of COVID-19.

Hearing loss in babies

1 to 2 babies in every 1,000 are born with permanent hearing loss in 1 or both ears.

This increases to about 1 in every 100 babies who have spent more than 48 hours in intensive care.

Most of these babies are born into families with no history of permanent hearing loss.

Permanent hearing loss can significantly affect babies' development.

Finding out early can give these babies a better chance of developing language, speech and communication skills.

It will also help them make the most of relationships with their family or carers from an early age.

When is the newborn hearing test done?

If you give birth in hospital, you may be offered a newborn hearing test for your baby before you're discharged.

Otherwise it will be done by a healthcare professional, healthcare assistant or health visitor within the first few weeks.

You'll be contacted by your local newborn hearing screening service to arrange a suitable time and venue.

Ideally, the test is done in the first 4 to 5 weeks, but it can be done at up to 3 months of age.

If you're not offered a screening test, ask your health visitor, local audiology department or GP to arrange an appointment, or contact your local newborn hearing screening service.

How is the newborn hearing test done?

The newborn hearing test is called the automated otoacoustic emission (AOAE) test. It takes just a few minutes.

A small soft-tipped earpiece is placed in your baby's ear and gentle clicking sounds are played.

It's not always possible to get clear responses from the 1st test. This happens with lots of babies, and does not always mean your baby has permanent hearing loss.

It could mean:

your baby was unsettled when the test was done

there was background noise

your baby has fluid or a temporary blockage in their ear

In these cases, your baby will be offered a 2nd test. This may be the same as the 1st test, or another type called the automated auditory brainstem response (AABR) test.

The AABR test involves placing 3 small sensors on your baby's head and neck. Soft headphones are placed over your baby's ears and gentle clicking sounds are played. This test takes between 5 and 15 minutes.

These tests will not harm your baby in any way.

Does my baby have to have the newborn hearing test?

The newborn hearing test is highly recommended, but it's not compulsory. If you decide not to have the screening test, you'll be given checklists to help you check on your baby's hearing as they grow older. If you have any concerns, speak to your health visitor or GP.

When will we get the results?

You'll be given your baby's hearing test results as soon as the test is done. If your baby has a clear response in both ears, they're unlikely to have permanent hearing loss.

But the newborn hearing test does not pick up all types of permanent hearing loss. Children can also develop permanent hearing loss later on, so it's important to check your child's hearing as they grow up.

The checklist in your baby's personal child health record (red book) tells you how to do this.

You can also visit Newborn hearing screening: making and reacting to sounds checklists on GOV.UK.

If you have any concerns about your child's hearing, tell your health visitor or GP.

What does it mean if my baby is referred to a hearing specialist?

If the screening test results do not show a clear response from 1 or both of your baby's ears, an appointment will be made with a hearing specialist at an audiology clinic.

Even if this happens, it does not necessarily mean your baby has permanent hearing loss.

A hearing specialist should see you within 4 weeks of your baby's hearing test.

It's important that you attend the appointment in case your baby does have permanent hearing loss.

The appointment will usually take about 1 to 2 hours. This includes time to settle your baby.

If possible, feed your baby shortly before the hearing test. Make sure you have everything you need to keep them comfortable and happy.

The tests give more detailed information about your baby's hearing. They will not hurt or be uncomfortable for your baby, and you'll be able to stay with them while the tests are done.

You may want to take your partner or a friend or relative with you to the appointment.

The audiologist will usually be able to give you the results at the end of the appointment. They'll explain what the results mean for your baby's hearing and whether they need any more tests.

What does it mean if my baby has permanent hearing loss?

Types and levels of permanent hearing loss vary. Each baby's hearing loss will be different.

Support and information is available, including leaflets on the different types of hearing loss:

You can also contact the National Deaf Children's Society (NDCS) freephone helpline on 0808 800 8880 (voice and text).

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The newborn hearing screening test helps identify babies who have permanent hearing loss as early as possible. This means parents can get the support and advice they need right from the start.

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Vacinations

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Find out which vaccinations are offered on the NHS, what age you should ideally have them, and why they are safe and important.

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Partners Peri-Natal Mental Health

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Now Owned and Operated by Child Health BC

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Social and Emotional Intelligence of Infants

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Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University

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The Still Face Experiment illustrates the power of emotion coaching and the importance of turning toward your child’s bids for connection.

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The CHILD Cohort Study and a baby’s microbiome © AllerGen Inc. 2019

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You won't need to bath your baby in the early days because you will probably be giving them a top and tail wash. But when you do start to bath your newborn baby, it can be a lovely experience although it may feel stressful at first. Some babies take to baths well and others don't seem to like them.

"Your little one may really enjoy their first bath. But don't worry if they don't like it straight away."

Most babies grow to enjoy bath time as they get more familiar with the experience.

You might find it helpful to watch this video from the NHS about how to bath your baby.

Safety tips for bath time

It's important to keep safety in mind at bath time. Babies and young children should never be left unattended in a bath, not even for a second (NHS, 2021). Here are some bath time tips:

Get everything ready ahead of your baby's bath, so you have everything you need to hand.

Make sure you always use the hot and cold taps at the same time when you run the bath.

Check the bath water temperature first before putting your baby in. The standard way to check is to put your elbow in the water because your hand can cope with high temperatures. The water should feel neither warmer or colder than your elbow.

Don't be distracted away by another child, a phone call or doorbell. What feels like a couple of seconds can turn into a minute or two. Leaving your little one even for a few moments could be enough time for them to seriously hurt themselves or drown.

If you forget anything - ask your partner or another family member to grab it for you. Or take your baby with you to get what you need. (NHS, 2021)

"Never leave your baby alone in the bath, not even for a second (NHS, 2021)."

When should I give my baby a bath?

There is no set age when you should give your baby a bath. Babies get cold quickly, and that's more risky for them than being a bit dirty.

If you're anxious about bathing your little one, you don't need to put them into a bath until you feel confident about it.

You may prefer to just wash your little one's face and bottom to begin with. This is sometimes called 'topping and tailing'.

If you're feeling confident about bathing your baby you can do so when you wish.

Choose a bath time when your little one is content and awake. It's better not to bathe your baby straight after a feed or when they're hungry or tired.

Some babies love bath time to begin with, others don't. You may need to try different ways of bathing your baby and at different times of day, to find out what suits you both. Choose a time of day when your baby is happy and awake (NHS, 2021).

How often can I give my baby a bath?

Your little one won't need a bath every day but if they enjoy it, there's no reason why you can't.

If you'd prefer to top and tail your newborn, you can do this every day or every few days or as needed.

Every baby is different - you will soon find out what works best for you and your little one.

How do I wash my baby?

If you want to top and tail your newborn, you can do this by washing them using cotton wool or a soft cloth and bowls of warm water. Warm tap water is probably fine but if you want to be particularly careful, use cooled boiled water to reduce the chance of infections in the first week or until your baby's cord drops off.

You can wash your newborn in a small baby bath.

If you'd prefer to share a bath with your little one, see below for more details.

It can help to have an extra pair of hands at bath time, if available, until you feel confident about bathing your baby on your own.

You don't need any special products to bathe your baby; only mild, non-perfumed soap can be used where needed. Plain water is best for your baby's skin during in the first month (NHS, 2021).

To find out more about caring for your newborn baby's umbilical cord, see our article on topping and tailing.

Can I take a bath with my baby?

Babies love to lie on a parent's chest in the bath.

Having a bath with your baby can help you both relax and encourage breastfeeding.

Remember, your baby might have a wee or poo while in the bath with you!

Baths are slippery, so it's not a good idea to get into or out of a bath carrying your baby. It's better to bath with your baby when there's someone else to hand them to you and take them from you. This could be your partner, your parent or a friend.

Tips for co-bathing

Get yourself settled and relaxed in the bath. Check the temperature is not too hot with your elbow.

Ask your partner, parent or friend to pass you your baby and lay them on your legs facing you.

Now you can lower as much of them into the water as you and they want by straightening your legs.

You might want to chat or sing to your baby to help soothe them.

Remember that your baby will get cold more quickly than you.

When you want to get out, make sure you pass your baby back to your helper before getting out yourself.

As your little one gets more used to bath time and you become more confident handling them, bathing with your baby becomes lots more fun.
This page was last reviewed in November 2021.
Further information

Our support line offers practical and emotional support with feeding your baby and general enquiries for parents, members and volunteers: 0300 330 0700.

You might find attending one of our Early Days groups helpful as they give you the opportunity to explore different approaches to important parenting issues with a qualified group leader and other new parents in your area.

Make friends with other parents-to-be and new parents in your local area for support and friendship by seeing what NCT activities are happening nearby.

NHS Choices Birth to Five section.

Public Health England (PHE) provides guidelines about bathing children under two safely.

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Bathing your baby | Baby & toddler articles & support | NCT

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We discuss when to give your baby a bath, ways you can wash your little one and tips to help keep them safe at bath time.

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Baby massage is often soothing and can be good for bonding. Use smooth, gentle, slow strokes, and stop if baby gets upset. See more steps for baby massage.

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Intact Penis Care | Intact Baby Care | Intact Baby Boy Care | Intact Care - Your Whole Baby

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"Soap irritates mucosal tissue and dries it out... Don't wash your baby's foreskin with soap... just rinse the outside of the penis gently, from body to tip, as you would wash a finger," explains Dr. Adrienne Carmack in her book, The Good Mommy's Guide to Her little Boy's Penis.

The Canadian Urological Association describes, "The uncircumcised penis requires no special care... It is important not to retract the foreskin forcefully for any reason. Some parents feel the need to pull the foreskin back to 'clean under it.' Since the young boy's inner foreskin and the glans are initially fused, there is no space to clean."

Doctors Opposing Circumcision details that boys and girls, "... needs only warm water gently applied to the outer, visible portions of his or her genitalia... No intrusive or interior cleaning of the genitalia . . . is ever needed or desirable, and aggressive hygiene is destructive of developing tissue and natural flora, and is harmful as well as painful."

Once a person's foreskin has become retractable, they can simply pull back the foreskin and rinse with water, no soap, when bathing/showering. While this step can be suggested if a child is retractable before puberty, it should not be forced, as it still might cause discomfort to pull back the foreskin.

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Intact Penis Care | Intact Baby Care | Intact Baby Boy Care | Intact Care - Your Whole Baby

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How do you care for an intact penis? "If intact, do not retract. Only clean what is seen." An external wipe during diaper changes and a dip in a warm bath is all that's needed. No soap. No manipulating the foreskin. No problem. That's all.

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To reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) the safest place for a baby to sleep is in their own clear, flat, separate sleep space, such as a cot or Moses basket. However, we know that many parents find themselves co-sleeping whether they mean to or not. Wherever you're planning for your baby to sleep we recommend making your bed a safer place for baby. Our advice on co-sleeping with your baby will tell you how.

When not to co-sleep

Whether you choose to co-sleep or it is unplanned, there are some key risks you should avoid.
Co-sleeping with your baby is very dangerous if:
In these scenarios, it is always best to put baby in their own safe sleep space, such as a cot or Moses basket. Keeping the cot or Moses basket next to your bed might make this easier.
Never fall asleep on a sofa or armchair with your baby. The risk of SIDS is 50 times higher for babies when they sleep on a sofa or armchair with an adult. They are also at risk of accidental death as they can easily slip into a position where they are trapped and can't breathe.
Co-sleeping more safely

Keep pillows and adult bedding away from your baby or any other items that could cover their head or cause them to overheat. A high proportion of babies who die as a result of SIDS are found with their head covered by loose bedding.

Follow all The Lullaby Trust's other safer sleep advice to reduce the risk of SIDS such as sleeping baby on their back

To reduce the risk of accidents, do not bring other children or pets into bed with you.

Try to make sure or check that baby cannot be trapped, wedged or fall out of bed or get trapped between the mattress and the wall

Never leave your baby unattended in an adult bed

For more info on co-sleeping and safer sleep read our guide for parents
If you are bedsharing with your baby you should consider any risks before every sleep. It is easy for your situation to change if you are unwell or have drunk any alcohol, which means your baby will be safest in a separate sleep space such as a cot or Moses basket on that occasion.

Co-sleeping with your baby: FAQs

I am worried I might fall asleep while I breastfeed my baby at night, is this ok?

Click here to open this question

Breastfeeding reduces the chance of SIDS. If you feel you might fall asleep we would recommend you prepare the bed as described above so it is safer for baby if this happens.

Make sure you know the advice on when never to co-sleep so you know when to take particular care. It is really important that you do not accidentally fall asleep with your baby on a sofa or armchair. If you think you might fall asleep on a sofa or armchair, put the baby down in a safe place to sleep.

Should I co-sleep with my baby?

Click here to open this question

The safest place for a baby is their own separate sleep space, such as a cot or Moses basket. We would just advise you to read all the information on co-sleeping and how to reduce the risks, so you can make an informed decision for you and your baby.

However, there are some circumstances where we would strongly recommend against co-sleeping such as on a sofa or armchair, if anyone in the bed smokes or has drunk alcohol or your baby was premature or a low birth weight.

Can I co-sleep with twins or multiples?

Click here to open this question

If you choose to bedshare with twins or multiples we would advise not to bedshare with more than one baby at a time due to risk of accidents associated with bedsharing with more than one baby or child.

Is it safer to co-sleep using a nest or pod than with a baby just lying on the adult bed?

Click here to open this question

No. We do not recommend that babies sleep on soft surfaces such as pods or nests. If you choose to co-sleep with your baby the safest place is a clear space on a firm flat mattress the same as we would advise with a cot.

Why do you advise against co-sleeping in certain scenarios?

Click here to open this question

It is estimated that around half of SIDS deaths occur whilst co-sleeping, and that most of these are in high risk situations. We do not know the cause of SIDS and why these deaths happen but we do know what some of the risk factors are and that removing those risks greatly lowers the chance of SIDS occurring.

For that reason we strongly advise against co-sleeping when there are risk factors such as a baby being premature or a parent having drunk alcohol.

What bedding should I use for my baby when we co-sleep?
The Lullaby Trust has worked with Public Heath England, Unicef UK Baby Friendly and Basis on two publications to support families with safer sleep advice and advice on co-sleeping more safely. We have also collaborated on a guide for health professionals to have more open and productive discussions with families about safer sleep and co-sleeping. These can be downloaded below.

Click here to open this question

Adult bedding should be kept well away from your baby along with any belts or cords from clothing. Keep adult bedding at your waist height and add an extra layer of clothing if you are cold

A baby sleeping bag is a good way of giving your baby their own bedding when bedsharing.

Baby sleeping bags should be well fitted, so the baby can't wriggle down inside. Most sleeping bags are fitted according to a baby's weight, rather than age.

You might also be interested in reading the two Unicef Baby Friendly publications, which are both endorsed by The Lullaby Trust:

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Some parents choose to share a bed (known as co-sleeping) with their babies. Read our advice on how to co-sleep more safely.

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A car seat is probably one of the most important purchases you will make for your child, but with so many types and models of car seat on the market, it can be difficult to know where to start and which one to choose.

Why are car seats important?

A child car seat is a legal requirement. The law states that all children travelling in the front or rear seat of any car, van or goods vehicle must use the correct child car seat until they are either 135cm tall or 12 years old (which ever they reach first). After this they must use an adult seat belt. There are very few exceptions.

It is the driver's responsibility to ensure that children under the age of 14 years are restrained correctly in accordance with the law.

How do car seats work?

The main system for safely restraining occupants in vehicles is seatbelts. However, seatbelts do not fit children properly, and do not fit babies at all. This means they are less effective in protecting children, and in some circumstances, could even cause injury. Child car seats work by restraining children in the event of a collision.

Children are not simply smaller adults; they are proportioned differently, their bones are not fully formed and their skeletal structure does not cover and protect their internal organs in the way it does in adults. A child's neck and head needs greater support. All of these things change as children grow older, meaning that the type of restraint system they use also needs to change, until they reach the point where the seatbelts can provide the same protection as for adults.

Do car seats work?

Evidence suggests that car seats are very effective in preventing death and serious injury in children involved in collisions.

A Swedish study found that rearward facing child seats reduced the likelihood of injury by 90% compared with being unrestrained. Forward facing seats that help to position the seat belt correctly reduced the risk of injury by 77% for 4 to 10 year old children.

In the UK, car seats are not marked with an expiry date.

Many manufacturers recommend that you replace or upgrade your child car seats after five years, because child car seats are constantly being improved and upgraded. However some seats on the market are now suitable for children from birth up to 36kg and are therefore designed to last for a longer period of time.

It is also recommended that you replace the seat if it is involved in a collision.

Before buying: what information will I need?

Although many car seat retailers will have trained staff who will be able to help you to choose a suitable seat, they will need to ask you a number of questions about your child and vehicle to be able to offer advice on appropriate car seats.

The questions that retailers are likely to ask include:

Before heading out to buy a car seat, fill in our handy child car seat buyer's checklist to ensure that you have all of the information required to enable staff to help you to choose the right child car seat. If buying online it is really important to fill in the checklist and to read our how do I know that the seat fits my vehicle? information to ensure that the seat fits both the child and the vehicle.

Does your vehicle(s) have ISOFIX points?

ISOFIX provides a more secure and easier way of attaching child seats in cars.

Basically, fitting points are built into both cars and child car seats when they are manufactured. An ISOFIX car seat is 'plugged' into the corresponding fitting points in the car, removing the need to use the car's seatbelts to secure it. An additional top tether or support leg is used to prevent the child seat titling or rotating in an impact.

To find out if your car has ISOFIX points, look for ISOFIX labels between the base and back of your car seats (the fitting points themselves may also be visible) or check your vehicle's handbook or contact the manufacturer or dealer.

If your vehicle does not have ISOFIX points, you will need to opt for a seat that can be fitted using the vehicle seatbelt.

Do you want your child to be rearward facing for as long as possible?

Babies need to be carried in rearward-facing baby seats. Rearward-facing seats provide greater protection for the baby's head, neck and spine than forward-facing seats. However, many parents assume that their child will prefer facing forwards, and therefore allow them to travel facing forwards at the first opportunity.

Once the child has exceeded the maximum weight for their car seat, or they are too tall for it (their head is above the top of the seat), the child will need to move into the next stage of car seat. There are two options: the child can move into a forward facing car seat, or they can use what is known as an extended rearward facing car seat.

An extended rearward facing child car seat, is a seat that allows a child to travel rear facing for longer, typically up to around four years of age, or in some cases, up to around six years of age.

How do I know that the seat fits my vehicle?

Unfortunately, not all car seats will fit in all vehicles, and it is therefore very important to check compatibility before you buy. The best way to do this is to get a qualified car seat fitter to try a range of seats in your car.

Remember, if the seat will be used in other vehicles, you will need to ensure that it is compatible with all of the vehicles that it will be used in.

For information from manufacturers and retailers on whether a particular child car seat will fit in your vehicle and how you should install it, visit our car seat fitting and compatibility page on the Child Car Seats website.

Where should I place the car seat?

It is safer for your child to travel in the rear seats than the front. Never put a rearward-facing baby seat in the front if there is an active passenger airbag. It is illegal and dangerous to do so, because if the airbag goes off, it will hit the baby seat and fling it forward with considerable force.

If the middle rear seat has a three-point (lap and diagonal) seat belt, this is the safest place to put a child restraint (unless the manufacturer's instructions say one of the other seats is better) because it is the furthest away from the sides of the car. If you are using an ISOFIX or I-Size child seat you can only use the middle rear seat if it has ISOFIX points.

If the seat cannot be fitted in the middle rear seat, it is better to fit it in the rear seat behind the front passenger. It is better to use this seat, than the one behind the driver, because it means you can normally get the child in and out of the car on the pavement side.

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A car seat is probably one of the most important purchases you will make for your child, but with so many types and models of car seat on the market, it can be difficult to know where to start and which one to choose. A child car seat is a legal requirement.

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Whether you're preparing for a day trip or heading off on an epic holiday, travelling with your baby presents some unique challenges. A few simple tips can help you and your baby to stay safe and happy when you're out and about.

We asked BabyCentre parents to share their advice on travelling with a baby.

How can I make my baby comfortable when we're travelling?

"Dress her in a few soft layers which are easy to put on and take off. A vest and sleepsuit may be more comfortable than trousers or tights with tops, which can bunch up when your baby is sitting still for ages."
Sophie

"If you're worried about changing your baby's nappy on a plane, most have a drop-down changing table in the toilets. Everyone worries about plane travel with a baby but it's never as bad as you think it will be. When you arrive at your destination you'll probably wonder what all the fuss is about."
Michelle

"Take a handheld battery-operated fan. It'll help to keep your baby cool in a stuffy place or car, and babies love the novelty of a light breeze."

Jenny

How can I keep my baby happy during the journey?

"Make sure your baby isn't too hot or too cold. If she's in her car seat for ages she may get quite sweaty. Allow extra travelling time so you can take a break every few hours. Even a quick stop for a nappy change, will let her stretch and kick her legs."
Gill

"Do take enough food and drink in case you're delayed. The hand luggage restrictions on liquids don't apply to your baby's food and drink. Even if travelling by car you may be delayed or get stuck in traffic, so make sure you have plenty of spare supplies."
Sue

"Pack a baby bottle filled with cooled boiled water in your hand luggage if you're going by plane. Cabin air can be very dry so she may like to sip some water if it's not time for her feed."
Aisha

"If you're flying, don't be afraid to ask the staff for help if you need food or bottles warmed, or to get something from the overhead lockers."
Simone

"Take a new toy as well as a couple of favourite ones. If you wrap it up your little one will also have the fun of unwrapping it."
Jenny

"If you're on a train or flying, walk about with your baby as much as you can. She's less likely to get bored or to start complaining if you're pointing out different things to look at."
Rachel

How can I feed my baby when we're travelling?

"It can get quite messy trying to spoon-feed a baby during a bumpy car, plane or train journey. Take a couple of spare muslins to cover you and the seat, and lots of wipes. Remember spare spoons too."
Kim

" Breastfeeding on planes is easy but can be a bit cramped. Ask the cabin crew and they may offer you a quiet area or unused seats. If you like, you can give yourself some privacy with a carefully placed muslin."
Adele

"Take the food you knows she likes. Ready-made pouches are easy, and you can try them out before you leave so you'll know what she enjoys."
Lisa

"It's definitely worth trying to introduce your little one to new tastes while you're away. When we took our son to Turkey, he refused to eat jarred baby food but loved the fresh bread, fruit and vegetables on our plates. He enjoyed all sorts of food that we would never have tried at home."
Anna

"We took my daughter to her grandad's holiday house in Wales when she was just three months old. She slept in her car seat for most of the journey! Since she was exclusively breastfed, we didn't have to worry about catering for her. I made sure I had plenty of snacks and drinks for me, though."
Claire

For even more tips, check out our guide on travelling with a baby or toddler.

Last reviewed: January 2020

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Whether you're preparing for a day trip or heading off on an epic holiday, travelling with your baby presents some unique challenges. A few simple tips can help you and your baby to stay safe and happy when you're out and about. We asked BabyCentre parents to share their advice on travelling with a baby.

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Children must normally use a child car seat until they're 12 years old or 135 centimetres tall, whichever comes first.

Children over 12 or more than 135cm tall must wear a seat belt.

You can choose a child car seat based on your child's height or weight.

Height-based seats

Height-based seats are known as 'i-Size' seats. They must be rear-facing until your child is over 15 months old. Your child can use a forward-facing child car seat when they're over 15 months old.

You must check the seat to make sure it's suitable for the height of your child.

Only EU-approved height-based child car seats can be used in the UK. These have a label showing a capital 'E' in a circle and 'R129'.

Weight-based seats

The seat your child can use (and the way they must be restrained in it) depends on their weight.

Only EU-approved weight-based child car seats can be used in the UK. These have a label showing a capital 'E' in a circle and 'ECE R44'.

You may be able to choose from more than one type of seat in the group for your child's weight.

0kg to 10kg

0

Lie-flat or 'lateral' baby carrier, rear-facing baby carrier, or rear-facing baby seat using a harness

0kg to 13kg

0+

Rear-facing baby carrier or rear-facing baby seat using a harness

9kg to 18kg

1

Rear- or forward-facing baby seat using a harness or safety shield

15kg to 25kg

2

Rear- or forward-facing child car seat (high-backed booster seat or booster cushion) using a seat belt, harness or safety shield

22kg to 36kg

3

Rear- or forward-facing child car seat (high-backed booster seat or booster cushion) using a seat belt, harness or safety shield

Manufacturers can now only make booster cushions approved as group 3. This won't affect any existing booster cushions in group 2 and you'll still be able to use them.

Fitting a child car seat

You must only use a child car seat if your car's seat belt has a diagonal strap, unless the seat is either:

specifically designed for use with a lap seat belt

fitted using ISOFIX anchor points

You must also:

deactivate any front airbags before fitting a rear-facing baby seat in a front seat

not fit a child car seat in side-facing seats

Children with disabilities or medical conditions

The same rules apply for children with disabilities or medical conditions, but they can use a disabled person's seat belt or a child restraint designed for their needs.

A doctor can issue an exemption certificate if a child is unable to use a restraint or seat belt because of their condition.

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The rules for child car seats and booster seats - height, weight, age, type of vehicle, car, minibus, licensed taxi

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On this page

Symptoms of postpartum psychosis

The symptoms of postpartum psychosis (PP) can be distressing and scary. It is most common for them to begin in the first two weeks after birth, often in the first few days after having your baby.

Symptoms can also start later, several weeks after the baby is born. This is more rare.

Not everyone has every symptom. Different mums have different experiences. Sometimes you may feel 'back to normal' but then symptoms appear again. They can change very quickly from hour to hour and one day to the next. You can read about our research into the early signs of PP here.

"I was very anxious and irritable one minute, singing and laughing the next, unable to sleep or relax, becoming paranoid and hallucinating."

You may not realise you are ill. Your partner, family or friends may recognise something is wrong and need to ask for help.

If you are diagnosed with postpartum psychosis, you will have one or more of these symptoms of psychosis.

Delusions

Delusions are strong beliefs that others do not share. There are many different types of delusion. For example, you might believe:

you are being followed,

your thoughts are being read,

you are very powerful and can't be harmed,

your baby is connected to God or the devil in some way,

that someone is trying to control or harm you or your baby (this can be very scary and is sometimes called paranoia),

you have special insight and can receive messages from things around you like colours, everyday events or stories on the TV.

Hallucinations

Hallucinations are when you hear, see, feel or smell things that are not there, or that others cannot. This can include hearing voices that could be nice or nasty, feeling things crawling on your skin or seeing things other people don't.

Mania

Mania is when you have a very high mood, behave in an over active and excited way that has a significant impact on your day-to-day life.

Confusion

Your thoughts might feel as if they are going so fast they are out of control. You may also feel that your mind is moving very quickly from one idea to the next, making links and connections that other people don't see. This is called severe confusion or disorganised thinking.

Other signs and symptoms

Feeling:

excited, elated or 'high',

depressed, anxious or confused,

very irritable, agitated, restless,

paranoid or suspicious of what people are doing and why,

as if everyday events or stories on the TV or radio have special personal meaning,

very energetic and like a 'super-mum',

as if you don't need to sleep.

You may also:

be very talkative, sociable or on the phone an excessive amount,

talk very fast and stumble over your words,

find it difficult to keep your attention on one thing, changing the topic of conversation quickly,

be very withdrawn,

behave in a way that is out of character and out of control,

have trouble sleeping or not want to sleep,

lose your inhibitions,

experience rapid changes in mood.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you will probably need help looking after yourself and your baby.

If you are planning a pregnancy and you are at a high risk of postpartum psychosis, you may find it helpful to have a look at our research on the first signs of PP. This research was conducted with women who experienced an episode of PP. Looking out for them may help you get treatment earlier if you need it.

Is it 'baby blues', postnatal depression or postpartum psychosis?

It's common to experience many different emotions after having a baby. More than half of new mothers will experience the 'baby blues'. They usually start 3 to 4 days after birth. You may have mood swings, feel irritable, low or anxious and cry easily. These feelings usually stop by the time the baby is 10 days old. You don't need treatment for the baby blues.

Symptoms of postnatal depression or anxiety are similar to symptoms of depression or anxiety at other times. For instance, you may experience low mood and difficulty sleeping. You may need treatment for postnatal depression but it will be different to the treatment for postpartum psychosis.

If you are experiencing delusions, hallucinations, mania or severe confusion as well as other symptoms, it may be postpartum psychosis.

Someone I know is showing symptoms of postpartum psychosis.

If someone you know seems to be behaving strangely after having a baby, it's important to ask for help. Symptoms can get worse very quickly. Getting the correct treatment as soon as possible can reduce illness severity and recovery time.

For some women, symptoms develop very quickly but for others it is more gradual.

Symptoms can vary throughout the day, and women may have times when they seem 'back to normal'. It may help to write down things you have noticed to show health professionals when they do an assessment.

If you feel at all worried about any of the symptoms on this page don't delay in talking to your GP, out-of-hours service, midwife, health visitor or mental health crisis team (if you have one). You might also find it helpful to visit our online community and our information on supporting someone with postpartum psychosis.

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The symptoms of postpartum psychosis (PP) can be distressing and scary. It is most common for them to begin in the first two weeks after birth, often in the first few days after having your baby. Symptoms can also start later, several weeks after the baby is born. This is more rare.

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Maternal Mental Health Support - PANDAS

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Vitamin K Information

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Umbilical Cord Healing

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It will take about a week for your baby's umbilical cord stump to drop off. See how it looks as it heals and becomes your baby's tummy button.

Umbilical stump: day one

Your midwife will cut and clamp your baby's umbilical cord shortly after you've given birth. You and your baby won't feel this happening. Where the cord joined his tummy, your baby will have a stump that is about 2cm to 3cm long.

Track your baby's development

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How your baby's umbilical stump heals: photos

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It will take about a week for your baby's umbilical cord stump to drop off. See how it looks as it heals and becomes your baby's tummy button. Your midwife will cut and clamp your baby's umbilical cord shortly after you've given birth. You and your baby won't feel this happening.

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Your baby’s health and development reviews

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Find out when your baby will have their health and development reviews (health visitor checks), and what happens at each one.

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Newborn Jaundice

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You should see your GP or midwife if your baby develops jaundice. They'll be able to assess whether treatment is needed.

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Find out more about what jaundice is, the signs to look out for in your baby, and the treatment available.

Jaundice (jawn-diss) is the name for yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes. It is very common for newborn babies to get jaundice. In most cases it is harmless and goes away without needing treatment by the time your baby is about two weeks old.

Sometimes jaundice can be serious and may be caused by a medical problem. Serious cases of newborn jaundice are more common in babies born premature. Because it can sometimes be serious, your midwife or baby's doctor needs to know if they have jaundice. Your baby can then get any treatment they need quickly.

What causes jaundice?

The yellow colour is caused by a build-up of a substance called bilirubin (billy-roo-bin).

Bilirubin is a normal body chemical, which is produced when red blood cells are broken down and replaced by fresh cells. Bilirubin is then processed by the liver and leaves the body in urine (pee) and stools (poo).

Jaundice is common in newborn babies because the baby's liver is not developed enough in the first few days to process all the bilirubin that is produced. Bilirubin then builds up in the blood, which causes jaundice.

Doctors call this ' physiological jaundice ', which means it is not caused by a medical problem. This is the most common type of jaundice and starts at about two days after birth, but is usually gone by about two weeks.

Other types of jaundice

Other types of jaundice may be caused by serious medical problems. Jaundice that occurs within the first 24 hours of life, which doctors call ' early jaundice', could be caused by conditions such as:

There is also a type of jaundice which causes babies to be jaundiced for longer (after they are around two weeks old). This is called ' prolonged jaundice '. It can also be referred to as 'breastmilk jaundice' because it is much more common in babies who are fed with their mother's milk.

Doctors are not sure why this happens, but it does not harm the baby and will go away without treatment. This type of jaundice can sometimes carry on for up to 12 weeks, but this does not mean that feeding with breast milk should stop.

Prolonged jaundice is usually harmless, but may occasionally be caused by more serious medical problems. Babies with prolonged jaundice will usually have some extra blood tests to look for any medical problems. This is often at a clinic in the hospital or may be done at home by a community midwife in some areas.

In most cases, no medical condition is found and the jaundice gradually goes away without needing treatment, but occasionally important medical problems are picked up by these tests.

Which babies are most likely to get newborn jaundice?

Jaundice in newborn babies is very common, but in most cases is not severe enough to need treatment. There are some things which make a baby more likely to have jaundice that needs treating:

Being born premature (less than 38 weeks) - the earlier a baby is born, the more likely they are to need treatment for jaundice.

Having a low birth weight.

Being male.

Being from an Asian or black family.

Getting jaundice in the first 24 hours after birth.

Having a brother or sister who needed treatment for jaundice after birth.

Being only fed with breastmilk.

Babies born prematurely are more likely to get jaundice. If they have jaundice, it is more likely to be severe and tends to last longer than in full term babies.

After your baby is born, they will be examined, both in hospital and at home. Every time your baby is examined, your care team will be checking for jaundice. You will be encouraged to check your baby too, especially after you take them home. If your baby has jaundice, their skin and the whites of their eyes will appear yellowish.

Signs of jaundice in babies with darker skin tones

It can be more difficult to tell if a baby has jaundice if they have darker skin, because the yellowing may be less obvious. Gently pressing on the tip of their nose or on their forehead can make it easier to see any yellowing.

The whites of the eyes should normally always be white, no matter how dark your baby's skin. So checking your baby's eyes is a good way to look for jaundice. It is best to check your baby in bright light, preferably daylight.

Tell your midwife, health visitor, or GP the same day if you think your baby has jaundice.

Jaundice on the neonatal unit

Jaundice is commonly seen on the neonatal unit, especially with preterm babies. Around 80% of preterm babies develop jaundice. The liver of a preterm baby is still developing, and is not yet able to process bilirubin as easily as term babies.

Preterm babies are also more sensitive to the potential complications of jaundice, so treatment often starts earlier than in babies born at full-term.

Jaundice is also more common in babies who are born at full-term but unwell, for example with an infection, or who have other risk factors. Their care team will know what to look out for and will check your baby's bilirubin level, but if you think your baby looks like they have jaundice, please mention this to them.

If you notice your baby has jaundice

If you think your baby may have jaundice, tell your midwife, health visitor or doctor straight away. Jaundice is not usually a serious problem, but it is best to get your baby checked.

If your baby's jaundice does not go away (prolonged jaundice)

In full-term babies, jaundice usually goes away on its own by the time your baby is two weeks old, or three weeks if they were premature. If the jaundice does not go away, it might mean that there is an underlying medical problem.

If your baby has jaundice for more than two weeks, tell your midwife, health visitor or GP the same day. Prolonged jaundice is usually harmless, but it is important to have your baby checked in case they need treatment for a medical problem.

Pale stools (poo) and dark urine

A newborn baby's stool should be yellowy orange and their urine should normally be colourless or yellow. If they are not, that can be a sign of a problem which needs to be investigated. If your baby has pale (cream or white coloured) stools then you should inform your Community Midwife, GP or Health Visitor immediately, and tests should be arranged that day.

Useful guide to baby stool colour.

When your baby needs immediate medical help

Get immediate medical help by contacting your GP or going to the hospital Accident and Emergency department if your baby:

Has jaundice in the first 24 hours after they are born.

Has jaundice and is unwell, becoming more drowsy or not feeding.

Is becoming more and more yellow.

What tests might my baby have?

To accurately check whether your baby has jaundice, the level of bilirubin in their blood needs to be measured. Your midwife may be able to do this test at home, or you may need to take your baby to the hospital. If you are on a neonatal unit, doctors and nurses will check your baby's bilirubin level regularly.

The two main ways to check your baby's bilirubin level are:

By using a small device called a bilirubinometer (billy-roo-bin-ometer), which shines a light onto your baby's skin.

With a blood test from a heel prick. This may be needed depending on the results of the bilirubinometer test and the age of your baby.

The results of the test are used to see whether your baby needs any treatment. The doctor may also recommend further tests to look for other causes of jaundice. If so, they will explain what these tests involve.

Most babies with newborn jaundice do not need treatment. If your baby does need treatment, this will usually be given in hospital, but sometimes it can be given at home. Some people believe that sunlight is a good treatment for newborn jaundice but this is not correct.

The main treatment for newborn jaundice is called phototherapy. This is where your baby lies in an incubator with a blue light source above them. Some babies may be able to have phototherapy by lying on a special light-up blanket (called a 'biliblanket') instead. The blue light changes the bilirubin into a form that your baby's body can more easily process.

You will usually still be able to feed your baby, change their nappies, and give them a cuddle. Find guidance on how you can be more involved in your baby's care on the unit.

Preterm babies may need multiple treatments over a number of days and sometimes weeks. The more preterm your baby is, the more likely it is they will need phototherapy. Once treatment has stopped, your baby's bilirubin level will be checked again as they may require more phototherapy.

Very occasionally, a baby with jaundice needs a treatment called exchange transfusion. This is where your baby's blood is slowly replaced with blood from a blood donor, to remove the bilirubin. This treatment will happen in a neonatal unit and will only be done if your baby's bilirubin level is very high, or if phototherapy has not worked.

Your baby may need other treatments if they have a medical condition causing their jaundice. You can ask your nurses or doctors to explain what these involve.

Are there any short-term or long-term effects from having newborn jaundice?

Most newborn babies who have jaundice are not ill, and the jaundice goes away on its own in a few weeks without causing any problems.

But high levels of bilirubin can be harmful. That is why some babies need treatment. Fortunately, treatment usually works well to bring down the high level of bilirubin before it causes harm.

In a small number of babies, levels of bilirubin go very high. This can affect the brain and cause a condition called kernicterus (ker-nic-ter-us). Babies with this condition will be very unwell and will need care in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Signs of kernicterus include:

Being overly sleepy

Being irritable

Being floppy, or stiff with an arched back

Having pauses in breathing (apnoea)

Having unusual movements (seizures)

Kernicterus can lead to long-term problems for babies. These include seizures (fits), learning difficulties, and hearing problems. If your baby has had kernicterus, they will have follow up appointments to check their development.

If jaundice is caused by a baby having a different blood type to their mother ( Rhesus disease), this can also cause the baby to develop anaemia (ah-nee-mee-ya), which is when they have less healthy red blood cells.

Where can I get more help and support?

It is natural to feel worried if something seems wrong with your baby. Your midwife, health visitor, or your baby's doctor will be able to talk to you about newborn jaundice. In most cases they will be able to reassure you that your baby's jaundice will get better without causing problems.

If your baby needs treatment, you can talk to the nurses and doctors in the hospital. If you are unsure about any part of your baby's diagnosis, treatment or care, just ask.

If you feel like you are struggling, we have lots of information and tips on how you can look after yourself and find support.

If your baby is found to have an underlying liver problem, you may find it helpful to visit the website of the Children's Liver Disease Foundation. We also have some other links to charities and organisations who can provide support.

If you need someone to talk to, you can contact us on hello@bliss.org.uk or arrange a video call with one of our volunteers.

If you have any feedback about this page, please email: information@bliss.org.uk

Last reviewed: April 2022

Next review date: April 2025

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Find out more about what jaundice is, the signs to look out for in your baby, and the treatment available.

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Sleeping and Feeding

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School of Health & Social Care, Swansea University

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Postnatal mental health | Talking about mental health - Episode 13

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Sling Safety

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Baby Slings
How to swaddle a baby

Sleep baby on their back

Never put a swaddled baby to sleep on their front or side. The safest sleeping position for a baby (swaddled or not) is on their back .

Use thin swaddling materials

Use materials such as a thin muslin or thin cot sheet, and never place any additional bedding over a swaddled baby as they could cause them to overheat.

Do not use blankets to swaddle a baby.

Use minimum amount of clothing necessary

Ensure baby is not overdressed under the swaddle and has their head uncovered. Babies do not need hats indoors unless advised by a medical professional, as it can cause them to overheat.

Check your baby's temperature to ensure they don't t get too hot (the back of the neck is a good spot for this). If their skin is hot or sweaty, remove one or more layers of bedclothes.

It is also important to . keep an eye on how warm or cold the room is 16-20°C is a comfortable room temperature for sleeping babies so we would advise you to use a room thermometer in the rooms where your baby sleeps.

Swaddle securely

To reduce the risk of your baby's face getting covered by loose material, they should be swaddled securely so the swaddle can't come apart or undone. This is because loose, soft bedding can accidentally get pulled over a baby's head, causing overheating or a breathing obstruction, increasing the chance of SIDS.

However, swaddles should not be applied very tightly around the hips as this is a strongly associated with developmental dysplasia of the hip.

How to swaddle a baby: a diagram

Never swaddle a baby when:

When to stop swaddling

Once a baby shows signs of rolling, stop swaddling them with their arms wrapped inside the material. This is because your little one may roll onto their tummy and not be able to roll back again without the use of their arms.

The safest sleeping position for a baby is on their back , so we don't want to risk them getting stuck on their tummy.

Swaddling products

There are various swaddle products on the market such as swaddle blankets, swaddle sacks and swaddle bags. We can't comment on their safety but parents/carers need to ensure the product meets necessary safety standards and fits their baby well.

Always follow the individual product's guidance. (For example, some swaddle manufacturers recommend their product is based on a baby's weight rather than age.)

We do not advise on a specific tog rating for swaddle products. However, we advise parents/carers to use a lower tog rating to reduce the chance of baby overheating.

How to use a baby sling

Slings and baby-carriers

Slings and baby-carriers are useful for holding a baby hands-free, however they are not always used safely. Although there is no reliable evidence that slings are directly associated with SIDS, there have been a number of deaths worldwide where infants have suffered a fatal accident from the use of a sling. These accidents are particularly due to suffocation, and particularly in young infants.

The risk appears to be greatest when a baby's airway is obstructed either by their chin resting on their chest or their mouth and nose being covered by a parent's skin or clothing.

The safest baby carrier to use will keep the infant firmly in an upright position where a parent can always see their baby's face, and ensure their airways are free. Complete guidance is available by visiting The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents.

The Consortium of UK Sling Manufacturers and Retailers provides the following advice to baby sling wearers: keep your baby close and keep your baby safe. When wearing a sling or baby carrier, keep in mind the TICKS guidelines:

This is to ensure that your baby's airway is kept clear, and so you can check that they are able to breathe easily and are not overheating.

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Swaddling and slings - The Lullaby Trust

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It is very important to follow the guidelines on how to swaddle a baby or use a sling more safely. This is to reduce the risk of SIDS.

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Safety comes first

You've read all about the pros and cons of swaddling and you've decided to give it a go. But before you start, you'll want to make sure you know about safe sleeping and hip-healthy swaddling guidelines. Here's why.

Hip friendly swaddling is important because there might be a link between swaddling a baby's legs too tightly and an increased risk of hip dysplasia (van Sleuwen et al, 2007; NHS, 2013; International Hip Dysplasia institute, 2018). On the other hand, be careful not to swaddle your baby too loosely either because they could get tangled up in the loose cloth, which could overheat or suffocate them (Greviskes, 2012).

Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is another important safety consideration. As you probably know, you should always put your baby to sleep on their back to lower the risk of SIDS (NHS, 2018). This might be particularly important for swaddled babies. Swaddled babies sleeping on their stomach or sides appear to be at increased risk of SIDS (Pease et al, 2016). Babies swaddled too loosely are also at increased risk of SIDS because they're more likely to roll over onto their stomach (Greviskes, 2012).

Timing is key too. Start swaddling when your little one is a newborn or soon after. Then as soon as your baby starts to learn to roll, you'll need to transition them away from swaddling (Irving, 2014).

See our seven safe and hip friendly swaddling tips for more details about safety.

Swaddling blankets

You don't need a lot of equipment for swaddling - you might already have something suitable. You can use:

blankets made from breathable lightweight materials

receiving blankets

muslin cloths

modern, specially-designed swaddling blankets that are made to be hip-friendly and have fastenings to make swaddling easier.

(The Lullaby Trust, 2018).

Step-by-step mini guide: how to swaddle your baby safely

Lay down your chosen swaddling blanket on a flat, safe surface like the floor.

Arrange the blanket in a flat diamond shape. Turn the top point of the diamond down and smooth it out.

Put your baby down gently on their back on top of the lightweight blanket. The baby blanket origami begins here.

Put your baby's right arm down gently by their side and wrap that side of the blanket up over their right arm and across their front over to the left. Tuck the blanket snugly underneath their left side.

Think hip-healthy. The idea is to wrap your baby gently but firmly so they feel snug and secure without restricting their legs from falling into a natural frog-like position. Always make sure their neck and face are uncovered.

Bring the bottom corner of the blanket straight up and fold it upwards towards your baby's shoulders, making sure it does not cover your baby's neck or face in any way.

Place your baby's left arm down by their side and wrap the blanket up over their left arm across their front and across to the opposite side of their body. Tuck it behind their right side. Hey presto, you have your very own baby burrito.

(International Hip Dysplasia Institute, 2018)

If you'd like to find out more read our article about the potential benefits and risks of swaddling a baby.
This page was last reviewed in September 2018.
Further information

Our support line offers practical and emotional support with feeding your baby and general enquiries for parents, members and volunteers: 0300 330 0700.

Early Days groups helpful as they give you the opportunity to explore different approaches to important parenting issues with a qualified group leader and other new parents in your area.

Make friends with other parents-to-be and new parents in your local area for support and friendship by seeing what NCT activities are happening nearby.

Safer sleep advice and bereavement support from the Lullaby Trust.

Greviskes A. (2012) The benefits and risks of swaddling your baby. Available at: https://www.nymetroparents.com/article/How-to-Avoid-Hip-Dysplasia-When-Swaddling-a-Baby [Accessed 13th September 2018].

International Hip Dysplasia Institute. (2018) Hip-healthy swaddling. Available at: https://hipdysplasia.org/developmental-dysplasia-of-the-hip/hip-healthy-swaddling/ [Accessed 13th September 2018].

Irving J. (2014) Swaddling: benefits, risks and current advice. Nursing in Practice. Available at: https://www.nursinginpractice.com/article/swaddling-benefits-risks-and-current-advice [Accessed 13th September 2018].

NHS (2013) Swaddling may damage babies' hips, expert warns. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/news/pregnancy-and-child/swaddling-may-damage-babies-hips-expert-warns/ [Accessed 13th September 2018].

NHS (2018) Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sudden-infant-death-syndrome-sids/ [Accessed 13th September 2018].

Pease AS, Fleming PJ, Hauck FR, Moon RY, Horne RS, L'Hoir MP, Ponsonby AL, Blair PS. (2016) Swaddling and the risk of sudden infant death syndrome: a meta-analysis. Pediatrics. 137(6). pii: e20153275. Available at: http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/early/2016/05/05/peds.2015-3275 [Accessed 13th September 2018].

The Lullaby Trust (2018) Safe swaddling. Available at: https://www.lullabytrust.org.uk/safer-sleep-advice/swaddling-slings/ [Accessed 13th September 2018].

van Sleuwen BE, Engelberts AC, Boere-Boonekamp MM, Kuis W, Schulpen TW, L'Hoir MP. (2007) Swaddling: a systematic review. Pediatrics. O;120(4):e1097-106. Available at: https://www.bmj.com/content/347/bmj.f6499 [Accessed 13th September 2018].
Further reading
The Lullaby Trust (2016) Rates of sudden infant death syndrome go down to lowest on record but baby charity says more lives could be saved. Available at: https://www.lullabytrust.org.uk/rates-of-sudden-infant-death-syndrome-go-down-to-lowest-on-record-but-baby-charity-says-more-lives-could-be-saved/ [Accessed 13th September 2018].

Nelson AM. (2017) Risks and benefits of swaddling healthy infants: An integrative review. CAN Am J Matern Child Nurs. 42(4):216-225.

Ockwell-Smith S. (2012) The fourth trimester - AKA why your newborn is only happy in your arms. Available at: https://sarahockwell-smith.com/2012/11/04/the-fourth-trimester-aka-why-your-newborn-baby-is-only-happy-in-your-arms/ [Accessed 13th September 2018].

RCM. (2013) A binding issue. Available at: https://www.rcm.org.uk/news-views-and-analysis/analysis/a-binding-issue [Accessed 13th September 2018].

RCM. (2016) Sleep position and swaddling affects SIDS risk. Available at: https://www.rcm.org.uk/news-views-and-analysis/news/sleep-position-and-swaddling-affects-sids-risk [Accessed 13th September 2018].

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Mini guide: how to swaddle a baby safely | Baby & toddler articles & support | NCT

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You've read all about the pros and cons of swaddling and you've decided to give it a go. But before you start, you'll want to make sure you know about safe sleeping and hip-healthy swaddling guidelines. Here's why.

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Using a Sling

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Postnatal Mental Health for Fathers

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Whether it's sleep deprivation, money worries, new responsibilities, or the relationship dynamic shifting, dads also have a lot to take on board. This is a huge life change for both parents. On top of this, dads and co-parents might feel guilty about what their partner is going through, knowing they aren't the ones breastfeeding at 3am or healing from labour and birth.

Here's what you need to know about postnatal depression in partners. (Most of the research has been conducted in fathers to date, so while we often refer to dads below, we know it can apply to all types of partners.)

1. Dads and partners can experience depression in the first year after birth

The number of men who become depressed in the first year after becoming a dad is double that of the general population (Davé et al, 2010). Twenty five percent of dads experience mild depressive symptoms (Noorullah et al, 2020) and around 10% to 12% have a diagnosis of depression (Paulson et al, 2010; Philpott and Corcoran, 2018).

First time dads are appear to be more vulnerable to postnatal depression than dads welcoming subsequent children (Fatherhood Institute, 2010).

2. Postnatal depression in men and other partners often goes undiagnosed

The peak time for postnatal depression in men is three to six months after the birth (Fatherhood Institute, 2010).

As with postnatal depression in mums, it often goes undiagnosed. The symptoms can look a lot like the everyday stresses of having a newborn (Musser et al, 2013).

If you have concerns about your own or your partner's mental health, do seek help from your GP who can help you to access support services.

3. Hormonal changes may play a role

Just as with mums, changes in hormones might make postnatal depression in dads more likely (Saxbe et al, 2017).

Hormones including testosterone, oestrogen, cortisol, vasopressin, and prolactin may change in dads during the period after their babies arrive (Kim and Swain, 2007).

4. Postnatal depression in dads and partners is more likely if the mum has depression too

If one of you is experiencing emotional or mental health difficulties, it's more likely that the other is too. Of fathers with depressed partners, a quarter to half may experience depression themselves (Fatherhood Institute, 2010).

5. A range of factors can make dads and partners more likely to get postnatal depression

Dads who are under 25 are more likely to experience postnatal depression than their older counterparts (Davé et al, 2010).

Yet age isn't the only risk factor for postnatal depression in men. Other major risk factors include a history of depression and anxiety, financial pressures, and no longer being in a relationship with the child's mother (Huang and Warner, 2005; Wee et al, 2010; Nazareth, 2011).

Other factors that make postnatal depression in men more likely include: sleeping or crying issues with the baby; drug abuse or dependence; and feeling unsupported by their partners (Huang and Warner, 2005; Fatherhood Institute, 2010; Stadtlander, 2015).

However, the relationship between these factors is unclear so they might not necessarily be the direct cause of mental health difficulties.

6. Postnatal depression in dads and partners can show itself in different ways than in mums

Symptoms can include:

fear, confusion, helplessness and uncertainty about the future

withdrawal from family life, work and social situations

indecisiveness

frustration, irritability, cynicism and anger

marital conflict

partner violence

negative parenting behaviours

alcohol and drug use

physical symptoms like indigestion, changes in appetite and weight, diarrhoea, constipation, headaches, toothaches and nausea.

(Musser et al, 2013; Stadtlander, 2015)

7. Postnatal depression in dads and partners can take its toll on their relationships

Postnatal depression in dads can affect their relationship with the baby's mother (Wee et al, 2011; Demontigny et al, 2013). It can also affect the relationship they have with their child. They may play and engage less with their children and talk more negatively about and to them. They may sing and read less to their children, and may discipline them more harshly (Sethna et al, 2015).

8. Postnatal depression in dads and partners can have an impact on the development of their child

Dads' depression is associated with emotional, social and behavioural problems as well as developmental delay in their children (Fatherhood Institute, 2010).

The association is stronger when a father experiences antenatal as well as postnatal depression, and when his symptoms are particularly severe. There is also a stronger association when the mum also has mental health problems (Stadtlander, 2015).

9. Screening is available

You might associate screening with physical illness but mental health diagnoses are catching up. Men who are concerned about their mental health can use this NHS screening tool (NHS, 2020). Alternatively, if you're concerned, see your GP or call NHS 111.

10. Postnatal depression in dads and partners is treated the same as postnatal depression in mums

The treatment of paternal postnatal depression is in its early stages. Currently, the options for treatment are the same as for mothers with psychotropic medication and/or talking therapies (Nazareth, 2011; NHS, 2018).

Relationship counselling may also be useful (Musser et al, 2013).

Most, importantly share how you're feeling. You're not alone and support is available.
This page was last reviewed in February 2022.
We run Partners in Mind, a peer-to-peer support group for dads and partners in the North West. There are lots of videos and online resources to help you manage your mental health, as well as groups so you can meet and talk to other dads. Take a look at their information page here, email parentsinmindnw@nct.org.uk or follow them on Instagram @nctparentsinmindpartners and on Facebook @NCT Parents in Mind.

Our support line offers practical and emotional support in all areas of pregnancy, birth and early parenthood: 0300 330 0700. We also offer antenatal courses that are a great way for both parents to find out more about birth, labour and life with a new baby.

For information and support, visit Fathers Reaching Out run by Mark Williams, campaigner, speaker and writer.

The Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) is leading a movement against male suicide, the single biggest killer of men under 45 in the UK.

The Hub of Hope is a national mental health database, bringing help and support together in one place, with a focus on grassroots organisation.

ANDYSMANCLUB is a non judgmental, talking group for men.

DadsNet offers support and knowledge through a community of dads on practical parenting and fatherhood.

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Postnatal depression in dads and co-parents: 10 things you should know | Life as a parent articles & support | NCT

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Whether it's sleep deprivation, money worries, new responsibilities, or the relationship dynamic shifting, dads also have a lot to take on board. This is a huge life change for both parents. On top of this, dads and co-parents might feel guilty about what their partner is going through, knowing they aren't the ones breastfeeding at 3am or healing from labour and birth.

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What's in a nappy (ENGLISH VERSION) FINAL WITHOUT BLEED

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Intact Penis Care | Intact Baby Care | Intact Baby Boy Care | Intact Care - Your Whole Baby

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"Soap irritates mucosal tissue and dries it out... Don't wash your baby's foreskin with soap... just rinse the outside of the penis gently, from body to tip, as you would wash a finger," explains Dr. Adrienne Carmack in her book, The Good Mommy's Guide to Her little Boy's Penis.

The Canadian Urological Association describes, "The uncircumcised penis requires no special care... It is important not to retract the foreskin forcefully for any reason. Some parents feel the need to pull the foreskin back to 'clean under it.' Since the young boy's inner foreskin and the glans are initially fused, there is no space to clean."

Doctors Opposing Circumcision details that boys and girls, "... needs only warm water gently applied to the outer, visible portions of his or her genitalia... No intrusive or interior cleaning of the genitalia . . . is ever needed or desirable, and aggressive hygiene is destructive of developing tissue and natural flora, and is harmful as well as painful."

Once a person's foreskin has become retractable, they can simply pull back the foreskin and rinse with water, no soap, when bathing/showering. While this step can be suggested if a child is retractable before puberty, it should not be forced, as it still might cause discomfort to pull back the foreskin.

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Intact Penis Care | Intact Baby Care | Intact Baby Boy Care | Intact Care - Your Whole Baby

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How do you care for an intact penis? "If intact, do not retract. Only clean what is seen." An external wipe during diaper changes and a dip in a warm bath is all that's needed. No soap. No manipulating the foreskin. No problem. That's all.

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Washable Nappies

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Why register a birth?

Every birth in England and Wales must be registered in the district in which it takes place within six weeks.

Please make sure you book an appointment.

Book your appointment 24/7 online now.

Who can register a birth?

either the mother or father if they are married to each other

the mother, or the mother and father together if they are not married and want the father's details included on the birth certificate

Under normal circumstances you cannot ask anyone else to register the birth of your baby for you. If you are unsure whether you are entitled to register a birth, please contact any of the registration offices for assistance and advice.

If you are not married, and one of you cannot attend the registration office, but would like your details entered on the birth certificate,you must fill out a Statutory declaration of acknowledgment of parentage form which must be brought to the registration by the attending parent.

It is not a legal requirement to include details of the father if you are not married. The father's details can normally be included at a later date, if you marry or wish to include them.

If the baby's parents are married and one of them does not understand English, the parent who does understand English should register the birth. If the parents attend together and are not married to each other and one of them does not understand English, they must bring a relative or friend with them to act as an interpreter. The other parent may not interpret for them.

What documents should I bring?

All information relating to a registration is obtained by direct personal questioning of the informant. Informants are asked to provide supporting documentation at registrations to help ensure records are as accurate as possible.

We would ask that you bring, on a voluntary basis, various forms of documents to support all relevant areas of the register entry.

Supporting documents for parents to help with identity, nationality, relationship status and address are:

Birth Certificate

Passport

Driving Licence

Proof of Address (utility bill)

Marriage/Civil Partnership certificates

Deed Poll

The absence of supporting documents will not prevent the registration from taking place.

What will I be asked?

The registration officer will need the following information:

The date and place of birth

The child's given names and surname

The sex of the child

If more than one child was born (as in the case of twins or triplets), the registration officer will require a time of birth for each baby

The names, surnames and places and dates of birth of the parents and any other names by which they have been known

The parents' occupations

The mother's home address at the time of the birth

The date of the parents' marriage, if applicable, and number of previous children

What will happen at the appointment?

You will be seen in a private room and, in most cases, the registration process should take no more than half an hour.

You can buy a full birth certificate at the time of registration for £4 - please bring the correct money with you, or order a birth certificate onlineOpens new window at a later date (cost - £10 plus £2.00 signed for postage).

The baby does not need to be taken to the registration appointment to show that the birth has taken place. The local health authority or the hospital where the birth occurred will notify the registrar of the birth.

If you want to change any details on a birth certificate, see Correct a birth registration

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Every birth in England and Wales must be registered in the district in which it takes place within six weeks. Please make sure you book an appointment. Book your appointment 24/7 online now.

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Registering A Birth In Worcestershire

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Registration Offices | Registration Offices | Worcestershire County Council

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Details of Worcestershire Registration Offices

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Abstract

Human babies are born very dependent on their parents. They undergo huge brain development, growth and neuron pruning in the first two years of life. The brain development of infants (as well as their social, emotional and cognitive development) depends on a loving bond or attachment relationship with a primary caregiver, usually a parent. There is increasing evidence from the fields of development psychology, neurobiology and animal epigenetic studies that neglect, parental inconsistency and a lack of love can lead to long-term mental health problems as well as to reduced overall potential and happiness. In this paper, the authors consider the evidence for this claim across several disciplines and conclude that the support of babies and their parents in the first two years of life to be a crucial aim of public health groups in the community.

Keywords: Child development, mental health, parenting, bonding (psychology), neurodevelopmental disorders, epigenomics

Why this matters to me

The evidence on the powerful role of loving nurture in the emotional, social and cognitive development of children is powerful. Parenting is therefore more important than we could ever have imagined. Although I (Robert Winston) have published over 300 papers in medical journals and worked to develop IVF techniques, if I'm really honest, the most important achievement is undoubtedly my own three children. I don't have any doubt about that. And all of us in different ways are capable of contributing to the next generation both as parents, health care professionals and as a society.

Key messages

Infancy is a crucial time for brain development. It is vital that babies and their parents are supported during this time to promote attachment. Without a good initial bond, children are less likely to grow up to become happy, independent and resilient adults.

The science of epigenetics

Imagine if the hugs, lullabies and smiles from parents could inoculate babies against heartbreak, adolescent angst and even help them pass their exams decades later. Well, evidence from the new branch of science called epigenetics is reporting that this long-term emotional inoculation might be possible.

The human brain is an amazing organ made up of over 100 billion brain cells that each connect to over 7000 other brain cells.[ 1] It's more complicated than a computer, in fact it's most complicated object in the known universe.

The most important stage for brain development is the beginning of life, starting in the womb and then the first year of life. By the age of three, a child's brain has reached almost 90% of its adult size.[ 2] This rapid brain growth and circuitry have been estimated at an astounding rate of 700-1000 synapse connections per second in this period.[ 3] The experiences a baby has with her caregivers are crucial to this early wiring and pruning and enable millions and millions of new connections in the brain to be made. Repeated interactions and communication lead to pathways being laid down that help memories and relationships form and learning and logic to develop.[ 4] This means a human baby's brain is both complicated and vulnerable.[ 5]

Use it or lose it

If positive experiences do not happen, the pathways needed for normal human experiences may be lost. This is often referred to as the 'use it or lose it' principle.[ 5] Tragic case studies of 'feral' children who have survived with minimal human contact illustrate the severe lack of language and emotional development in the absence of love, language and attention. In the same way, even though babies have a deep genetic predisposition to bond to a loving parent, this can be disrupted if a baby's parents or caregivers are neglectful and inconsistent.

Indeed longitudinal studies have reported that a child's ability to form and maintain healthy relationships throughout life may be significantly impaired by having an insecure attachment to a primary caregiver.[ 6]

Teicher [ 7] has reported the following pathology in children who suffered neglect (an extreme form of insecure attachment) in their early years

Reduced growth in the left hemisphere which may lead to associated increased depression risk for depression.

Increased sensitivity in the limbic system which can lead to anxiety disorders.

Reduced growth in the hippocampus that could contribute to learning and memory impairments.

These findings have been backed up by cases of extreme neglect and outcomes of children raised in Romanian orphanages. Rutter et al. [ 8] studied the development of children adopted from Romanian orphanages who were adopted into loving families at different ages. When each child was 6 years old, the researchers assessed what proportion of these adopted children was functioning 'normally'. They found that 69% of the children adopted before the age of 6 months; 43% of the children adopted between the ages of 7 months and 2 years and only 22% of the children adopted between the ages of 2 years and 3½ years were functioning normally.

The most valuable thing is love

This highlights the importance of supporting parents and babies in their crucial early years. However, parents can worry about things that just aren't important to their children's brain development and well-being such as giving them their own room, buying them toys and taking them on expensive holidays. Instead, the most valuable gift that a child can receive is free; it's simply a parent's love, time and support. This is no empty sentiment; science is now showing why baby's brains need love more than anything else.

The new science of epigenetics is discovering more and more how our genes and our brains are affected by the lives we lead. For example, Champagne et al. [ 9] showed that (related and unrelated) mice put in the care of loving mothers (who are attentive and lick them caringly) grow up to be better mothers themselves when they have pups. This effect is so strong that it can even stretch over two generations, with granddaughter mice being better mothers and be able to cope with stress better too, all because their grandmother took good care of their mother. These long-lasting benefits of good parenting in mice are dependent on chemical changes in the DNA of the mice.

These same staggering effects (called 'methylation changes') on the brains of mice have also now been found in humans. Studies on the brains of people who committed suicide and were abused as children show the same sorts of chemical patterns as neglected mice.[ 10]

Implications for health care

If depriving infants of a loving family environment causes lasting damage to their emotional well-being, their intelligence and their capacity to develop fully, what are the implications for public health in the 21st century? Being a parent has changed radically from the way human beings have had families over the last 50,000 years. Expectant parents today have very little practical experience of babies in modern society.

For tens of thousands of years, new parents would have spent many years in extended families learning the skills of parenthood by osmosis from their parents, grandparents, aunts, older siblings, cousins as well as having responsibilities for their own younger brothers and sisters. Today, few parents get this opportunity to be immersed in early family life as extended families. Living in close proximity is largely a thing of the past in the UK.

A first-time pregnant woman today often only has her pregnancy (a mere nine months) to prepare for being a parent. They can therefore be hit hard by the shock of being a new parent and feel very unconfident about how to bond and care for their baby. Post-natal mood disorders are common and a potential barrier to bonding and optimal development of newborns.

A 2012 study by the Essential Parent Company showed that around 80% of new parents felt both anxious and completely unprepared with the practical skills they need to look after their new baby.[ 11] The UK has one of the lowest breastfeeding rates in Europe which is perhaps not surprising when the survey reported a third of UK parents asked had never seen a family member breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is a learned skill and without seeing it happening, lots of new mums really struggle to know what to do, and usually leave hospital before their milk has come in and breastfeeding has been established. This can lead to disappointment, sadness and stress for the mum and means that by six weeks of age only 20% of British babies are still being breastfed.

These vital practical and loving parenting skills are the building blocks of babies' care and well-being. There are few things, in our mind, that are more important to the future of our society than understanding the importance of a well-attached baby and seeking to support infants and their parents in the community.

Indeed we are in agreement with Dr Jack Shonkoff, the Director of the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University [ 12] and adviser to UNICEF. He argues for a ' new role for biology ' in early year's provision and policy in focussing interventions and support for parents' needs for emotional and practical support as a way in to promoting secure attachment and early resilience in children.

To this end, how can health care professionals help practically in the community?

In the antenatal period, a pregnant woman is very open to new information as she prepares to be a mother. We recommend classes and baby care videos to build practical skills that help mothers to bond with their unborn baby. After birth they can continue this learning through experience - skin-to-skin contact, early breastfeeding, cuddling and carrying the baby. They need to have plenty of time in face-to-face contact to promote non-verbal communication and chatting with the baby.

The 'Well Baby Clinic' is a great community space to support new parents and babies. There are so many simple tips that can be shared in their space that can build parents' confidence and happiness such as encouraging lots of eye contact, lots of cuddling and sharing books (from an early age) as all these activities help to promote bonding. Depressed parents can feel like their baby 'hates' them or thinks they are a terrible parent. Again, health care professionals can use this time to reassure parents that babies need very simple interactive things - cuddles, responsiveness, smiling and chatting. When parents understand that their babies are not capable of judging them they can feel reassured and confident, knowing that their baby is totally open to loving them and that s/he prefers their voice and their skin to those of anyone else.

Health care professional can share this basic and reassuring information in everyday, one-to-one conversations e.g. as they weigh babies, and also in simple leaflets and posters that promote a warm and gentle approach to parenting and to themselves.

Disclosure statement

The Essential Parent Company is a small private company. The visual materials we have produced were funded by four 'angel investors' who allow us to offer independent, evidence-based advice to parents and health care professionals. We also work with charities and expert organisations to ensure that our videos and articles are independent and evidence based.

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank our long-term partners UNICEF UK Baby Friendly, The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, St John's Ambulance, The Child Accident Protection Trust as well as the following groups who have used our materials and helped us to reach and support families around the UK; Barnardo's, Save the Children, NCT and PACT. Finally, we would like to thank colleagues from the Infant Mental Health Foundation for working to educate health care professionals and public health officials on the importance of early attachment relationships in the development and mental health of children and adults.

References

Hawrylycz MJ, Lein ES, Guillozet-Bongaarts AL, et al. An anatomically comprehensive atlas of the adult human brain transcriptome. Nature. 2012;489:391-399. doi: 10.1038/nature11405. [[PMC free article] [PubMed] [CrossRef] Google Scholar]

Perry BD. Traumatized children: how childhood trauma influences brain development. J. California Alliance Mentally Ill. 2000;11:48-51. [Google Scholar]

Shonkoff JP, Fisher PA. Rethinking evidence-based practice and two-generation programs to create the future of early childhood policy. Dev. Psychopathology. 2013;25:1635-1653. doi: 10.1017/S0954579413000813. [[PMC free article] [PubMed] [CrossRef] Google Scholar]

Shore R. Rethinking the brain. New York, NY: Families and Work Institute; 1997. [Google Scholar]

Greenough WT, Black JE, Wallace CS. Experience and brain development. Child Dev. 1987;58:539-559. doi: 10.2307/1130197. [[PubMed] [CrossRef] Google Scholar]

Perry BD. Vol. 3. Brain and mind; 2002. Childhood experience and the expression of genetic potential: what childhood neglect tells us about nature and nurture; pp. 79-100. [Google Scholar]

Teicher MD. Wounds that time won't heal: the neurobiology of child abuse. Cerebrum: The Dana Forum on brain science. 2000;2:50-67. [Google Scholar]

Rutter M. Resilience in the face of adversity. Protective factors and resistance to psychiatric disorder. The British Journal of Psychiatry. 1985;147:598-611. [[PubMed] Google Scholar]

Champagne FA, Francis DD, Mar A, Meaney MJ. Variations in maternal care in the rat as a mediating influence for the effects of environment on development. Physiol. Behav. 2003;79:359-371. doi: 10.1016/S0031-9384(03)00149-5. [[PubMed] [CrossRef] Google Scholar]

Labonté B, Turecki G. Epigenetic effects of childhood adversity in the brain and suicide risk. In: Dwivedi Y, editor. The neurobiological basis of suicide. Boca Raton (FL): CRC Press/Taylor & Francis; 2012. pp. 275-290. [Google Scholar]

Essential Parent Co. Survey of parental anxiety' unpublished manuscript. N = 500 new and expectant parents. 2012

Shonkoff JP. Building a New Biodevelopmental Framework to Guide the Future of Early Childhood Policy. Child Development. 2010;81:357-367. [[PubMed] Google Scholar]

Articles from London Journal of Primary Care are provided here courtesy of Taylor & Francis

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The importance of early bonding on the long-term mental health and resilience of children

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Human babies are born very dependent on their parents. They undergo huge brain development, growth and neuron pruning in the first two years of life. The brain development of infants (as well as their social, emotional and cognitive development) depends ...

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The Mush Stops Here

Baby Led Weaning, quite simply, means letting your child feed themselves from the very start of weaning. The term was originally coined by Gill Rapley, a former health visitor and midwife.

According to the most recent research most babies reach for food at around six months, which is also the time that mothers are being encouraged to wean* by their Health Visitors, in accordance with the WHO guidelines.

The distinct advantage of weaning at around six months is that by then, our children are developmentally capable of feeding themselves proper food, in other words - no more mush!

You just hand them the food in a suitably-sized piece and if they like it they eat it and if they don't they won't. (But they do, really they do... check out the baby with the pork chop).

That's the essence of Baby Led Weaning. No purees, no ice cube trays, no food processor, no potato masher, no baby rice, no weird fruit and veg combos... just you and your child, eating food that you enjoy with you and your family.

Please browse the site, or come and join us on the very welcoming Baby Led Weaning Forum

* re 'wean'. This is meant in the Brit sense, not the American. In the UK, 'weaning' means 'adding complementary foods', whereas in the States it means 'giving up breastfeeding'. Two nations divided by a common language, and all that. In fact, there is even a helpful hands-across-the-ocean translation thread on the subject on the forum, which solves the mystery of what the UK equivalent of the Graham's Cracker might be. (While we're on the subject of terminology... if it was up to me, I'd have called this whole thing Baby Self-Feeding, but that ship has sailed, my friends, and Baby-Led Weaning it is.)

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Baby Led Weaning, quite simply, means letting your child feed themselves from the very start of weaning. The term was originally coined by Gill Rapley, a former health visitor and midwife. According to the most recent research most babies reach for food at around six months, which is also the time that mothers are being encouraged to wean* by their Health Visitors, in accordance with the WHO guidelines.

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Introducing your baby to their first foods is an important time in your baby's life and can be lots of fun. Health professionals agree you should start giving your baby their first solids when they are around six months old (NHS, 2019a). A baby's digestive system needs time to develop so that it can cope with solid foods (UNICEF, no date).

While not all babies instantly enjoy solids, you may see some happy and funny faces as your baby tries their first foods. Family life is about to get messier as your baby explores new tastes and textures.

When should my baby try their first foods?

Your baby should only need breastmilk or formula milk for the first six months of their life. Experts say that introducing solid food earlier than this has no advantages. It may even increase the risk of your baby getting an infection or illness (UNICEF, no date; First Steps Nutrition Trust, 2020).

Waiting until your baby is six months old before you introduce solids also means they'll be more likely to be able to feed themselves (Rapley and Murkett, 2010; Brown, 2017). At this age, your baby will also be able to manage foods in their mouth and swallow properly, which reduces the risk of choking (Rapley and Murkett, 2010). Babies don't produce all the enzymes needed to digest food thoroughly until they are about one year old (Naylor and Morrow, 2001; Brown and Lee, 2013).

How do I know if my baby is ready for solids?

Your baby will give you various signs that they might be ready for their first foods:

Your baby can sit up with support and hold their head steady.

They can swallow their food - babies who aren't ready automatically push food out of their mouth with their tongue.

They can pick up food and put it in their mouth. (NHS, 2019a)

Sometimes, your baby might seem hungrier but this on its own does not mean they need to start solids. Babies sometimes have growth and accompanying appetite spurts. Although some people believe that solids will help babies to sleep through the night, research doesn't support this (Brown and Harries, 2015; Murcia et al, 2019).

In the first six months of their life, you can respond to your baby's increased need for milk by feeding them more frequently if breastfeeding. You can also give them more milk feeds up to the maximum daily recommended amount if formula feeding (Marasco and Barger, 1999).

Most babies start to cut teeth when they're around six months old, and this helps them to bite and chew their food. Some babies get their first teeth earlier than this. Whenever they get their first teeth, babies don't need teeth to chew and will manage pieces of food quite well without (Brown, 2017).

A baby who is unsettled and putting their fists in their mouth a lot may be teething rather than hungry (NHS, 2019b).

What if my baby was premature?

If your baby was born prematurely, there is no definitive age when introducing solids is recommended. Some healthcare practitioners say a baby's four months corrected age is the youngest age to introduce solids. Looking out for the signs of readiness listed above is even more important with a premature baby (Bliss, no date).

You might want to speak to your GP or health visitor for further advice (NHS, 2019a).

Getting started: Introducing solid foods

From six months old, babies can eat a wide variety of foods and there's no need to begin with bland flavours. Babies will only need small quantities at first, because their tummies are still small (NHS, 2019b).

Some parents opt for baby-led weaning. Others choose to make homemade dishes and then purée or mash foods.

You might opt for pre-packaged baby purees and baby foods, or a combination - it's up to you. It's important to check the sugar content of commercially produced infant food, as it can be very high. Purees in pouches are not recommended for this reason (First Steps Nutrition Trust, 2018). Read our tips on how to get started with introducing your baby to their first foods.

Baby-led weaning

Baby-led weaning is when parents offer pieces of food for their baby to grasp in their hands and feed themselves. Rather than you feeding your baby, baby-led weaning puts your baby in charge of picking up and eating what they choose. Read more in our baby-led weaning for beginners and baby-led weaning tips articles.

It can be slow to begin with. Your baby joining in at family meals can help them as they'll watch and copy other family members.

Your baby's first solid foods

You can offer your baby their first solid foods at a time that suits both of you, although it might be easier if your baby is not tired or too hungry (NHS, 2019a).

There is little evidence to tell us which foods are best for your baby to start with. But vegetables and fruit can make good first foods. You could try starting with:

Soft fruit or cooked vegetables chopped into sticks or pieces large and firm enough for your baby to pick up with their whole fist.

Mashed or pureed fruit or vegetables.

Baby rice or cereal - mix the rice with a bit of your baby's usual milk.

For a younger baby who is being spoon-fed starting on solid foods, you can add expressed breastmilk or formula.

You might be surprised that your baby can cope with pieces of lean, well-cooked meat or fish, pasta, pulses, beans or bread that they can hold and suck. (NHS, 2019a; First Steps Nutrition Trust, 2020)

Food for babies should not have salt added at either the cooking stage or afterwards (NHS, 2018). Babies also don't need sweet foods, such as biscuits or cakes, or foods high in saturated fats (NHS, 2018).

Iron-rich foods for babies

Anaemia (low iron levels) is one of the most common problems among young children (Daniels et al, 2018). So iron-rich foods are important in your baby's diet.

Iron-rich foods include red meat, pulses (peas and beans) and iron-fortified cereals. Vitamin C, which is in fresh fruit and fresh or frozen vegetables, can help your baby absorb iron. Breast milk and formula milk also contain iron.

Which foods should be avoided?

After six months of age, babies can eat small quantities of most foods except:

whole nuts and similarly unyeilding foods that could cause them to choke

foods that might cause food poisoning under the age of one year, such as raw egg (if no Lion mark is present), unpasteurised cheeses and raw shellfish

honey because of the risk of botulism

rice drinks because of the levels of arsenic

shark, swordfish or marlin due to high mercury levels.

What about food allergies?

If your baby already has an allergy or there is a family history of allergies, you might want to be particularly careful when introducing foods and perhaps speak to your GP or health visitor first (NHS, 2021). There is no evidence that introducing egg or peanut products before six months old rather than at six months prevents allergies (SACN-COT, 2016; NHS, 2021).

Some studies have suggested that babies at increased risk of peanut allergy might benefit from early introduction to peanut-containing foods (Du Toit et al, 2015). But it's too soon to say whether guidance to families will change.

Keeping your baby safe

Some parents worry that starting to eat solids puts their baby at risk of choking. Here are some precautions you can take to keep them safe when you're feeding your baby solid food:

Make sure your baby is sitting upright and steady.

Always stay with your baby while they are eating.

Don't rush your baby - let them take their time.

Cut food items like grapes and baby tomatoes lengthways.

Avoid foods like whole nuts, which children under five years should not have, because they are a choking hazard.

(Rapley and Murkett, 2010; NHS, 2021)

As well as being extra careful, you could learn what to do if your baby is choking. If they are choking, they won't make any noise at all (NCT, 2016). You might find it helpful to attend an NCT baby first aid course at this stage to help build your confidence.
This page was last reviewed in December 2021.
Further information

Our support line offers practical and emotional support with feeding your baby and general enquiries for parents, members and volunteers: 0300 330 0700.

You might find attending one of our Early Days groups helpful as they give you the opportunity to explore different approaches to important parenting issues with a qualified group leader and other new parents in your area.

Make friends with other parents-to-be and new parents in your local area for support and friendship by seeing what NCT activities are happening nearby.

You might find attending one of NCT's Introducing Solids Foods workshops helpful as they cover topics like when to start your baby on their first foods. They also cover topics like purees, baby-led weaning and what foods to avoid. These courses are run by NCT qualified practitioners and you will also get to meet other local parents with babies of a similar age to yours.

Some parents find attending a Baby First aid course helpful.

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Introducing your baby to solids | Baby & toddler, Feeding articles & support | NCT

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Introducing your baby to their first foods is an important time in your baby's life and can be lots of fun. Health professionals agree you should start giving your baby their first solids when they are around six months old (NHS, 2019a).

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When your baby is about six months old, you can introduce him to a variety of foods. Giving your baby a healthy, balanced diet will help to ensure he has the vitamins and nutrients he needs to grow (DH 2009b: 45).

Try not to give your baby foods that are high in sugar or salt. These foods are low in the nutrients he needs and it's easy for your baby to fill up on them, leaving less room for healthy meals. If your baby gets a taste for sugary, salty foods, it may be harder for you to persuade him to try healthy options.

So which foods and drinks should you limit as your baby grows? Below is our list of the worst offenders.

1. Crisps and crackers

It doesn't take many crisps and crackers to satisfy your little one's appetite, leaving less room for nutrient-rich foods.

As well as this, like many processed food products, crisps and crackers are usually high in salt. Babies need only a very small amount of salt: less than 1g (0.4g sodium) a day until they are 12 months old (DH 2009b: 54). Your baby's kidneys can't cope with more salt than this.

Before your baby is six months old, he will get all the salt he needs from breastmilk or formula milk (DH 2009a: 4).

Once your baby begins eating solid food, you shouldn't add salt to home-cooked baby food or pre-prepared baby food, even if you think it tastes bland. If you're cooking with stock cubes, choose low-salt versions.

Toddlers also need very little salt. After your baby's first birthday, the daily recommended maximum amount of salt for him until he is three years old is 2g a day (0.8g sodium) (DH 2009b: 54). If your toddler has crisps as an occasional treat, only give him three crisps or four crisps, and not the whole packet.

A fromage frais, fresh fruit, or chopped vegetables are much better choices if your little one needs a quick snack. Rice cakes and mini-sandwiches would also be better alternatives.

2. Ready meals for older children or adults

Ready meals for adults and older children usually have a high salt and sugar content (DH 2009b: 44). This makes them unsuitable for babies.

Making the same meal at home can be healthier and cheaper. Our mum and baby meal planners will give you some great ideas for healthy meals.

Of course, as a busy mum you may not always have time to prepare every meal from scratch. If you do buy any pre-prepared food for your baby, make sure it's suitable for babies, rather than toddlers or older children. And never share your own ready meals with your baby.

3. Sweets and chocolate

It can be hard to keep your little one away from sweets and chocolate. But the high sugar content of sweets and chocolate means they're best avoided (DH 2009b: 44). Sugar makes enamel-attacking acid in your child's mouth.

If you do give your little one sweets, they're best eaten at mealtimes (DH 2009b: 60). When we eat a meal, the amount of saliva in our mouths increases. Saliva helps to neutralise the effects of the tooth-attacking acid.

Chocolate and fondants are less harmful for your baby's teeth than sweets such as toffee, as they dissolve more quickly. If you do give your baby sweets, encourage him to eat all the sweets in one go (DH 2009b: 60). A portion of four sweets, such as chocolate buttons, in 10 minutes is less harmful for his teeth than one every half hour for two hours.

You could give your baby a piece of cheese as soon as possible after he has finished the sweets to neutralise the sugars. And make sure that his next tooth brushing session is thorough.

4. Fizzy drinks

Your baby never needs to have fizzy and soft drinks. These drinks have no goodness in them, and their acidity can damage your baby's emerging teeth (DH 2009b: 57). As well as high levels of sugar, some fizzy drinks, such as cola, contain caffeine.

All your baby needs to drink is his usual milk plus drinks of water. Fizzy drinks make babies feel full quickly. If your baby has fizzy drinks to quench his thirst, it may spoil his appetite for the nutritious foods he needs.

Also, sugary drinks are high in calories, and your baby may become overweight in toddlerhood if he regularly drinks them.

5. Fruit juice

Fruit juice may sound like a healthy option. But it's best not to give your baby fruit juice, for the same reasons you should avoid fizzy and soft drinks. Fruit juices are high in natural sugars and are acidic, meaning they can damage your baby's teeth (DH 2009b: 57).

Water and breastmilk or formula milk are the best drinks for your baby until he's one year old (DH 2009b: 47). After that, he can have full-fat cow's milk as a main drink.

Milk contains important minerals and vitamins, such as calcium, vitamin B2, and vitamin B12 (NHS 2011a).

Once you start to give your baby solid foods, he can have diluted fruit or vegetable juice at mealtimes, although he certainly doesn't need it. Dilute any juice well, using at least one part juice to 10 parts water.

To protect your baby's teeth, offer diluted juice in a beaker or cup at mealtimes only, not in a bottle or before bedtime (DH 2009b: 54).

If you are bringing up your baby on a vegetarian diet, the vitamin C in diluted fruit juice with meals will help him to absorb iron from his food (DH 2009b: 52, BNF 2009). Giving your baby fruit and vegetables alongside meat alternatives would be a better option, though.

References

BNF. 2009. Weaning onto a vegetarian diet. British Nutrition Foundation. In: Feeding your baby. www.nutrition.org.uk [Accessed May 2014]

DH. 2009a. Chapter 1: Feeding your baby. www.dh.gov.uk [Accessed May 2014]

DH. 2009b. Chapter 3: Introducing your baby to solid food. www.dh.gov.uk [Accessed May 2014]

NHS Choices. 2011. Milk and dairy foods. www.nhs.uk [Accessed May 2014]

NHS Choices. 2011. Salt: the facts. www.nhs.uk [Accessed May 2014]

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When your baby is about six months old, you can introduce him to a variety of foods. Giving your baby a healthy, balanced diet will help to ensure he has the vitamins and nutrients he needs to grow (DH 2009b: 45). Try not to give your baby foods that are high in sugar or salt.

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Children, particularly those aged from 1 to 5, often put objects in their mouth. This is a normal part of how they explore the world.

Some small objects, such as marbles, beads and button batteries, are just the right size to get stuck in a child's airway and cause choking.

The best way to avoid this is to make sure that small objects like these are kept out of your child's reach.

No matter how careful you are, your child may choke on something. In most cases, you or someone else will see your child swallow the object that causes choking.

There can be other reasons why your child starts coughing. But if your child suddenly starts coughing, isn't ill and has a habit of putting small objects in their mouth, there's a good chance that they're choking.

Tips on helping a choking child

If you can see the object, try to remove it. Don't poke blindly or repeatedly with your fingers. You could make things worse by pushing the object further in and making it harder to remove.

If your child's coughing loudly, encourage them to carry on coughing to bring up what they're choking on and don't leave them.

If your child's coughing isn't effective (it's silent or they can't breathe in properly), shout for help immediately and decide whether they're still conscious.

If your child's still conscious, but they're either not coughing or their coughing isn't effective, use back blows.

Back blows for babies under 1 year

Sit down and lay your baby face down along your thighs, supporting their head with your hand.

Give up to 5 sharp back blows with the heel of 1 hand in the middle of the back between the shoulder blades.

Back blows for children over 1 year

Lay a small child face down on your lap as you would a baby.

If this isn't possible, support your child in a forward-leaning position and give 5 back blows from behind.

If back blows don't relieve the choking and your baby or child is still conscious, give chest thrusts to infants under 1 year or abdominal thrusts to children over 1 year.

This will create an artificial cough, increasing pressure in the chest and helping to dislodge the object.

Chest thrusts for children under 1 year

Lay your baby face up along the length of your thighs.

Find the breastbone and place 2 fingers in the middle.

Give 5 sharp chest thrusts (pushes), compressing the chest by about a third.

Abdominal thrusts for children over 1 year

Stand or kneel behind your child. Place your arms under the child's arms and around their upper abdomen.

Clench your fist and place it between the navel and ribs.

Grasp this hand with your other hand and pull sharply inwards and upwards.

Repeat up to 5 times.

Make sure you don't apply pressure to the lower ribcage, as this may cause damage.

Following chest or abdominal thrusts, reassess your child as follows

If the object still isn't dislodged and your child's still conscious, continue the sequence of back blows and either chest or abdominal thrusts.

Call out or send for help, if you're still on your own.

Don't leave the child.

Call 999 if the blockage doesn't come out after trying back blows and either chest or abdominal thrusts. Keep trying this cycle until help arrives.

Even if the object has come out, get medical help. Part of the object might have been left behind, or your child might have been hurt by the procedure.

Unconscious child with choking

If a choking child is, or becomes, unconscious, put them on a firm, flat surface and shout for help.

Call 999, putting the phone on speakerphone so your hands are free.

Don't leave the child at any stage.

Open the child's mouth. If the object's clearly visible and you can grasp it easily, remove it.

Start CPR - see How to resuscitate a child.

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Children, particularly those aged from 1 to 5, often put objects in their mouth. This is a normal part of how they explore the world. Some small objects, such as marbles, beads and button batteries, are just the right size to get stuck in a child's airway and cause choking.

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Foods to avoid giving your baby - NHS.UK

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Which foods babies and toddlers should avoid, including salt, sugar, nuts, low-fat foods and saturated fat.

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Read about children's food allergies, such as allergies to peanuts and food additives, and the signs and symptoms of allergies.

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This book provides information on caring for children up to five years old and contact details for useful organisations. It is available to new parents resident in Northern Ireland through primary care services (antenatal clinics, GPs or health visitors).

The book can be downloaded as a single document or by chapters.

Please note this book does not include information on COVID-19 - please see nidirect.gov.uk for current guidance and www.ni-maternity.com for advice on local maternity services.

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This book provides information on caring for children up to five years old and contact details for useful organisations. It is available to new parents resident in Northern Ireland through primary care services (antenatal clinics, GPs or health visitors). The book can be downloaded as a single document or by chapters.

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Why African Babies Don't Cry: An African Perspective - The Natural Child Project

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I was born and grew up in Kenya & Cote d'Ivoire. Then from the age of fifteen I lived in the UK. However, I always knew that I wanted to raise my children (whenever I had them) at home in Kenya. And yes, I assumed I was going to have them.

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Light Hearted look at Sleeping

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Spinoff Parents editor Emily Writes has not slept for a long time, but suddenly her son who hates sleep has started to sleep through the night. She explains how it happened.
For the last almost two years my son has been exceptionally committed to never sleeping. It wasn't just that he woke many, many times a night. He also didn't have naps during the day, woke exceptionally early, and found it difficult to go to sleep at night. So some might say I don't know shit about child sleep.

But actually, in the last month he has slept through the night four times. So now I am a qualified sleep consultant.

Here's my excellent advice on how to get your child to sleep through, based on the six times in two years my son has slept through the night.
Routines
We have a strict routine - dinner, book, bath, bed. We have adjusted the time we put them down by half an hour over the last year or so. Here's what I know: Three of the times my son slept through the night were after we followed the routine to the letter. The other three times the routine went out the window and he slept through the night. So I would recommend having a routine or not having a routine.
White noise
We used white noise two of the times he slept through the night so white noise might work for you. Or it might not because all of the other times it didn't work. But do you count from the times he slept through or not?
Maybe be on a boat
The first time he ever slept through the night we were on a ship in a cyclone. So you know, see what you can do about that.
Co-sleeping
Co-sleeping has saved our sanity 100% of the time we have co-slept. It has also made me lose my will to live after being kicked in the kidney and screamed at and farted on 100% of the time. So I would recommend doing it or not doing it 100% of the time.
Drugs
Sleeping pills have helped me sleep through the night. You're not allowed to give kids sleeping pills. I checked.
Not being on wake-up duty
Five of the six times he has slept through my husband has been on duty which is grossly unfair and a great injustice.
Not having anything planned that night
If you want to go out because it's your anniversary your child will not go to bed. If you have too much wine pretending you're 18 again your child will wake up 56 billion times. If you have a bad sleep, that'll be the night your child wakes so often you feel like you're entering the pits of hell when you walk into their room. For some reason, if you fall asleep watching TV your child will sleep through the night.
Floor bed
The floor bed worked four out of six times! Lots of room to stretch out. It also might not work because he had a floor bed for ages and it didn't work. And then it did work like six months later. Almost like sleep is a developmental milestone...hmmm.
Singing 'Stairway to Heaven' in monotone
Definitely helped because that song puts everyone to sleep.
Always putting them back in the cot
Did not work ever. If your child doesn't want to sleep in the cot they're not going to. Burn the cot. Smash it with an axe. Actually, donate it to charity - don't scare your neighbours. They have to put up with crying all the time (you and the baby) and they had to deal with that time that you stood outside in labour screaming at your husband to PACK THE FUCKING BAG IT IS COMING OUT I AM NOT HAVING THIS BABY ON THE FUCKING DRIVEWAY AHUUUUUUUUURRRRRGHHHHHHHHHHHH (weirdly specific). Or the time right after that you screamed "MY VAGINA IS BURNING IS THAT THE HEAD IS THAT THE HEAD?" (also, quite specific - adapt as needed for your situation).
Just asking them to go to sleep
Totally works. LOL no it doesn't. Fuck that noise. Who gives this advice? Like honestly. Of all of the advice, this is the worst.
Complete silence
Often necessary. Also heaps of noise also works. So either quiet, silence, noisy, loud - one of those things might work. You could maybe try all of them and just see. Once a fart upstairs woke up my baby downstairs and then on Guy Fawkes' night he slept for like four hours in a row. He also slept through an hour long flight including takeoff and landing despite the fact that me breathing wakes him up at home.
Acceptance that sleep is a developmental milestone and your child will just sleep when they can and they're not out to upset you they're just being a baby and this is what babies do and it sucks so hard but honestly they will sleep through one day I promise
This is the best advice you can take. Really. And it sucks that there is no magic bullet. No spell to be cast. This is it. Babies are all different and some are good sleepers and some are bad ones. And the ones who sleep just sleep - there isn't a trick. You're not doing anything wrong by ignoring advice that doesn't feel safe or respectful. You're not a bad parent because your child doesn't sleep. You don't need to do things that just feel wrong to "teach" them to sleep. In my experience of having a child that NEVER sleeps I can honestly tell you that babies will sleep when they sleep. It's that awful and simple. It is so bad, honestly I know. But we did nothing differently with our son. There's no reason why. No sleep aid that changed anything. No point where we knew why it has been the way it has been. He has just started to turn a corner. He does not sleep every night. But one night helps us through one week. He can do it, and he'll do it again. It will be the same for you. One day, your baby will sleep. And you will sleep. I promise. And when you're in it it just feels like that doesn't matter. Because right here, right now you're exhausted beyond measure. I know that. But I promise you, when you start to see the light without a sleep deprivation headache thudding away, this feels revolutionary. Nothing you did caused this. Your baby isn't bad. There's no reason for this. It was just luck. A spinning wheel that landed on No Sleep For You. It'll all change soon. I promise. Until then, you're not alone.
Emily Writes is editor of The Spinoff Parents. Her book Rants in the Dark is out now in all good bookstores (and some bad ones). Buy it here. Follow her on Facebook here. Follow the Spinoff Parents on Facebook and Twitter. This content is entirely funded by Flick, New Zealand's fairest power deal. In the past year, their customers saved $417 on average, which would buy enough nappies for months... and months. Please support us by switching to them right now.

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Emily Writes: My baby slept through the night six times so now I'm an expert on getting your kid to do that

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Spinoff Parents editor Emily Writes has not slept for a long time, but suddenly her son who hates sleep has started to sleep through the night. She explains how it happened. For the last almost two years my son has been exceptionally committed to never sleeping.

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Blood Loss after Birth