Christmas Opening Hours, Useful Information and Key Contacts
Pregnancy and Early Parenthood
Pregnancy is an ideal time to make lifestyle changes to give yourself the best chance of having a problem free pregnancy and having a healthy baby.
Advice and information on what to do next:
- as soon as you find out you are pregnant it is important to contact a health professional as the first 12 weeks of your pregnancy are the most important time in your baby’s development
- early contact with a health professional is important, as it will help you to make informed choices about your pregnancy
- wherever you live you can contact a midwife directly as soon as you find out you are pregnant
To speak to a midwife contact the Community Hub: 01302 642794 or visit the Doncaster Maternity Services webpage to find out more.
To speak to a member of the health visiting team call the Single Point of Contact 01302 566776 or visit the Doncaster Health Visitors website to find out more.
Feeding and Caring for your baby
in Doncaster, all pregnant women and women with a child under 12 months can receive free Healthy Start Vitamins through their midwife or health visitor. In addition, if you are pregnant or have a child under four years old you could be entitled to Healthy Start vouchers to help buy some basic foods. For more information visit https://www.healthystart.nhs.uk/healthy-start-vouchers/
Unicef's Baby Friendly Initiative work with services in Doncaster to help new parents give their babies the best possible start in life. To find out more about BFI and we support women to feed their babies visit Unicef Baby Friendly Initiative Your baby gets all the fluid, nutrients and energy they need from breast milk or formula - this is why it's best to hold off introducing solids until they are around six months old. If your baby was born prematurely, ask your Health Visitor or GP for advice on when the best time is to start
The Start4Life website has helpful information, you can sign up to receive weekly emails and videos for advice about pregnancy, birth and parenthood.
Unicef's Baby Friendly Initiative work with services in Doncaster to help new parents give their babies the best possible start in life. To find out more about BFI and we support women to feed their babies visit Unicef Baby Friendly Initiative Your baby gets all the fluid, nutrients and energy they need from breast milk or formula - this is why it's best to hold off introducing solids until they are around six months old. If your baby was born prematurely, ask your Health Visitor or GP for advice on when the best time is to start
The Start4Life website has helpful information, you can sign up to receive weekly emails and videos for advice about pregnancy, birth and parenthood.
Breastfeeding help and support
Breastfeeding is the healthiest way to feed your baby. Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for the first six months of your baby's life, although any amount of breastfeeding has a positive effect. The longer you breastfeed the greater the benefits.
Breastfeeding support is available from trained volunteers and from your local midwifery or health visiting team.
A 24/7 breastfeeding friend from Start4Life is now available on a number of platforms, including Amazon Alexa and Facebook Messenger to support breastfeeding mums in Doncaster
More information and advice on breastfeeding your baby can be found by visiting:
Breastfeeding support is available from trained volunteers and from your local midwifery or health visiting team.
A 24/7 breastfeeding friend from Start4Life is now available on a number of platforms, including Amazon Alexa and Facebook Messenger to support breastfeeding mums in Doncaster
More information and advice on breastfeeding your baby can be found by visiting:
La Leche League GB -breastfeeding support from pregnancy onwards
Breastfeeding out and about in Doncaster
We Support Our Mums is the new Doncaster breastfeeding welcome scheme that supports mums who are breastfeeding their babies. We know mums have the legal right to breastfeed anywhere (2010 Equality Act) but many do not feel confident in doing so. Our scheme aims to make it easier for breastfeeding mums to recognise where they will be welcomed to breastfeed their babies whilst out and about in Doncaster. These are places where mums can be assured that staff will be supportive of breastfeeding.
To find out more visit the We Support Our Mums page
Vaccinations & Immunisations
Routine childhood vaccinations are free and start when a baby is 8 weeks old.
This is a good age to start vaccinations, because the natural immunity to illness that newborn babies get from their mother is beginning to wear off. If a vaccine is given before 8 weeks of age, the baby's natural immunity to disease may stop it from working.
That's why you should ideally have your child vaccinated at the recommended time. Any delay can leave your baby unprotected against illnesses that are often more common and worse as a child gets older.
Your doctor's surgery or clinic will automatically send you an appointment for you to bring your baby for their vaccinations.
If you can't get to the clinic, contact your surgery to make another appointment.
For more information and advice on vaccinations visit:
This is a good age to start vaccinations, because the natural immunity to illness that newborn babies get from their mother is beginning to wear off. If a vaccine is given before 8 weeks of age, the baby's natural immunity to disease may stop it from working.
That's why you should ideally have your child vaccinated at the recommended time. Any delay can leave your baby unprotected against illnesses that are often more common and worse as a child gets older.
Your doctor's surgery or clinic will automatically send you an appointment for you to bring your baby for their vaccinations.
If you can't get to the clinic, contact your surgery to make another appointment.
For more information and advice on vaccinations visit:
https://www.nhs.uk/start4life/baby/vaccinations-and-immunisations-baby/
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/childhood-vaccines-timeline/
For further information, please contact us:
Further information
The ‘From Trying to Toddling’ guide (see link below) is packed with useful information from trying for a baby, through pregnancy and up to your child’s second birthday.
Downloads & Resources
- Starting Well - A guide to a Healthy Pregnancy and Beyond
- Download (1.66MB - PDF)
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Last updated: 10 December 2024 17:04:07