Pregnancy and Early Parenthood

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.

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:

The Baby Friendly Initiative  

La Leche League GB -breastfeeding support from pregnancy onwards

Start4Life

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

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:

https://www.nhs.uk/start4life/baby/vaccinations-and-immunisations-baby/

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/childhood-vaccines-timeline/