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Every Child – Newborn to Age 2 Resource Links
Here are links to websites with information you may find useful between the time your baby is born and their second birthday.
Where to find information and support if you’re experiencing difficulties
If your relationship is particularly difficult and you would like some extra support visit www.relate.org.uk
If you are a woman experiencing domestic violence visit www.refuge.org.uk or www.welshwomensaid.org.uk
If you are a man experiencing domestic violence or abuse visit mensadviceline.org.uk or mankind.org.uk/
If you identify as LGBT+ and are experiencing domestic violence or abuse visit Galop.org.uk
If you, or anyone in your household is experiencing addiction, including gambling, problematic alcohol or drug use, visit www.dan247.org.uk or www.gamcare.org.uk for help with gambling issues.
If you or your partner suffers from a mental illness visit www.mind.org.uk/about-us/mind-cymru/for further information and support.
Managing your finances
If you need help or advice on money matters including debt, contact Citizens Advice at www.citizensadvice.org.uk/ wales/debt-and-money/ or visit the Money Helper www.moneyhelper.org.uk
For urgent support or help of a food bank visit www.citizensadvice.org.uk
For information about financial support you may be entitled to visit www.gov.uk and search for ‘Financial help if you have children’.
If you’re parenting on your own
For general information and support visit www.gingerbread.org.uk or www.familylives.org.uk
Financial support
To find out about what types of financial support you’re entitled to (e.g. benefits, child maintenance and tax credits) visit www.citizensadvice.org.uk
Looking after yourself after the baby is born
Healthy eating
For further information on eating well for new mums go to www.firststepsnutrition.org/eating-well-infants-new-mums and for more healthy recipes visit nutritionskillsforlife.com/healthyrecipes/
Healthy weight loss
For information on healthy weight loss visit healthyweight.wales.
Recovery from birth
For information about recovering from birth visit
www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/after-birth/your-body-after-birth
For information about pelvic floor exercises after birth visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/support-and-services/your-post-pregnancy-body/
Physical activity after your baby is born
For information on physical activity after birth visit thepogp.co.uk/patient_ information/womens_health/ advice_guidance_for_exercise_in_the_childbearing_years.aspx or 111.wales.nhs.uk/LiveWell/Pregnancy/newmumspostbody/
Looking after your teeth
If you are not registered with a dentist visit 111.wales.nhs.uk/localservices/?s=Dentist to find NHS dentists near you who are currently accepting new NHS patients.
Support to quit smoking
For support in giving up smoking visit www.helpmequit.wales
Contraception
For information about contraception visit 111.wales.nhs.uk/contraception/
Your child growing healthily
For information about helping your child maintain a healthy weight as they grow, visit www.everychildwales.co.uk/parents
For information to help you understand how your baby will grow over time visit 111.wales.nhs.uk/doityourself/pregnancy/babyhealthweightheight/
Your child’s nutrition
Breastfeeding
For information about restarting breastfeeding after a break visit the Association of Breastfeeding Mothers website at abm.me.uk/breastfeedinginformation/relactation/
If you are trans or non-binary
If you are trans or non-binary and you want to chestfeed, visit 111.wales.nhs.uk/livewell/pregnancy/Chestfeeding%20if%20you%27re%20trans%20or%20non-binary/
Mastitis
For information about what mastitis is and what you can do to alleviate the pain go to 111.wales.nhs.uk/encyclopaedia/m/article/mastitis
Expressing breastmilk
For information about expressing breast milk visit 111.wales.nhs. uk/livewell/pregnancy/breastfeedingexpressing/ or watch the video at www.unicef.org.uk/babyfriendly/babyfriendly-resources/breastfeedingresources/hand-expression-video
Drinking alcohol while breastfeeding
For information on drinking alcohol while breastfeeding visit www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/alcohol/
Breast and bottle feeding
For information on what you can do to keep up breastmilk supply after introducing formula feeding visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/breastfeeding-and-bottle-feeding/bottle-feeding/combine-breast-and-bottle/
Vitamins
Find out if you’re entitled to vitamin supplements for your baby via the Healthy Start scheme, by visiting www.healthystart.nhs.uk.
For information about the vitamins and nutrients your baby needs and why they are important, visit 111.wales.nhs.uk/livewell/pregnancy/Weaningvitamins
Introducing solid foods
Signs that your baby is ready for solid foods
For information about signs that your baby is ready for solid food visit 111.wales.nhs.uk/livewell/pregnancy/Weaningsolidfoods/
Recipe ideas
Visit everychildwales.co.uk/family-food/recipes/ for family food recipe ideas.
For information about introducing your baby to solid foods, including vegetarian and vegan diets, visit www.firststepsnutrition.org/eating-well-infants-new-mums and look for ‘Eating well: the first year’.
For information about feeding your toddler visit www.firststepsnutrition.org/eating-well-early-years
Allergies
For information visit: www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/weaning-andfeeding/food-allergies-in-babies-and-young-children/
Gagging
To see what gagging sounds and looks like go to the BabyCentre video at www.youtube.com/ watch?v=uRrbZuP-pjk
Coping with a crying baby
For advice on coping with a crying baby visit www.gov.wales/parenting-give-it-time/guidance-and-advice/tricky-moments-and-behaviours/coping-crying-baby
Sleep
For advice on helping your baby settle at night as they grow visit 111.wales.nhs.uk/livewell/pregnancy/babyhealthsleepproblems/
Safe sleep
For information on co-sleeping visit www.lullabytrust.org.uk/safer-sleep-advice/co-sleeping/
For safe sleep guidance from visit www.lullabytrust.org.uk
Visit www.lullabytrust.org.uk/ wp-content/uploads/The-Lullaby-Trust-Product-Guide-Web.pdf for information on sleeping bags and other safer sleep essentials.
Swaddling
For more information on swaddling your baby safely visit www.lullabytrust.org.uk/safer-sleep-advice/swaddling-slings/
Keeping your child safe
For general guidance on keeping your child safe visit capt.org.uk
Button batteries
For information on the safety risks of button batteries please visit www.capt.org.uk/button-battery-safety
Safety during bathing
For information on keeping your baby safe in the bath visit www.rospa.com/resources/hubs/keeping-kids-safe/bath-time,
and for more general advice about bathing your baby 111.wales.nhs.uk/livewell/pregnancy/newbornessentialswashing
Car seats
For information on safe car seat use visit www.lullabytrust.org.uk/safer-sleep-advice/car-seats-and-sids/
Baby slings or carriers
For more information using baby slings or carriers safely visit www.lullabytrust.org.uk/safer-sleep-advice/swaddling-slings/
Baby walkers
For information about the safe use of baby walkers visit apcp.csp.org.uk/system/files/documents/2023-03/ Babywalker%20v2.pdf
Looking after your child’s health
Vaccinations
For a complete list of vaccinations your child will be given in their first two years of life visit phw.nhs.wales/topics/immunisation-and-vaccines/vaccinationinformation1/
For more information about vaccinations visit 111.wales.nhs.uk/livewell/vaccinations/top10questionsaboutchildhoodvaccinations/
You can find out more information on vaccines offered in Wales and the illnesses they prevent at: phw.nhs.wales/topics/immunisation-and-vaccines/
Hygiene
For information on hygiene at mealtimes visit everychildwales.co.uk/professionals/ and download the ‘Solid Foods Booklet’ (which you will find in the ‘Resources’ section).
First aid
You can find first aid instructions and view helpful videos at www.redcross.org.uk/firstaid/learn-first-aid-for-babies-andchildren or visit www.resus.org.uk/library/2021-resuscitationguidelines/paediatric-basic-life-support-guidelines, or www.sja.org.uk/get-advice/first-aid-advice/paediatric-first-aid/.
Visit www.redcross.org.uk/first-aid/first-aid-apps for apps that download straight to your phone.
Illness in babies
Visit 111.wales.nhs.uk/encyclopaedia/f/article/feverinchildren for information on what to do if your child has a high temperature.
For information about meningitis and sepsis visit: 111.wales.nhs.uk/encyclopaedia/m/article/meningitis/ or www.meningitis.org/meningitis/check-symptoms
Colic
For advice on what to do if your baby has colic visit 111.wales.nhs.uk/colic/
Dental care
Finding a dentist
To find an NHS dentist to register your child with visit 111.wales.nhs.uk/localservices/?s=Dentist
Looking after your baby’s teeth
For information on easing teething pain and looking after your baby’s teeth visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/babys-development/teething/tips-for-helping-your-teething-baby/
For practical tips on looking after your child’s teeth visit www.designedtosmile.org
Your child’s development
Speech, language and communication
Welsh Government’s Talk with Me resources provide information on the benefits of talking with your baby, and what you can do to help your baby’s speech, language and communication skills – www.gov.wales/talk-with-me
Managing your child’s behaviours and feelings
For information and tips for understanding your child’s feelings and behaviours as they get older, visit www.gov.wales/parenting-give-it-time/children-0-4-years/childrens-behaviour-0-4-years
Reading
Build your child’s love of reading with free Bookstart book packs that you will receive from your health visitor. To find out more visit: www.booktrust.org.uk/what-we-do/programmes-and-campaigns/bookstart/
Play
For information about the importance of play and ideas for play activities visit 111.wales.nhs.uk/livewell/pregnancy/learningplayideas/ or www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/support-for-parents/look-saysing-play/
For ideas for play in any environment, as well as information about the
importance of play visit 111.wales. nhs.uk/livewell/pregnancy/learningkidsactive/ or www.playfulchildhoods.wales
For ideas for playing outside visit everychildwales.co.uk/playingoutdoors/
To find out more about the importance of play visit www.playfulchildhoods.wales
Speaking Welsh
Cymraeg for Kids offers practical support for you and your child to use the Welsh language. Visit gov.wales/cymraeg-for-kids to find out more.
Potty training
For information about potty training visit www.eric.org.uk/potty-training/
Your child’s rights
For information about how the law protects children from physical punishment in Wales visit gov.wales/EndPhysicalPunishment
For information about children’s rights under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) visit www.childcomwales.org.uk/uncrc-guide-forparents/
Returning to work
Your rights after you return to work
For information about your parental rights and entitlements on your return to work visit www.citizensadvice.org.uk or www.yourrights.org.uk/parentalrights/maternity-leave-is-ending-what-are-your-options
Breastfeeding after you return to work
You can find out about maternity rights and breastfeeding on return to work at maternityaction.org.uk/advice/continuing-to-breastfeed-when-you-return-to-work/
Childcare
For information on local childcare services visit www.fis.wales
To find out more about the Tax-Free Childcare offer visit www.gov.uk/help-with-childcare-costs or www.gov.uk/tax-freechildcare