Resources and support when you have a new baby.
After the Birth of your Baby: information from North Bristol NHS Trust.
It's important to register your baby with a GP practice. Find your nearest practice.
You'll be cared for by midwifery services until your baby is 10 to 14 days old.
Health visiting
Health visitors are specialist nurses who can support you and your family during your child's early years. They can support you with things like:
- child development
- child health
- parenting strategies
- sleep
- mental health
- breastfeeding
- nutrition
- community support networks
A health visitor will usually visit you at home for the first time around 10 to 14 days after your baby is born.
Bristol Children's Centres
There are four Children's Centre hubs in North, East, Central and South Bristol offering a range of services. Support at Children's Centres includes:
- health services
- parenting and family support
- drop-in sessions
- infant feeding support
- mental health support
- outreach services (information and advice to remote areas)
- early education and childcare
- links to training and employment opportunities
You can self-refer to Children's Centre courses.
Bristol Children's Centre locations and timetables:
Baby hubs at Bristol Children's Centres
You can come to any of the baby hubs at Bristol Children's Centres to meet other parents and chat to a member of the Health Visiting Team. You can use baby scales at all of the baby hubs.
Other local services
Support feeding your baby: local support services and information on all aspects of infant feeding including breastfeeding, bottle feeding and weaning.
NHS Healthy Start scheme: if you're more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4, you may be eligible to get help to buy healthy food and milk and get free vitamins.
Free activities and events for families with young children.
Oral health: it's important to start brushing your baby's teeth as soon as they come through. Take your child with you when you go for your own dental appointments so they get used to the idea. To find a dentist:
- use the NHS services search
- ask at your local clinic
- call NHS England on 0300 311 223
- email england.contactus@nhs.net
Maternity Voices Partnership: help to shape local maternity care.
Project Mama: birth and postnatal support for refugees, asylum-seekers, survivors of modern slavery and human trafficking and other displaced women.
National links
Start for Life: NHS information to help keep your baby happy and healthy.
NHS services and support for parents.
Getting to know your baby: videos from the Association for Infant Mental Health.
Building a Happy Baby: A guide for parents: information about building a strong and loving relationship with your baby from UNICEF.
Crying: tips for soothing a crying baby on the NHS website.
Support to cope with crying: on ICON Parents Advice 2022
First Steps Nutrition Trust: an independent public health nutrition charity supporting eating well from pre-conception to five years.
What is weaning? NHS information on introducing your baby to solid foods, also referred to as weaning or complementary feeding.
Baby Buddy App: a free multi-award-winning, interactive pregnancy and parenting app.
DadPad: The Essential Guide for New Dads, developed with the NHS.
DAD.info: free expert advice and support for fathers.
This Girl Can: an exercise plan for new and expectant mothers.
UK baby banks: Little Village baby bank map.
Education: support for parents from Action For Children​.
Centre for Early Childhood: from the Royal Foundation.
Beginning to walk: NHS guidance on first steps and your baby's leg posture.
Barnardo's Family Space: information, advice and guidance during pregnancy and childhood.
ERIC: information about good bladder and bowel health from birth.