First Few Months
New mums and parents
Coping with a baby can take some adjusting too, Hartlepool Health Visiting Service are here to help answer any questions parents may have and offer support if you are finding things difficult. Please read the information below on common issues following the birth of your baby.
Child health app
The NHS have produced a child health app which is available for all smartphones.
Parents and carers are able to find NHS advice on many common childhood illnesses, letting you know when you need to seek further medical advice from a pharmacy, GP or hospital – or how you can care for your child at home.
The app is also available as a 115-page booklet.
The booklet and app contain advice on everything from how to deal with upset tummies to treating bumps and bruises.
Download the app now, available on Google Play and the App Store by searching for NHS child health or click here to view the booklet online.
Your 6 week postnatal check
You should have a postnatal check following the birth of your baby to make sure that you are recovering well from pregnancy. Click here for more information about this check.
Your body post pregnancy
Your body will change following pregnancy, the NHS has created a useful guide to show how pregnancy can affect your body and what you can do to help this.
Low mood after childbirth
Following the birth of your baby you may feel down or depressed, many women experience the ‘baby blues’, which can be due to the sudden hormonal changes in your body after childbirth, ‘baby blues’ are normal and will usually last a few days.
Postnatal depression can affect women and many women suffer in silence. Postnatal depression usually occurs two to eight weeks following childbirth but can happen up to a year following the birth. Let your health visitor know if you are feeling low in mood. Information is available online about the baby blues and postnatal depression.
Video: How do I know if I have postnatal depression?
Sex and contraception after birth
There are no rules about when to start having sex again after giving birth, if you worried about starting to have intercourse or want information about contraception there is information on the NHS website to support you.
When can we have sex again after birth?
Sleep and tiredness following childbirth
Caring for a new baby can be really tiring as your child is likely to wake several times during the night. Click on the link for useful information and tips that may help you feel more rested:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/sleep-and-tiredness/
Video: How can I cope with the lack of sleep?
Cry-sis offer experienced advice for crying and sleepless babies, they can be contacted using the following link:
Coping with stress
Trying to cope with the demands of a new baby and everything else can be stressful, click on the link for helpful information on how to deal with stress during this time.
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/coping-with-stress/
Keep fit and healthy
Click on the link for useful information on how to keep yourselves fit and healthy following the birth of your baby
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/keeping-fit-and-healthy/
Video: How can I lose my pregnancy weight sensibly:
https://www.nhs.uk/video/Pages/how-can-i-lose-my-pregnancy-weight-sensibly.aspx
Hartlepool Children’s Centres
The children’s centres in Hartlepool provide family health and support services, early learning, advice and information for parents on a range of issues. Please click the link to find out what our Children’s Centres can offer you and your family:
LINK FOR CHILDRENS CENTRES
Money and finances
If you are having problems with finances and need some support with this let your health visitor know, the following website can offer support and advice to people experiencing financial difficulties:
West View Benefits Advice Service:
Hartlepool Citizens Advice Service:
https://www.hartlepool-cab.co.uk/
Relationships after having a baby
Having a baby can put pressure on a relationship, please have a look at the following link for information on how couples can strengthen their relationship during this time:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/relationships-after-a-baby/
Healthy Relationships Partnership Hartlepool can provide support to parents who are experiencing difficulties in their relationships, click on their link below to find out how they can help:
http://hrphartlepool.co.uk/support-for-families/#1510587168974-3150d8d4-f6ab
If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse support is available:
You can
- Talk to your health visitor, GP or midwife
- Women can contact the National Domestic Violence Helpline free on 0808 2000 247
- Men can contact the Men’s Advice Line free on 0808 801 0327 or ManKind on 01823 334 244
- Harbour can be contacted on 03000 20 25 25, their website is: https://www.myharbour.org.uk/
- If you are in immediate danger always call 999
CATCH
CATCH is a free NHS health app for parents and carers of children from pregnancy to age 5. CATCH eases the sense of information overload, particularly regarding pregnancy and children’s health. With the number of resources available, it can be difficult to know who to trust. CATCH provides local NHS-approved information with your best interests at heart, so you won’t need to look elsewhere.
