Parenting Resources for different aspects of parenthood
Pregnancy and Birth
The following parenting resources are UK based, and there are links to paid parenting resources, however, I am not affiliated with these.
- Your first midwife appointment will be before you are 10 weeks pregnant, where they will ask you a selection of information regarding your health and family. This is also a good time to ask them any questions and talk about how you are feeling regarding your pregnancy.
- Pregnancy week-by-week – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
- Your NHS pregnancy journey – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
The above parenting resources tell you everything you need to know about the appointments and tests that will be offered on the NHS during your pregnancy here in the UK.
ANTENATAL CLASSES
Antenatal classes can be helpful if you have any questions and want to learn more about after your baby is born. It is also a great place to meet and get to know other parents in your area.
The NTC provide information for parents to be, as well as workshops and antenatal classes. They do charge and I have never used them. However, I have heard great things and many of my friends still meet up with the other parents they met there.
The NHS also offer free antenatal classes, and it could be worth checking with your midwife if there are any local to you. You usually go to these at around 32 weeks.
FIRST AID
This might seem like a random thing to go to while you are pregnant, but the knowledge you gain will stay with you and it is better to know before you have a baby to look after.
Mini first aid offer paid classes for parents and carers on how to respond to a child in emergency situations and look for signs of something serious.
The Red Cross also provides paid classes to learn baby and child first aid.
There is also a possibility that there are free courses on offer at your local children’s centre.
MATERNITY LEAVE
Maternity Leave is something you will want to think about and sort out. You will be able to find information on this, in the link to the government website. It gives you information on how to apply, what you are entitled to and for how long. We have quite a maternity here in the UK, and we are very lucky.
LABOUR & BIRTH
- The NHS website has a lot of information with regard to birthing in the UK and is a great place to start your research.
- Think about a doula when looking for support.
- Home birthing can be an amazing way to have a baby. The NCT website has information regarding this choice.
- If you want to have a look at having a water birth check out the website here.
- Though a c-section may not be your choice, here is some information on the NHS website about it.
Breastfeeding & Fourth Trimester
POSITIONING & LATCH
Breastfeeding Positions | Feeding Your Baby | Start for Life (www.nhs.uk)
Positioning – La Leche League International (llli.org)
Latching and Positioning Resources • KellyMom.com
CLUSTERING FEEDING
Cluster Feeding and Fussy Evenings • KellyMom.com
FEEDING A NEW-BORN
Breastfeeding: the first few days – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
TONGUE TIE
BREASTFED BABIES AND WATER
Do Breastfed Babies Need Water – The Breastfeeding Companion
MASTITIS
LACTATION CONSULTANTS
Lactation Consultants of Great Britain – Charity (lcgb.org)
PUMPING
Expressing and storing breast milk – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Exclusively Pumping Breast Milk – Breastfeeding Support
RETURNING TO WORK
Breastfeeding and going back to work – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Natural term breastfeeding
Breastfeeding Beyond Infancy – ABM
Breastfeeding Past Infancy: Fact Sheet – KellyMom.com
FOURTH TRIMESTER
The Fourth Trimester – AKA Why Your Newborn Baby is Only Happy in Your Arms – Sarah Ockwell-Smith
What is the fourth trimester? | Baby & toddler articles & support | NCT
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