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Best Start for life offer: From birth to 2 years

Find out about the local services and support in Nottinghamshire for children from birth to age 2 years.

Nottinghamshire Best Start for Life booklet cover

You can also download the full Best Start for life offer Nov 2025 booklet [PDF] (Printed booklets are available for reference in Nottinghamshire libraries).

On this page

Dads and partners

Tommy's Charity

Tommy's, the pregnancy and baby charity, has help and advice on how you can support your partner during pregnancy, preparing for labour and also looking after yourself on Dads and partners (Tommy’s).

Think Dads! Dad Pack

The Dad Pack is for all dads expecting a new baby. It contains information on preparing for labour, feeding and play, and to help dads look after themselves.

Download the Think Dads Dad Pack [PDF]

More support for dads

Find a range of information for new dads, parenting resources and sources of support on our Dads information page.

Breastfeeding and infant feeding

Support around feeding your baby is available from your midwife and Healthy Family Team. You can contact your local Family Hub (Children's Centre) to find out about the breastfeeding support they offer.

Read more about breastfeeding support on our Breastfeeding page.

You can also find information on responsive formula feeding on our Baby feeding and weaning page.

Dads and other family members and friends can find out how to support breastfeeding at Who can support with breastfeeding? (Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS).

Safer Sleep from day one

The Lullaby Trust has lots of useful information about how to sleep your baby more safely, including safer co-sleeping.

Safer sleep information (The Lullaby Trust)

If you have any questions or worries about your baby’s sleep, speak to your midwife or Healthy Family team and they will support you.

You can also find information on Safer Sleeping (Health for Under 5's)

Bonding with your baby

It’s great for both parents to have lots of skin-to-skin time across baby’s first weeks.

Holding baby close, soothing, cuddling and talking makes them feel safe and secure. It also releases the hormone oxytocin which helps your baby’s brain grow and develop.

Find more out about The Science of Cuddling (BBC Tiny Happy People).

Speak to your health visitor in the Healthy Family Team if you’re worried about your bond with your baby – they can arrange extra support.

Healthy Family team new birth visit

You will see your midwife shortly after discharge before your care is handed over to the Healthy Family team. By 14 days, you will receive a new birth review from your Healthy Family team. Dads and partners are also invited to attend.

Learn what to expect at a birth visit appointment in this 2-minute YouTube video:

Registering your baby's birth

Within 42 days of your baby being born, you are legally required to Register a birth (Nottinghamshire County Council).

Healthy Start

Find out if you are entitled to get help to buy healthy food and milk with the Healthy Start scheme (NHS)

Vitamins

Heathy start vitamins and drops

It is recommended that breastfed babies take vitamins from birth. Formula fed babies do not need them until they are drinking less than 500ml of formula milk a day as formula milk is fortified with vitamins.

Healthy Start vitamins contain the right amount and type of vitamins for babies and are produced by the NHS.

Vitamins are provided in many Family Hub buildings. You can buy them at low cost or get them free if you are on the Healthy Start scheme.

Find your nearest Family Hub team (Nottinghamshire County Council)

Or telephone to find your nearest Family Hub on 0300 500 8080

Healthy Family Team 6 to 8 week review

At the review your health visitor will

  • discuss your recovery after giving birth (both physically and emotionally)
  • offer support around health promotion and development of baby
  • signpost to services where needed

You will have the opportunity to ask any questions. Dads and partners are also invited to attend.

Learn what to expect at a 6 to 8 week review appointment from the Healthy Family team in this 2-minute YouTube video:

GP health check at 6 to 8 weeks

Your baby will be invited for a thorough physical examination. This is usually done by a doctor (GP).

You should also be invited for a 6 to 8 week postnatal check to review

  • your pelvic health
  • physical health
  • mental health
  • family planning
  • health promotion e.g support losing weight, stopping smoking etc.

It is an opportunity for you to ask questions and get support to improve your health. A healthier parent will help create a healthier family.

Find out more about Your 6-week postnatal check (NHS)

Family Hub Networks

When you’re ready to go out and about with your baby you might be interested in sessions at a Family Hub.

Family Hub teams have expertise in family support, developing parenting skills, promoting health and wellbeing, early years development, communication and language and much more.

Find your nearest Family Hub team (Nottinghamshire County Council)

Or, telephone to find your nearest Family Hub on 0300 500 8080

Vaccinations

Remember to book your baby in for their vaccinations to give them the best protection.

These are offered for all babies, including those who are premature at:

  • 8 weeks
  • 12 weeks
  • 16 weeks
  • 12 months old
  • 18 months - for babies born on or after 1st July 2024

Read more about NHS vaccinations and where to have them (NHS)

Feelings after birth

Mum holding a baby gazing out of a window

After the birth of a baby, it’s normal to experience a range of different emotions due to hormonal changes in the body, and adjusting to parenthood.

While having a new baby can be a wonderful time it can also be challenging. It’s common for both new mother’s and father’s to feel overwhelmed, and experience some anxiety, worry, or stress.

If these feelings start to interfere with your daily life, you or your partner should speak to your Healthy Family Team, GP or self-refer to talking therapies to access some extra support.

Find local sources of support and advice on:

Family Hubs also provide support groups including Parent Help and Emotional Wellbeing groups (PHEW) which provide a safe environment to talk and gain support.

Find your nearest Family Hub team (Nottinghamshire County Council

Or, telephone to find your nearest Family Hub on 0300 500 8080

Healthy Family Team 3 to 4 months review

If you’re a first-time parent, you’ll be offered a 3t o 4 month review with the Healthy Family Team. It will focus on how your baby’s brain is growing, the importance of attachment, and ways to enjoy positive and fun activities together.

The aim is to support you and your baby to build strong, loving connections. You’ll also have chance to ask any questions you might have.

Find out more, visit Healthy Family Teams (Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS)

Keep talking together

Parents strengthen the connection with their baby in lots of ways - gazing at them, holding them, smiling, talking and singing will entertain and engage your baby.

There are lots of things you can do at home and out and about to develop your child’s’ early communication skills.

Learn more on our Start Talking Together page.

Family Hubs offer speech and language support through groups such as ‘Little Talkers Groups’ and ‘Baby Peep’.

Find your nearest Family Hub team (Nottinghamshire County Council)

Or, telephone to find your nearest Family Hub on 0300 500 8080

Healthy early months

When you’re feeling tired, being active may seem like the last thing you want to do but regular activity can relax you, keep you fit and help your body recover after childbirth.

Learn about Keeping fit and healthy with a baby (NHS)

Reducing your baby’s exposure to passive smoke will reduce various health risks. Smoke can cause harm to babies due to their less well-developed airways, lungs and immune systems.

Get free support to Quit smoking (Your Health Notts)

Telephone 0115 772 2515

Libraries

Girl sat cross-legged reading a book

Babies love books! It’s free to join the library and borrow books with no overdue charges for children.

Lots of libraries have free and low-cost activities and sessions for babies and toddlers, such as Rattle, Rhyme and Roll sessions.

Find out more about the services on offer for children and families from our libraries in Nottinghamshire (Inspire)

Weaning

Introducing your baby to solid foods, also known as weaning, starts when your baby is around 6 months old and showing the signs that they are ready.

Learn more about weaning at What is weaning? (NHS Best Start in Life)

Contact your nearest Family Hub (Children centre) team to find out about weaning workshops.

Find your nearest Family Hub team (Nottinghamshire County Council

Or, telephone to find your nearest Family Hub on 0300 500 8080

Find out what types of foods may cause an allergic reaction, how to safely introduce them to your baby's diet, and how to spot the signs of a food allergy at Baby food allergies (NHS Best Start in Life)

First Steps Nutrition Trust has a PDF guide about eating well in the first year. You can view the guide online or download it on their website. It's a guide to introducing solids and eating well up to baby's first birthday.

Download the guide from Infants and new mums (First Steps Nutrition Trust)

Looking after your baby's teeth

Dentist looking in a girl's mouth

Start brushing your baby’s teeth as soon as they start to come through.

Use a baby toothbrush with a tiny smear of fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day, just before bed and another time that fits in to their routine.

Find top tips on Looking after your baby's teeth (NHS)

NHS dental care for children is free and you should take your child to the dentist when their first baby teeth appear. Not all dentists will take on new NHS patients.

Find an NHS dentist (NHS)

Childcare and early education

It’s good to start thinking about your childcare options. Your child will learn lots of important things when they are little, and this helps them to grow and develop.

Visit different childcare settings to see what feels right for your child.

Find local childcare near you on our Find childcare page.

You can get help with paying for childcare for babies from 9 months old. Find out about the childcare funding support that you can get on our Help with childcare costs page.

Or, you can telephone the advice line on 0300 500 80 80

Safety in the home

Prepare your home for when your baby is on the move and keep them safe from accidents.

Find tips on in-home child safety on:

Healthy Family Team 1 year health and development review

Between 8 and 12 months your baby will be offered a review to check how they are growing and learning. The review includes key areas like language and learning, safety, eating habits and early behaviour.

Learn what to expect at the 8 to 12 month review appointment from the Healthy Family Team in the this 1 minute YouTube video:

Bookstart

dad and baby looking at a book

Bookstart is a national programme that gifts free books to every baby to inspire and create a love of reading.

Every child in Nottinghamshire should receive a baby pack before they reach 12 months.

Ask your Healthy Family Team if you haven’t received yours yet or collect from your local Inspire library.

Learn about Bookstart Packs (Inspire Libraries)

Healthy Family Team 2 to 2.5 year health and development review

This review will cover a range of NHS guidance, including:

Learn what to expect at the 2 year review appointment from the Healthy Family Team in this 1-minute YouTube video:

Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)

You can talk to your Healthy Family Team for any queries about your child’s development and for more information about special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

To make sure your child gets the right support in place before they start school, health professionals will inform your local council if they believe a child under school age may have special educational needs or a disability.

A guide to services and support for children and young people aged 0 to 25 with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) can be found in our Nottinghamshire SEND Local Offer pages.

Toilet training

You may want to introduce sitting on the potty as part of your child’s normal day when they’re around 18 months to 2 years to start getting them ready.

It’s best to take it slowly, go at your child’s pace and begin once they are showing some signs they are ready.

Find advice on our Toilet training page.

Contact your nearest Family Hub team to find out about toileting workshops.

Find your nearest Family Hub team (Nottinghamshire County Council)

Or, telephone to find your nearest Family Hub on 0300 500 8080

Learn more about the Family Hub offer for Family health and wellbeing (Nottinghamshire County Council)

External Links

Last updated: 31 March 2026