Your baby’s first few months

Every baby develops at their own pace. The early weeks are mainly about helping your baby feel safe, fed and comforted and making sure you're recovering well.

You should speak to your health visitor, midwife or GP if you have any worries.

The first few days

In the first few days, your baby will:

• sleep a lot (often 16-18 hours spread across day and night)
• wake often for feeding
• cry to let you know they need feeding, comfort or a nappy change

Your midwife or health visitor will monitor and complete:

• weight and growth
• feeding - support will be available to help you with feeding positions, knowing your baby is getting enough milk and providing
• specialist support if needed. Oxford Health has some great advice on feeding positions
• reflexes and movement
• a newborn physical health check, a hearing test and a blood spot test within 72 hours of birth

If your baby was born before 37 weeks, you will get extra advice and visits from your midwife or health visitor, depending on any support they may need. 

Your baby's health record (red book)

You will be given a personal child health record, often called the ‘red book’. You can find information about local clinics and support, as well as records on your child's:

• growth and development
• immunisations
• health checks

Bring it to all appointments. This will follow your child until they are 18 and is a record of all their major milestones, their development, as well as the vaccinations they have received. 

What to expect

The first two weeks

Your care will transfer from your midwife to a health visitor. Make time to see them. They are there to give you practical advice and support to help you navigate those first few months.

The first month

Bringing a baby home can be overwhelming but there are some things you should to do to help ensure you have the support you need going forward. At any time, if you are worried, speak to your midwife or health visitor.

Register your baby's birth at a register office

Try to do this before they turn 6 weeks old. You can book an appointment online.

Register your baby with your GP

Your GP will then contact you about the immunisations your baby needs. Find out more on GOV.UK. These immunisations are at:

• 8 weeks
• 12 weeks
• 16 weeks

Learn about your baby's reviews and what happens during them. Visit the NHS guide.

Establishing routines

If your midwife feels you need extra support with feeding your baby, they can refer you to the infant feeding clinic. You can also do this yourself. Find out more about the support they provide. 

Getting your baby into a sleep routine

Many young children find it difficult to settle down to sleep and then wake up during the night. If you or your child is suffering from a lack of sleep, the NHS website has some simple techniques you can try. 

NHS advice is to:

• always place your baby on their back to sleep
• use a firm, flat mattress
• keep the sleeping area clear of loose bedding and toys
• sleep your baby in the same room as you for at least the first 6 months

The health visiting team has great advice about sleep and routines.

If your baby becomes ill

It's normal for babies to get sick from time to time. But, in most cases, it's a common ailment that you can treat with the proper care or medication.

If you are worried, contact your GP or NHS 111. Take your child to your nearest NHS walk-in centre or accident and emergency in urgent cases.

GPs will also signpost to the Healthier Together website and Healthier Together App for health information and advice for pregnant women, children and young people. 

Pop into one of our family hubs 

Family hubs provide ongoing support after your baby arrives, including activities, family services and opportunities to meet other parents. 

Want to find out more about what comes next? 

Toddlers – their development stages and what to expect - from baby to toddler.