North Northamptonshire 0-11 Best Start In Life

We recommend that you start offering your baby some solid foods alongside their usual milk when they have developed the 3 signs of readiness.

Babies usually start showing these around 6 months of age. If your baby was born prematurely or you are not sure if they are showing these signs please contact us (call 0800 170 7055, choose Option 4 and ask for the Duty Health Visitor - open Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm - or use our live chat facility).

Signs of readiness

• Sitting well (may still need some support) and holding their head steady
• Able to look at food, bring it to their mouth and put the food in their mouth
• Able to swallow food rather than push it out

Unfortunately, many commercial baby foods (in jars and pouches) are labelled 'suitable from 4 months old'. However, giving solids too early - before baby's digestive system is ready - increases the risk of infection and allergies. NHS guidance has advised starting around 6 months of age for over 20 years now! We encourage you to offer your baby a variety of home cooked family foods and eat as a family together. 

• Introducing your baby to solid foods - NHS Start for Life
• Eating well in the first year - First Steps Nutrition Trust

At around 4 months of age, babies start showing some behaviours that can be wrongly interpreted as needing solids. These include:

• Being very interested in watching people eat
• Chewing their fists
• Waking more frequently at night and increasing their milk feeds

These are all normal behaviours and are related to baby's rapid brain development. Giving solids early will not help babies sleep for longer.

This animation explains more about this normal baby behaviour and contains everything you need to know to get started.

Until your baby is 6 months old, they need milk feeds only - either breastmilk or first-stage formula milk. After 6 months, milk is still a very important part of their diet.

You should continue to offer the breast, or responsively bottle feed and offer solids alongside their milk. This way your baby will take the milk they need and gradually build up their solid food intake.

Sleeping patterns often change around 4 months of age, which can feel challenging for parents - but it is a normal stage of development. It is normal for babies to wake frequently and need to be cuddled or have a milk feed to help settle them back to sleep. It can be helpful to think about sleep as being like other skills that babies learn when they are developmentally ready - like walking and talking.  

We hope these links will help you to cope with your baby's sleep. Please contact the Duty Health Visitor (call 0800 170 7055, choose Option 4 and ask for the Duty Health Visitor - open Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm - or use our live chat facility) if you would like more support.

• Normal sleep development - Baby Sleep Info Source (Basis)
• Coping with sleep deprivation as a new parent - The Lullaby Trust
• Document: Caring for your baby at night and when sleeping - UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative

It is important you continue to follow safe sleep advice to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). This advice from the Lullaby Trust applies until your baby is 12 months old:

• Safer sleep for babies - The Lullaby Trust
• Co-sleeping with your baby - The Lullaby Trust

Babies are developing so many skills around this age. They don't need expensive toys - you are their favourite person! Here are some ideas for play activities for babies aged from 3 to 6 months:

• Activities for babies 3-6 months - Tiny Happy People

For some babies, teeth suddenly appear! Others seem to show some symptoms in the days or weeks before a tooth appears.

Baby's first tooth usually arrives between 4 and 12 months of age.

It's important to start brushing your baby's teeth as soon as one starts to break through the gumline. You should use a baby toothbrush and a smear of fluoride toothpaste (adult paste is fine, no need to buy special baby ones).

Find out more about how to help your baby if they are teething and how to care for their teeth on the NHS website.

Postnatal depression and/or anxiety affects at least one in 10 new mothers and can appear any time in the first 12 months after your baby is born.

If you have concerns about your emotional wellbeing, please talk to someone - it is never too early or too late to share your worries. Your midwife, GP or health visitor can listen and refer you to specialist services if needed - such as the Perinatal Mental Health Team - so you get the appropriate support.

You can also refer yourself for additional support from Northamptonshire NHS Talking Therapies.

The Mental Health Number is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for anyone living in Northamptonshire who needs support with their mental health. Call 0800 448 0828.

Domestic abuse

If you are concerned about domestic abuse, please talk this through with a trusted professional and find more information online from the Northamptonshire Domestic Abuse Service.

In the months after a baby is born, domestic abuse can start or get worse. It is never your fault.

Advice, support and health concerns

• If you need advice about your baby's growth and development please contact the Duty Health Visitor via the 0-19 Admin Hub on 0800 170 7055 (Option 4, open Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm) or via Live Chat
• We also have an Infant Feeding Helpline - call 07795 110109 (open Monday to Friday, 9am to 3pm)
• If you have an urgent health concern please call NHS 111 for advice
• You can find the Northamptonshire Health Visitors team on social media on Facebook and Instagram

Strong Start for Life

Strong Start for Life teams run free classes across North Northamptonshire, including sessions about introducing solids, play, first aid and sleep.

• More information about Strong Start for Life in North Northamptonshire
• Book a Strong Start for Life class in North Northamptonshire

Peer support

• You can also register with the local Infant Feeding Peer Support service and get support from other parents who have breastfed their babies

Free access to the Anya app

Anya is a digital tool that gives parents and carers 24/7 access to evidence-based information about their pregnancy and caring for their baby. It includes 3D latching animations, webinars, online communities and the 24-hour 'Ask Anya' feature. All information provided through the app is evidence-based and complies with NHS guidance.

Full premium access to the app is available to all families in North Northamptonshire for three months. This includes asking Anya unlimited questions and direct access to a feeding specialist, as well as a library of resources and exclusive online communities.

Download the Anya app and redeem the special offer