- Overview
- Contact us
- ChatHealth
- Pregnancy
- Ages 0-4
- Ages 5-11
- Ages 12-16
- Ages 16-19
- Continence service and 0-19
- Useful resources
- Confidentiality
- SystmOnline pilot - a guide for parents
- Professionals
Type
Children's 0-19 ServicesWe provide the Healthy Child Programme, a planned series of public health interventions for children and families from birth to age 19. Services provided within the Integrated 0-19 Team include Health Visiting, School Nursing, Breastfeeding Support, Family Nurse Partnership and Children’s Weight Management. The programme is delivered through our integrated locality teams.
Our services are orientated around 4 levels of delivery, with families in the greatest need receiving targeted interventions and families with the least need receiving universal services. We follow a public health approach and our central purposes are health promotion; health protection; prevention of ill health or accident and early intervention.
Clinically the services are provided by qualified Health Visitors and School Nurses and supported by Nursery Nurses, Youth Workers, Staff Nurses and Support Staff. We have a dedicated Immunisation Team that supports delivery of our school age immunisation programme and works closely with locality staff to ensure high uptake of the programme.
Who is this service for? Pregnant women, children and young people from the age of 0 to 19.
How to access these services:
We accept referrals from any professional who is working with a child, young person and their families. We use one generic referral form which enables professionals to refer to the 0-19 service in the same way and by the same route. If you would like to discuss referring a child to the 0-19 service please contact the 0-19 Admin Hub for further details on 0800 170 7055.
To refer a child please complete our referral form here please complete the 0-19 Universal Service Referral Form which is accessible by clicking here
Any questions? Chat to us now click the orange button on the bottom right-hand side of the page
Contact us
To contact the team or find out any other information call: 0800 170 7055 (Mon-Fri 8am-5pm)
Email: CUSadminhub.nhft@nhs.net
Breastfeeding helpline: 077951 10109 for breastfeeding advice and support (Mon - Fri 9am - 3pm)
ChatHealth: text a school nurse for friendly, helpful advice. This service is designed for 11-19 year olds: 07507 329 600 (Mon-Fri 9am-4pm)
Health visitors facebook: www.facebook.com/Healthvisitors run by local health visitors to bring you the very latest advice and information
0-19 Live Chat - To start 0-19 Live Chat click the orange button on the bottom right-hand side of the page
0-19 Live Chat is a new service to help parents and young people access Northamptonshire’s 0-19 service via the central point of contact Admin Hub. You can speak to us live and online Monday – Friday 9am-5pm.
We are a friendly, highly skilled team of administrators working within the 0-19 Admin Hub, we support the 0-19 Service for health visiting and school nurse services.
0-19 Live Chat is for pregnant women, parents, carers and young people wishing to access the 0-19 service. We will try to provide you with the appropriate help, support and information.
Via Live Chat you can book appointments for development appointments and school aged immunisation appointments, change or cancel appointments with the 0-19 service, ask for advice, information or signpost to local resources and services. You can ask general queries regarding the 0-19 service and also request a call back from a duty health visitor or school nurse regarding your child’s health, wellbeing or behaviour
All live chats are secure with end to end encryptions provided by a digital certificate and NHS information governance standards.
You could also discuss any of the above directly with the 0-19 Admin Hub on 0300 1111 022 (option 4)
To start 0-19 Live Chat click the orange button on the bottom right-hand side of the page
ChatHealth
Are you 11-19 years old? You can text a school nurse for free, confidential help and advice!
Just text: 07507 329 600 (Mon-Fri 9am-4pm)
We just want to let you know a little bit about confidentiality. Unless you give permission, a School Nurse will not pass on anything you say to anyone else, like parents, teachers, or other students – except in extreme circumstances like if the health, safety or welfare of you or someone else is at significant risk. If we did need to tell someone about something you had told us, we would always try to speak with you first. For our safety and yours we hold information that you tell us on electronic records that can be seen by other healthcare professionals who all follow the same confidentiality rules - this can include your doctor. Records are kept for future use.
Any questions? Chat to us now click the orange button on the bottom right-hand side of the page
Pregnancy
Being pregnant and preparing for a new baby can be both exciting and daunting. As soon as you find out you are pregnant you should make an appointment with the midwife at your local GP surgery. Until you are around 7 months pregnant your care will mostly be provided by your GP, midwife or obstetrician. Around the 7th month of your pregnancy a health visitor from the 0-19 team will send you an appointment to visit you at home. The purpose of this visit is to get to know you a little and to help us understand if there is anything we can help you with before your little one arrives. You don’t need to contact us to arrange your home visit, we will contact you.
If there have been any complications of difficulties during your pregnancy the 0-19 team may work alongside other professionals to ensure you, your family and developing baby receive all the services, care and support you need.
If you are under 18 years of age and pregnant you may be eligible for our Family Nurse Partnership Programme (FNP). Ask your midwife for more details and a referral or contact FNP Northamptonshire on 01604 658830 or Northamptonshire.fnp@nhs.net. For further information on Family Nurse Partnership please visit www.fnp.nhs.uk
There are many choices to make and information you will need to keep you and your baby healthy and safe. Your midwife, health visitor or family nurse can give you all this information, but you may also want to read up for yourself. Below are links to a wide range of websites and online leaflets. These are all based on the most up to date advice and information:
Any questions? Chat to us now click the orange button on the bottom right-hand side of the page
Your Pregnancy, Your Health Visitor - flyer [pdf] 568KB
General advice
Northamptonshire Maternity Services
You and your partner
NHS Choices - Pregnancy and your partner
Post natal depression
Emotional changes during pregnancy and following childbirth [pdf] 454KB
Mental health problems and pregnancy
Thinking ahead
Ages 0-4
Whether you have got a new baby, or are preparing for your child to start school, the 0-19 team are here to offer you advice, support, information to help you and your family be as healthy as possible. We offer all children an assessment of their health, growth and development at the following times:
- 10-14 days
- 6-8 weeks
- Around 8 months
- Between 2-2.5 years
You don’t need to contact us to arrange these assessments, we will contact you.
We realise being a parent can be full of challenges and you may need extra help from time to time. Your 0-19 team are here to offer this help when you need it, for example, if your child is ill, having difficulties with feeding, sleeping, toileting and behaviour. We can also help parents/carers with issues such as their own emotional health and parenting.
If you and your family find you are having significant difficulties, for example if your child has a special educational need or disability (SEND), a medical condition, or perhaps there are concerns about the safety of your child, the 0-19 team will be involved in ensuring your child is safe and getting the services and care they need.
We have a team of healthy lifestyle advisors who can help with managing children’s weight and supporting them to have active healthy lives.
If you are under 18 years of age and have a child less than 2 years of age, you may be receiving our Family Nurse Partnership Programme (FNP). Visit www.fnp.nhs.uk for information about FNP.
Any questions? Chat to us now click the orange button on the bottom right-hand side of the page
4 MONTH
UNICEF skin-to-skin contact advice
Lullaby Trust - Safer Sleep Advice
Lullaby Trust - Coping with Sleep Deprivation
Health visitors clinics
Below is a list of our regular clinics, these are drop-in unless they state otherwise. Please click on the name of the clinic you wish to attend to find out more information (mobile users - if you have any issues seeing the details of the clinics please click here). For any enquiries or questions about the clinics, including booking on clinics that require an appointment, call 0800 1707055 Opt 4 (Monday-Friday 9am-5pm).
Please note there are additional sessions in Kettering that you can make an appointment at, please phone us to find out more.
PLEASE NOTE: DUE TO RECENT CHANGES IN LIBRARY OPENING HOURS AND DAYS PLEASE CHECK WITH YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY BEFORE TRAVELLING TO A CLINIC
For regular updates and top tips from the team follow us on facebook: www.facebook.com/healthvisitors
For information about Emotional changes during pregnancy and following childbirth please click this link to download our leaflet.
Infant Feeding Support
Breastfeeding is the healthiest and most natural way to feed your baby, but not everyone finds it easy. We are here to support you and help you find what’s best for you and your baby.
- We offer timely and responsive support in the form of breastfeeding support groups.
- Support groups are available across the county, including one in central Northampton, to provide help, information and social opportunities for mothers and mothers-to-be.
- For more complex issues we offer support in the home.
- We also provide training for health professionals, including health visiting staff and staff working in specialist services, community networks and drop-in centres.
- We are working toward achieving Baby Friendly Accreditation, which promotes best practice and evidence-based approaches to supporting parents with feeding and nurturing infants in the early years.
- Our support is available for the whole family. Mums, mums-to-be, partners and siblings are welcome.
Our team, which is made up of senior health visitors and health professionals and led by a lactation consultant, offers friendly, skilled breastfeeding support and information for mothers experiencing breastfeeding difficulties. This is offered either in the home, a clinic or drop-in setting.
By protecting, supporting and normalising breastfeeding we aim to improve the health and wellbeing of all children in our communities and increase the number of infants who receive breast milk.
For breastfeeding support and information please contact your health visitor or our helpline number below:
07795 110109 ( Mon- Fri 9-3 calls only)
Email: Infantfeeding.team@nhs.net
For specialist breastfeeding help please contact the breastfeeding support team by sending your name, address, email, phone number and baby’s date of birth by telephone or email:
Telephone: 07795 110109
Email: CUSadminhub.nhft@nhs.net
See our top tips for supporting breastfeeding in Northamptonshire:
Breastfeeding - top tips for business [pdf] 515KB
Breastfeeding - top tips for public - poster [pdf] 193KB
National support and information
- National Breastfeeding Helpline: 0300 100 0212
- National Childbirth Trust (8am-10pm): 0300 330 0771
- LA Leche League: 0845 120 2918
- Breastfeeding Network: 0300 100 0210
- Supporter Line in Bengali: 0300 456 2421
- Supporter Line in Sylheti: 0300 456 2421
- Association of Breastfeeding Mothers: 0300 330 5453
- UNICEF breastfeeding support for parents
For more information, visit the useful information section below.
Breastfeeding Drop in Sessions
- We are currently not able to run any Drop-ins
- We are continuing to run the Daily Infant Feeding Helpline 07795 110109 9-3 ( no texts)
- E mail Infantfeeding.team@NHS.net
- We can also offer video calls
Useful information
Below are links to a wide range of websites and online leaflets. These are all based on the most up to date advice and information.
General Advice
Northamptonshire Maternity Services
NHS Choices - Children's teeth
Northamptonshire County Council - Childcare
Northamptonshire County Council - School Readiness
Advice on Stress, Anxiety and Depression
Safety
Lullaby Trust - Sleeping advice
Feeding your baby
UNICEF breastfeeding support for parents
Association of Breastfeeding Mothers
Lactation Consultants of Great Britain
Northants Breastfeeding Alliance
UNICEF skin-to-skin contact advice
Introducing solid foods
NHS Choices - Your baby's first solid foods
NHS - Introducing solid foods leaflet
Eating well: A guide to introducing solids and eating well up to baby's first birthday - Leaflet
Sleep
Lullaby Trust - Safer Sleep Advice
Lullaby Trust - Coping with Sleep Deprivation
UNICEF - Caring for your baby at night
Immunisations
NHS Choices - When to have vaccinations
NHS Choices - Children's flu vaccines
Ilnesses
NHS Choices - Infectious illnesses in children
NHS Choices - childhood illness (visual guide)
Dads and partners
NHS Choices - Information for Dads and partners
Other problems
Ages 5-11
Whether your little one has just started school or you are thinking about moving from primary to secondary, the 0-19 team are here to offer you advice, support, information to help you and your family be as healthy as possible. We offer all children the following assessments:
- In reception year you will be asked to complete a health questionnaire, this helps us to know if your child has any health issues that we can support you with.
- In reception year we will do an assessment of your child’s hearing and vision, as well as your child's weight and height, with your consent through return of the health assessment form
- In year 6 there will a further assessment of weight and height (ALL children are seen unless you opt out of the assessment).
- A Flu vaccination is offered to all children in years reception, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. From October 2019 this will be offered to ALL primary aged children.
You don’t need to contact us to arrange these assessments, we will write to you to let you know when they are happening. They will be done in school during normal school hours if your child is attending a school setting. If your child is not attending a school setting you can contact us on 0800 170 7055 opt 4 and we will offer these services to you in a clinic setting.
We realise being a parent can be full of challenges and you may need extra help from time to time. Your 0-19 team are here to offer this help when you need it, for example, if your child is having difficulties with their eating, toileting, behaviour or worries. We can also help parents/carers with issues such as finding support for their own emotional health and parenting.
We have a team of healthy lifestyle advisors who can help with managing children’s weight and supporting them to have active healthy lives.
If you and your family find you are having significant difficulties, for example if your child has a special educational need or disability (SEND), a medical condition, or perhaps there are concerns about the safely of your child, the 0-19 team will be involved in ensuring your child is safe and getting the services and care they need.
Any questions? Chat to us now click the orange button on the bottom right-hand side of the page
General Advice
Below are links to a wide range of websites and online leaflets. These are all based on the most up to date advice and information:
NHS Choices - Children's teeth
NHS Choices - Children's health
Immunisations
NHS Choices - Children's vaccines
Childhood Illnesses
NHS Choices - Infectious childhood illnesses
Ages 12-16
Whether you are a young person, or the parent of a young person, the 0-19 team are here to offer you advice, support and information to help you and your family to be as healthy as possible.
We offer all young people the following:
- A “drop in” session at your secondary school. This is run by a school nurse where you can get confidential advice about any physical, sexual, or mental health concerns.
- In year 8 we offer all girls the HPV (cervical cancer) vaccine.
- In year 9 we offer all young people the Men ACWY for meningitis and 3-in1 teenager booster vaccination (from 2019/20 onwards this will be offered in year 9).
- ChatHealth – this is a text messaging service where you can text a school nurse for confidential advice and support for any health related issue. The text number is 07507329600
You don’t need to contact us to arrange the vaccinations, we will write to you to let you know when they are happening.
They will be done in school during normal school hours if you attend a school setting.
If you do not attend a school setting you can still have all these services, just contact us on 0800 170 7055 Opt 4.
We realise being a teenager can be tough and want to help you in any way we can, for example:
- If you feel low, stressed or worried
- Having problems with relationships
- Want contraceptive advice, including emergency contraception
- Are concerned about your sexual health
- Have questions about your identity
- Having problems going to the toilet
- If you don’t feel safe, either at home, at school or outside of school
- If you are caring for a parent who is ill or disabled
- If you want help with quitting smoking
- Advice about alcohol and drug use
- Want help managing your weight and healthy eating
Any questions? Chat to us now click the orange button on the bottom right-hand side of the page.
General Advice
NHS Choices - Teen boys' health
NHS Choices - Teen girls' health
Teenagers concern
NHS Choices - Teenagers and sleep
NHS Choices - Sex and young people
Teenagers as carers
Ages 16-19
Whether you are a young person, or the parent of a young person, the 0-19 team are here to offer you advice, support and information to help you be as healthy as possible. We offer all young people the following:
- A “drop in” session at your secondary school - This is run by a school nurse where you can get confidential advice about any physical, sexual, or mental health concerns
- ChatHealth – this is a text messaging service where you can text a school nurse for confidential advice and support for any health related issue. The text number is 07507329600. You can use this whether you are in school or have now left.
- If you want to speak to us or arrange an appointment but you are no longer in school please contact 0800 170 7055 opt 4.
We realise moving from being a teenager to an adult can be tough and we want to help you in any way we can, for example:
- If you feel depressed, stressed or anxious
- Having problems with relationships
- Want contraceptive advice, including emergency contraception
- Are concerned about your sexual health
- Have questions about your identity
- Having problems going to the toilet
- If you don’t feel safe
- If you are caring for a parent who is ill or disabled
- If you want help with quitting smoking
- Advice about alcohol and drug use
- If you want help managing your weight
If you have any questions you can chat to us now click the orange button on the bottom right-hand side of the page.
Below are links to a wide range of websites and online leaflets. These are all based on the most up to date advice and information:
General Advice
NHS Choices - Teen boys' health
NHS Choices - Teen girls' health
Continence service and 0-19
The 0-19 Service are still committed to offer you advice and support regarding your child’s continence needs and will still endeavour to ensure that this support is not jeopardised by COVID-19. In order for us to be able to safely support you and our staff, we have made some changes to the way that we deliver our clinics. We will continue to offer you both initial and review appointments, however these will now take place virtually via Microsoft Teams as we are currently unable to offer face to face contacts in clinic settings. The nurse will be able to complete a thorough assessment of your child’s continence needs and will be able to offer you the advice, or signpost you for treatment/further support if needed. We are continuously thinking of new ways of working through this challenging time and we would be very grateful for any feedback or suggestions that you may have regarding our delivery of continence care.
What is the 0-19 Continence Service?
The Continence Service is a community based service offering advice, support, assessment, treatment and management of bladder and bowel dysfunction (bedwetting, daytime wetting, constipation and soiling) for children.
Who are we ?
All continence staff are fully qualified nurses within our 0-19 service.
For pre-school children, Health visitors and community Nursery Nurses can also offer advice.
Who can access the service?
This is a service for all children and young people who live within Northamptonshire.
How to make a referral?
If you have any concerns please contact the 0-19 admin hub; 0800 1707055 opt 4 where you will be able to speak to either a school nurse or health visitor, depending on the age of your child.
Here you will be able to discuss your concerns and what support is required. (*Clinic appointments are only offered to school age children)
For school age children if a referral is appropriate you will be sent an initial contact letter offering you some helpful online resources. If you have tried the suggested techniques and still require support, you will be asked to contact the 0-19 admin Hub on; 0800 1707055 opt 4 where you can book an initial assessment appointment at any of the continence clinic’s available locally. This enables you to select the time and location of your appointment.
If you have not made contact with us within 6 weeks of receiving the initial contact letter we will assume you no longer require any support.
How you and your child can prepare for your first appointment?
You will be asked questions about the issues that are affecting your child. To help us with the assessment you could start to think about any patterns or particular issues before your appointment, for example are there any types of drinks that trigger your child’s symptoms, or are there any certain days of the week where their symptoms may improve or worsen?
You can talk to your child and tell them that seeing the continence nurse will not be scary (no needles). You can tell your child that they will be asked a few questions which may feel embarrassing for them to talk about; like wee and poo. However you can reassure your child that there are many other children who have the same worries about their toileting, but obviously this is something other children don’t share and talk about, as they will too feel worried or embarrassed. Likewise parents tend not to share their own child’s continence issues. You must remember we have lots of families referred into this service, so you are NOT alone.
You will be asked to complete charts prior to your appointment to help our staff assess your child. It is important that you complete these charts and bring them with you. The charts help us decide the right treatment for your child. (By these forms not being fully completed will delay further actions moving forward) *Charts can be also found here: Bladder and bowel charting form.docx[docx] 221KB where you can complete and return to cusreferrals.nhft@nhs.net alternatively you can complete the form and take a screen shot on your mobile phone, which you can then show to the school nurse at your clinic appointment.
What happens at the first continence clinic appointment?
An initial assessment appointment should last around 45 mins – 1 hour approx.
You and your child will have the opportunity to talk about your child’s continence issues and how it affects you both. All information is treated sensitively.
The assessment will be completed in order to gain information and understanding of the problem and concerns you have about your child. This will involve asking questions about what is happening currently? What has been tried previously? What has been found to be successful? What has not worked? And what are you hoping from the appointment for your child? You and your child will be asked lots of questions, which you may think are a bit personal.
Questions asked will ensure that a holistic approach to your child’s care is being considered, in which the physical, emotional and social factors are taken into account. For example;
• Family dynamics
• Medical history
• Emotional well-being
Following the assessment an individual management plan will be given to you to help and support you and your child. This will involve you keeping diaries and charts to record information about your child’s toileting behaviour.
If your child symptoms haven’t improved after 6 month, we may decide to refer onto the children’s specialist continence team, who may carry out further investigations, such as a bladder scan. *Prior to your child being referred to the specialist service, a full holistic continence assessment must be completed by the school nurse, and following this, first line advice and treatment will be offered. This will be reviewed in a timely fashion and referral on will be completed if symptoms have not improved despite following all advice given.
There are different ways in which working with you may be carried out. These decisions will be based on individual needs and agreed with you and your child.
We aim to work in partnership with parents/carers and ask for your co-operation in our treatment plans.
What happens next?
The management plan agreed will be reviewed at each appointment you have, in order to assess progress/improvement.
This could be done via a simple telephone appointment between you and your school nurse, or in a clinic suitable for you. The follow up review appointments are usually 30 minutes approx.
What do I do if I am unable to attend the appointment?
It is important to ring and rearrange as soon as possible if you are unable to attend the appointment. Ring the HUB on; 0800 1707055 opt 4
National organisations available for support
Bladder and Bowel UK Offers impartial, unbiased advise about continence products and services. Managed and led by Disabled Living. www.bladderandboweluk. co.uk email: bladderandboweluk@ disabledliving.co.uk Tel: 0161 607 8219
ERIC (Education and Resources for Improving Childhood Continence) A national organisation for childhood bedwetting, daytime wetting and soiling issues for children, parents and professionals.
36 Old School House, Britannia Road, Kingswood, Bristol BS15 8DB Tel. 0845 370 8008 www.eric.org.uk
NHS Choices – Constipation in Children
ERIC - The Children's Bowel and Bladder Charity
Team contact
Castle Unit
Isebrook Hospital
Irthlingborough Road
Wellingborough
Northants, NN8 1LP
Telephone: 08001707055 opt 4
Mon-Fri: 08.00am - 5.00pm excluding public holidays
Useful resources
If you have any questions you can chat to us now click the orange button on the bottom right-hand side of the page.
Breastfeeding clinics - poster [pdf] 443KB
Breastfeeding - top tips for public - poster [pdf] 193KB
0-19 Live Chat - Flyer [pdf] 495KB
Your Pregnancy, Your Health Visitor - flyer [pdf] 568KB
Head Lice poster - Generic [pdf] 489KB
Resources - other organisations
Essential Parent
A leading resource for expert led parenting advice; this website ranges from conception to teenage years advice.
Headspace Website and App
This website teaches young people about meditation and mindfulness. This can be a valuable coping skill when feeling overwhelmed or unable to control strong thoughts and feelings. Users can sign up for free and take part in guided meditation and mindfulness sessions.
Young Minds - Parents Helpline
This is a confidential service (unless the advisors think the young person is at risk) advisors are available from 9:30am – 4:00pm Monday to Friday. The advisor will listen and give some practical guidance on how to help, if you need further help they’ll refer you to one of our specialists whether it's a psychotherapist, psychiatrist, psychologist or mental health nurse. They’ll arrange a phone consultation within 7 days.
Calm Harm Website and App
This resource is designed to help young people resist the urge to self-harm, it is free and password protected.
HeadMeds
Website powered by young minds for young people about mental health medication. It has lists of medications, what they are used for and side effects explained without medical terms or jargon.
AskNormen
A website for those interested mental health and emotional wellbeing of young people in Northamptonshire. It contains a search tool and links to a directory of services.
Beat.
BEAT is the UK leading charity for supporting those with Eating Disorders; the website contains lots of useful information about types of eating difficulties as well as support helplines.
Rethink
Rethink is a mental health charity which provides advice and information and a list of available support in your area.
Northampton Multi-agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) and early help service
If you need support with reporting concerns for a child’s welfare, or you need advice about how to make an appropriate referral.
Public Health England - children vaccinations
An overview on children vacinations and why they matter.
Video resources
Year 6 Video teacher-parent notes and resources[pdf] 159KB
0-19 Emotional wellbeing - Stop: Facts versus Opinions[pdf] 66KB
Action for Happiness and wellbeing - exercise [pdf] 116KB
Chat Health poster [pdf] 123KB
Year 6 Workshop Video letter for schools[docx] 40KB
Confidentiality
We just want to let you know a little bit about confidentiality.
Unless you give permission, the 0-19 team will not pass on anything you say to anyone else. This includes parents, teachers, or similar professionals, unless in extreme circumstances like if the health, safety or welfare of you or your young person or someone else is at significant risk.
If we do need to tell someone about something you had told us, we would always try to speak with you first. For our safety and yours we hold information that you tell us on electronic records that can be seen by other healthcare professionals who all follow the same confidentiality rules - this can include your doctor.
Records are kept for future use.
For more information you can read our privacy notice by clicking here.
If you have any questions you can chat to us now click the orange button on the bottom right-hand side of the page.
SystmOnline pilot - a guide for parents
This information is for parents or carers who have been invited to be part of the SystmOnline pilot.
Please download the SystmOnline Parent and Carer Guidance[pdf] 740KB for a how-to guide on accessing SystmOnline.
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I am a parent or carerBack up
Having a child or children is a journey and here at NHFT we want to help make this a little bit less stressful, and easier, by bringing you a resource hub when you can find tips, hints, advice and useful information to help through pregnancy, the early years all the way through their 19th birthday.
Disclaimer:
Although we try to keep these pages up to date, information can change at rapid speed, so please consult with your healthcare professional, GP, midwife or health visitor before making any changes.
We are always trying to improve our website and your feedback is vital and so appreciated. Once you've spent some time looking through this section please fill in our feedback form.
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I am pregnantBack up
Pregnancy is as unique as you are.
We hope this section will bring you knowledge, and assurance in your journey.
If you have concerns, make sure you talk to a healthcare professional such as your midwife or GP, of to your your health visitor.
You can contact the 0-19 admin hub by live chat by clicking here or by giving the team a call on: 0800 170 7055 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm)
What is a health visitor?
Quick questions
What appointments should I be having whilst I am pregnant? Find out more by clicking here.
For additional support information please visit the Tommy's website which you can visit by clicking here.
If you are working during your pregnancy you can find your employees' rights by clicking here to access the government website.
Trimester information
- For information about your first trimester click here.
- For information about your second trimester click here.
- For information about your third trimester click here.
Kettering General Hospital information
Click here to access KGH's maternity information on their website.
Northampton General Hospital information
Click here to access NGH's maternity information on their website.
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1001 Critical DaysBack up
Overview:
The 1001 Critical Days focuses on the time between conception and a child’s second birthday. This time is especially important because of rapid growth and the experiences that help shape baby’s brains, particularly the interactions they have with you and those around you. These 1001 Days lay the foundations for your baby’s future development.
In this section we will highlight why the time period of conception to age two is so critical and will link to the manifesto that supports this.
Things to know about 1001 Critical Days:
This is a national campaign that NHFT supports and embeds as part of working practices. When coming in contact health visitors or midwives during your pregnancy or after your child is born, you may discuss or be told about this.
Where to go for more information:
For more information about 1001 Critical Days please view the Manifesto document available here, where you will find further information.
You can contact the 0-19 admin hub by live chat by clicking here or by giving the team a call on: 0800 170 7055 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm).
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Strong StartBack up
The Strong Start team is a group of qualified and experienced early years’ professionals who work closely with health visiting and infant feeding teams across Northamptonshire to support families with babies and young children to highlight the importance of the first 1001 days. You can access more information about the Strong Start team by clicking here.
Information and support
The Strong Start team can support families with children under 5 in the following ways:
- Signpost or refer to health services including the smoking cessation team
- Provide information and help to access local groups
- Help to set up a peer groups within your community
- Help to assess eligibility for help with early education and childcare costs for two-year olds and free vitamins
You can contact the Strong Start team via their administrator on 07880 136070 or via email: strongstartteam@northamptonshire.gov.uk
Programmes
We deliver a range of age appropriate early learning activities on a range of topics whilst parents and carers can develop peer support networks and gain information to support happy, healthy families. Some of the key topics include child development, oral health, safety, healthy eating, the value of play and communication and language.
All programmes are advertised on Eventbrite where you can follow the Strong Start Team to receive notifications about newly published programmes. www.eventbrite.co.uk
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Attachment during pregnancyBack up
Overview:
Attaching with your unborn baby during pregnancy is really important. It gives you and those around you a chance to connect with your baby and build an emotional relationship before you meet.
In this section we will highlight useful tips and advice on how you can form a connection with unborn baby.
Things to know about attachment:
Parents, family, siblings and friends can help your baby’s brain grow before they are born. You can do this by talking, singing, reading and touching your bump during pregnancy. Sometimes your baby might even respond back with a kick or a wiggle.
Where to go for more information:
You will find more information about attachment in pregnancy in the More Information tab below.
You can contact the 0-19 admin hub by live chat by clicking here or by giving the team a call on: 0800 170 7055 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm).
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More information about attachment during pregnancyBack up
Developing a close and loving relationship with your baby is essential for your baby to feel safe, secure and nurtured. The links below give more information about the importance of this and how you can build a positive relationship with your baby:
Best Beginnings
Best Beginnings is a website with lots of information about pregnancy including helpful videos such as MRI scan videos. They also have the Baby Buddy app which you can download for Android phones from the Google play store, or for Apple phones from the App Store. The app is free to access and are for pregnancy and the first six months of your baby’s life.Unicef's Baby Friendly
Helpful resources can be downloaded from Unicef's baby friendly resources website. You can also view the Meeting your Baby for the First time video below:
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Emotional wellbeingBack up
Overview:
Having a baby and becoming a parent is a significant change in your life and usually happens at the same time as other changes take place – this could be a change in your relationships, or work and home life changes.
Things to know about emotional wellbeing:
Pregnancy can be an unsettling experience for some, whilst others might seem to fly through it without any problems, but your emotional wellbeing should be high on your list of things to keep an eye on.
Feeling up, and feeling down is normal and there are many support systems across Northamptonshire, and more nationally, that you can reach out to if you need and want to.
If you are struggling with your mental health, please know there is support available such as our Changing Minds IAPT Team, 24/7 Mental Health Number or our Specialist Perinatal Mental Health Team.
Where to go for more information:
For more information about emotional wellbeing please visit the websites listed above, where you will find lots of information and advice. Alternatively, please click on the 'more information' section below.
In Northamptonshire, when you access our maternity services you will receive a booklet titled ‘Emotional changes during pregnancy and following childbirth’ which includes useful information about feelings during pregnancy and services which can support you if you feel you need support with your emotional / mental wellbeing. This booklet also provides useful contact details for; health visitors, midwifes, perinatal mental health team and IAPT.
You can contact the 0-19 admin hub by live chat by clicking here or by giving the team a call on: 0800 170 7055 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm).
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More informationBack up
There are lots of things you can do to stay healthy and to care for your wellbeing.
These can include:
- Gentle exercise such as swimming, yoga or going for a walk with friends
- Treat yourself: a bubbly bath or a cuppa with friends
- Try mindfulness or meditation
- Breathing techniques to help you relax
- Talk to your midwife if you are finding things difficult
For more information and tips on looking after yourself during pregnancy visit Tommy’s website by clicking here.
Perinatal Positivity
Perinatal Positivity is a website that brings the voices and experiences of women and men who have had mental wellbeing difficulties during pregnancy and beyond. They have a useful self-care section which can help you look after your mental wellbeing.Being pregnant and having a baby brings many emotional changes.
The clickable links below give more information about this:- Emotional changes during pregnancy and following childbirth [pdf] 454KB
- Maternal Mental Health Alliance website
- Northamptonshire Domestic Abuse Support website
Self-referral for emotional wellbeing support
You don’t need a professional to refer you for support if you are struggling with your emotional or mental health. The Integrated Mental Health Hub can be contacted on 0800 448 0828 and provides 24/7 support for your mental health needs.
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Nutrition and physical wellbeingBack up
Overview:
While you are pregnant, or if you are planning to have a baby, including a healthy and nutritious diet into your lifestyle is key.
It might be tempting to start eating for two but unfortunately the benefits of this are a myth.
In this section we will highlight some information about eating healthy and staying healthy during pregnancy.
Things to know about nutrition and physical wellbeing:
Your growing baby relies on you to provide them with the right balance of nutrients which will help them to develop and will continue to benefit them even once they are born. Looking after what you eat has an impact on the baby growing inside you.
The Eatwell Guide is one of the most well known tools to follow for recommendations on eating healthy and achieving a balanced diet – find out more by clicking here and watch the video below.
Where to go for more nutrition and physical wellbeing:
For more information about nutrition please click More Information where you will find information and advice.
For more information about supplements please click on the Supplements tab.
For information about physical wellbeing please click on the physical wellbeing tab.
You can contact the 0-19 admin hub by live chat by clicking here or by giving the team a call on: 0800 170 7055 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm).
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Should I take supplements?Back up
Before you take any supplements talk to your GP, midwife or health visitor to make sure they are appropriate for you.
A healthy diet will give you most of the nutrition you need, but folic acid and vitamin D are also important to take.
Tommy’s has clear information about supplements including folic acid, vitamin D and iron, which you can access this by clicking here.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence or NICE has information on their website about national guidance on supplements including folic acid, vitamin D, vitamin A, other supplements and food hygiene. You can access this by clicking here.
You can also watch the NHS video about taking supplements here.
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Physical wellbeingBack up
Looking after your physical wellbeing is as important as eating well and looking after your mental wellbeing.
When you are pregnant make sure you speak to your GP, health visitor or midwife about how you can look after your physical health as well as how you can continue with your or increase you activity levels safely during your pregnancy.
If you were active before you got pregnant you should try to keep your fitness levels
The University College London Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) has a playlist on YouTube with many videos about gentle exercises and fit tips that you can view by clicking here.
One of our favourite from the playlist is the Cat stretch exercise video which you can see below.
It is important to remember that after 16 weeks that you should not lie flat on your back for long periods of time. The NHS UK website has some very helpful and easy to follow tips which you can follow during your pregnancy which you can access by clicking here.
Tommy’s also has a 10 tip article about staying active during your pregnancy with some good ideas which you can add to your pregnancy lifestyle – read more by clicking here.
You can also access more in-depth information from Tommy’s about exercise during pregnancy by clicking here.
The British Nutrition Foundation have written an article about being physical activity during pregnancy which you can access here.
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More informationBack up
Take a look at our top tip sheet for information about a healthy diet during pregnancy.
The NHS website has a section about healthy pregnancy diet which you can visit by clicking here
Tommy’s website has a huge range of information about pregnancy and nutrition which you can access by visiting their website by clicking here.
You can also access Tommy’s 7 top tips for eating well during pregnancy by clicking here.
Just one Norfolk has a great website with advice on how to eat well during pregnancy as well as information on common experiences such as constipation and indigestion. Click here to find out more.
Start 4 life pregnancy website has lots of information and advice about eating well during pregnancy – make sure you take a look at their website which includes tips on fruit and veg, carbs, protein, dairy and what you should and shouldn’t be eating. Click here to find out more.
What does my 5 a day look like?
Healthy Start is a programme which can help you to buy some basic foods. This is a means-tested scheme which can help pregnant women to access fruit and vegetables, as well as cow’s milk and vitamins. Check if you are eligible by clicking here.
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SafetyBack up
Overview:
Looking after you is incredibly important as your body is the home your baby is growing in. In this section we will look at safety with a focus on topics to help you feel safe and keep safe.
- Antenatal appointment information
- Domestic abuse
- Illnesses
- Infections
- Managing other pregnancy symptoms
- Pre-eclampsia
- Safe sleeping
Things to know about safety:
Whilst you are pregnant you will be seen by a midwife and health visitor who will provide you with information and support about safety during your pregnancy. It’s important that you listen to what they say and ask any questions –no matter how big or how small – so that you understand the information they have given you.
Where to go for more information:
For more information about safety whilst pregnant please use the sections below to find useful hints, tips and advice on topics to help keep you safe.
You can contact the 0-19 admin hub by live chat by clicking here or by giving the team a call on: 0800 170 7055 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm).
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Antenatal appointment informationBack up
Antenatal very simply means before birth – or pregnancy.
During your pregnancy you will receive antenatal care which might be called pregnancy care or maternity care. The first step to access this care is to tell your GP or midwife that you are pregnant.
If you are expecting your first child, you will have up to 10 antenatal appointments.
If you’ve had a baby before you will have around seven appointments dependent on your situation.You can find out the schedule for antenatal appointments that you are likely to have by clicking here.
More information can be found on the NHS – Your Antenatal Care website – please click here to access this website.
During your pregnancy you will be offered screening appointments which are either blood tests, ultrasounds or a mix of both.
The video below gives more information on screening information:
You can also view the Public Health England (PHE) Screening tests for you and your baby leaflet by clicking here for more information.
WHEN WILL I MEET MY HEALTH VISITOR?
During your second trimester (week 13 to week 28 of pregnancy) you will be contacted by one of our health visitors from the NHFT Children’s 0-19 team.
The purpose of this visit is to get to know you a little and to help us understand if there is anything we can help you with before your little one arrives. You don’t need to contact us to arrange your home visit, we will contact you.
If you are under 18 years of age and pregnant you may be eligible for our Family Nurse Partnership Programme (FNP). Ask your midwife for more details and a referral or contact FNP Northamptonshire on 01604 658830 or Northamptonshire.fnp@nhs.net.
For further information on Family Nurse Partnership please visit www.fnp.nhs.uk
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Domestic abuseBack up
When you are pregnant and during your appointments with healthcare professionals it is likely you will be asked, more than once, about domestic abuse.
Domestic abuse can come in many forms, and for some women it may start whilst they are pregnant.
No matter the cause, if you have found yourself in a situation where you are being emotionally, financially, psychologically or physically abused speaking up to your healthcare professional is important.
You will be asked about domestic abuse in a confidential and safe environment and this information won’t be shared with other services without your permission, unless there is concerns that you, your unborn child or any other children in your family might be at risk of serious harm.
There are support organisations both locally and nationally who are on hand to support you:
- Northamptonshire Against Domestic and Sexual Health
- Refuge
Refuge offers a free 24 hour national domestic abuse helpline – you can call them 0808 2000 247
- Women’s Aid offers online support and information which you can access by visiting their website
- Ring 999 – If you are in immediate danger call the police without delay.
- Northamptonshire Against Domestic and Sexual Health
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IllnessesBack up
During your pregnancy you might find that you don’t feel like yourself and this could be for many different reasons.
In this section we list a few commonly searched topics and provide some information for you too, however if you aren’t feeling well or you notice any changes please talk to your GP, midwife or health visitor to explore this further.
You will find information about:
- Bleeding in pregnancy
- Gestational diabetes
- Infections
- Pre-eclampsia
Where can I go for support?
It is important to access help when you need it. If you are concerned about anything please talk to your GP, midwife or your health visitor.
You can also call NHS 111 to talk through any potential symptoms or changes that you are feeling.
Call 999 in a medical emergency.
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Bleeding in pregnancyBack up
It is important that if you have any bleeding during your pregnancy even if you don’t feel any pain, that you get check immediately.
Bleeding during early pregnancy – before 12 weeks – is actually quite common and could be due to a few things such as your cervix changes due to hormonal changes. You should call your GP or midwife to talk through how you are feeling and to let them know just in case.
However, if you are feeling unwell, the bleeding is heavy or you are suffering from pain, you should go to your local A&E or call 999.
Bleeding after 12 weeks – if you experience any bleeding, go to your local A&E, or contact the hospital maternity ward immediately so you can be checked over.
You can find more information about bleeding in pregnancy by visiting:
- Tommy’s website by clicking here
- NHS England website by clicking here
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Gestational diabetesBack up
Gestational diabetes can occur at any stage of your pregnancy, but it is more common in the second or third trimester (weeks 13 – 40)
It occurs when the body cannot produce enough insulin to meet the additional needs of your pregnancy.
Insulin is an important hormone in your body which regulates and controls your blood glucose levels. You can find out more about insulin by heading to the Diabetes UK website which you can access by clicking here.
At your first antenatal appointment a healthcare professional will talk though any factors of your lifestyle that might put you at more risk of getting gestational diabetes such as:
- if you are overweight or obese
- if you have a family history of diabetes
- if you have had it previously
Here you will find some more resources about gestational diabetes:
NHFT Diabetes team – Gestational diabetes information
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InfectionsBack up
Infections are caused by bacteria or by viruses.
Infections caused by bacteria, known as bacterial infections, are most commonly treated with antibiotics. Infections caused by viruses, known as viral infections, are normally treated through symptom management.
What infections could cause problems?
With most infections it is highly unlikely that there will any harm caused; however it is important to recognise this is not always the case.
Tommy’s has a very detailed page on infections which you can access by clicking here.
The NHS website also has a page on infections which can be accessed here.
Can I prevent myself from getting an infection?
Keeping good hygiene is an important way of helping to prevent an infection.
You can do this by:
- washing your hands for a minimum of 20 seconds with warm soap and water and drying them thoroughly after
- having vaccinations that are offered to you during your pregnancy
- avoid sharing food, drinks or cutlery with others
- talk to your GP, midwife or health visitor if you are worried
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Pre-eclampsiaBack up
Pre-eclampsia is a combination of high or raised blood pressure known as hypertension and protein in your urine known as proteinuria. It can occur from around 20 weeks or can occur just after the baby is born.
You might find you have no visible symptoms of pre-eclampsia but in some cases you might find you have:
- Swollen feet, ankles, face or hands
- Severe headaches
- Nausea
- Heart burn
- Problems with your visions
- Pain just below your ribs
Speak to your health care professional such as your GP, midwife or health visitor or ring the NHS 111 if you experience these symptoms.
Your hypertension and proteinuria should be picked up during your antenatal care appointments.
You can find out more information from the following websites:
To access information about pre-eclampsia from Tommy’s website click here
To access information about pre-eclampsia from NHS England’s website click here.
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Managing other pregnancy symptomsBack up
During your pregnancy you are likely to experience a wide range of symptoms such as morning sickness, haemorrhoids or piles, and many changes to your body.
Here we’ve put together some information to help.
Remember: if you have any concerns, worries or just want some advice you should talk to your healthcare professional such as your GP, midwife or health visitor.
The following are some of the things you could experience during your pregnancy, the NHS website has helpful information and tips about how you can manage these symptoms and when you should get help.
- Morning Sickness and nausea – click here for more information
- Haemorrhoids or piles – click here for more information
- Leaking nipples – click here for more information
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) – click here for more information
- Pelvic pain – click here for more information
- Indigestion and heartburn – click here for more information
- Tiredness and sleeping safely – click here for more information
- You can find out about more common pregnancy symptoms by accessing the NHS common health problems webpage which you can get to by clicking here.
- Morning Sickness and nausea – click here for more information
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Safe sleepingBack up
When you are pregnant, and as you find your bump grows, you might find sleeping comfortably in your usual position can become harder.
Research suggests that when you get to 28 weeks you should sleep on either your left or right side, depending on what is more comfortable. Sleeping on your side rather than your back during your third trimester has been researched and it suggests that side sleeping helps to reduce the risk of stillbirth. You can read more about side sleeping and frequently asked questions on the Tommy’s website which you can access by clicking here.
You can watch the NHS’s video about sleep below, and access the NHS England’s information on sleep by clicking here.
The University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) has some useful videos about getting in and out of bed, safely turning over and lying in bed which you see below.
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Smoking
Protecting your baby, and yourself, from tobacco is important. It can be difficult to stop smoking but the risks of continuing smoking during pregnancy can be severe including higher risk of:
- Miscarriage
- Stillbirth
- Sudden infant death
Whenever you have a cigarette you are causing stress and harm to your baby which can last up to 15 minutes at a time.
It is never too late to stop smoking and there is lots of support around Northamptonshire and more nationally too which can support you in taking the steps to quit.
Here are some myths versus facts about quitting smoking during pregnancy which you can access by clicking here.
You can contact Northamptonshire’s Stop Smoking Team by clicking here.
You can register for the NHS Smokefree programme by clicking here.
Tommy’s has information you can access by clicking here and watching the video below:
The Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists have produced information which can be accessed by clicking here.
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When pregnancy doesnt go to planBack up
Pregnancies do not always go to plan.
If you are concerned because of a previous pregnancy bereavement or traumatic experience speak to your midwife, GP or health visitor to talk through you concerns and worries.
You can also access support from a number of services across Northamptonshire and more nationally such as:
Bliss
Bliss is a support organisation for families of babies that were born prematurely or sick.Miscarriage Association
The Miscarriage Association is a support organisation for those who have been affected by miscarriage, molar pregnancy or ectopic pregnancy.NHFT Perinatal Mental Health Service
NHFT's Perinatal Mental Health Service provides assessment and treatment for women who are experiencing or are at an increased chance of experiencing a severe mental health condition during pregnancy and up to one year after birth (known as the perinatal period).Perinatal Positivity
Perinatal Positivity is a website which raises awareness of perinatal mental health by sharing stories and voices of families.The Mental Health Number
The Mental Health Number is a 24/7 service with friendly mental health navigators who can help signpost you to appropriate support.Sands - Stillbirth and neonatal death charity
Sands offers information and support for families when a baby is stillborn or shortly after birth.Pregnancies do not always go to plan.
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My child is newborn to 1Back up
Congratulations on your new baby!
No matter if you have a number of children or this is your first, each baby and parent experience is unique.
The first few days and weeks when baby arrives will bring many questions and new experiences. Your midwife will care for you until at least 10 days after your baby is born and the health visitor will visit between days 10-14.
In this section we have put together some information, we hope will help guide you.
If you have any concerns, make sure you talk to a healthcare professional such as your GP or health visitor.
You can contact the 0-19 admin hub by live chat by clicking here or by giving the team a call on: 0800 170 7055 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm)
For information about getting to know your newborn - access the NHS website by clicking here.
To find the NHS's guide to having a baby click here.
Frequently asked questions
What happens to my body after birth? - Click here for more information
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1001 Critical DaysBack up
Overview:
The 1001 Critical Days focuses on the time between conception and a child’s second birthday. This time is especially important because of rapid growth and the experiences that help shape baby’s brains, particularly the interactions they have with you and those around you. These 1001 Days lay the foundations for your baby’s future development.
In this section we will highlight why the time period of conception to age two is so critical and will link to the manifesto that supports this.
Things to know about 1001 Critical Days:
This is a national campaign that NHFT supports and embeds as part of working practices. When coming in contact health visitors or midwives during your pregnancy or after your child is born, you may discuss or be told about this.
Where to go for more information:
For more information about 1001 Critical Days please view the Manifesto document available here, where you will find further information.
You can contact the 0-19 admin hub by live chat by clicking here or by giving the team a call on: 0800 170 7055 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm)
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Strong StartBack up
The Strong Start team is a group of qualified and experienced early years’ professionals who work closely with health visiting and infant feeding teams across Northamptonshire to support families with babies and young children to highlight the importance of the first 1001 days. You can access more information about the Strong Start team by clicking here.
Information and support
The Strong Start team can support families with children under 5 in the following ways:
- Signpost or refer to health services including the smoking cessation team
- Provide information and help to access local groups
- Help to set up a peer groups within your community
- Help to assess eligibility for help with early education and childcare costs for two year olds and free vitamins
You can make contact with the Strong Start team via their administrator on 07880 136070 or via email: strongstartteam@northamptonshire.gov.uk
Programmes
We deliver a range of age appropriate early learning activities on a range of topics whilst parents and carers have the opportunity to develop peer support networks and gain information to support happy, healthy families. Some of the key topics include child development, oral health, safety, healthy eating, the value of play and communication and language.
All programmes are advertised on Eventbrite where you can follow the Strong Start Team to receive notifications about newly published programmes. www.eventbrite.co.uk
- Signpost or refer to health services including the smoking cessation team
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Attachment in the early daysBack up
Overview
When your baby is born, they need to feel secure and loved, so being close to your baby will help them to feel this. Talking, holding and smiling to your baby will support them to feel loved, secure, calm and happy.
In this section we will highlight useful links and resources which will provide you with further information on crying and sleepless babies support, handling your baby with care as well as much more.
Things to know about attachment:
Keeping your baby close and cuddling your baby will help you to be responsive to their cues and communication. Babies feel safe when they can see, smell and hear their parent and this will support your baby to feel relaxed, calm and support building a healthy attachment to your baby.
BBC’s Tiny Happy People have a list of activities and information that you can try with your newborn baby which is separated into months and you can access this information by clicking here.
Where to go for more information:
For more information about attachment in the early days please view the 'more information' section below where you will find useful links and support.
If you are feeling worried, sad, or depressed talk to your GP, midwife, health visitor or call The Mental Health Number on 0800 448 0828. You are not alone in these feelings and it is incredibly important to share them. You can also read more about postnatal depression by clicking here.
You can contact the 0-19 admin hub by live chat by clicking here or by giving the team a call on: 0800 170 7055 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm)
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Crying SupportBack up
Having a baby, although for many is a fulfilling experience, can be difficult and tough at times, particularly when babies are limited on how they can communicate their needs with you.
Crying can be a stressful experience for both parent or carer and baby, so we’ve put together some resources we hope help.
Babies cry for a number of reasons:
- When they are hungry or when they need winding
- If they are tired
- If they are too cold or too hot
- They might be bored
- They might have a dirty nappy
The NHS England website has a number of top tips for helping to soothe a crying baby and you can access them by clicking here.
This video from NCT has some tips on how to cope with a crying baby:
Cry-sis is a support network for parents and carers who experience problems with their crying and sleeping babies. The support offers a telephone helpline available 7 days a week and offers advice on how to cope with a sleepless and/or crying baby.
You can access Cry-sis’s 0-3 month Guide to Coping by clicking here.
You can access Cry-sis’s 3 to 12 months Guide to Coping by clicking here.
If you baby won’t stop crying they could be suffering from colic – click here to read more about colic and what you can and should do.
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More informationBack up
Developing a close and loving relationship with your baby is essential for your baby to feel safe, secure and nurtured.
The links below give more information about the importance of this and how you can build a positive relationship with your baby:
Unicef's Baby Friendly Resources can be downloaded from their website. Click here to visit the website, you can also view the Meeting your Baby for the First time video below:
Unicef's Building a Happy Baby: A Guide for Parents can be a useful information website which you can access by clicking here.
The BBC have a great resource called Tiny Happy People which includes information such as the article: What is really going on in your baby's brain. You can read this article by clicking here.
Best Beginnings is a website with lots of information about pregnancy including helpful videos such as MRI scan videos – you can access this website by clicking here.
They also have the Baby Buddy app which you can download for Android phones from the Google play store, or for Apple phones from the App Store. The app is free to access and are for pregnancy and the first six months of your baby’s life.
NSPCC's Handle with care: a guide to keeping your baby safe explains the dangers and gives advice on safe ways of holding and caring for a baby. You can access this article by clicking the link here.
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ImmunisationBack up
Overview
As a baby, your child should receive a number of immunisations to protect them from dangerous childhood diseases.
In this section we will highlight the immunsations your child needs and at what age, as well as support and advice if you miss your childs vaccination appointment.
Things to know about immunisations:
You can get your baby and children immunised at your GP surgery, which will usually be done by the practice nurse. They will ask a few questions and ensure your child is well and able to have their immunisations that day. If your child is unwell, you will be given a new appointment.
Please take your Personal Child Health Record ('red book') with you so your child's record can be updated.
Where to go for more information:
For more information about immunisations and a vaccine schedule for your baby and young children (as correct of August 2019) please click on the 'vaccination schedule' section below.
You can contact the 0-19 admin hub by live chat by clicking here or by giving the team a call on: 0800 170 7055 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm)
Missed vaccination appointment:
If your child has missed any of the vaccinations for any reason, please contact your GP surgery, who can book your child in.
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Vaccination schedule 8 weeks to 16 weeksBack up
Please see a vaccination schedule for babies and young children (correct as of August 2019).
8 weeks
- 6-in-1 vaccine – this single jab contains vaccines to protect against six separate diseases: diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough (pertussis), polio and Haemophilus influenzae type b (known as Hib – a bacterial infection that can cause severe pneumonia or meningitis in young children) and Hepatitis B (introduced September 2017)
- Pneumococcal (PCV) vaccine . The pneumococcal vaccine protects against serious and potentially fatal pneumococcal infections. It's also known as the pneumonia vaccine. Pneumococcal infections are caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae and can lead to pneumonia, septicaemia (a kind of blood poisoning) and meningitis. The childhood vaccine (PVC) protects against 13 strains of pneumococcal bacterium.
- Rotavirus vaccine Rotavirus is a highly infectious stomach bug that typically strikes babies and young children, causing diarrhoea, vomiting, tummy ache and fever. The vaccine is given as a liquid straight into the baby’s mouth for them to swallow
- Meningitis B vaccine The MenB vaccine will protect your baby against infection by meningococcal group B bacteria, which are responsible for more than 90% of meningococcal infections in young children. Meningococcal infections can be very serious, causing meningitis and sepsis which can lead to severe brain damage, amputations and, in some cases, death.
12 weeks
- 6-in-1 vaccine, second dose
- Rotavirus vaccine, second dose
16 weeks
- 6-in-1 vaccine, third dose
- Pneumococcal (PCV) vaccine, second dose
- Men B vaccine second dose
- 6-in-1 vaccine – this single jab contains vaccines to protect against six separate diseases: diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough (pertussis), polio and Haemophilus influenzae type b (known as Hib – a bacterial infection that can cause severe pneumonia or meningitis in young children) and Hepatitis B (introduced September 2017)
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Vaccination support
Vaccination side effects
It's natural to be concerned that your child will have a side effect after having a vaccination. While all vaccines have the potential to cause side effects in some people, the reality is that most tend to be mild and do not last longer than a few days. Some people do not get any side effects at all.
Most common side effects in babies and young children are at the site of the injection. They include:
- swelling
- redness
- a small hard lump
These symptoms usually pass within a couple of days and you do not need to do anything about them.
What if my child becomes unwell after a vaccination?
Symptoms such as swelling, redness or a small hard lump at the site of injection should pass with a couple of days and you do not need to do anything about them.
Children may sometimes develop a high temperature. If this happens, keep your child cool. Make sure they do not wear too many layers of clothes or blankets and give them plenty of cool drinks.
You can also give them a dose of infant paracetamol or ibuprofen liquid according to the instructions on the bottle.
Read an NHS leaflet about the common side effects that might occur in babies and children under 5, and how to treat them.
Anti-vaxxers movement
We know that there is information on the internet around a movement called anti-vaxxers which includes arguments such as vaccinations being linked to autism or that they overload a person’s system. This information is neither factual or has any scientific research behind it.
Vaccinations are an important and crucial way you can keep your child safe as well as helping to keep your community safe too.
Illnesses such as smallpox were driven to near extinction because people got vaccinated – unfortunately we are now starting to see an increase in certain illnesses that had been thought to be almost eradicated due to people not their vaccinating their children or themselves.
If you do have concerns about vaccinating your child we would ask that you speak to your healthcare professional – your GP, midwife or health visitor – who can help to advise you.
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Infant feedingBack up
Overview
During pregnancy you will have the opportunity to discuss all aspects of caring for and feeding your baby, including the value of breastfeeding. However you feed your baby your choice will be respected and you will be supported by trained and caring health professionals and supported to develop a close and loving relationship.
In this section we will highlight how to breastfeed, positioning and attachment, expressing breastmilk, bottle feeding and combination (mixed) feeding.
Things to know about infant feeding:
Breast milk or first infant formula provides the energy and nutrients your baby needs until they're around 6 months old (with the exception of vitamin D in some cases).
Giving your baby a variety of foods, alongside breast or formula milk, from around 6 months of age will help set your child up for a lifetime of healthier eating. Gradually, you'll be able to increase the amount and variety of food your baby eats until they can eat the same foods as the rest of the family, in smaller portions.
Where to go for more infant feeding:
For more information about infant feeding please click on the 'more information' section below where you will find lots of advice and useful links.
To view information on the breastfeeding clinics in the county please see below or click here to view the poster.
You can contact the 0-19 admin hub by live chat by clicking here or by giving the team a call on: 0800 170 7055 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm). Or call the Infant Feeding Helpline 07795 110109 Monday to Friday, 9am to 3pm. Please note we are not able to pick up texts on this number.
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Breastfeeding supportBack up
Breastfeeding is the healthiest and most natural way to feed your baby, but not everyone finds it easy. We are here to support you and help you find what’s best for you and your baby.
- We offer timely and responsive support in the form of breastfeeding support groups.
- Support groups are available across the county, including one in central Northampton, to provide help, information and social opportunities for mothers and mothers-to-be.
- For more complex issues we offer support in the home.
- We also provide training for health professionals, including health visiting staff and staff working in specialist services, community networks and drop-in centres.
- We are working toward achieving Baby Friendly Accreditation, which promotes best practice and evidence-based approaches to supporting parents with feeding and nurturing infants in the early years.
- Our support is available for the whole family. Mums, mums-to-be, partners and siblings are welcome.
Breastfeeding is a skill to be learnt by you and your baby. These links give some excellent tips to get you off to the best start:
- Unicef offers information about breastfeeding - you can access their website by clicking here.
- Unicef offers some useful resources on common challenges with breastfeeding. You can access this information by clicking here.
You can download our top tips for supporting breastfeeding in Northamptonshire by clicking the links below:
Breastfeeding - top tips for public - poster [pdf] 193KB
Breastfeeding - top tips for business [pdf] 512KB
NATIONAL SUPPORT AND INFORMATION
- National Breastfeeding Helpline: 0300 100 0212
- National Childbirth Trust (8am-10pm): 0300 330 0771
- LA Leche League: 0845 120 2918
- Breastfeeding Network: 0300 100 0210
- Supporter Line in Bengali: 0300 456 2421
- Supporter Line in Sylheti: 0300 456 2421
- Association of Breastfeeding Mothers: 0300 330 5453
- We offer timely and responsive support in the form of breastfeeding support groups.
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Breastfeeding drop in sessionsBack up
Our team, which is made up of senior health visitors and health professionals and led by a lactation consultant, offers friendly, skilled breastfeeding support and information for mothers experiencing breastfeeding difficulties. This is offered either in the home, a clinic or drop-in setting.
By protecting, supporting and normalising breastfeeding we aim to improve the health and wellbeing of all children in our communities and increase the number of infants who receive breast milk.
For breastfeeding support and information please contact your health visitor or visit one of our drop-ins - please download our flyer for details: Breastfeeding clinics
For specialist breastfeeding help please contact the breastfeeding support team by sending your name, address, email, phone number and baby’s date of birth by telephone or email:
Telephone: 07795 110109
Email: CUSadminhub.nhft@nhs.netFriendly skilled support and information from our infant feeding team,led by a lactation consultatnt. Specialist 1:1 breastfeeding support available for mums on the dates and locations below:
MONDAYS 10:00AM - 12:00PM
Broadmead Community Church
Broadmead Avenue
Northampton NN32QYMONDAYS 12:00PM - 2:00PM
PenGreen Children’s Centre,
Corby NN17 1BJTUESDAYS 09:30AM - 11:30PM
Daventry West Childrens Centre,
Daventry, NN11 4EYWEDNESDAYS 1:00PM - 2:30PM
Montague Street Children’s Centre
Kettering, NN16 8RXTHURSDAYS 9:30AM - 11:30AM
Croyland Nursery, Croyland Rd,
Wellingborough NN8 2AXFRIDAYS 10:00AM - 12:00PM
Rushden Library, Newton Road
Rushden, NN10 0PT -
Bottle feeding supportBack up
If you bottle feed your baby we recommend you do this in a paced and responsive way, the links below explain more:
Unicef's Bottle Feeding Frequently Asked Questions information sheet is a handy tool to help you decide if you want to bottle feed and gives you information and advice. You can access this information by clicking here.
Unicef and Start 4 Life have created a guide to bottle feeding which you can access by clicking this link.
Here is a helpful video which explores Placed Bottle Feeding:
NHS England have a helpful article if you are worried about cow milk allergys - please click here to read it.
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Reflux in babiesBack up
Reflux can be very common and normally goes away as babies get older.
Reflux is when a baby vomits or brings up their milk, during or shortly after feeding.
NHS England's Reflux information
Start4Life's Reflux information
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Minor illnesses and blood spot testBack up
Overview
Minor illnesses are generally defined as medical conditions that will resolve on their own and can be reasonably self-diagnosed and managed at home with over-the-counter medications.
In this section we will highlight examples of minor illnesses and what can help them.
Things to know about minor illnesses:
There are different types of minor illnesses and your baby might pick one up, but you can speak to your GP, midwife or health visitor if you are worried.
Please note, antibiotics DO NOT work for a viral infection and if your child has a viral infection, please go to your local pharmacy for advice.
Examples of minor illnesses may include; Fever, Coughs, Colds, Teething, Headaches, Diarrhoea, Vomiting, Rashes.
Where to go for more information:
For more information about some minor ilnesses please navigate through the sections below.
You can often find that your local pharmacy will provide support and advice, however having simple treatments at home ready such as Paracetamol (Calpol) and Oral Rehydration Therapy (such as Dioralyte) can help manage symptoms such as pain, discomfort and raised temperature.
For a full list of minor illnesses and for further information please visit the NHS England Website.
You can contact the 0-19 admin hub by live chat by clicking here or by giving the team a call on: 0800 170 7055 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm)
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Blood spot testingBack up
When your baby is five days old you will be offered the blood spot test, also know as the heel prick test.
You can find more information about this test here.
The Government Website has some useful information about the test that you read here.
You can also find different translation of this information here.
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Common minor illnessesBack up
As your baby grows and develops it's likely they might suffer from one or more of the following minor illnesses.
Usually these sort themselves out on their own, but it is important when your baby is feeling poorly you keep an eye on them and let your health visitor, GP or midwife know if you have any concerns or questions.
Information on colds, coughs and ear infections
Information on Diarrohoea and vomiting
Whilst most minor illnesses do get better on their own it is also important to recognise when or if your baby becomes seriously ill.
You can read more about signs and symptoms by clicking here.
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RashesBack up
Rashes are fairly common in newborn and young babies.
Many things can cause a rash in babies and children, and they're often nothing to worry about.
NHS England have this handy visual guide on rashes which you can access here.
You can also read more about rashes in babies and children by clicking here.
If your child has a rash and they:
- have a stiff neck
- are bothered by light
- seem confused
- are shaking uncontrollably
- have a fever you can't control
- have unusually cold hands and feet
- have a rash that doesn't fade when you press a glass against it
Then immediate action is required: please go to A&E or call 999. These can be signs of meningitis.
Non-urgent advice:
Please see a GP if your child seems unwell and has a rash and a fever.
Please click here for further information on what to do if a rash appears on your baby or toddler. Please do not self-diagnose, if you are worried please see your GP.
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Sticky eyesBack up
Sticky eyes are common in newborn babies while their tear ducts are developing. You may see some sticky stuff in the corner of the eyes or their eyelashes may be stuck together. It normally clears up on its own but you may have to clean your baby’s eyes regularly with cotton wool using cooled boiled water and by following the steps below:
- Wipe each eye from the corner of the nose outwards.
- Use a clean piece of cotton wool for each wipe.
- Remember to wash your hands before and afterwards and avoid sharing towels to prevent spreading infection.
Sticky eyes can sometimes be confused with conjunctivitis. Conjunctivitis is an infection which results in the white parts of the eye turning pink or red and the build-up of yellowy/green sticky goo which comes back regularly. If you notice this and it continues for more than 24 hours please contact your Health Visitor or GP.
Read the Institute for Health Visiting's article on sticky eyes here
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Umbilical GranulomaBack up
An umbilical granuloma is an overgrowth of tissue during the healing process of the belly button (umbilicus).
It usually looks like a soft pink or red lump and often leaks small amounts of clear or yellow fluid and causes mild irritation of the skin around the Umbilicus.
It is most common in the first few weeks of a baby's life. The overgrowth of tissue is relatively common and is not dangerous but does need care. In general, you want to keep the belly button clean and dry during this time. Gently clean the belly button with warm water and soap.
If there is redness of the surrounding skin or offensive smell or discharge, or if your baby is unwell with temperature, contact your GP for further details.
You can read the Institute of Health Visiting article on Umbilica Granuloma here
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Parenting, play and promoting developmentBack up
Overview:
When your baby is born it is important to understand and be aware of their different behaviors and how they may be communicating with you. There are things you can do which will help your baby’s skills and development.
In this section we will highlight the Five to Thrive model; responsiveness, cuddles, relaxation, playing and talking behaviours.
Things to know about parenting, play and promoting development:
Normal behaviours for your new born child may include; periods of being quiet and alert, being unsettled and periods of crying. These are all forms of communication that is important for you to recognise.
Where to go for more information:
For more information about behaviours please click on the 'more information' section below where where you will find lots of information and advice.
You can contact the 0-19 admin hub by live chat by clicking here or by giving the team a call on: 0800 170 7055 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm).
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Five to Thrive ModelBack up
Behaviour is a form of communication expressing how your child is feeling.
Normal behaviours for your baby may include the following:
- periods of being quiet and alert
- periods of being unsettled
- it is normal for your baby to cry.
It is important to note that these are all forms of communication.
Below are some behaviour tips using the five to thrive model:
RESPOND
- When your baby looks ready, hold them facing you and wait to see if they make eye contact.
- Your baby will needs lots of time to respond, so pause and wait until they are ready to engage
- Your baby may look away because too much interaction can be very intense for them. Wait for your baby to come back in their own time
- A feed - look for ‘feeding cues’ like lip smacking, sucking and ‘rooting’ (turning their head and opening their mouths - rooting is a reflex action in small babies and happens automatically if you stroke their cheek)
CUDDLE
In the unsettled state your baby may fuss, whine, arch their backs, wriggle and be more sensitive to light and noise. Sometimes your baby may show they are over stimulated through physical signs such as hiccupping, yawning, sneezing, squirming, throwing their head back or even bringing up some milk. Babies who put their hands up to their face are often tired
If your baby is in an unsettled state they may need a change of pace and might benefit from:
A cuddle, you can’t ‘spoil’ your baby, cuddles provide security and makes the world seem safe.
RELAX
In the crying state your baby will be active, often grimacing and crying intensely.
If your baby is in their crying state they may need calming. There may be special ways your baby likes to be soothed. For example:
- Do they like being held when you walk about?
- Do they enjoy soft singing?
- Do they like being close to you skin to skin?
- Do they have a favourite cuddling position?
- Do they like to suck on their fingers?
- Do they like gentle rocking in the pram?
- Do they like to have eye contact while you gently ask them what the matter is?
Sometimes babies like to be listened to in the same way as an older child who is upset.
PLAY
- Facial expressions build brain patterns for recognising feelings in self and others. As the adult follows the lead of the baby, and then alternates leading and following in copying facial expressions and accompanying gestures, this also develops turn-taking and the ability to take part in conversations.
- Tongue play (wiggling the tongue, blowing raspberries, and so on) builds brain patterns linking together tongue control, human communication and pleasure. This is pre-speech, making the baby more ready to develop speech and language.
TALK
- The very best activity for a young baby is looking at your face and listening to your voice.
- Try singing gently to your baby, then pausing and watching for their reaction, then singing some more (don’t worry if you can’t sing in tune - your baby will love hearing your voice and being close to you)
- Taking turns in interaction is really important for your baby’s development
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TeethingBack up
When it comes to teething, all babies are different. But your baby will probably get their first tooth some time during their first year.
Find out how to spot when your baby is teething and what order your baby's teeth are likely to appear in by clicking the link below.
For more information on teething please click on the link here.
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4 month checkBack up
Here you can find information and support that you might find useful as you approach your baby's 4 month check:
UNICEF skin-to-skin contact advice
Lullaby Trust - Safer Sleep Advice
Lullaby Trust - Coping with Sleep Deprivation
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SafetyBack up
Overview:
Having a newborn baby and being aware of the things around you can be difficult. You are constantly learning, evolving your skills and growing your parental instinct everyday which will help keep your baby safe as they grow and develop.
In this section we will highlight; sudden infant death syndrome (SID) known as ‘cot death’, accident prevention and keeping your baby safe when you travel.
Things to know about safety:
Risk can come in many different forms and being able aware of them, will support you in preventing them from happening. Your health visitor will talk through obvious risks and advice with you, to support you in your parenting.
Being aware of the environment your baby is in and what your baby is doing can help to stop preventable accidents from happening.
Where to go for more information:
For more information about safety please click on the 'more information' section below where you will find lots of information and advice.
You can contact the 0-19 admin hub by live chat by clicking here or by giving the team a call on: 0800 170 7055 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm).
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Accidents and preventionBack up
Accidents happen, and often they happen in such a short space of time that before you can blink something has gone wrong.
When it comes to baby’s it is important that you keep a close eye them.
Accidents can come in all different ways and types including:
· Burns and scalds
· Choking
· Drowning
· Falls
· Strangulation
· Suffocation
· Accidental poisoning
The NHS website has some useful information and top tips to help you keep your child safe – you can access this information by clicking here.
If your child has an accident it is important to know what to do and when you need to seek medical advice, again the NHS website has a long list of information including where you can learn basic first aid on their website. Click here to read more.
Safety and pets
If you have a pet such as a dog you should prepare them for your newborn and get them used to having a little one around. The Dog’s Trust has put together information about being dog smart around babies and children which you can access here.
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Sudden Infant Death Syndrome SIDSBack up
Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is the sudden, unexpected and unexplained death of an apparently healthy baby. You might be more familiar with the term ‘cot death’ but we do try to avoid using that term where possible and instead refer to it as SIDS.
In the UK, more than 200 babies die suddenly and unexpectedly every year and tend to affect babies under the age of 6 months. This statistic may sound alarming, but SIDS is rare and the risk of your baby dying from it is low.
Infants born prematurely or with a low birthweight are at greater risk. SIDS also tends to be slightly more common in baby boys. SIDS usually occurs when a baby is asleep, although it can occasionally happen while they're awake.
We don’t know the exact cause of SIDS but it is though that a number of different factors can play a role in increasing the risk of a baby dying from SIDS. These factors can include environmental stresses such as smoking, getting tangled in bedding and breathing obstructions.
The Lullaby Trust have pulled together a handy guide to safer sleep which can help reduce the risk of SIDS. You can access a digital copy of this guide by clicking here.
It is also important that you recognise that car seats and long journeys should be avoided as they can raise the risk of SIDS in very young babies. Click here to visit The Lullaby Trust’s information on car seats and SIDS.
The NHS website has information on what you can do to reduce the risk of SIDS which you can access here.
Basis has information about SIDS and safety and includes information on how you can reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome which can be accessed here.
SEEKING MEDICAL ADVICE IF YOUR BABY IS UNWELL
- Babies often have minor illnesses that you do not need to worry about. Give your baby plenty of fluids to drink and do not let them get too hot.
- If you're worried about your baby at any point, see your GP or call NHS 111 for advice.
- Babies often have minor illnesses that you do not need to worry about. Give your baby plenty of fluids to drink and do not let them get too hot.
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Sun safetyBack up
Keeping your baby out of strong sunlight is very important to protect their skin from the harmful UVA and UVB rays.
Protecting your baby’s skin, as well as your own skin, can be easily overlooked especially when the excitement of heading outside is builds. However looking after your baby’s will help to keep them safe and lower the risk of sun burn and other sun related conditions.
Things to know about sun safety:
Keeping your baby safe whilst they are in the sun is important to protecting their skin. Without sun safety and sun protection, sun burns and dehydration can occur and could cause some serious issues for your child.
Here are some tips you can use to help with sun safety:
- If your baby is under 6 months old they should be kept away from strong direct sunlight that might come through windows or if you are outside.
- If your baby’s skin is going to be exposed to sunlight use a sunscreen with a minimum 50 SPF rating to protect them.
- If you are taking your baby out in their pram do not cover their prams with any type of material as this can be very dangerous. When a pram is covered it prevents the vital movement of air around your baby so that the air they breathe out is the same air they breathe in. Without this movement of air, the recirculated air they will be breathing in will have a high percentage of carbon dioxide instead of oxygen, leaving your baby with less oxygen and potentially causing them to stop breathing all together.
What should I do if i think there is a problem?
If you have any questions or would like some more information regarding sun safety and your baby you can ask your midwife / health visitor or GP for advice.
For more information please visit NHS England website.
Keeping your baby out of strong sunlight is very important to protect their skin from the harmful UVA and UVB rays.
Protecting your baby’s skin, as well as your own skin, can be easily overlooked especially when the excitement of heading outside is builds. However, looking after your baby’s will help to keep them safe and lower the risk of sun burn and other sun related conditions.
Things to know about sun safety:
Keeping your baby safe whilst they are in the sun is important to protecting their skin. Without sun safety and sun protection, sun burns, and dehydration can occur and could cause some serious issues for your child.
Here are some tips you can use to help with sun safety:
- If your baby is under 6 months old, they should be kept away from strong direct sunlight that might come through windows or if you are outside.
- If your baby’s skin is going to be exposed to sunlight use a sunscreen with a minimum 50 SPF rating to protect them.
- If you are taking your baby out in their pram do not cover their prams with any type of material as this can be very dangerous. When a pram is covered it prevents the vital movement of air around your baby so that the air they breathe out is the same air they breathe in. Without this movement of air, the recirculated air they will be breathing in will have a high percentage of carbon dioxide instead of oxygen, leaving your baby with less oxygen and potentially causing them to stop breathing all together.
Here are some links to other places of information:
- NCT’s website has a sun safety for kids section which can be accessed here
- The Skin Cancer Foundation has written an article about sun-safe babies which can be accessed here.
- The Baby Centre explores how you can keep the sun off your baby which you can access here.
- Find out how you can keep your baby safe in hot weather by visiting the NHS’s webpage on it.
- If your baby is under 6 months old they should be kept away from strong direct sunlight that might come through windows or if you are outside.
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Call 999 if your babyBack up
Dial 999 for an ambulance if your baby:
- stops breathing or turns blue
- is struggling for breath
- is unconscious or seems unaware of what's going on
- will not wake up
- has a fit for the first time, even if they seem to recover.
- stops breathing or turns blue
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SleepBack up
Overview:
Sleep is an essential part of any child’s growth and development. It promotes growth, strengthens immunity, helps with cell repair and healing and maintains physical and emotional health.
In this section we will highlight what happens during sleep, advice on getting your child to sleep and what you can do if your child is having sleep problems.
Things to know about sleep:
For the recommended amount of sleep a child between the age of 0 and 12 months should get, please visit the NHS England website.
For many parents achieving a night of sleep can feel like the biggest goal in their lives. Sleeplessness is particularly challenging when it seems that other babies are sleeping more at night than your own. However the truth is babies are not supposed to sleep for long periods of time overnight, and have evolved to feed regularly.
This is a safety feature for babies who need to keep their small tummys topped up to ensure the nutrients they need continue to circulate in their bodies. Sometimes babies will wake for reassurance and a cuddle, and at other times for feeding. Responding to your baby means that they develop a sense of security and their self-esteem is built on knowing they are loved and cared for. Ultimately this means as your baby grows and develops he or she will feel safe and secure to sleep well.
Where to go for more information:
For more information about sleep please click on the 'more information' section below where you will find lots of information and advice.
You can contact the 0-19 admin hub by live chat by clicking here or by giving the team a call on: 0800 170 7055 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm).
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What is sleep?Back up
Sleep is an amazing brain journey, we spend about a third of our life asleep. While each person is unique, sleep follows a fairly predictable pattern that changes through life. We experience both deep and lighter sleep and even have brief awakenings during the night which are all part of ‘normal sleep’.
The benefits of sleep include
- Promotes growth
- Strengthens our immunity
- Helps our bodies repair
- Consolidates our memory and learning
- Maintains our physical and emotional health
Lack of sleep effects our general wellbeing
- Impacts on our emotional wellbeing and mood
- Physical health and coordination
- Our ability to learn new information and problem solve
As a newborn grows they need different amounts of sleep.
This information has been taken from the NHS England website which you can access by clicking here.
If you are struggling to get your baby to sleep or for them to stay asleep please do talk to your health visitor, midwife or GP.
Suggested amount of sleep for babies between 0 to 12 months old - taken from NHS England Age
Daytime hours
Night time hours
1 week old
8 hours
8 hours and 30 minutes
4 weeks (1 month) old
6 to 7 hours
8 to 9 hours
3 months old
4 to 5 hours
10 to 11 hours
6 months old
3 hours
11 hours
9 months old
2 hours and 30 minutes
11 hours
12 months (1 year) old
2 hours and 30 minutes
11 hours
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Sleep cyclesBack up
During sleep your baby’s body is resting, however their brain can still be quite active. We experience two types of sleep pattern during a sleep cycle.
Typical Sleep cycles start with NREM (Non-Rapid Eye Movement) and alternate with REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep throughout the night.
NREM (Non-rapid eye movement) sleep
During this sleep pattern your baby’s brain is quiet and their body may move. NREM has three stages:
- Dozing stage when your child’s muscles relax, and their heartbeat slows
- Light Sleep where they can be woken easily
- Deep sleep when it is more difficult to wake your child up
During deep sleep your child may talk in their sleep, sleepwalk and have night terrors. Growth hormone is released in deep sleep
REM (Rapid eye movement sleep)
During this sleep pattern your child’s brain is active, their eyes can move from side to side, their muscles are relaxed, and dreams can occur including nightmares. During this period of sleep your child can be woken more easily. REM sleep is a time when your child is filtering the day’s events and their memory is strengthened.
REM is about 50% of total sleep for a newborn baby, this reduces as we grow older and REM is about 25% total sleep for adults.
Sleep scientist Matt Walker did a TED talk on what sleep which has some helpful animations to explain sleep cycles:
- Promotes growth
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Supporting quality sleep and top tipsBack up
For a baby it is important you teach them that there is a difference between day and night. Even though they can’t understand words but creating a routine you can help them understand this difference.
During the day make sure the curtains are open, and they are stimulated with sensory play and when it comes to getting them to sleep, dim the lights and try to block out sounds that might disturb their sleep.
The NHS website has a sleep guide for babies which you can access by clicking here.
Although sleep routines will vary from family to family depending on your circumstances, the key is to try to make sure you keep the same approach each day where you can. Good sleep routines that are put in place now can help to build the foundations for positive sleep experiences later.
The Lullaby Trust has a useful website with tips, hints and information about how to improve sleep quality which you can access by clicking here.
You can watch The Lullaby Trust’s video on what bedding your baby needs below:
The team at The Lullaby Trust also have a range of sleep videos including how to monitor your baby’s temperature and co-sleeping information – you can access their YouTube channel by clicking here.
What can you do if your baby doesn’t want to sleep?
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Plan to make sleep saferBack up
Keeping babies safe, both day and night while they are sleeping is important. The points to remember are:
- Always place your baby on their back to sleep
- Keep your baby smoke free, both before and after birth
- Give your baby a clear safe sleep space in the same room as you
- Use a firm, flat, waterproof mattress in good condition
- Breastfeed your baby if you can - Any breastfeeding is shown to lower the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome/cot death
- Never sleep in a chair or sofa with your baby
- Never put your baby in bed with you if you have drunk alcohol, taken any kind of drugs, if your baby was born prematurely or of low birth weight
- Don’t let your baby get too hot, or cover their head or face. Babies don’t need hats indoors.
- Keep the sleep area free of pillows, duvets, loose bedding, toys, cot bumpers, sleep positioners, pods or nests
For more information on this important topic follow the links below:
Unicef's Caring for your Baby at Night is a great information website to give you more advice and information on safe sleeping. You can access this information by clicking here.
The Lullaby Trust have a very useful website to give your more information on safe sleeping. You can access the website by clicking here.
- Always place your baby on their back to sleep
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ToiletingBack up
Overview:
The contents of your baby’s nappy will change day to day, and it is something that you will find that might need to get used to. As your baby develops you will understand their bowel and urine movements more and this can help in checking the health of your baby.
In this section we will highlight what to expect from your baby’s poo and symptoms of diarrhoea and constipation as well as giving some information on urine.
Things to know about toileting:
Although baby’s poo does vary day to day, if your notice any changes such as your baby’s poo becoming smellier, more watery or harder or blood being present please call your health visitor or GP.
Healthy urine is a pale colour and should not smell strong. If you notice darker urine or a strong smell speak to your health visiting team for advice.
Here the NHS has created a very basic video about how to change a dirty nappy:
Where to go for more information:
For more information about toileting please click on the 'more information' section below where you will find lots of information and advice.
You can contact the 0-19 admin hub by live chat by clicking here or by giving the team a call on: 0800 170 7055 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm).
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Your babys nappyBack up
The contents of your baby’s nappy will change day to day. Nappy hygiene is really important and changing your baby when they have soiled their nappy will help prevent nappy rash and keep your newborn baby comfortable.
You can expect to change a baby between the ages of 0 months to 1 years old anywhere from 5 to 12 times a day.
Let’s talk baby poo
Newborn babies will pass dark sticky stools (poo) which are called meconium. These are black and tar-like and contain bile and other substances your baby swallowed whilst they were in the womb.
By day three (3) this poo should become lighter, runnier and much easier to clean up. From day four (4) and then for the first few weeks your baby should pass at least two (2) yellow stools each day.
The colour of baby poo varies when children are newborn and how fast they get to the ‘yellow poo’ stage is unique to each baby. Some children can get to the ‘yellow poo’ stage sooner than days five (5) or six (6) and that it okay. This can mean your baby is feeding very effectively and is probably taking in more milk.
Pampers have created a chart which shows the shades of poo and is rough guide to what you might expect. You can access this and more information from Pampers by clicking here.
For a more visual guide on what poo you might expect your baby to have you can visit the NCT website by clicking here.
Let’s talk baby wee
It can be very difficult to judge how often your baby passes urine as disposable nappies are efficient at absorbing the fluid. However, this will become easier to judge as you get used to the feel or weight of your baby’s nappies.
You should expect six (6) to eight (8) wet nappies a day in the early weeks but this can vary from baby to baby. If you are concerned about how much milk your baby is having you can be reassured by a heavy (wet) nappy that they are producing plenty of wee so are having plenty to drink.
Healthy urine is a pale colour and should not smell strong. If you notice darker urine or a strong smell speak to your health visiting team for advice.
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Diarrhoea or constipationBack up
Diarrhoea
Look out for a sudden change in frequency of watery poo. A foul smelling dirty nappy and a baby with signs of a fever could suggest an intestinal infection. Significant diarrhoea can lead to your baby being dehydrated so it is important to encourage them to drink. Small, frequent drinks are best if your baby is feeling unwell. Seek medical advice from your doctor or health visitor if your baby is suffering from diarrhoea.
Information about diarrhoea can be found here
Constipation
A sign of constipation is hard and pebble like stools. Constipation is more common among formula fed babies – here are a few tips if your baby is suffering from constipation.
- A simple way to manage constipation initially is to give your baby small amounts of cooled boiled water (30 – 40 mls). If you find that giving your baby extra water still doesn’t work please contact your health visiting team for advice.
- Don’t give prune juice – it contains a natural bowel irritant and is not suitable for babies under nine months of age, even when diluted. Don’t give orange juice before six months of age.
- Don’t add any form of sugar, malt extract or rice cereal to formula – this will not help constipation and can cause a choking risk.
- Don’t introduce solids before six months of age – this is not recommended.
When you start to introduce solids to your babies (around 6 months old) this also changes the look and smell of their poo. Introducing solid food produces a darker brown poo which smells more than when just on milk feeds.
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Frequently Asked QuestionsBack up
How often should my baby do a poo?
Babies do an average of 4 poos a day in the first week of life. This goes down to an average of 2 a day by the time they're 1 year old.
Newborn babies who are breastfed may poo at each feed in the early weeks, then, after about 6 weeks, not have a poo for several days.
Formula-fed babies may poo up to 5 times a day when newborn, but after a few months this can go down to once a day.
It's also normal for babies to strain or even cry when doing a poo.
Your baby isn't constipated if their poos are soft, even if they haven't done one for a few days.
Is it normal for my baby's poo to change?
From day to day or week to week, your baby's poos will probably vary.
If you notice a definite change of any kind, such as the poos becoming very smelly, very watery or harder (particularly if there's blood in them), you should talk to your doctor or health visitor.
What should my baby’s poo look like?
Pampers have created a chart which shows the shades of poo and is rough guide to what you might expect. You can access this and more information from Pampers by clicking here.
For a more visual guide on what poo you might expect your baby to have you can visit the NCT website by clicking here.
My baby makes noises when the have a bowel movement is that normal?
Yes. It is common for babies to grunt and strain or even cry when they are having a poo and this doesn’t necessarily mean they are suffering with constipation.
How do I change a nappy?
Other things to know
In girls you might find they have false menstruation or pseudo menstruation which is harmless. It is a very light bleed from the vagina and comes from the effects of your own hormones on her system and will soon stop. If you are concerned please talk to your doctor or health visitor.
If you notice your baby’s wee is a darker urine or has a strong smell do as your health visiting team for advice.
Are there any other links that I should visit for more information?
The NHS website has some useful information about babies and their nappies which you can access by clicking here.
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My child is 1Back up
As your child hits their first birthday you can reflect on the amazing job you’ve already done!
Having a little one can be a challenge and as your baby grows and develops you might have found yourself swept off your feet at times, overwhelmed at others, happy, sad, tired, angry and confused and all those emotions are normal.
In this section we have put together some information, we hope will help guide you.
If you have any concerns, make sure you talk to a healthcare professional such as your GP or health visitor.
You can contact the 0-19 admin hub by live chat by clicking here or by giving the team a call on: 0800 170 7055 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm).
If you have any concerns or are worried about how you are feeling please don’t hesitate to contact The Mental Health Number where helpful Mental Health Navigators are on hand to support you, signpost you to help for you.
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1001 Critical DaysBack up
Overview:
The 1001 Critical Days focuses on the time between conception and a child’s second birthday. This time is especially important because of rapid growth and the experiences that help shape baby’s brains, particularly the interactions they have with you and those around you. These 1001 Days lay the foundations for your baby’s future development.
In this section we will highlight information about the Strong Start team, as well as why the time period of conception to age two is so critical and will link to the manifesto that supports this.
Things to know about 1001 Critical Days:
This is a national campaign that NHFT support and embed as part of working practices. When coming in contact health visitors or midwives during your pregnancy or after your child is born, you may discuss or be told about this.
The Strong Start team are a group of qualified and experienced early years’ professionals who work closely with health visiting and infant feeding teams across Northamptonshire to support families with babies and young children to highlight the importance of the first 1001 days.
Where to go for more information:
The 1001 Critical Days Manifesto is available to view for further detail. For more informaiton on Strong Start please click on the 'more information' section below, where you will find lots of information and advice.
You can contact the 0-19 admin hub by live chat by clicking here or by giving the team a call on: 0800 170 7055 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm).
More information
Strong Start
The Strong Start team is a group of qualified and experienced early years’ professionals who work closely with health visiting and infant feeding teams across Northamptonshire to support families with babies and young children to highlight the importance of the first 1001 days. You can access more information about the Strong Start team by clicking here.
Information and support
- The Strong Start team can support families with children under 5 in the following ways:
- Signpost or refer to health services including the smoking cessation team
- Provide information and help to access local groups
- Help to set up a peer groups within your community
- Help to assess eligibility for help with early education and childcare costs for two year olds and free vitamins
You can make contact with the Strong Start team via their administrator on 07880 136070 or via email: strongstartteam@northamptonshire.gov.uk
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Strong StartBack up
The Strong Start team is a group of qualified and experienced early years’ professionals who work closely with health visiting and infant feeding teams across Northamptonshire to support families with babies and young children to highlight the importance of the first 1001 days. You can access more information about the Strong Start team by clicking here.
Information and support
The Strong Start team can support families with children under 5 in the following ways:
- Signpost or refer to health services including the smoking cessation team
- Provide information and help to access local groups
- Help to set up a peer groups within your community
- Help to assess eligibility for help with early education and childcare costs for two year olds and free vitamins
You can make contact with the Strong Start team via their administrator on 07880 136070 or via email: strongstartteam@northamptonshire.gov.uk
Programmes
We deliver a range of age appropriate early learning activities on a range of topics whilst parents and carers have the opportunity to develop peer support networks and gain information to support happy, healthy families. Some of the key topics include child development, oral health, safety, healthy eating, the value of play and communication and language.
All programmes are advertised on Eventbrite where you can follow the Strong Start Team to receive notifications about newly published programmes. www.eventbrite.co.uk
- Signpost or refer to health services including the smoking cessation team
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Attachment in the early daysBack up
Overview:
The 1001 Critical Days focuses on the time between conception and a child’s second birthday. This time is especially important because of rapid growth and the experiences that help shape baby’s brains, particularly the interactions they have with you and those around you. These 1001 Days lay the foundations for your baby’s future development.
In this section we will highlight why the time period of conception to age two is so critical and will link to the manifesto that supports this.
Things to know about 1001 Critical Days:
This is a national campaign that NHFT supports and embeds as part of working practices. When coming in contact health visitors or midwives during your pregnancy or after your child is born, you may discuss or be told about this.
Where to go for more information:
For more information about 1001 Critical Days please view the Manifesto document available here, where you will find further information.
You can contact the 0-19 admin hub by live chat by clicking here or by giving the team a call on: 0800 170 7055 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm).
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Crying supportBack up
Having a baby, although for many is a fulfilling experience, can be difficult and tough at times, particularly when babies are limited on how they can communicate their needs with you.
Crying can be a stressful experience for both parent or carer and baby, so we’ve put together some resources we hope help.
Babies cry for a number of reasons:
- When they are hungry or when they need winding
- If they are tired
- If they are too cold or too hot
- They might be bored
- They might have a dirty nappy
The NHS England website has a number of top tips for helping to soothe a crying baby and you can access them by clicking here.
This video from NCT has some tips on how to cope with a crying baby:
Cry-sis is a support network for parents and carers who experience problems with their crying and sleeping babies. The support offers a telephone helpline available 7 days a week and offers advice on how to cope with a sleepless and/or crying baby.
You can access Cry-sis’s 3 to 12 months Guide to Coping by clicking here.
If you baby won’t stop crying they could be suffering from colic – click here to read more about colic and what you can and should do.
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More informationBack up
Developing a close and loving relationship with your baby is essential for your baby to feel safe, secure and nurtured.
The links below give more information about the importance of this and how you can build a positive relationship with your baby:
Unicef's Baby Friendly Resources can be downloaded from their website. Click here to visit the website, you can also view the Meeting your Baby for the First time video below:
Unicef's Building a Happy Baby: A Guide for Parents can be a useful information website which you can access by clicking here.
The BBC have a great resource called Tiny Happy People which includes information such as the article: What is really going on in your baby's brain. You can read this article by clicking here.
Best Beginnings is a website with lots of information about pregnancy including helpful videos such as MRI scan videos – you can access this website by clicking here.
They also have the Baby Buddy app which you can download for Android phones from the Google play store, or for Apple phones from the App Store. The app is free to access and are for pregnancy and the first six months of your baby’s life.
NSPCC's Handle with care: a guide to keeping your baby safe explains the dangers and gives advice on safe ways of holding and caring for a baby. You can access this article by clicking the link here.
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ImmunisationBack up
'Overview
As a baby, your child should receive a number of immunisations to protect them from dangerous childhood diseases.
In this section we will highlight the immunsations your child needs and at what age, as well as support and advice if you miss your child's vaccination appointment.
Things to know about immunisations:
You can get your baby and children immunised at your GP surgery, which will usually be done by the practice nurse. They will ask a few questions and ensure your child is well and able to have their immunisations that day. If your child is unwell, you will be given a new appointment.
Please take your Personal Child Health Record ('red book') with you so your child's record can be updated.
Where to go for more information:
For more information about immunisations and a vaccine schedule for your baby and young children (as correct of August 2019) please click on the 'vaccination schedule' section below.
You can contact the 0-19 admin hub by live chat by clicking here or by giving the team a call on: 0800 170 7055 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm).
Missed vaccination appointment:
If your child has missed any of the vaccinations for any reason, please contact your GP surgery, who can book your child in.
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Vacccination schedule 1 yearBack up
Hib/Men C booster, given as a single jab containing meningitis C (first dose) and Hib (fourth dose)
Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, MMR is a safe and effective combined vaccine that protects against three separate illnesses – measles, mumps and rubella (German measles) – in a single injection. The full course of MMR vaccination requires two doses. Measles, mumps and rubella are highly infectious conditions that can have serious, potentially fatal complications, including meningitis, swelling of the brain (encephalitis) and deafness.
Pneumococcal (PCV) vaccine, third dose
Men B vaccine, third dose
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Vaccination support
Vaccination side effects
It's natural to be concerned that your child will have a side effect after having a vaccination. While all vaccines have the potential to cause side effects in some people, the reality is that most tend to be mild and do not last longer than a few days. Some people do not get any side effects at all.
Most common side effects in babies and young children are at the site of the injection. They include:
- swelling
- redness
- a small hard lump
These symptoms usually pass within a couple of days and you do not need to do anything about them.
What if my child becomes unwell after a vaccination?
Symptoms such as swelling, redness or a small hard lump at the site of injection should pass with a couple of days and you do not need to do anything about them.
Children may sometimes develop a high temperature. If this happens, keep your child cool. Make sure they do not wear too many layers of clothes or blankets and give them plenty of cool drinks.
You can also give them a dose of infant paracetamol or ibuprofen liquid according to the instructions on the bottle.
Read an NHS leaflet about the common side effects that might occur in babies and children under 5, and how to treat them.
Anti-vaxxers movement
We know that there is information on the internet around a movement called anti-vaxxers which includes arguments such as vaccinations being linked to autism or that they overload a person’s system. This information is neither factual or has any scientific research behind it.
Vaccinations are an important and crucial way you can keep your child safe as well as helping to keep your community safe too.
Illnesses such as smallpox were driven to near extinction because people got vaccinated – unfortunately we are now starting to see an increase in certain illnesses that had been thought to be almost eradicated due to people not their vaccinating their children or themselves.
If you do have concerns about vaccinating your child we would ask that you speak to your healthcare professional – your GP, midwife or health visitor – who can help to advise you.
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Infant feedingBack up
Overview
During pregnancy you will have the opportunity to discuss all aspects of caring for and feeding your baby, including the value of breastfeeding. However you feed your baby your choice will be respected and you will be supported by trained and caring health professionals and supported to develop a close and loving relationship.
In this section we will highlight how to breastfeed, positioning and attachment, expressing breastmilk, bottle feeding and combination (mixed) feeding.
Things to know about infant feeding:
Breast milk or first infant formula provides the energy and nutrients your baby needs until they're around 6 months old (with the exception of vitamin D in some cases).
Giving your baby a variety of foods, alongside breast or formula milk, from around 6 months of age will help set your child up for a lifetime of healthier eating. Gradually, you'll be able to increase the amount and variety of food your baby eats until they can eat the same foods as the rest of the family, in smaller portions.
Where to go for more infant feeding:
For more information about infant feeding please click on the 'more information' section below where you will find lots of advice and useful links.
To view information on the breastfeeding clinics in the county please see below or click here to view the poster.
You can contact the 0-19 admin hub by live chat by clicking here or by giving the team a call on: 0800 170 7055 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm).Or call the Infant Feeding Helpline 07795 110109 Monday to Friday, 9am to 3pm. Please note we are not able to pick up texts on this number.
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Breastfeeding supportBack up
Breastfeeding is the healthiest and most natural way to feed your baby, but not everyone finds it easy. We are here to support you and help you find what’s best for you and your baby.
- We offer timely and responsive support in the form of breastfeeding support groups.
- Support groups are available across the county, including one in central Northampton, to provide help, information and social opportunities for mothers and mothers-to-be.
- For more complex issues we offer support in the home.
- We also provide training for health professionals, including health visiting staff and staff working in specialist services, community networks and drop-in centres.
- We are working toward achieving Baby Friendly Accreditation, which promotes best practice and evidence-based approaches to supporting parents with feeding and nurturing infants in the early years.
- Our support is available for the whole family. Mums, mums-to-be, partners and siblings are welcome.
Breastfeeding is a skill to be learnt by you and your baby. These links give some excellent tips to get you off to the best start:
- Unicef offers information about breastfeeding - you can access their website by clicking here.
- Unicef offers some useful resources on common challenges with breastfeeding. You can access this information by clicking here.
You can download our top tips for supporting breastfeeding in Northamptonshire by clicking the links below:
Breastfeeding - top tips for public - poster [pdf] 193KB
Breastfeeding - top tips for business [pdf] 512KB
NATIONAL SUPPORT AND INFORMATION
- National Breastfeeding Helpline: 0300 100 0212
- National Childbirth Trust (8am-10pm): 0300 330 0771
- LA Leche League: 0845 120 2918
- Breastfeeding Network: 0300 100 0210
- Supporter Line in Bengali: 0300 456 2421
- Supporter Line in Sylheti: 0300 456 2421
- Association of Breastfeeding Mothers: 0300 330 5453
- We offer timely and responsive support in the form of breastfeeding support groups.
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Breastfeeding drop in sessionsBack up
Our team, which is made up of senior health visitors and health professionals and led by a lactation consultant, offers friendly, skilled breastfeeding support and information for mothers experiencing breastfeeding difficulties. This is offered either in the home, a clinic or drop-in setting.
By protecting, supporting and normalising breastfeeding we aim to improve the health and wellbeing of all children in our communities and increase the number of infants who receive breast milk.
For breastfeeding support and information please contact your health visitor or visit one of our drop-ins - please download our flyer for details: Breastfeeding clinics
For specialist breastfeeding help please contact the breastfeeding support team by sending your name, address, email, phone number and baby’s date of birth by telephone or email:
Telephone: 07795 110109
Email: CUSadminhub.nhft@nhs.netFriendly skilled support and information from our infant feeding team,led by a lactation consultatnt. Specialist 1:1 breastfeeding support available for mums on the dates and locations below:
MONDAYS 10:00AM - 12:00PM
Broadmead Community Church
Broadmead Avenue
Northampton NN32QYMONDAYS 12:00PM - 2:00PM
PenGreen Children’s Centre,
Corby NN17 1BJTUESDAYS 09:30AM - 11:30PM
Daventry West Childrens Centre,
Daventry, NN11 4EYWEDNESDAYS 1:00PM - 2:30PM
Montague Street Children’s Centre
Kettering, NN16 8RXTHURSDAYS 9:30AM - 11:30AM
Croyland Nursery, Croyland Rd,
Wellingborough NN8 2AXFRIDAYS 10:00AM - 12:00PM
Rushden Library, Newton Road
Rushden, NN10 0PT -
Bottle feeding supportBack up
If you bottle feed your baby we recommend you do this in a paced and responsive way, the links below explain more:
Unicef's Bottle Feeding Frequently Asked Questions information sheet is a handy tool to help you decide if you want to bottle feed and gives you information and advice. You can access this information by clicking here.
Unicef and Start 4 Life have created a guide to bottle feeding which you can access by clicking this link.
Here is a helpful video which explores Placed Bottle Feeding:
NHS England have a helpful article if you are worried about cow milk allergys - please click here to read it.
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Reflux in babiesBack up
Reflux can be very common and normally goes away as babies get older.
Reflux is when a baby vomits or brings up their milk, during or shortly after feeding.
NHS England's Reflux information
Start4Life's Reflux information
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Minor illnessesBack up
Overview
Minor illnesses are generally defined as medical conditions that will resolve on their own and can be reasonably self-diagnosed and managed at home with over-the-counter medications.
In this section we will highlight examples of minor illnesses and what can help them.
Things to know about minor illnesses:
There are different types of minor illnesses and your baby might pick one up, but you can speak to your GP, midwife or health visitor if you are worried.
Please note, antibiotics DO NOT work for a viral infection and if your child has a viral infection, please go to your local pharmacy for advice.
Examples of minor illnesses may include; Fever, Coughs, Colds, Teething, Headaches, Diarrhoea, Vomiting, Rashes.
Where to go for more information:
For more information about some minor ilnesses please navigate through the sections below.
You can often find that your local pharmacy will provide support and advice, however having simple treatments at home ready such as Paracetamol (Calpol) and Oral Rehydration Therapy (such as Dioralyte) can help manage symptoms such as pain, discomfort and raised temperature.
For a full list of minor illnesses and for further information please visit the NHS England Website.
You can contact the 0-19 admin hub by live chat by clicking here or by giving the team a call on: 0800 170 7055 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm).
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Common minor illnessesBack up
As your baby grows and develops it's likely they might suffer from one or more of the following minor illnesses.
Usually these sort themselves out on their own, but it is important when your baby is feeling poorly you keep an eye on them and let your health visitor, GP or midwife know if you have any concerns or questions.
Information on colds, coughs and ear infections
Information on Diarrohoea and vomiting
Whilst most minor illnesses do get better on their own it is also important to recognise when or if your baby becomes seriously ill.
You can read more about signs and symptoms by clicking here.
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RashesBack up
Rashes are fairly common in newborn and young babies.
Many things can cause a rash in babies and children, and they're often nothing to worry about.
NHS England have this handy visual guide on rashes which you can access here.
You can also read more about rashes in babies and children by clicking here.
If your child has a rash and they:
- have a stiff neck
- are bothered by light
- seem confused
- are shaking uncontrollably
- have a fever you can't control
- have unusually cold hands and feet
- have a rash that doesn't fade when you press a glass against it
Then immediate action is required: please go to A&E or call 999. These can be signs of meningitis.
Non-urgent advice:
Please see a GP if your child seems unwell and has a rash and a fever.
Please click here for further information on what to do if a rash appears on your baby or toddler. Please do not self-diagnose, if you are worried please see your GP.
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Sticky eyesBack up
Sticky eyes are common in newborn babies while their tear ducts are developing. You may see some sticky stuff in the corner of the eyes or their eyelashes may be stuck together. It normally clears up on its own but you may have to clean your baby’s eyes regularly with cotton wool using cooled boiled water and by following the steps below:
- Wipe each eye from the corner of the nose outwards.
- Use a clean piece of cotton wool for each wipe.
- Remember to wash your hands before and afterwards and avoid sharing towels to prevent spreading infection.
Sticky eyes can sometimes be confused with conjunctivitis. Conjunctivitis is an infection which results in the white parts of the eye turning pink or red and the build-up of yellowy/green sticky goo which comes back regularly. If you notice this and it continues for more than 24 hours please contact your Health Visitor or GP.
Read the Institute for Health Visiting's article on sticky eyes here
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Parenting, play and promoting developmentBack up
Overview:
When your baby is born it is important to understand and be aware of their different behaviors and how they may be communicating with you. There are things you can do which will help your baby’s skills and development.
In this section we will highlight the Five to Thrive model; responsiveness, cuddles, relaxation, playing and talking behaviours.
Things to know about parenting, play and promoting development:
Normal behaviours for your new born child may include; periods of being quiet and alert, being unsettled and periods of crying. These are all forms of communication that is important for you to recognise.
Where to go for more information:
For more information about behaviours please click on the 'more information' section below where where you will find lots of information and advice.
You can contact the 0-19 admin hub by live chat by clicking here or by giving the team a call on: 0800 170 7055 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm).
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Five to Thrive ModelBack up
Behaviour is a form of communication expressing how your child is feeling.
Normal behaviours for your baby may include the following:
- periods of being quiet and alert
- periods of being unsettled
- it is normal for your baby to cry.
It is important to note that these are all forms of communication.
Below are some behaviour tips using the five to thrive model:
RESPOND
- When your baby looks ready, hold them facing you and wait to see if they make eye contact.
- Your baby will needs lots of time to respond, so pause and wait until they are ready to engage
- Your baby may look away because too much interaction can be very intense for them. Wait for your baby to come back in their own time
- A feed - look for ‘feeding cues’ like lip smacking, sucking and ‘rooting’ (turning their head and opening their mouths - rooting is a reflex action in small babies and happens automatically if you stroke their cheek)
CUDDLE
In the unsettled state your baby may fuss, whine, arch their backs, wriggle and be more sensitive to light and noise. Sometimes your baby may show they are over stimulated through physical signs such as hiccupping, yawning, sneezing, squirming, throwing their head back or even bringing up some milk. Babies who put their hands up to their face are often tired
If your baby is in an unsettled state they may need a change of pace and might benefit from:
A cuddle, you can’t ‘spoil’ your baby, cuddles provide security and makes the world seem safe.
RELAX
In the crying state your baby will be active, often grimacing and crying intensely.
If your baby is in their crying state they may need calming. There may be special ways your baby likes to be soothed. For example:
- Do they like being held when you walk about?
- Do they enjoy soft singing?
- Do they like being close to you skin to skin?
- Do they have a favourite cuddling position?
- Do they like to suck on their fingers?
- Do they like gentle rocking in the pram?
- Do they like to have eye contact while you gently ask them what the matter is?
Sometimes babies like to be listened to in the same way as an older child who is upset.
PLAY
- Facial expressions build brain patterns for recognising feelings in self and others. As the adult follows the lead of the baby, and then alternates leading and following in copying facial expressions and accompanying gestures, this also develops turn-taking and the ability to take part in conversations.
- Tongue play (wiggling the tongue, blowing raspberries, and so on) builds brain patterns linking together tongue control, human communication and pleasure. This is pre-speech, making the baby more ready to develop speech and language.
TALK
- The very best activity for a young baby is looking at your face and listening to your voice.
- Try singing gently to your baby, then pausing and watching for their reaction, then singing some more (don’t worry if you can’t sing in tune - your baby will love hearing your voice and being close to you)
- Taking turns in interaction is really important for your baby’s development
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TeethingBack up
When it comes to teething, all babies are different. But your baby will probably get their first tooth some time during their first year.
Find out how to spot when your baby is teething and what order your baby's teeth are likely to appear in by clicking the link below.
For more information on teething please click on the link here.
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SafetyBack up
Overview:
Having a newborn baby and being aware of the things around you can be difficult. You are constantly learning, evolving your skills and growing your parental instinct everyday which will help keep your baby safe as they grow and develop.
In this section we will highlight; sudden infant death syndrome (SID) known as ‘cot death’, accident prevention and keeping your baby safe when you travel.
Things to know about safety:
Risk can come in many different forms and being able aware of them, will support you in preventing them from happening. Your health visitor will talk through obvious risks and advice with you, to support you in your parenting.
Being aware of the environment your baby is in and what your baby is doing can help to stop preventable accidents from happening.
Where to go for more information:
For more information about safety please click on the 'more information' section below where you will find lots of information and advice.
You can contact the 0-19 admin hub by live chat by clicking here or by giving the team a call on: 0800 170 7055 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm).
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Accidents and preventionBack up
Accidents happen, and often they happen in such a short space of time that before you can blink something has gone wrong.
When it comes to baby’s it is important that you keep a close eye them.
Accidents can come in all different ways and types including:
· Burns and scalds
· Choking
· Drowning
· Falls
· Strangulation
· Suffocation
· Accidental poisoning
The NHS website has some useful information and top tips to help you keep your child safe – you can access this information by clicking here.
If your child has an accident it is important to know what to do and when you need to seek medical advice, again the NHS website has a long list of information including where you can learn basic first aid on their website. Click here to read more.
Safety and pets
If you have a pet such as a dog you should prepare them for your newborn and get them used to having a little one around. The Dog’s Trust has put together information about being dog smart around babies and children which you can access here.
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Sun safetyBack up
Keeping your baby out of strong sunlight is very important to protect their skin from the harmful UVA and UVB rays.
Protecting your baby’s skin, as well as your own skin, can be easily overlooked especially when the excitement of heading outside is builds. However looking after your baby’s will help to keep them safe and lower the risk of sun burn and other sun related conditions.
Things to know about sun safety:
Keeping your baby safe whilst they are in the sun is important to protecting their skin. Without sun safety and sun protection, sun burns and dehydration can occur and could cause some serious issues for your child.
Here are some tips you can use to help with sun safety:
- If your baby is under 6 months old they should be kept away from strong direct sunlight that might come through windows or if you are outside.
- If your baby’s skin is going to be exposed to sunlight use a sunscreen with a minimum 50 SPF rating to protect them.
- If you are taking your baby out in their pram do not cover their prams with any type of material as this can be very dangerous. When a pram is covered it prevents the vital movement of air around your baby so that the air they breathe out is the same air they breathe in. Without this movement of air, the recirculated air they will be breathing in will have a high percentage of carbon dioxide instead of oxygen, leaving your baby with less oxygen and potentially causing them to stop breathing all together.
What should I do if i think there is a problem?
If you have any questions or would like some more information regarding sun safety and your baby you can ask your midwife / health visitor or GP for advice.
For more information please visit NHS England website.
Keeping your baby out of strong sunlight is very important to protect their skin from the harmful UVA and UVB rays.
Protecting your baby’s skin, as well as your own skin, can be easily overlooked especially when the excitement of heading outside is builds. However, looking after your baby’s will help to keep them safe and lower the risk of sun burn and other sun related conditions.
Things to know about sun safety:
Keeping your baby safe whilst they are in the sun is important to protecting their skin. Without sun safety and sun protection, sun burns, and dehydration can occur and could cause some serious issues for your child.
Here are some tips you can use to help with sun safety:
- If your baby is under 6 months old, they should be kept away from strong direct sunlight that might come through windows or if you are outside.
- If your baby’s skin is going to be exposed to sunlight use a sunscreen with a minimum 50 SPF rating to protect them.
- If you are taking your baby out in their pram do not cover their prams with any type of material as this can be very dangerous. When a pram is covered it prevents the vital movement of air around your baby so that the air they breathe out is the same air they breathe in. Without this movement of air, the recirculated air they will be breathing in will have a high percentage of carbon dioxide instead of oxygen, leaving your baby with less oxygen and potentially causing them to stop breathing all together.
Here are some links to other places of information:
- NCT’s website has a sun safety for kids section which can be accessed here
- The Skin Cancer Foundation has written an article about sun-safe babies which can be accessed here.
- The Baby Centre explores how you can keep the sun off your baby which you can access here.
- Find out how you can keep your baby safe in hot weather by visiting the NHS’s webpage on it.
- If your baby is under 6 months old they should be kept away from strong direct sunlight that might come through windows or if you are outside.
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Call 999 if your babyBack up
Dial 999 for an ambulance if your baby:
- stops breathing or turns blue
- is struggling for breath
- is unconscious or seems unaware of what's going on
- will not wake up
- has a fit for the first time, even if they seem to recover.
- stops breathing or turns blue
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SleepBack up
Overview:
Sleep is an essential part of any child’s growth and development. It promotes growth, strengthens immunity, helps with cell repair and healing and maintains physical and emotional health.
In this section we will highlight what happens during sleep, advice on getting your child to sleep and what you can do if your child is having sleep problems.
Things to know about sleep:
For the recommended amount of sleep a child between the age of 0 and 12 months should get, please visit the NHS England website.
For many parents achieving a night of sleep can feel like the biggest goal in their lives. Sleeplessness is particularly challenging when it seems that other babies are sleeping more at night than your own. However the truth is babies are not supposed to sleep for long periods of time overnight, and have evolved to feed regularly.
This is a safety feature for babies who need to keep their small tummys topped up to ensure the nutrients they need continue to circulate in their bodies. Sometimes babies will wake for reassurance and a cuddle, and at other times for feeding. Responding to your baby means that they develop a sense of security and their self-esteem is built on knowing they are loved and cared for. Ultimately this means as your baby grows and develops he or she will feel safe and secure to sleep well.
Where to go for more information:
For more information about sleep please click on the 'more information' section below where you will find lots of information and advice.
You can contact the 0-19 admin hub by live chat by clicking here or by giving the team a call on: 0800 170 7055 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm).
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What is sleepBack up
Sleep is an amazing brain journey, we spend about a third of our life asleep. While each person is unique, sleep follows a fairly predictable pattern that changes through life. We experience both deep and lighter sleep and even have brief awakenings during the night which are all part of ‘normal sleep’.
The benefits of sleep include
- Promotes growth
- Strengthens our immunity
- Helps our bodies repair
- Consolidates our memory and learning
- Maintains our physical and emotional health
Lack of sleep effects our general wellbeing
- Impacts on our emotional wellbeing and mood
- Physical health and coordination
- Our ability to learn new information and problem solve
Babies around 1 years old need approximately 11 hours sleep during the night and 2 hours 30 minutes during the day.
This information has been taken from the NHS England website which you can access by clicking here.
If you are struggling to get your baby to sleep or for them to stay asleep please do talk to your health visitor, midwife or GP.
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Sleep cyclesBack up
During sleep your baby’s body is resting, however their brain can still be quite active. We experience two types of sleep pattern during a sleep cycle.
Typical Sleep cycles start with NREM (Non-Rapid Eye Movement) and alternate with REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep throughout the night.
NREM (Non-rapid eye movement) sleep
During this sleep pattern your baby’s brain is quiet and their body may move. NREM has three stages:
- Dozing stage when your child’s muscles relax, and their heartbeat slows
- Light Sleep where they can be woken easily
- Deep sleep when it is more difficult to wake your child up
During deep sleep your child may talk in their sleep, sleepwalk and have night terrors. Growth hormone is released in deep sleep
REM (Rapid eye movement sleep)
During this sleep pattern your child’s brain is active, their eyes can move from side to side, their muscles are relaxed, and dreams can occur including nightmares. During this period of sleep your child can be woken more easily. REM sleep is a time when your child is filtering the day’s events and their memory is strengthened.
REM is about 50% of total sleep for a newborn baby, this reduces as we grow older and REM is about 25% total sleep for adults.
Sleep scientist Matt Walker did a TED talk on what sleep which has some helpful animations to explain sleep cycles:
- Promotes growth
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Supporting quality sleep and top tipsBack up
For a baby it is important you teach them that there is a difference between day and night. Even though they can’t understand words but creating a routine you can help them understand this difference.
During the day make sure the curtains are open, and they are stimulated with sensory play and when it comes to getting them to sleep, dim the lights and try to block out sounds that might disturb their sleep.
The NHS website has a sleep guide for babies which you can access by clicking here.
Although sleep routines will vary from family to family depending on your circumstances, the key is to try to make sure you keep the same approach each day where you can. Good sleep routines that are put in place now can help to build the foundations for positive sleep experiences later.
The Lullaby Trust has a useful website with tips, hints and information about how to improve sleep quality which you can access by clicking here.
You can watch The Lullaby Trust’s video on what bedding your baby needs below:
The team at The Lullaby Trust also have a range of sleep videos including how to monitor your baby’s temperature and co-sleeping information – you can access their YouTube channel by clicking here.
What can you do if your baby doesn’t want to sleep?
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Plan to make sleep saferBack up
Keeping babies safe, both day and night while they are sleeping is important. The points to remember are:
- Always place your baby on their back to sleep
- Keep your baby smoke free, both before and after birth
- Give your baby a clear safe sleep space in the same room as you
- Use a firm, flat, waterproof mattress in good condition
- Breastfeed your baby if you can - Any breastfeeding is shown to lower the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome/cot death
- Never sleep in a chair or sofa with your baby
- Never put your baby in bed with you if you have drunk alcohol, taken any kind of drugs, if your baby was born prematurely or of low birth weight
- Don’t let your baby get too hot, or cover their head or face. Babies don’t need hats indoors.
- Keep the sleep area free of pillows, duvets, loose bedding, toys, cot bumpers, sleep positioners, pods or nests
For more information on this important topic follow the links below:
Unicef's Caring for your Baby at Night is a great information website to give you more advice and information on safe sleeping. You can access this information by clicking here.
The Lullaby Trust have a very useful website to give your more information on safe sleeping. You can access the website by clicking here.
- Always place your baby on their back to sleep
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ToiletingBack up
Overview:
The contents of your baby’s nappy will change day to day, and it is something that you will find that might need to get used to. As your baby develops you will understand their bowel and urine movements more and this can help in checking the health of your baby.
In this section we will highlight what to expect from your baby’s poo and symptoms of diarrhoea and constipation as well as giving some information on urine.
Things to know about toileting:
Although baby’s poo does vary day to day, if your notice any changes such as your baby’s poo becoming smellier, more watery or harder or blood being present please call your health visitor or GP.
Healthy urine is a pale colour and should not smell strong. If you notice darker urine or a strong smell speak to your health visiting team for advice.
Here the NHS has created a very basic video about how to change a dirty nappy:
Where to go for more information:
For more information about toileting please click on the 'more information' section below where you will find lots of information and advice.
You can contact the 0-19 admin hub by live chat by clicking here or by giving the team a call on: 0800 170 7055 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm).
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Your babys nappyBack up
Pampers have created a chart which shows the shades of poo and is rough guide to what you might expect. You can access this and more information from Pampers by clicking here.
For a more visual guide on what poo you might expect your baby to have you can visit the NCT website by clicking here.
Let’s talk baby wee
It can be very difficult to judge how often your baby passes urine as disposable nappies are efficient at absorbing the fluid. However, this will become easier to judge as you get used to the feel or weight of your baby’s nappies.
Healthy urine is a pale colour and should not smell strong. If you notice darker urine or a strong smell speak to your health visiting team for advice.
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Diarrhoea or constipationBack up
Diarrhoea
Look out for a sudden change in frequency of watery poo. A foul smelling dirty nappy and a baby with signs of a fever could suggest an intestinal infection. Significant diarrhoea can lead to your baby being dehydrated so it is important to encourage them to drink. Small, frequent drinks are best if your baby is feeling unwell. Seek medical advice from your doctor or health visitor if your baby is suffering from diarrhoea.
Information about diarrhoea can be found here
Constipation
A sign of constipation is hard and pebble like stools. Constipation is more common among formula fed babies – here are a few tips if your baby is suffering from constipation.
- A simple way to manage constipation initially is to give your baby small amounts of cooled boiled water (30 – 40 mls). If you find that giving your baby extra water still doesn’t work please contact your health visiting team for advice.
- Don’t give prune juice – it contains a natural bowel irritant and is not suitable for babies under nine months of age, even when diluted. Don’t give orange juice before six months of age.
- Don’t add any form of sugar, malt extract or rice cereal to formula – this will not help constipation and can cause a choking risk.
- Don’t introduce solids before six months of age – this is not recommended.
When you start to introduce solids to your babies (around 6 months old) this also changes the look and smell of their poo. Introducing solid food produces a darker brown poo which smells more than when just on milk feeds.
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More informationBack up
How often should my baby do a poo?
Babies do an average of 2 a day by the time they're 1 year old.
It's also normal for babies to strain or even cry when doing a poo.
Your baby isn't necessarily constipated if their poos are soft, even if they haven't done one for a few days.
Is it normal for my baby's poo to change?
From day to day or week to week, your baby's poos will probably vary.
If you notice a definite change of any kind, such as the poos becoming very smelly, very watery or harder (particularly if there's blood in them), you should talk to your doctor or health visitor.
What should my baby’s poo look like?
Pampers have created a chart which shows the shades of poo and is rough guide to what you might expect. You can access this and more information from Pampers by clicking here.
For a more visual guide on what poo you might expect your baby to have you can visit the NCT website by clicking here.
My baby makes noises when the have a bowel movement is that normal?
Yes. It is common for babies to grunt and strain or even cry when they are having a poo and this doesn’t necessarily mean they are suffering with constipation.
How do I change a nappy?
Other things to know
In girls you might find they have false menstruation or pseudo menstruation which is harmless. It is a very light bleed from the vagina and comes from the effects of your own hormones on her system and will soon stop. If you are concerned please talk to your doctor or health visitor.
If you notice your baby’s wee is a darker urine or has a strong smell do as your health visiting team for advice.
Are there any other links that I should visit for more information?
The NHS website has some useful information about babies and their nappies which you can access by clicking here.
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My child is 2Back up
They call them the terrible twos - but if we can give you a helping hand we will.
In this section we have put together some information, we hope will help guide you.
If you have any concerns, make sure you talk to a healthcare professional such as your GP or health visitor.
You can contact the 0-19 admin hub by live chat by clicking here or by giving the team a call on: 0800 170 7055 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm).
If you have any concerns or are worried about how you are feeling please don’t hesitate to contact The Mental Health Number where helpful Mental Health Navigators are on hand to support you, signpost you to help for you.
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1001 Critical DaysBack up
Overview:
The 1001 Critical Days focuses on the time between conception and a child’s second birthday. This time is especially important because of rapid growth and the experiences that help shape baby’s brains, particularly the interactions they have with you and those around you. These 1001 Days lay the foundations for your baby’s future development.
In this section we will highlight information about the Strong Start team, as well as why the time period of conception to age two is so critical and will link to the manifesto that supports this.
Things to know about 1001 Critical Days:
This is a national campaign that NHFT support and embed as part of working practices. When coming in contact health visitors or midwives during your pregnancy or after your child is born, you may discuss or be told about this.
The Strong Start team are a group of qualified and experienced early years’ professionals who work closely with health visiting and infant feeding teams across Northamptonshire to support families with babies and young children to highlight the importance of the first 1001 days.
Where to go for more information:
The 1001 Critical Days Manifesto is available to view for further detail. For more informaiton on Strong Start please click on the 'more information' section below, where you will find lots of information and advice.
You can contact the 0-19 admin hub by live chat by clicking here or by giving the team a call on: 0800 170 7055 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm).
More information
The Strong Start team is a group of qualified and experienced early years’ professionals who work closely with health visiting and infant feeding teams across Northamptonshire to support families with babies and young children to highlight the importance of the first 1001 days. You can access more information about the Strong Start team by clicking here.
Information and support
- The Strong Start team can support families with children under 5 in the following ways:
- Signpost or refer to health services including the smoking cessation team
- Provide information and help to access local groups
- Help to set up a peer groups within your community
- Help to assess eligibility for help with early education and childcare costs for two year olds and free vitamins
You can make contact with the Strong Start team via their administrator on 07880 136070 or via email: strongstartteam@northamptonshire.gov.uk
Programmes
We deliver a range of age appropriate early learning activities on a range of topics whilst parents and carers have the opportunity to develop peer support networks and gain information to support happy, healthy families. Some of the key topics include child development, oral health, safety, healthy eating, the value of play and communication and language.
All programmes are advertised on Eventbrite where you can follow the Strong Start Team to receive notifications about newly published programmes.
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Strong StartBack up
The Strong Start team is a group of qualified and experienced early years’ professionals who work closely with health visiting and infant feeding teams across Northamptonshire to support families with babies and young children to highlight the importance of the first 1001 days. You can access more information about the Strong Start team by clicking here.
Information and support
The Strong Start team can support families with children under 5 in the following ways:
- Signpost or refer to health services including the smoking cessation team
- Provide information and help to access local groups
- Help to set up a peer groups within your community
- Help to assess eligibility for help with early education and childcare costs for two year olds and free vitamins
You can make contact with the Strong Start team via their administrator on 07880 136070 or via email: strongstartteam@northamptonshire.gov.uk
Programmes
We deliver a range of age appropriate early learning activities on a range of topics whilst parents and carers have the opportunity to develop peer support networks and gain information to support happy, healthy families. Some of the key topics include child development, oral health, safety, healthy eating, the value of play and communication and language.
All programmes are advertised on Eventbrite where you can follow the Strong Start Team to receive notifications about newly published programmes. www.eventbrite.co.uk
- Signpost or refer to health services including the smoking cessation team
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Attachment in the early daysBack up
Overview:
Your baby needs to feel secure and loved and being close to them helps these feelings to get stronger. Talking, holding and smiling to your baby will support them to feel loved, secure, calm and happy.
In this section we will highlight useful links and resource which will provide you with further information on crying and sleepless babies support, handling your baby with care as well as much more.
Things to know about attachment:
Keeping your baby close and cuddling your baby will help you to be responsive to their cues and communication. Babies feel safe when they are able to see, smell and hear their parent and this will support your baby to feel relaxed, calm and support building a healthy attachment to your baby.
Where to go for more information:
For more information about attachment in the early days please view the 'more information' section below where you will find useful links and support.
If you are feeling worried, sad, or depressed talk to your GP, midwife, health visitor or call The Mental Health Number on 0800 448 0828. You are not alone in these feelings and it is incredibly important to share them. You can also read more about postnatal depression by clicking here.
You can contact the 0-19 admin hub by live chat by clicking here or by giving the team a call on: 0800 170 7055 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm).
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Crying supportBack up
Having a baby, although for many is a fulfilling experience, can be difficult and tough at times, particularly when babies are limited on how they can communicate their needs with you.
Crying can be a stressful experience for both parent or carer and baby, so we’ve put together some resources we hope help.
Babies cry for a number of reasons:
- When they are hungry or when they need winding
- If they are tired
- If they are too cold or too hot
- They might be bored
- They might have a dirty nappy
The NHS England website has a number of top tips for helping to soothe a crying baby and you can access them by clicking here.
This video from NCT has some tips on how to cope with a crying baby:
If you baby won’t stop crying they could be suffering from colic – click here to read more about colic and what you can and should do.
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More informationBack up
Developing a close and loving relationship with your baby is essential for your baby to feel safe, secure and nurtured.
The links below give more information about the importance of this and how you can build a positive relationship with your baby:
Unicef's Baby Friendly Resources can be downloaded from their website. Click here to visit the website, you can also view the Meeting your Baby for the First time video below:
Unicef's Building a Happy Baby: A Guide for Parents can be a useful information website which you can access by clicking here.
The BBC have a great resource called Tiny Happy People which includes information such as the article: What is really going on in your baby's brain. You can read this article by clicking here.
Best Beginnings is a website with lots of information about pregnancy including helpful videos such as MRI scan videos – you can access this website by clicking here.
They also have the Baby Buddy app which you can download for Android phones from the Google play store, or for Apple phones from the App Store. The app is free to access and are for pregnancy and the first six months of your baby’s life.
NSPCC's Handle with care: a guide to keeping your baby safe explains the dangers and gives advice on safe ways of holding and caring for a baby. You can access this article by clicking the link here.
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ImmunisationBack up
Overview:
Your child should receive a number of immunisations to protect them from dangerous childhood diseases.
In this section we will highlight the immunsations your child needs and at what age, as well as support and advice if you miss your child’s vaccination appointment.
Things to know about immunisations:
You can get your baby and children immunised at your GP surgery, which will usually be done by the practice nurse. They will ask a few questions and ensure your child is well and able to have their immunisations that day. If your child is unwell, you will be given a new appointment.
Please take your Personal Child Health Record ('red book') with you so your child's record can be updated.
What happens if I have missed my child’s vaccination appointment?
If your child has missed any of the vaccinations for any reason, please contact your GP surgery, who can book your child in.
Where to go for more information:
For more information about immunisations and a vaccine schedule for your baby and young children (as correct of August 2019) please click on the 'more informaiton' section below.
For further information about the Routine childhood immunisation schedule please visit NHS England website.
You can contact the 0-19 admin hub by live chat by clicking here or by giving the team a call on: 0800 170 7055 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm).
For any queries in regard to your child’s routine immunisation appointments, to amend, cancel or book an appointment for any missed immunisations please contact your GP surgery directly.
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Flu vaccinationBack up
The children's flu vaccine is offered as a yearly nasal spray to young children to help protect them against flu. Flu can be a very unpleasant illness for children, with potentially serious complications, including bronchitis and pneumonia. Vaccinating your child will not only protect them against flu but will also help protect more vulnerable friends and family by preventing the spread of flu.
The vaccination will be given by a quick and simple spray up the nose.
This is offered at your GP surgery.
You can find more information here Children's nasal flu vaccine (annual)
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Vaccination support
Vaccination side effects
It's natural to be concerned that your child will have a side effect after having a vaccination. While all vaccines have the potential to cause side effects in some people, the reality is that most tend to be mild and do not last longer than a few days. Some people do not get any side effects at all.
Most common side effects in babies and young children are at the site of the injection. They include:
- swelling
- redness
- a small hard lump
These symptoms usually pass within a couple of days and you do not need to do anything about them.
What if my child becomes unwell after a vaccination?
Symptoms such as swelling, redness or a small hard lump at the site of injection should pass with a couple of days and you do not need to do anything about them.
Children may sometimes develop a high temperature. If this happens, keep your child cool. Make sure they do not wear too many layers of clothes or blankets and give them plenty of cool drinks.
You can also give them a dose of infant paracetamol or ibuprofen liquid according to the instructions on the bottle.
Read an NHS leaflet about the common side effects that might occur in babies and children under 5, and how to treat them.
Anti-vaxxers movement
We know that there is information on the internet around a movement called anti-vaxxers which includes arguments such as vaccinations being linked to autism or that they overload a person’s system. This information is neither factual or has any scientific research behind it.
Vaccinations are an important and crucial way you can keep your child safe as well as helping to keep your community safe too.
Illnesses such as smallpox were driven to near extinction because people got vaccinated – unfortunately we are now starting to see an increase in certain illnesses that had been thought to be almost eradicated due to people not their vaccinating their children or themselves.
If you do have concerns about vaccinating your child we would ask that you speak to your healthcare professional – your GP, midwife or health visitor – who can help to advise you.
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Minor illnessesBack up
Overview
Minor illnesses are generally defined as medical conditions that will resolve on their own and can be reasonably self-diagnosed and managed at home with over-the-counter medications.
In this section we will highlight examples of minor illnesses and what can help them.
Things to know about minor illnesses:
There are different types of minor illnesses and your baby might pick one up, but you can speak to your GP, midwife or health visitor if you are worried.
Please note, antibiotics DO NOT work for a viral infection and if your child has a viral infection, please go to your local pharmacy for advice.
Examples of minor illnesses may include; Fever, Coughs, Colds, Teething, Headaches, Diarrhoea, Vomiting, Rashes.
Where to go for more information:
For more information about some minor ilnesses please navigate through the sections below.
You can often find that your local pharmacy will provide support and advice, however having simple treatments at home ready such as Paracetamol (Calpol) and Oral Rehydration Therapy (such as Dioralyte) can help manage symptoms such as pain, discomfort and raised temperature.
For a full list of minor illnesses and for further information please visit the NHS England Website.
You can contact the 0-19 admin hub by live chat by clicking here or by giving the team a call on: 0800 170 7055 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm).
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Common minor illnessesBack up
As your baby grows and develops it's likely they might suffer from one or more of the following minor illnesses.
Usually these sort themselves out on their own, but it is important when your baby is feeling poorly you keep an eye on them and let your health visitor, GP or midwife know if you have any concerns or questions.
Information on colds, coughs and ear infections
Information on Diarrohoea and vomiting
Whilst most minor illnesses do get better on their own it is also important to recognise when or if your baby becomes seriously ill.
You can read more about signs and symptoms by clicking here.
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RashesBack up
Rashes are fairly common in newborn and young babies.
Many things can cause a rash in babies and children, and they're often nothing to worry about.
NHS England have this handy visual guide on rashes which you can access here.
You can also read more about rashes in babies and children by clicking here.
If your child has a rash and they:
- have a stiff neck
- are bothered by light
- seem confused
- are shaking uncontrollably
- have a fever you can't control
- have unusually cold hands and feet
- have a rash that doesn't fade when you press a glass against it
Then immediate action is required: please go to A&E or call 999. These can be signs of meningitis.
Non-urgent advice:
Please see a GP if your child seems unwell and has a rash and a fever.
Please click here for further information on what to do if a rash appears on your baby or toddler. Please do not self-diagnose, if you are worried please see your GP.
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Nutrition and physical healthBack up
Overview:
Children between the ages of two and four should be encouraged to eat a variety of foods from the eatwell plate the same as the rest of the family.
In this section we will highlight some information on the Eatwell plate, as well as portion sizes, water consumption, dentist information and activity.
Things to know about nutrition:
Remember, you are their role model. If you are an active family then that’s what they will see this as a normal thing to do and more likely to stay active as they grow. This is similar with foods and eating as well.
Where to go for more nutrition:
You can contact the 0-19 admin hub by live chat by clicking here or by giving the team a call on: 0800 170 7055 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm).
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ActivityBack up
Encourage activity and play with your child. 180 minutes (3 hours a day) is the recommended guideline. You are their role model so if you are an active family then that’s what they will see this as a normal thing to do and more likely to stay active as they grow.
Once your baby can walk you can encourage activities such as:
- Jumping
- Skipping
- Messy play
- Hide and Seek
- Hunting for treasure
- Dancing
- Hopping
- Swimming
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Dental healthBack up
Avoid sugary food and drink before bedtime. They should be consumed less often and only at mealtimes. Try sugar free, diet or no added sugar drinks. Remember, plain water or lower fat milks are best.
It’s free for kids under 18 to visit NHS dentists, so make sure you take them regularly.
Make sure your kids clean their teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste. Help them brush once before bed and once at any other time that suits you and your family.
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What should they be eating?Back up
Your child should be encouraged to eat a variety of foods from the eatwell plate the same as the rest of the family. The four main food groups are:
- bread, other cereals and potatoes
- fruit and vegetables
- milk and dairy foods
- meat, fish and alternatives (such as eggs, pulses – peas, beans and lentils – nuts and soya).
There is no need to buy portion sized foods as this is more expensive and unnecessary.
Sugary foods and drinks are not advised , but if they do have them occasionally, try to eat at meal times rather than as snacks. This will be better for their teeth and dental health is very important at this stage.
Avoid giving salt at the table and takeaway foods and also cooking with salt.
Children at this age should be drinking tap water as it’s the best option to quench their thirst and won’t damage their teeth. However, milk or diluted fruit juice (half and half) can be offered as an alternative. Stick to full fat milk until 2 years old and then semi-skimmed can be drunk.
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Useful links
This website provides trusted NHS help and advice during pregnancy, birth and parenthood.
The Eatwell Guide is one of the most well known tools to follow for recommendations on eating healthy and achieving a balanced diet – find out more by clicking here and watch the video below.
Start active, stay active: infographics on physical activity
Infographics explaining the physical activity needed for general health benefits for different age ranges.
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Parenting, play and promoting developmentBack up
Overview:
In this section we will highlight the Five to Thrive model; responsiveness, cuddles, relaxation, playing and talking behaviours.
Things to know about parenting, play and promoting development:
Normal behaviours for your child may include; periods of being quiet and alert, being unsettled and periods of crying. These are all forms of communication that is important for you to recognise.
Where to go for more information:
You can contact the 0-19 admin hub by live chat by clicking here or by giving the team a call on: 0800 170 7055 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm).
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5 to Thrive ModelBack up
Behaviour is a form of communication expressing how your child is feeling.
Normal behaviours for your baby may include the following:
- periods of being quiet and alert
- periods of being unsettled
- it is normal for your baby to cry.
It is important to note that these are all forms of communication.
Below are some behaviour tips using the five to thrive model:
RESPOND
- When your baby looks ready, hold them facing you and wait to see if they make eye contact.
- Your baby will needs lots of time to respond, so pause and wait until they are ready to engage
- Your baby may look away because too much interaction can be very intense for them. Wait for your baby to come back in their own time
- A feed - look for ‘feeding cues’ like lip smacking, sucking and ‘rooting’ (turning their head and opening their mouths - rooting is a reflex action in small babies and happens automatically if you stroke their cheek)
CUDDLE
In the unsettled state your baby may fuss, whine, arch their backs, wriggle and be more sensitive to light and noise. Sometimes your baby may show they are over stimulated through physical signs such as hiccupping, yawning, sneezing, squirming, throwing their head back or even bringing up some milk. Babies who put their hands up to their face are often tired
If your baby is in an unsettled state they may need a change of pace and might benefit from:
A cuddle, you can’t ‘spoil’ your baby, cuddles provide security and makes the world seem safe.
RELAX
In the crying state your baby will be active, often grimacing and crying intensely.
If your baby is in their crying state they may need calming. There may be special ways your baby likes to be soothed. For example:
- Do they like being held when you walk about?
- Do they enjoy soft singing?
- Do they like being close to you skin to skin?
- Do they have a favourite cuddling position?
- Do they like to suck on their fingers?
- Do they like gentle rocking in the pram?
- Do they like to have eye contact while you gently ask them what the matter is?
Sometimes babies like to be listened to in the same way as an older child who is upset.
PLAY
- Facial expressions build brain patterns for recognising feelings in self and others. As the adult follows the lead of the baby, and then alternates leading and following in copying facial expressions and accompanying gestures, this also develops turn-taking and the ability to take part in conversations.
- Tongue play (wiggling the tongue, blowing raspberries, and so on) builds brain patterns linking together tongue control, human communication and pleasure. This is pre-speech, making the baby more ready to develop speech and language.
TALK
- The very best activity for a young baby is looking at your face and listening to your voice.
- Try singing gently to your baby, then pausing and watching for their reaction, then singing some more (don’t worry if you can’t sing in tune - your baby will love hearing your voice and being close to you)
- Taking turns in interaction is really important for your baby’s development
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SafetyBack up
Overview:
Having a baby and being aware of the things around you can be difficult. You are constantly learning, evolving your skills and growing your parental instinct everyday which will help keep your baby safe as they grow and develop.
In this section we will highlight accident prevention and keeping your baby safe when you travel.
Things to know about safety:
Risk can come in many different forms and being able aware of them, will support you in preventing them from happening. Your health visitor will talk through obvious risks and advice with you, to support you in your parenting.
Being aware of the environment your baby is in and what your baby is doing can help to stop preventable accidents from happening.
Where to go for more information:
For more information about safety please click on the 'more information' section below where you will find lots of information and advice.
You can contact the 0-19 admin hub by live chat by clicking here or by giving the team a call on: 0800 170 7055 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm).
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Accidents and preventionBack up
Accidents happen, and often they happen in such a short space of time that before you can blink something has gone wrong.
When it comes to babies it is important that you keep a close eye them.
Accidents can come in all different ways and types including:
· Burns and scalds
· Choking
· Drowning
· Falls
· Strangulation
· Suffocation
· Accidental poisoning
The NHS website has some useful information and top tips to help you keep your child safe – you can access this information by clicking here.
If your child has an accident it is important to know what to do and when you need to seek medical advice, again the NHS website has a long list of information including where you can learn basic first aid on their website. Click here to read more.
Safety and pets
The Dog’s Trust has put together information about being dog smart around babies and children which you can access here.
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Extra readingBack up
NHS England provides some really useful information on baby and toddler safety. Below is a small extract regarding baby choking however to view all of their information please click here: Baby and toddler safety
Each year 40,000 under-5s are admitted to hospital following accidents and lots of these accidents are preventable.
Here is some information on how to protect your child from some of the commonest accidents that affect young children.
Food is the most common thing for babies and toddlers to choke on. Young children may also put small objects in their mouths that could cause choking.
- Keep small objects, such as buttons, coins and small toy parts, out of your baby's reach.
- Once your baby has started on solid food, always cut it up into small pieces. Babies can choke on something as small as a grape (these should be cut lengthways). Raw jelly cubes can be a choking hazard. If you're making jelly, make sure you always follow the manufacturers' instructions.
- Do not give young children hard foods, such as boiled sweets or whole nuts.
- Keep small, silver button batteries well away from small children. As well as being a choking hazard, they can cause severe internal burns if swallowed.
- Stay with your child when they're eating. Encourage them to sit still while they eat, as running around while eating could make them choke.
- Keep toys designed for older children away from babies and toddlers, as they may have small parts.
- Do not put your baby or toddler to bed with a bottle of milk or juice.
A website providing safety tips and advice for different rooms in the house; i.e. bedroom, bathroom and kitchen.
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Sun safetyBack up
Things to know about sun safety:
Keeping your baby safe whilst they are in the sun is important to protecting their skin. Without sun safety and sun protection, sun burns and dehydration can occur and could cause some serious issues for your child.
Here are some tips you can use to help with sun safety:
- If your baby’s skin is going to be exposed to sunlight use a sunscreen with a minimum 50 SPF rating to protect them.
- If you are taking your baby out in their pram do not cover their prams with any type of material as this can be very dangerous. When a pram is covered it prevents the vital movement of air around your baby so that the air they breathe out is the same air they breathe in. Without this movement of air, the recirculated air they will be breathing in will have a high percentage of carbon dioxide instead of oxygen, leaving your baby with less oxygen and potentially causing them to stop breathing all together.
What should I do if i think there is a problem?
If you have any questions or would like some more information regarding sun safety and your baby you can ask your midwife / health visitor or GP for advice.
For more information please visit NHS England website.
Keeping your baby out of strong sunlight is very important to protect their skin from the harmful UVA and UVB rays.
Protecting your baby’s skin, as well as your own skin, can be easily overlooked especially when the excitement of heading outside is builds. However, looking after your baby’s will help to keep them safe and lower the risk of sun burn and other sun related conditions.
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Dial 999 ifBack up
Dial 999 for an ambulance if your baby:
- stops breathing or turns blue
- is struggling for breath
- is unconscious or seems unaware of what's going on
- will not wake up
- has a fit for the first time, even if they seem to recover.
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SleepBack up
Overview:
Sleep is an essential part of any child’s growth and development. It promotes growth, strengthens immunity, helps with cell repair and healing and maintains physical and emotional health.
In this section we will highlight what happens during sleep, advice on getting your child to sleep and what you can do if your child is having sleep problems.
Things to know about sleep:
For many parents achieving a night of sleep can feel like the biggest goal in their lives. Sleeplessness is particularly challenging when it seems that other babies are sleeping more at night than your own. However the truth is babies are not supposed to sleep for long periods of time overnight, and have evolved to feed regularly.
This is a safety feature for babies who need to keep their small tummys topped up to ensure the nutrients they need continue to circulate in their bodies. Sometimes babies will wake for reassurance and a cuddle, and at other times for feeding. Responding to your baby means that they develop a sense of security and their self-esteem is built on knowing they are loved and cared for. Ultimately this means as your baby grows and develops he or she will feel safe and secure to sleep well.
Where to go for more information:
For more information about sleep please click on the 'more information' section below where you will find lots of information and advice.
You can contact the 0-19 admin hub by live chat by clicking here or by giving the team a call on: 0800 170 7055 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm).
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What is sleep?Back up
Sleep is an amazing brain journey, we spend about a third of our life asleep. While each person is unique, sleep follows a fairly predictable pattern that changes through life. We experience both deep and lighter sleep and even have brief awakenings during the night which are all part of ‘normal sleep’.
The benefits of sleep include
- Promotes growth
- Strengthens our immunity
- Helps our bodies repair
- Consolidates our memory and learning
- Maintains our physical and emotional health
Lack of sleep effects our general wellbeing
- Impacts on our emotional wellbeing and mood
- Physical health and coordination
- Our ability to learn new information and problem solve
This information has been taken from the NHS England website which you can access by clicking here.
If you are struggling to get your baby to sleep or for them to stay asleep please do talk to your health visitor, midwife or GP.
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Sleep cyclesBack up
During sleep your baby’s body is resting, however their brain can still be quite active. We experience two types of sleep pattern during a sleep cycle.
Typical Sleep cycles start with NREM (Non-Rapid Eye Movement) and alternate with REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep throughout the night.
NREM (Non-rapid eye movement) sleep
During this sleep pattern your baby’s brain is quiet and their body may move. NREM has three stages:
- Dozing stage when your child’s muscles relax, and their heartbeat slows
- Light Sleep where they can be woken easily
- Deep sleep when it is more difficult to wake your child up
During deep sleep your child may talk in their sleep, sleepwalk and have night terrors. Growth hormone is released in deep sleep
REM (Rapid eye movement sleep)
During this sleep pattern your child’s brain is active, their eyes can move from side to side, their muscles are relaxed, and dreams can occur including nightmares. During this period of sleep your child can be woken more easily. REM sleep is a time when your child is filtering the day’s events and their memory is strengthened.
REM is about 50% of total sleep for a newborn baby, this reduces as we grow older and REM is about 25% total sleep for adults.
Sleep scientist Matt Walker did a TED talk on what sleep which has some helpful animations to explain sleep cycles:
- Promotes growth
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Supporting good quality sleep and top tipsBack up
For a baby it is important you teach them that there is a difference between day and night. Even though they can’t understand words but creating a routine you can help them understand this difference.
During the day make sure the curtains are open, and they are stimulated with sensory play and when it comes to getting them to sleep, dim the lights and try to block out sounds that might disturb their sleep.
The NHS website has a sleep guide for babies which you can access by clicking here.
Although sleep routines will vary from family to family depending on your circumstances, the key is to try to make sure you keep the same approach each day where you can. Good sleep routines that are put in place now can help to build the foundations for positive sleep experiences later.
The Lullaby Trust has a useful website with tips, hints and information about how to improve sleep quality which you can access by clicking here.
You can watch The Lullaby Trust’s video on what bedding your baby needs below:
The team at The Lullaby Trust also have a range of sleep videos including how to monitor your baby’s temperature and co-sleeping information – you can access their YouTube channel by clicking here.
What can you do if your baby doesn’t want to sleep?
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Plans to make sleep saferBack up
Keeping babies safe, both day and night while they are sleeping is important. The points to remember are:
- Always place your baby on their back to sleep
- Keep your baby smoke free, both before and after birth
- Give your baby a clear safe sleep space in the same room as you
- Use a firm, flat, waterproof mattress in good condition
- Breastfeed your baby if you can - Any breastfeeding is shown to lower the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome/cot death
- Never sleep in a chair or sofa with your baby
- Never put your baby in bed with you if you have drunk alcohol, taken any kind of drugs, if your baby was born prematurely or of low birth weight
- Don’t let your baby get too hot, or cover their head or face. Babies don’t need hats indoors.
- Keep the sleep area free of pillows, duvets, loose bedding, toys, cot bumpers, sleep positioners, pods or nests
For more information on this important topic follow the links below:
Unicef's Caring for your Baby at Night is a great information website to give you more advice and information on safe sleeping. You can access this information by clicking here.
The Lullaby Trust have a very useful website to give your more information on safe sleeping. You can access the website by clicking here.
- Always place your baby on their back to sleep
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ToiletingBack up
Overview:
Using a potty is a new skill for your child to learn. It's best to take it slowly and go at your child's pace. Being patient with them will help them get it right, even if you sometimes feel frustrated.
In this section we will highlight top tips on toilet training.
Things to know about toileting:
Although babies poo do vary day to day, if you notice a definite change of any kind such as your You cannot force your child to use a potty. If they're not ready, you will not be able to make them use it. In time, they will want to use one – most children will not want to go to school in nappies any more than you would want them to.
In the meantime, the best thing you can do is to encourage the behaviour you want visit NHS England website.
Where to go for more information:
For more information about toileting please click here, where you will find lots of information and advice.
You can contact the 0-19 admin hub by live chat by clicking here or by giving the team a call on: 0800 170 7055 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm).
More information
Insert top tip documents:
- Top tips for consitpation
- Top tips for toilet training
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My child is 3 to 5Back up
Between the ages of 3 to five you child, or children, will be going through even more developments.
Their personalities will really come through and you will be able to hold longer conversations with them which might make you laugh, smile or have you answering the: “why?” question for what feels like forever.
In this section we have put together some information, we hope will help guide you.
If you have any concerns, make sure you talk to a healthcare professional such as your GP.
You can contact the 0-19 admin hub by live chat by clicking here or by giving the team a call on: 0800 170 7055 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm).
If you have any concerns or are worried about how you are feeling please don’t hesitate to contact The Mental Health Number where helpful Mental Health Navigators are on hand to support you, signpost you to help for you.
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ImmunisationBack up
Overview:
Your child should receive a number of immunisations to protect them from dangerous childhood diseases.
In this section we will highlight the immunsations your child needs and at what age, as well as support and advice if you miss your child’s vaccination appointment.
Things to know about immunisations:
You can get your child immunised at your GP surgery, which will usually be done by the practice nurse. They will ask a few questions and ensure your child is well and able to have their immunisations that day. If your child is unwell, you will be given a new appointment.
Please take your Personal Child Health Record ('red book') with you so your child's record can be updated.
Where to go for more information:
For further information about the Routine childhood immunisation schedule please visit NHS England website.
You can contact the 0-19 admin hub by live chat by clicking here or by giving the team a call on: 0800 170 7055 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm).
For any queries in regard to your child’s routine immunisation appointments, to amend, cancel or book an appointment for any missed immunisations please contact your GP surgery directly.
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Flu vaccinationBack up
The children's flu vaccine is offered as a yearly nasal spray to young children to help protect them against flu. Flu can be a very unpleasant illness for children, with potentially serious complications, including bronchitis and pneumonia. Vaccinating your child will not only protect them against flu but will also help protect more vulnerable friends and family by preventing the spread of flu.
The vaccination will be given by a quick and simple spray up the nose.
This is offered at your GP surgery.
You can find more information here Children's nasal flu vaccine (annual)
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Vaccination schedule - 3 years oldBack up
At 3 years and four months old you will be offered the following vaccinations:
Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, second dose
- 4-in-1 pre-school booster, given as a single jab containing vaccines against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough (pertussis) and polio
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Vaccination support
Vaccination side effects
It's natural to be concerned that your child will have a side effect after having a vaccination. While all vaccines have the potential to cause side effects in some people, the reality is that most tend to be mild and do not last longer than a few days. Some people do not get any side effects at all.
Most common side effects in babies and young children are at the site of the injection. They include:
- swelling
- redness
- a small hard lump
These symptoms usually pass within a couple of days and you do not need to do anything about them.
What if my child becomes unwell after a vaccination?
Symptoms such as swelling, redness or a small hard lump at the site of injection should pass with a couple of days and you do not need to do anything about them.
Children may sometimes develop a high temperature. If this happens, keep your child cool. Make sure they do not wear too many layers of clothes or blankets and give them plenty of cool drinks.
You can also give them a dose of infant paracetamol or ibuprofen liquid according to the instructions on the bottle.
Read an NHS leaflet about the common side effects that might occur in babies and children under 5, and how to treat them.
Anti-vaxxers movement
We know that there is information on the internet around a movement called anti-vaxxers which includes arguments such as vaccinations being linked to autism or that they overload a person’s system. This information is neither factual or has any scientific research behind it.
Vaccinations are an important and crucial way you can keep your child safe as well as helping to keep your community safe too.
Illnesses such as smallpox were driven to near extinction because people got vaccinated – unfortunately we are now starting to see an increase in certain illnesses that had been thought to be almost eradicated due to people not their vaccinating their children or themselves.
If you do have concerns about vaccinating your child we would ask that you speak to your healthcare professional – your GP, midwife or health visitor – who can help to advise you.
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Minor illnessesBack up
Overview
Minor illnesses are generally defined as medical conditions that will resolve on their own and can be reasonably self-diagnosed and managed at home with over-the-counter medications.
In this section we will highlight examples of minor illnesses and what can help them.
Things to know about minor illnesses:
There are different types of minor illnesses and your baby might pick one up, but you can speak to your GP, midwife or health visitor if you are worried.
Please note, antibiotics DO NOT work for a viral infection and if your child has a viral infection, please go to your local pharmacy for advice.
Examples of minor illnesses may include; Fever, Coughs, Colds, Teething, Headaches, Diarrhoea, Vomiting, Rashes.
Where to go for more information:
For more information about some minor ilnesses please navigate through the sections below.
You can often find that your local pharmacy will provide support and advice, however having simple treatments at home ready such as Paracetamol (Calpol) and Oral Rehydration Therapy (such as Dioralyte) can help manage symptoms such as pain, discomfort and raised temperature.
For a full list of minor illnesses and for further information please visit the NHS England Website.
You can contact the 0-19 admin hub by live chat by clicking here or by giving the team a call on: 0800 170 7055 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm).
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Common minor illnessesBack up
As your child grows and develops it's likely they might suffer from one or more of the following minor illnesses.
Usually these sort themselves out on their own, but it is important when your child is feeling poorly you keep an eye on them and let your health visitor, GP or midwife know if you have any concerns or questions.
Information on colds, coughs and ear infections
Information on Diarrohoea and vomiting
Whilst most minor illnesses do get better on their own it is also important to recognise when or if your child becomes seriously ill.
You can read more about signs and symptoms by clicking here.
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RashesBack up
Many things can cause a rash in babies and children, and they're often nothing to worry about.
NHS England have this handy visual guide on rashes which you can access here.
You can also read more about rashes in babies and children by clicking here.
If your child has a rash and they:
- have a stiff neck
- are bothered by light
- seem confused
- are shaking uncontrollably
- have a fever you can't control
- have unusually cold hands and feet
- have a rash that doesn't fade when you press a glass against it
Then immediate action is required: please go to A&E or call 999. These can be signs of meningitis.
Non-urgent advice:
Please see a GP if your child seems unwell and has a rash and a fever.
Please click here for further information on what to do if a rash appears on your baby or toddler. Please do not self-diagnose, if you are worried please see your GP
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Nutrition and physical healthBack up
Overview:
Children between the ages of two and four should be encouraged to eat a variety of foods from the eatwell plate the same as the rest of the family.
In this section we will highlight some information on the Eatwell plate, as well as portion sizes, water consumption, dentist information and activity.
Things to know about nutrition:
Remember, you are their role model. If you are an active family then that’s what they will see this as a normal thing to do and more likely to stay active as they grow. This is similar with foods and eating as well.
Where to go for more nutrition:
You can contact the 0-19 admin hub by live chat by clicking here or by giving the team a call on: 0800 170 7055 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm).
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ActivityBack up
Encourage activity and play with your child. 180 minutes (3 hours a day) is the recommended guideline. You are their role model so if you are an active family then that’s what they will see this as a normal thing to do and more likely to stay active as they grow.
Once your baby can walk you can encourage activities such as:
- Jumping
- Skipping
- Messy play
- Hide and Seek
- Hunting for treasure
- Dancing
- Hopping
- Swimming
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Dental healthBack up
Avoid sugary food and drink before bedtime. They should be consumed less often and only at mealtimes. Try sugar free, diet or no added sugar drinks. Remember, plain water or lower fat milks are best.
It’s free for kids under 18 to visit NHS dentists, so make sure you take them regularly.
Make sure your kids clean their teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste. Help them brush once before bed and once at any other time that suits you and your family.
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What should they be eatingBack up
Your child should be encouraged to eat a variety of foods from the eatwell plate the same as the rest of the family. The four main food groups are:
- bread, other cereals and potatoes
- fruit and vegetables
- milk and dairy foods
- meat, fish and alternatives (such as eggs, pulses – peas, beans and lentils – nuts and soya).
There is no need to buy portion sized foods as this is more expensive and unnecessary.
Sugary foods and drinks are not advised , but if they do have them occasionally, try to eat at meal times rather than as snacks. This will be better for their teeth and dental health is very important at this stage.
Avoid giving salt at the table and takeaway foods and also cooking with salt.
Children at this age should be drinking tap water as it’s the best option to quench their thirst and won’t damage their teeth. However, milk or diluted fruit juice (half and half) can be offered as an alternative. Stick to full fat milk until 2 years old and then semi-skimmed can be drunk.
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Useful links
This website provides trusted NHS help and advice during pregnancy, birth and parenthood.
The Eatwell Guide is one of the most well known tools to follow for recommendations on eating healthy and achieving a balanced diet – find out more by clicking here and watch the video below.
Start active, stay active: infographics on physical activity
Infographics explaining the physical activity needed for general health benefits for different age ranges.
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SafetyBack up
Overview:
Having a child and being aware of the things around you can be difficult. You are constantly learning, evolving your skills and growing your parental instinct everyday which will help keep your child safe as they grow and develop
In this section we will highlight; road safety, accident prevention and keeping your child safe when you travel.
Things to know about safety:
Risk comes in many different ways and being able aware of them, will support you in preventing them from happening. Your health visitor will talk through obvious risks and advice with you, to support you in your parenting.
Being aware of the environment your child is in and what your baby is doing can help to stop preventable accidents from happening.
Where to go for more information:
You can contact the 0-19 admin hub by live chat by clicking here or by giving the team a call on: 0800 170 7055 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm).
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Accidents and preventionBack up
Accidents happen, and often they happen in such a short space of time that before you can blink something has gone wrong.
When it comes to children it is important that you keep a close eye them.
Accidents can come in all different ways and types including:
· Burns and scalds
· Choking
· Drowning
· Falls
· Strangulation
· Suffocation
· Accidental poisoning
The NHS website has some useful information and top tips to help you keep your child safe – you can access this information by clicking here.
If your child has an accident it is important to know what to do and when you need to seek medical advice, again the NHS website has a long list of information including where you can learn basic first aid on their website. Click here to read more.
Safety and pets
The Dog’s Trust has put together information about being dog smart around babies and children which you can access here.
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Extra readingBack up
NHS England provides some really useful information on baby and toddler safety. Below is a small extract regarding baby choking however to view all of their information please click here: Baby and toddler safety
Each year 40,000 under-5s are admitted to hospital following accidents and lots of these accidents are preventable.
Here is some information on how to protect your child from some of the commonest accidents that affect young children.
Food is the most common thing for babies and toddlers to choke on. Young children may also put small objects in their mouths that could cause choking.
- Keep small objects, such as buttons, coins and small toy parts, out of your baby's reach.
- Once your baby has started on solid food, always cut it up into small pieces. Babies can choke on something as small as a grape (these should be cut lengthways). Raw jelly cubes can be a choking hazard. If you're making jelly, make sure you always follow the manufacturers' instructions.
- Do not give young children hard foods, such as boiled sweets or whole nuts.
- Keep small, silver button batteries well away from small children. As well as being a choking hazard, they can cause severe internal burns if swallowed.
- Stay with your child when they're eating. Encourage them to sit still while they eat, as running around while eating could make them choke.
- Keep toys designed for older children away from babies and toddlers, as they may have small parts.
- Do not put your baby or toddler to bed with a bottle of milk or juice.
A website providing safety tips and advice for different rooms in the house; i.e. bedroom, bathroom and kitchen.
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Travel and road safetyBack up
Car seats
All children must use a car seat until they are 12 years old or 135 cm (whichever happens first).
The recommendations for the car seat position and type of seat change as the child grows and develops. The legal requirements can be found on the GOV.UK website. Specific safety advice relating to the car seat you have must be followed in order for it to work effectively.
Keeping walking safe
When walking near a road it is a good idea to:
- hold your child's hand - don't let them run ahead
- look out for and encourage your child to be aware of hidden entrances or driveways crossing the pavement
- put reins on a younger child if they're not strapped in a pushchair
- make sure your child walks on the side of the pavement away from the traffic
- Never let your child go near a road alone or even with an older child.
- Never let children play on driveways.
Children are usually not ready to cross roads on their own until they are at least eight years old - and many will not be ready even then.
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Bike safetyBack up
Cycling is a fun, healthy, environmentally friendly and cheap so is a great option for getting around. To stay safe on your bike be considerate of the following:
- Access ‘Bikability’ either via your child’s school or find a local provider at https://bikeability.org.uk/how/ this is a free training package for children and young people using their bikes on the road.
- Wear a good quality well fitted helmet to protect your brain if you fall off your bike and hit your head.
- #before you set off make sure your bike is in good working order testing the brakes and ensureing tyres are pumped up.
- Plan routes to make sure you are choosing the safest route.
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Sun safetyBack up
Things to know about sun safety:
Keeping your child safe whilst they are in the sun is important to protecting their skin. Without sun safety and sun protection, sun burns and dehydration can occur and could cause some serious issues for your child.
If your child’s skin is going to be exposed to sunlight use a sunscreen with a minimum 50 SPF rating to protect them.
What should I do if i think there is a problem?
If you have any questions or would like some more information regarding sun safety and your baby you can ask your midwife / health visitor or GP for advice.
For more information please visit NHS England website.
Keeping your child out of strong sunlight is very important to protect their skin from the harmful UVA and UVB rays.
Protecting your child’s skin, as well as your own skin, can be easily overlooked especially when the excitement of heading outside is builds. However, looking after your child's will help to keep them safe and lower the risk of sun burn and other sun related conditions.
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Dial 999 ifBack up
Dial 999 for an ambulance if your child:
- stops breathing or turns blue
- is struggling for breath
- is unconscious or seems unaware of what's going on
- will not wake up
- has a fit for the first time, even if they seem to recover.
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SleepBack up
Overview:
Sleep is an essential part of any child’s growth and development. It promotes growth, strengthens immunity, helps with cell repair and healing and maintains physical and emotional health
In this section we will highlight what happens during sleep, advice on getting your child to sleep and what you can do if your child is having sleep problems.
Things to know about sleep:
The pre-schooler aged 3 to 5 years old will need between 11 to 13 hours of sleep. Some 3 year olds may still take a one hour nap during the day. However, after the age of 3 years, the daytime naps will fade out.
Difficulties in achieving good quality sleep can have a significant effect on the child’s general wellbeing, on mood, physical coordination and ability to learn and retain new information. Behaviour and social difficulties may result as the body struggles with lethargy, irritability and heightened emotional responses.
Where to go for more information:
You can contact the 0-19 admin hub by live chat by clicking here or by giving the team a call on: 0800 170 7055 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm).
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What is sleepBack up
Sleep is an amazing brain journey, we spend about a third of our life asleep. While each person is unique, sleep follows a fairly predictable pattern that changes through life. We experience both deep and lighter sleep and even have brief awakenings during the night which are all part of ‘normal sleep’.
The benefits of sleep include
- Promotes growth
- Strengthens our immunity
- Helps our bodies repair
- Consolidates our memory and learning
- Maintains our physical and emotional health
Lack of sleep effects our general wellbeing
- Impacts on our emotional wellbeing and mood
- Physical health and coordination
- Our ability to learn new information and problem solve
This information has been taken from the NHS England website which you can access by clicking here.
If you are struggling to get your child to sleep or for them to stay asleep please do talk to your health visitor, midwife or GP.
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Sleep cyclesBack up
During sleep your baby’s body is resting, however their brain can still be quite active. We experience two types of sleep pattern during a sleep cycle.
Typical Sleep cycles start with NREM (Non-Rapid Eye Movement) and alternate with REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep throughout the night.
NREM (Non-rapid eye movement) sleep
During this sleep pattern your baby’s brain is quiet and their body may move. NREM has three stages:
- Dozing stage when your child’s muscles relax, and their heartbeat slows
- Light Sleep where they can be woken easily
- Deep sleep when it is more difficult to wake your child up
During deep sleep your child may talk in their sleep, sleepwalk and have night terrors. Growth hormone is released in deep sleep
REM (Rapid eye movement sleep)
During this sleep pattern your child’s brain is active, their eyes can move from side to side, their muscles are relaxed, and dreams can occur including nightmares. During this period of sleep your child can be woken more easily. REM sleep is a time when your child is filtering the day’s events and their memory is strengthened.
REM is about 50% of total sleep for a newborn baby, this reduces as we grow older and REM is about 25% total sleep for adults.
Sleep scientist Matt Walker did a TED talk on what sleep which has some helpful animations to explain sleep cycles:
- Promotes growth
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How can I get my child to sleepBack up
Implementing Good Sleep Hygiene is an essential, easy way to provide an optimum environment and setting to strengthen the sleep-wake cycle and sleep associations, to help your child prepare for sleep, self-soothe to fall asleep and maintain sleep.
Good Sleep Hygiene can be divided into 4 main areas:
During the Daytime:
- Spend at least 30 minutes a day outside
- Have regular exercise such as playing in the park, cycling and/or attending an organised activity such as football or trampolining
- Ensure exercise happens early on in the day or directly after school. Avoid cardio-vascular exercise at least 4 hours before bed.
- Naps usually fade out at aged 3 years. Avoid naps after 2pm as this may affect your child’s ability to fall asleep at night.
Before Bedtime:
- No more than an hour before bed, begin the bedtime routine. Close the curtains and dim the light. The body takes ‘time givers’ from the environment to set the body clock; light is an important ‘time giver’. As the light fades, the secretion of melatonin is triggered. This is the body’s ‘sleepy hormone’. Melatonin does not maintain sleep, neither is it a sedative, it just gives the body a gentle signal that it is nearing the time for sleep.
- During the hour before bed, turn off the TV, introduce calming activities such as reading a story, puzzles, colouring or listening to soothing music. Music that is only played at bed time, helps to reinforce the association that it is nearing the time to go to sleep.
- Make sure your child is not hungry before bed. Offer a light supper such as warm milk and wholemeal toast or a yogurt. Avoid foods or drinks containing caffeine such as chocolate, coffee, tea and cola, particularly in the late afternoon and evening.
- Do not return to the lounge (or daytime room) after the evening bath. This provides an environmental cue to your child that it is ‘time for sleep’.
- It is important to maintain a consistent routine every night. This helps to strengthen the association with sleep and strengthen the body clock.
The Bedroom
- There should be no electronic equipment in the bedroom.
- Prepare the bedroom for ‘sleep’. Ensure the room is quiet and dark and free of clutter.
- Ensure the bedroom temperature is comfortable. Between 16-18 degrees is an ideal temperature.
- All toys should be put away or covered
- A comfortable bed is important
- Keep lighting low, avoid main lights
- Environmental noise should be kept to a minimum
- Remove any nocturnal pets that may interrupt sleep
Bedtime and wake-up time
- Set a bedtime to be maintained every night that is age appropriate to your child
- Maintain a consistent sleep time and wake time 7 days a week. This strengthens the body clock
Settling your child
- Once the routine is complete, avoid extending the bedtime routine, for example, one more story or one more cuddle. Say a magic phrase, such as ‘time for sleep’.
- Turn out the light- the door may be left ajar if needed.
- Leave your child to settle alone.
The Robotic Parent Return Strategy
On waking during the night, some children will ‘alert’ their parent that they are awake by crying loudly or calling out. The Robotic parent return strategy is an effective strategy to avoid interaction with the child and encourages the child to learn to self-soothe.
- Do not carry or cuddle the child, gently lead the child back to bed
- Avoid eye contact
- The only communication, if needed, Is to repeat the ‘magic phrase’ such as ‘time for sleep’
- Reward your child in the morning for a better night’s sleep with lots of praise
Main Principles to promote quality sleep for children
- Clear and consistent routines
- Maintain Good Sleep Hygiene
- Good communication: For younger children, using objects of reference, such as a sponge to indicate it is time for a bath or using a photo or visual schedule of the order of the routine may be helpful. Older children could use a written schedule or a checklist that can be used independently.
- Ensure consistent responses to behaviour. Your child will ‘push back’ on the new routine initially and you may feel that things get worse before they get better.
- Reward your child with positive re-enforcement and lots of praise for ‘a better night’
THE BODY CLOCK
The body clock signals the body when it is time to sleep and when it is time to wake. Most animals have a biological clock that governs its circadian (circ: about dian: day) rhythm. The circadian rhythm controls many of our daily functions such as temperature, hormone secretion, blood pressure, including sleep and wakefulness.
In order to keep our circadian rhythm regulated our bodies react to signals or ‘time givers’. It takes signals or ‘time givers’ from:
- Light
- Temperature
- Food
- Social activities
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Disruptions to sleepBack up
Disruption to the body clock, can be caused by a difference between weekday and weekend settling and waking times - the jet lag effect is created when a change occurs in an individual’s settling and waking times. This can often occur at the weekend if an individual goes to bed much later on a Friday and Saturday night and rises much later on a Saturday and Sunday. The result can be equivalent to travelling across a different time zone and forcing your body to wake and sleep at a different time than you are used to. This change occurs again come Monday morning when the individual’s waking and settling times are brought forward.
A shift in a child’s body clock can make them feel groggy and tired during the day. Mental and physical performance will be reduced.
A shift in a child’s body clock impacts on sleep:
- Difficulty falling asleep - by trying to sleep when the body clock is not expecting to, and it is still set on ‘wake’. This can be especially pronounced on Sunday night and continue for a few days until your child’s body clock resets itself.
- Reduced sleep time - changes in your child’s body clock can disrupt sleep and lead to reduced sleep. If it takes you longer to fall asleep, but you have to wake at a set time (which can be much earlier during weekdays), it will reduce your sleep time leading to sleep deprivation and the associated health problems.
- Difficulty waking in the morning - if your child’s body clock is set to ‘sleep’ and you are forcing it to wake up in order to get ready for school / nursery, they may feel groggy, have a headache, feel easily upset or angry, and nauseous. Reduced and fragmented sleep which is also a result of the jet lag effect will also make waking difficult.
These effects may last for a few days before your body clock resets itself. If an individual changes their sleeping and waking times every weekend, it means that they may experience prolonged sleep disruption and sleep deprivation due to constant jet lag effect. This may result in long-term mental and physical health problems.
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Useful linksBack up
Useful websites:
Book references:
DrYemula.C.Roberts.A.(2014) Sleep Problems in Children and Young People: A Simple Teaching Aid. Health Insights 4U Ltd.
Prof.Stores.G.(2009) Sleep problems in children and adolescents: the facts. Oxford University Press.
Sound Sleep. Sleep Scotland (2010) Jewel&Esk College. Edinburgh.
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My child is 5 to 7Back up
So, you have a child who is between 5 to 7 – what do you notice about them, and how do you feel?
By now you little ones will have started school and you will be watching them come along in learning and their social skills.
In this section we have put together some information, we hope will help guide you.
If you have any concerns, make sure you talk to a healthcare professional such as your GP.
You can contact the 0-19 admin hub by live chat by clicking here or by giving the team a call on: 0800 170 7055 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm).
If you have any concerns or are worried about how you are feeling please don’t hesitate to contact The Mental Health Number where helpful Mental Health Navigators are on hand to support you, signpost you to help for you.
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ImmunisationBack up
Overview:
Your child should receive a number of immunisations to protect them from dangerous childhood diseases.
In this section we will highlight the immunsations your child needs and at what age, as well as support and advice if you miss your child’s vaccination appointment.
Things to know about immunisations:
You can get your child immunised at your GP surgery, which will usually be done by the practice nurse. They will ask a few questions and ensure your child is well and able to have their immunisations that day. If your child is unwell, you will be given a new appointment.
Please take your Personal Child Health Record ('red book') with you so your child's record can be updated.
Where to go for more information:
For further information about the Routine childhood immunisation schedule please visit NHS England website.
You can contact the 0-19 admin hub by live chat by clicking here or by giving the team a call on: 0800 170 7055 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm).
For any queries in regard to your child’s routine immunisation appointments, to amend, cancel or book an appointment for any missed immunisations please contact your GP surgery directly.
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Flu vaccinationBack up
The children's flu vaccine is offered as a yearly nasal spray to young children to help protect them against flu. Flu can be a very unpleasant illness for children, with potentially serious complications, including bronchitis and pneumonia. Vaccinating your child will not only protect them against flu but will also help protect more vulnerable friends and family by preventing the spread of flu.
The vaccination will be given by a quick and simple spray up the nose.
This is offered at your GP surgery.
You can find more information here Children's nasal flu vaccine (annual)
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Vaccination support
Vaccination side effects
It's natural to be concerned that your child will have a side effect after having a vaccination. While all vaccines have the potential to cause side effects in some people, the reality is that most tend to be mild and do not last longer than a few days. Some people do not get any side effects at all.
Most common side effects in babies and young children are at the site of the injection. They include:
- swelling
- redness
- a small hard lump
These symptoms usually pass within a couple of days and you do not need to do anything about them.
What if my child becomes unwell after a vaccination?
Symptoms such as swelling, redness or a small hard lump at the site of injection should pass with a couple of days and you do not need to do anything about them.
Children may sometimes develop a high temperature. If this happens, keep your child cool. Make sure they do not wear too many layers of clothes or blankets and give them plenty of cool drinks.
You can also give them a dose of infant paracetamol or ibuprofen liquid according to the instructions on the bottle.
Read an NHS leaflet about the common side effects that might occur in babies and children under 5, and how to treat them.
Anti-vaxxers movement
We know that there is information on the internet around a movement called anti-vaxxers which includes arguments such as vaccinations being linked to autism or that they overload a person’s system. This information is neither factual or has any scientific research behind it.
Vaccinations are an important and crucial way you can keep your child safe as well as helping to keep your community safe too.
Illnesses such as smallpox were driven to near extinction because people got vaccinated – unfortunately we are now starting to see an increase in certain illnesses that had been thought to be almost eradicated due to people not their vaccinating their children or themselves.
If you do have concerns about vaccinating your child we would ask that you speak to your healthcare professional – your GP, midwife or health visitor – who can help to advise you.
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Minor illnessesBack up
Overview
Minor illnesses are generally defined as medical conditions that will resolve on their own and can be reasonably self-diagnosed and managed at home with over-the-counter medications.
In this section we will highlight examples of minor illnesses and what can help them.
Things to know about minor illnesses:
There are different types of minor illnesses and your baby might pick one up, but you can speak to your GP, midwife or health visitor if you are worried.
Please note, antibiotics DO NOT work for a viral infection and if your child has a viral infection, please go to your local pharmacy for advice.
Examples of minor illnesses may include; Fever, Coughs, Colds, Teething, Headaches, Diarrhoea, Vomiting, Rashes.
Where to go for more information:
For more information about some minor ilnesses please navigate through the sections below.
You can often find that your local pharmacy will provide support and advice, however having simple treatments at home ready such as Paracetamol (Calpol) and Oral Rehydration Therapy (such as Dioralyte) can help manage symptoms such as pain, discomfort and raised temperature.
For a full list of minor illnesses and for further information please visit the NHS England Website.
You can contact the 0-19 admin hub by live chat by clicking here or by giving the team a call on: 0800 170 7055 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm).
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Common illness informationBack up
As your child grows and develops it's likely they might suffer from one or more of the following minor illnesses.
Usually these sort themselves out on their own, but it is important when your child is feeling poorly you keep an eye on them and let your health visitor, GP or midwife know if you have any concerns or questions.
Information on colds, coughs and ear infections
Information on Diarrohoea and vomiting
Whilst most minor illnesses do get better on their own it is also important to recognise when or if your child becomes seriously ill.
You can read more about signs and symptoms by clicking here.
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Nutrition and physical wellbeingBack up
Overview:
Children between the ages of five and eleven should be encouraged to eat a variety of foods from the eatwell plate the same as the rest of the family.
In this section we will highlight some information on the Eatwell plate, as well as portion sizes, water consumption, dentist information and activity.
Things to know about nutrition:
Remember, you are their role model. If you are an active family then that’s what they will see this as a normal thing to do and more likely to stay active as they grow. This is similar with foods and eating as well.
Where to go for more nutrition:
For more information about nutrition please click on the 'more information' section below where you will find lots of information and advice.
You can contact the 0-19 admin hub by live chat by clicking here or by giving the team a call on: 0800 170 7055 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm).
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ActivityBack up
Children should be getting at least 60 minutes of activity per day. It doesn’t have to be done in one go, you can break it down over the day.
Being active has so many social, emotional and physical health benefits. It’s great to be active as a family and there are lots of things you can do together locally and we have some wonderful country parks, swimming pools and cycle routes to try.
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DentalBack up
Avoid sugary food and drink before bedtime. They should be consumed less often and only at mealtimes. Try sugar free, diet or no added sugar drinks. Remember, plain water or lower fat milks are best.
It’s free for kids under 18 to visit NHS dentists, so make sure you take them regularly.
Make sure your kids clean their teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste. Help them brush once before bed and once at any other time that suits you and your family.
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What should they eat?Back up
5-11 year olds should be encouraged to eat a variety of foods from the eatwell plate the same as the rest of the family. The 4 main food groups are:
- bread, other cereals and potatoes
- fruit and vegetables
- milk and dairy foods
- meat, fish and alternatives (such as eggs, pulses – peas, beans and lentils – nuts and soya).
There is no need to buy portion sized foods as this is more expensive and unnecessary. Children above 5 years to adults should base their meals around starchy carbohydrates for energy, such as bread and pasta.
A lot of sugary foods and drinks are not advised for young children, but if they do have them occasionally, try to keep it to a minimum. This will be better for their teeth, promote a healthy weight and overall wellbeing.
Avoid giving salt at the table and takeaway foods too often and also cooking with salt.
Children at this age should be drinking tap water as it’s the best option to quench their thirst and won’t damage their teeth. However, milk or diluted fruit juice (half and half) can be offered as an alternative.
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Useful Links
This website provides trusted NHS help and advice during pregnancy, birth and parenthood.
The Eatwell Guide is one of the most well known tools to follow for recommendations on eating healthy and achieving a balanced diet – find out more by clicking here and watch the video below.
Start active, stay active: infographics on physical activity
Infographics explaining the physical activity needed for general health benefits for different age ranges.
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Responsive parentingBack up
Overview:
At this age children will be starting at school, they may present as being moodier, more sensitive or more tired than usual. It’s exhausting having to sit still and concentrate for long periods. Your child is more aware that rules exist but will still want to challenge them, this is normal they still need to develop their understanding of why rules are in place and they still struggle to understand their feelings and emotions when things don’t go their way.
Building a positive relationship with your child is the best way to help them develop positive emotional wellbeing
In this section we will highlight things to think about regarding your child’s behaviors and how best to support and praise them positively.
Things to know about responsive parenting and behaviours:
It is worth taking time to take a few moments to think about what happened before the situation, during and after. This can help identify what is triggering the behaviour, and provide ideas on what to do differently to reduce the chance of the behaviour occurring. It can also be useful to consider what you were feleing and thinking at the time but also what your child was feeling and thinking.
Where to go for more information:
You can contact the 0-19 admin hub by live chat by clicking here or by giving the team a call on: 0800 170 7055 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm).
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Challenging behaviour and reward chartsBack up
Building a positive relationship with your child is the best way to help them develop positive emotional wellbeing. Sometimes it is difficult to understand why your child may display certain behaviours such as anger or being destructive.
It is worth taking time to take a few moments to think about what happened before the situation, during and after. This can help identify what is triggering the behaviour, and provide ideas on what to do differently to reduce the chance of the behaviour occurring. It can also be useful to consider what you were feleing and thinking at the time but also what your child was feeling and thinking.
Reward charts can work well with children for the age group of five to seven – ensure children receive “reward points” for small, realistic achievements and that the rewards at the end of the week / set time are something that provides positive re-enforcement. I.e. choosing an extra bed time story, choosing their favourite meal or a game to play. When using reward charts, rewards should not be removed once they have been earned.
Other elements to consider:
- Think about online activity and behaviours that children maybe witnessing through games and videos and how they may copy these (link into safety tab)
- Have clear rules about important matters (but keep to a minimum) be a positive role model by following these yourself
- Give more attention to your child when they are behaving sensibly rather than when they are behaving badly
- Look for the good things to praise, not criticise
- NEVER let them get what they want by misbehaving
Reacting to challenging behaviours
So what can you do to help make sure you react calmly in situations where your child may be presenting with challenging behaviours?
A useful tool suggested by NSPCC is to Take 5. This process encourages you as a parent to stop, breathe and react calmly even in the situation of your child screaming in the middle of a supermarket, for example.
Watch the video here from other parents, their experiences and the suggestions they have to dealing with challenging behaviours calmly.
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Video supportBack up
BODY SCAN EMOTIONAL COACHING
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SafetyBack up
Overview:
Having a child and being aware of the things around you can be difficult. You are constantly learning, evolving your skills and growing your parental instinct everyday which will help keep your child safe as they grow and develop
In this section we will highlight; road safety, accident prevention and keeping your child safe when you travel.
Things to know about safety:
Risk comes in many different ways and being able aware of them, will support you in preventing them from happening.
Being aware of the environment your child is in can help to stop preventable accidents from happening.
Where to go for more information:
You can contact the 0-19 admin hub by live chat by clicking here or by giving the team a call on: 0800 170 7055 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm).
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Accidents and preventionBack up
Accidents happen, and often they happen in such a short space of time that before you can blink something has gone wrong.
When it comes to children it is important that you keep a close eye them.
Accidents can come in all different ways and types including:
· Burns and scalds
· Choking
· Drowning
· Falls
· Strangulation
· Suffocation
· Accidental poisoning
The NHS website has some useful information and top tips to help you keep your child safe – you can access this information by clicking here.
If your child has an accident it is important to know what to do and when you need to seek medical advice, again the NHS website has a long list of information including where you can learn basic first aid on their website. Click here to read more.
Safety and pets
The Dog’s Trust has put together information about being dog smart around babies and children which you can access here.
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Travel and road safetyBack up
Car seats
All children must use a car seat until they are 12 years old or 135 cm (whichever happens first).
The recommendations for the car seat position and type of seat change as the child grows and develops. The legal requirements can be found on the GOV.UK website. Specific safety advice relating to the car seat you have must be followed in order for it to work effectively.
Keeping walking safe
When walking near a road it is a good idea to:
- hold your child's hand - don't let them run ahead
- look out for and encourage your child to be aware of hidden entrances or driveways crossing the pavement
- put reins on a younger child if they're not strapped in a pushchair
- make sure your child walks on the side of the pavement away from the traffic
- Never let your child go near a road alone or even with an older child.
- Never let children play on driveways.
Children are usually not ready to cross roads on their own until they are at least eight years old - and many will not be ready even then.
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Bike safetyBack up
Cycling is a fun, healthy, environmentally friendly and cheap so is a great option for getting around. To stay safe on your bike be considerate of the following:
- Access ‘Bikability’ either via your child’s school or find a local provider at https://bikeability.org.uk/how/ this is a free training package for children and young people using their bikes on the road.
- Wear a good quality well fitted helmet to protect your brain if you fall off your bike and hit your head.
- #before you set off make sure your bike is in good working order testing the brakes and ensureing tyres are pumped up.
- Plan routes to make sure you are choosing the safest route.
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Sun safetyBack up
Things to know about sun safety:
Keeping your child safe whilst they are in the sun is important to protecting their skin. Without sun safety and sun protection, sun burns and dehydration can occur and could cause some serious issues for your child.
If your child’s skin is going to be exposed to sunlight use a sunscreen with a minimum 50 SPF rating to protect them.
What should I do if i think there is a problem?
If you have any questions or would like some more information regarding sun safety and your baby you can ask your midwife / health visitor or GP for advice.
For more information please visit NHS England website.
Keeping your child out of strong sunlight is very important to protect their skin from the harmful UVA and UVB rays.
Protecting your child’s skin, as well as your own skin, can be easily overlooked especially when the excitement of heading outside is builds. However, looking after your child's will help to keep them safe and lower the risk of sun burn and other sun related conditions.
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Dial 999 ifBack up
Dial 999 for an ambulance if your child:
- stops breathing or turns blue
- is struggling for breath
- is unconscious or seems unaware of what's going on
- will not wake up
- has a fit for the first time, even if they seem to recover.
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SleepBack up
Overview:
Sleep is an essential part of any child’s growth and development. It promotes growth, strengthens immunity, helps with cell repair and healing and maintains physical and emotional health
In this section we will highlight what happens during sleep, advice on getting your child to sleep and what you can do if your child is having sleep problems.
Things to know about sleep:
Primary school children 5 to 12 years old will need between 9 and 11 hours of sleep.
Difficulties in achieving good quality sleep can have a significant effect on the child’s general wellbeing, on mood, physical coordination and ability to learn and retain new information. Behaviour and social difficulties may result as the body struggles with lethargy, irritability and heightened emotional responses.
Where to go for more information:
You can contact the 0-19 admin hub by live chat by clicking here or by giving the team a call on: 0800 170 7055 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm).
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What is sleepBack up
Sleep is an amazing brain journey, we spend about a third of our life asleep. While each person is unique, sleep follows a fairly predictable pattern that changes through life. We experience both deep and lighter sleep and even have brief awakenings during the night which are all part of ‘normal sleep’.
The benefits of sleep include
- Promotes growth
- Strengthens our immunity
- Helps our bodies repair
- Consolidates our memory and learning
- Maintains our physical and emotional health
Lack of sleep effects our general wellbeing
- Impacts on our emotional wellbeing and mood
- Physical health and coordination
- Our ability to learn new information and problem solve
This information has been taken from the NHS England website which you can access by clicking here.
If you are struggling to get your child to sleep or for them to stay asleep please do talk to your health visitor, midwife or GP.
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Sleep cyclesBack up
During sleep your baby’s body is resting, however their brain can still be quite active. We experience two types of sleep pattern during a sleep cycle.
Typical Sleep cycles start with NREM (Non-Rapid Eye Movement) and alternate with REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep throughout the night.
NREM (Non-rapid eye movement) sleep
During this sleep pattern your baby’s brain is quiet and their body may move. NREM has three stages:
- Dozing stage when your child’s muscles relax, and their heartbeat slows
- Light Sleep where they can be woken easily
- Deep sleep when it is more difficult to wake your child up
During deep sleep your child may talk in their sleep, sleepwalk and have night terrors. Growth hormone is released in deep sleep
REM (Rapid eye movement sleep)
During this sleep pattern your child’s brain is active, their eyes can move from side to side, their muscles are relaxed, and dreams can occur including nightmares. During this period of sleep your child can be woken more easily. REM sleep is a time when your child is filtering the day’s events and their memory is strengthened.
REM is about 50% of total sleep for a newborn baby, this reduces as we grow older and REM is about 25% total sleep for adults.
Sleep scientist Matt Walker did a TED talk on what sleep which has some helpful animations to explain sleep cycles:
- Promotes growth
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How can I get my child to sleepBack up
Implementing Good Sleep Hygiene is an essential, easy way to provide an optimum environment and setting to strengthen the sleep-wake cycle and sleep associations, to help your child prepare for sleep, self-soothe to fall asleep and maintain sleep.
Good Sleep Hygiene can be divided into 4 main areas:
During the Daytime:
- Spend at least 30 minutes a day outside
- Have regular exercise such as playing in the park, cycling and/or attending an organised activity such as football or trampolining
- Ensure exercise happens early on in the day or directly after school. Avoid cardio-vascular exercise at least 4 hours before bed.
- Naps usually fade out at aged 3 years. Avoid naps after 2pm as this may affect your child’s ability to fall asleep at night.
Before Bedtime:
- No more than an hour before bed, begin the bedtime routine. Close the curtains and dim the light. The body takes ‘time givers’ from the environment to set the body clock; light is an important ‘time giver’. As the light fades, the secretion of melatonin is triggered. This is the body’s ‘sleepy hormone’. Melatonin does not maintain sleep, neither is it a sedative, it just gives the body a gentle signal that it is nearing the time for sleep.
- During the hour before bed, turn off the TV, introduce calming activities such as reading a story, puzzles, colouring or listening to soothing music. Music that is only played at bed time, helps to reinforce the association that it is nearing the time to go to sleep.
- Make sure your child is not hungry before bed. Offer a light supper such as warm milk and wholemeal toast or a yogurt. Avoid foods or drinks containing caffeine such as chocolate, coffee, tea and cola, particularly in the late afternoon and evening.
- Do not return to the lounge (or daytime room) after the evening bath. This provides an environmental cue to your child that it is ‘time for sleep’.
- It is important to maintain a consistent routine every night. This helps to strengthen the association with sleep and strengthen the body clock.
The Bedroom
- There should be no electronic equipment in the bedroom.
- Prepare the bedroom for ‘sleep’. Ensure the room is quiet and dark and free of clutter.
- Ensure the bedroom temperature is comfortable. Between 16-18 degrees is an ideal temperature.
- All toys should be put away or covered
- A comfortable bed is important
- Keep lighting low, avoid main lights
- Environmental noise should be kept to a minimum
- Remove any nocturnal pets that may interrupt sleep
Bedtime and wake-up time
- Set a bedtime to be maintained every night that is age appropriate to your child
- Maintain a consistent sleep time and wake time 7 days a week. This strengthens the body clock
Settling your child
- Once the routine is complete, avoid extending the bedtime routine, for example, one more story or one more cuddle. Say a magic phrase, such as ‘time for sleep’.
- Turn out the light- the door may be left ajar if needed.
- Leave your child to settle alone.
The Robotic Parent Return Strategy
On waking during the night, some children will ‘alert’ their parent that they are awake by crying loudly or calling out. The Robotic parent return strategy is an effective strategy to avoid interaction with the child and encourages the child to learn to self-soothe.
- Do not carry or cuddle the child, gently lead the child back to bed
- Avoid eye contact
- The only communication, if needed, Is to repeat the ‘magic phrase’ such as ‘time for sleep’
- Reward your child in the morning for a better night’s sleep with lots of praise
Main Principles to promote quality sleep for children
- Clear and consistent routines
- Maintain Good Sleep Hygiene
- Good communication: For younger children, using objects of reference, such as a sponge to indicate it is time for a bath or using a photo or visual schedule of the order of the routine may be helpful. Older children could use a written schedule or a checklist that can be used independently.
- Ensure consistent responses to behaviour. Your child will ‘push back’ on the new routine initially and you may feel that things get worse before they get better.
- Reward your child with positive re-enforcement and lots of praise for ‘a better night’
THE BODY CLOCK
The body clock signals the body when it is time to sleep and when it is time to wake. Most animals have a biological clock that governs its circadian (circ: about dian: day) rhythm. The circadian rhythm controls many of our daily functions such as temperature, hormone secretion, blood pressure, including sleep and wakefulness.
In order to keep our circadian rhythm regulated our bodies react to signals or ‘time givers’. It takes signals or ‘time givers’ from:
- Light
- Temperature
- Food
- Social activities
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Disruptions to sleepBack up
Disruption to the body clock, can be caused by a difference between weekday and weekend settling and waking times - the jet lag effect is created when a change occurs in an individual’s settling and waking times. This can often occur at the weekend if an individual goes to bed much later on a Friday and Saturday night and rises much later on a Saturday and Sunday. The result can be equivalent to travelling across a different time zone and forcing your body to wake and sleep at a different time than you are used to. This change occurs again come Monday morning when the individual’s waking and settling times are brought forward.
A shift in a child’s body clock can make them feel groggy and tired during the day. Mental and physical performance will be reduced.
A shift in a child’s body clock impacts on sleep:
- Difficulty falling asleep - by trying to sleep when the body clock is not expecting to, and it is still set on ‘wake’. This can be especially pronounced on Sunday night and continue for a few days until your child’s body clock resets itself.
- Reduced sleep time - changes in your child’s body clock can disrupt sleep and lead to reduced sleep. If it takes you longer to fall asleep, but you have to wake at a set time (which can be much earlier during weekdays), it will reduce your sleep time leading to sleep deprivation and the associated health problems.
- Difficulty waking in the morning - if your child’s body clock is set to ‘sleep’ and you are forcing it to wake up in order to get ready for school / nursery, they may feel groggy, have a headache, feel easily upset or angry, and nauseous. Reduced and fragmented sleep which is also a result of the jet lag effect will also make waking difficult.
These effects may last for a few days before your body clock resets itself. If an individual changes their sleeping and waking times every weekend, it means that they may experience prolonged sleep disruption and sleep deprivation due to constant jet lag effect. This may result in long-term mental and physical health problems.
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Useful linksBack up
Useful websites:
Book references:
DrYemula.C.Roberts.A.(2014) Sleep Problems in Children and Young People: A Simple Teaching Aid. Health Insights 4U Ltd.
Prof.Stores.G.(2009) Sleep problems in children and adolescents: the facts. Oxford University Press.
Sound Sleep. Sleep Scotland (2010) Jewel&Esk College. Edinburgh.
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My child is 8 to 10Back up
As you child reaches the 8 to 10-year-old mark you are going to see the changes they go through increase. With your help you child will learn and develop into the next stages of their lives.
In this section we have put together some information, we hope will help guide you.
If you have any concerns, make sure you talk to a healthcare professional such as your GP.
You can contact the 0-19 admin hub by live chat by clicking here or by giving the team a call on: 0800 170 7055 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm).
If you have any concerns or are worried about how you are feeling please don’t hesitate to contact The Mental Health Number where helpful Mental Health Navigators are on hand to support you, signpost you to help for you.
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ImmunisationBack up
Overview:
Your child should receive a number of immunisations to protect them from dangerous childhood diseases.
In this section we will highlight the immunsations your child needs and at what age, as well as support and advice if you miss your child’s vaccination appointment.
Things to know about immunisations:
You can get your child immunised at your GP surgery, which will usually be done by the practice nurse. They will ask a few questions and ensure your child is well and able to have their immunisations that day. If your child is unwell, you will be given a new appointment.
Please take your Personal Child Health Record ('red book') with you so your child's record can be updated.
Where to go for more information:
For further information about the Routine childhood immunisation schedule please visit NHS England website.
You can contact the 0-19 admin hub by live chat by clicking here or by giving the team a call on: 0800 170 7055 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm).
For any queries in regard to your child’s routine immunisation appointments, to amend, cancel or book an appointment for any missed immunisations please contact your GP surgery directly.
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Flu vaccinationBack up
The children's flu vaccine is offered as a yearly nasal spray to young children to help protect them against flu. Flu can be a very unpleasant illness for children, with potentially serious complications, including bronchitis and pneumonia. Vaccinating your child will not only protect them against flu but will also help protect more vulnerable friends and family by preventing the spread of flu.
The vaccination will be given by a quick and simple spray up the nose.
This is offered at your GP surgery.
You can find more information here Children's nasal flu vaccine (annual)
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Vaccination support
Vaccination side effects
It's natural to be concerned that your child will have a side effect after having a vaccination. While all vaccines have the potential to cause side effects in some people, the reality is that most tend to be mild and do not last longer than a few days. Some people do not get any side effects at all.
Most common side effects in babies and young children are at the site of the injection. They include:
- swelling
- redness
- a small hard lump
These symptoms usually pass within a couple of days and you do not need to do anything about them.
What if my child becomes unwell after a vaccination?
Symptoms such as swelling, redness or a small hard lump at the site of injection should pass with a couple of days and you do not need to do anything about them.
Children may sometimes develop a high temperature. If this happens, keep your child cool. Make sure they do not wear too many layers of clothes or blankets and give them plenty of cool drinks.
You can also give them a dose of infant paracetamol or ibuprofen liquid according to the instructions on the bottle.
Read an NHS leaflet about the common side effects that might occur in babies and children under 5, and how to treat them.
Anti-vaxxers movement
We know that there is information on the internet around a movement called anti-vaxxers which includes arguments such as vaccinations being linked to autism or that they overload a person’s system. This information is neither factual or has any scientific research behind it.
Vaccinations are an important and crucial way you can keep your child safe as well as helping to keep your community safe too.
Illnesses such as smallpox were driven to near extinction because people got vaccinated – unfortunately we are now starting to see an increase in certain illnesses that had been thought to be almost eradicated due to people not their vaccinating their children or themselves.
If you do have concerns about vaccinating your child we would ask that you speak to your healthcare professional – your GP, midwife or health visitor – who can help to advise you.
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Minor illnessesBack up
Overview
Minor illnesses are generally defined as medical conditions that will resolve on their own and can be reasonably self-diagnosed and managed at home with over-the-counter medications.
In this section we will highlight examples of minor illnesses and what can help them.
Things to know about minor illnesses:
There are different types of minor illnesses and your baby might pick one up, but you can speak to your GP, midwife or health visitor if you are worried.
Please note, antibiotics DO NOT work for a viral infection and if your child has a viral infection, please go to your local pharmacy for advice.
Examples of minor illnesses may include; Fever, Coughs, Colds, Teething, Headaches, Diarrhoea, Vomiting, Rashes.
Where to go for more information:
For more information about some minor ilnesses please navigate through the sections below.
You can often find that your local pharmacy will provide support and advice, however having simple treatments at home ready such as Paracetamol (Calpol) and Oral Rehydration Therapy (such as Dioralyte) can help manage symptoms such as pain, discomfort and raised temperature.
For a full list of minor illnesses and for further information please visit the NHS England Website.
You can contact the 0-19 admin hub by live chat by clicking here or by giving the team a call on: 0800 170 7055 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm).
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Common minor illnessesBack up
As your child grows and develops it's likely they might suffer from one or more of the following minor illnesses.
Usually these sort themselves out on their own, but it is important when your child is feeling poorly you keep an eye on them and let your health visitor, GP or midwife know if you have any concerns or questions.
Information on colds, coughs and ear infections
Information on Diarrohoea and vomiting
Whilst most minor illnesses do get better on their own it is also important to recognise when or if your child becomes seriously ill.
You can read more about signs and symptoms by clicking here.
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Nutrition and physical wellbeingBack up
Overview:
Children between the ages of five and eleven should be encouraged to eat a variety of foods from the eatwell plate the same as the rest of the family.
In this section we will highlight some information on the Eatwell plate, as well as portion sizes, water consumption, dentist information and activity.
Things to know about nutrition:
Remember, you are their role model. If you are an active family then that’s what they will see this as a normal thing to do and more likely to stay active as they grow. This is similar with foods and eating as well.
Where to go for more nutrition:
For more information about nutrition please click on the 'more information' section below where you will find lots of information and advice.
You can contact the 0-19 admin hub by live chat by clicking here or by giving the team a call on: 0800 170 7055 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm).
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ActivityBack up
Children should be getting at least 60 minutes of activity per day. It doesn’t have to be done in one go, you can break it down over the day.
Being active has so many social, emotional and physical health benefits. It’s great to be active as a family and there are lots of things you can do together locally and we have some wonderful country parks, swimming pools and cycle routes to try.
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DentalBack up
Avoid sugary food and drink before bedtime. They should be consumed less often and only at mealtimes. Try sugar free, diet or no added sugar drinks. Remember, plain water or lower fat milks are best.
It’s free for kids under 18 to visit NHS dentists, so make sure you take them regularly.
Make sure your kids clean their teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste. Help them brush once before bed and once at any other time that suits you and your family.
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What should they eat?Back up
5-11 year olds should be encouraged to eat a variety of foods from the eatwell plate the same as the rest of the family. The 4 main food groups are:
- bread, other cereals and potatoes
- fruit and vegetables
- milk and dairy foods
- meat, fish and alternatives (such as eggs, pulses – peas, beans and lentils – nuts and soya).
There is no need to buy portion sized foods as this is more expensive and unnecessary. Children above 5 years to adults should base their meals around starchy carbohydrates for energy, such as bread and pasta.
A lot of sugary foods and drinks are not advised for young children, but if they do have them occasionally, try to keep it to a minimum. This will be better for their teeth, promote a healthy weight and overall wellbeing.
Avoid giving salt at the table and takeaway foods too often and also cooking with salt.
Children at this age should be drinking tap water as it’s the best option to quench their thirst and won’t damage their teeth. However, milk or diluted fruit juice (half and half) can be offered as an alternative.
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Responsive parentingBack up
Overview:
Building a positive relationship with your child is the best way to help them develop positive emotional wellbeing
In this section we will highlight things to think about regarding your child’s behaviors and how best to support and praise them positively.
Things to know about responsive parenting and behaviours:
It is worth taking time to take a few moments to think about what happened before the situation, during and after. This can help identify what is triggering the behaviour, and provide ideas on what to do differently to reduce the chance of the behaviour occurring. It can also be useful to consider what you were feeling and thinking at the time but also what your child was feeling and thinking.
Where to go for more information:
For more information about responsive parenting and behaviours please click on the 'more information' section below where you will find lots of information and advice.
You can contact the 0-19 admin hub by live chat by clicking here or by giving the team a call on: 0800 170 7055 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm).
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Challenging behaviour and reward chartsBack up
Building a positive relationship with your child is the best way to help them develop positive emotional wellbeing. Sometimes it is difficult to understand why your child may display certain behaviours such as anger or being destructive.
It is worth taking time to take a few moments to think about what happened before the situation, during and after. This can help identify what is triggering the behaviour, and provide ideas on what to do differently to reduce the chance of the behaviour occurring. It can also be useful to consider what you were feleing and thinking at the time but also what your child was feeling and thinking.
Reward charts can work well with children for the age group of five to seven – ensure children receive “reward points” for small, realistic achievements and that the rewards at the end of the week / set time are something that provides positive re-enforcement. I.e. choosing an extra bed time story, choosing their favourite meal or a game to play. When using reward charts, rewards should not be removed once they have been earned.
Other elements to consider:
- Think about online activity and behaviours that children maybe witnessing through games and videos and how they may copy these (link into safety tab)
- Have clear rules about important matters (but keep to a minimum) be a positive role model by following these yourself
- Give more attention to your child when they are behaving sensibly rather than when they are behaving badly
- Look for the good things to praise, not criticise
- NEVER let them get what they want by misbehaving
Reacting to challenging behaviours
So what can you do to help make sure you react calmly in situations where your child may be presenting with challenging behaviours?
A useful tool suggested by NSPCC is to Take 5. This process encourages you as a parent to stop, breathe and react calmly even in the situation of your child screaming in the middle of a supermarket, for example.
Watch the video here from other parents, their experiences and the suggestions they have to dealing with challenging behaviours calmly.
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Video supportBack up
BODY SCANS EMOTIONAL COACHING
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SafetyBack up
Overview:
Having a child and being aware of the things around you can be difficult. You are constantly learning, evolving your skills and growing your parental instinct everyday which will help keep your child safe as they grow and develop
In this section we will highlight; road safety, accident prevention and keeping your child safe when you travel.
Things to know about safety:
Risk comes in many different ways and being able aware of them, will support you in preventing them from happening.
Being aware of the environment your child is in can help to stop preventable accidents from happening.
Where to go for more information:
You can contact the 0-19 admin hub by live chat by clicking here or by giving the team a call on: 0800 170 7055 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm).
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Accident and preventionBack up
Accidents happen, and often they happen in such a short space of time that before you can blink something has gone wrong.
When it comes to children it is important that you keep a close eye them.
Accidents can come in all different ways and types including:
· Burns and scalds
· Choking
· Drowning
· Falls
· Strangulation
· Suffocation
· Accidental poisoning
The NHS website has some useful information and top tips to help you keep your child safe – you can access this information by clicking here.
If your child has an accident it is important to know what to do and when you need to seek medical advice, again the NHS website has a long list of information including where you can learn basic first aid on their website. Click here to read more.
Safety and pets
The Dog’s Trust has put together information about being dog smart around babies and children which you can access here.
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Travel and road safetyBack up
Car seats
All children must use a car seat until they are 12 years old or 135 cm (whichever happens first).
The recommendations for the car seat position and type of seat change as the child grows and develops. The legal requirements can be found on the GOV.UK website. Specific safety advice relating to the car seat you have must be followed in order for it to work effectively.
Keeping walking safe
When walking near a road it is a good idea to:
- hold your child's hand - don't let them run ahead
- look out for and encourage your child to be aware of hidden entrances or driveways crossing the pavement
- put reins on a younger child if they're not strapped in a pushchair
- make sure your child walks on the side of the pavement away from the traffic
- Never let your child go near a road alone or even with an older child.
- Never let children play on driveways.
Children are usually not ready to cross roads on their own until they are at least eight years old - and many will not be ready even then.
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Bike safetyBack up
Cycling is a fun, healthy, environmentally friendly and cheap so is a great option for getting around. To stay safe on your bike be considerate of the following:
- Access ‘Bikability’ either via your child’s school or find a local provider at https://bikeability.org.uk/how/ this is a free training package for children and young people using their bikes on the road.
- Wear a good quality well fitted helmet to protect your brain if you fall off your bike and hit your head.
- #before you set off make sure your bike is in good working order testing the brakes and ensureing tyres are pumped up.
- Plan routes to make sure you are choosing the safest route.
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Sun safetyBack up
Things to know about sun safety:
Keeping your child safe whilst they are in the sun is important to protecting their skin. Without sun safety and sun protection, sun burns and dehydration can occur and could cause some serious issues for your child.
If your child’s skin is going to be exposed to sunlight use a sunscreen with a minimum 50 SPF rating to protect them.
What should I do if i think there is a problem?
If you have any questions or would like some more information regarding sun safety and your baby you can ask your midwife / health visitor or GP for advice.
For more information please visit NHS England website.
Keeping your child out of strong sunlight is very important to protect their skin from the harmful UVA and UVB rays.
Protecting your child’s skin, as well as your own skin, can be easily overlooked especially when the excitement of heading outside is builds. However, looking after your child's will help to keep them safe and lower the risk of sun burn and other sun related conditions.
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Dial 999 ifBack up
Dial 999 for an ambulance if your child:
- stops breathing or turns blue
- is struggling for breath
- is unconscious or seems unaware of what's going on
- will not wake up
- has a fit for the first time, even if they seem to recover.
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SleepBack up
Overview:
Sleep is an essential part of any child’s growth and development. It promotes growth, strengthens immunity, helps with cell repair and healing and maintains physical and emotional health
In this section we will highlight what happens during sleep, advice on getting your child to sleep and what you can do if your child is having sleep problems.
Things to know about sleep:
Primary school children 5 to 12 years old will need between 9 and 11 hours of sleep.
Difficulties in achieving good quality sleep can have a significant effect on the child’s general wellbeing, on mood, physical coordination and ability to learn and retain new information. Behaviour and social difficulties may result as the body struggles with lethargy, irritability and heightened emotional responses.
Where to go for more information:
You can contact the 0-19 admin hub by live chat by clicking here or by giving the team a call on: 0800 170 7055 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm).
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What is sleepBack up
Sleep is an amazing brain journey, we spend about a third of our life asleep. While each person is unique, sleep follows a fairly predictable pattern that changes through life. We experience both deep and lighter sleep and even have brief awakenings during the night which are all part of ‘normal sleep’.
The benefits of sleep include
- Promotes growth
- Strengthens our immunity
- Helps our bodies repair
- Consolidates our memory and learning
- Maintains our physical and emotional health
Lack of sleep effects our general wellbeing
- Impacts on our emotional wellbeing and mood
- Physical health and coordination
- Our ability to learn new information and problem solve
This information has been taken from the NHS England website which you can access by clicking here.
If you are struggling to get your child to sleep or for them to stay asleep please do talk to your health visitor, midwife or GP.
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Sleep cyclesBack up
During sleep your child’s body is resting, however their brain can still be quite active. We experience two types of sleep pattern during a sleep cycle.
Typical Sleep cycles start with NREM (Non-Rapid Eye Movement) and alternate with REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep throughout the night.
NREM (Non-rapid eye movement) sleep
During this sleep pattern your child’s brain is quiet and their body may move. NREM has three stages:
- Dozing stage when your child’s muscles relax, and their heartbeat slows
- Light Sleep where they can be woken easily
- Deep sleep when it is more difficult to wake your child up
During deep sleep your child may talk in their sleep, sleepwalk and have night terrors. Growth hormone is released in deep sleep
REM (Rapid eye movement sleep)
During this sleep pattern your child’s brain is active, their eyes can move from side to side, their muscles are relaxed, and dreams can occur including nightmares. During this period of sleep your child can be woken more easily. REM sleep is a time when your child is filtering the day’s events and their memory is strengthened.
Sleep scientist Matt Walker did a TED talk on what sleep which has some helpful animations to explain sleep cycles:
- Promotes growth
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How can I get my child to sleepBack up
Implementing Good Sleep Hygiene is an essential, easy way to provide an optimum environment and setting to strengthen the sleep-wake cycle and sleep associations, to help your child prepare for sleep, self-soothe to fall asleep and maintain sleep.
Good Sleep Hygiene can be divided into 4 main areas:
During the Daytime:
- Spend at least 30 minutes a day outside
- Have regular exercise such as playing in the park, cycling and/or attending an organised activity such as football or trampolining
- Ensure exercise happens early on in the day or directly after school. Avoid cardio-vascular exercise at least 4 hours before bed.
- Naps usually fade out at aged 3 years. Avoid naps after 2pm as this may affect your child’s ability to fall asleep at night.
Before Bedtime:
- No more than an hour before bed, begin the bedtime routine. Close the curtains and dim the light. The body takes ‘time givers’ from the environment to set the body clock; light is an important ‘time giver’. As the light fades, the secretion of melatonin is triggered. This is the body’s ‘sleepy hormone’. Melatonin does not maintain sleep, neither is it a sedative, it just gives the body a gentle signal that it is nearing the time for sleep.
- During the hour before bed, turn off the TV, introduce calming activities such as reading a story, puzzles, colouring or listening to soothing music. Music that is only played at bed time, helps to reinforce the association that it is nearing the time to go to sleep.
- Make sure your child is not hungry before bed. Offer a light supper such as warm milk and wholemeal toast or a yogurt. Avoid foods or drinks containing caffeine such as chocolate, coffee, tea and cola, particularly in the late afternoon and evening.
- Do not return to the lounge (or daytime room) after the evening bath. This provides an environmental cue to your child that it is ‘time for sleep’.
- It is important to maintain a consistent routine every night. This helps to strengthen the association with sleep and strengthen the body clock.
The Bedroom
- There should be no electronic equipment in the bedroom.
- Prepare the bedroom for ‘sleep’. Ensure the room is quiet and dark and free of clutter.
- Ensure the bedroom temperature is comfortable. Between 16-18 degrees is an ideal temperature.
- All toys should be put away or covered
- A comfortable bed is important
- Keep lighting low, avoid main lights
- Environmental noise should be kept to a minimum
- Remove any nocturnal pets that may interrupt sleep
Bedtime and wake-up time
- Set a bedtime to be maintained every night that is age appropriate to your child
- Maintain a consistent sleep time and wake time 7 days a week. This strengthens the body clock
Settling your child
- Once the routine is complete, avoid extending the bedtime routine, for example, one more story or one more cuddle. Say a magic phrase, such as ‘time for sleep’.
- Turn out the light- the door may be left ajar if needed.
- Leave your child to settle alone.
The Robotic Parent Return Strategy
On waking during the night, some children will ‘alert’ their parent that they are awake by crying loudly or calling out. The Robotic parent return strategy is an effective strategy to avoid interaction with the child and encourages the child to learn to self-soothe.
- Do not carry or cuddle the child, gently lead the child back to bed
- Avoid eye contact
- The only communication, if needed, Is to repeat the ‘magic phrase’ such as ‘time for sleep’
- Reward your child in the morning for a better night’s sleep with lots of praise
Main Principles to promote quality sleep for children
- Clear and consistent routines
- Maintain Good Sleep Hygiene
- Good communication: For younger children, using objects of reference, such as a sponge to indicate it is time for a bath or using a photo or visual schedule of the order of the routine may be helpful. Older children could use a written schedule or a checklist that can be used independently.
- Ensure consistent responses to behaviour. Your child will ‘push back’ on the new routine initially and you may feel that things get worse before they get better.
- Reward your child with positive re-enforcement and lots of praise for ‘a better night’
THE BODY CLOCK
The body clock signals the body when it is time to sleep and when it is time to wake. Most animals have a biological clock that governs its circadian (circ: about dian: day) rhythm. The circadian rhythm controls many of our daily functions such as temperature, hormone secretion, blood pressure, including sleep and wakefulness.
In order to keep our circadian rhythm regulated our bodies react to signals or ‘time givers’. It takes signals or ‘time givers’ from:
- Light
- Temperature
- Food
- Social activities
-
Disruptions to sleepBack up
Disruption to the body clock, can be caused by a difference between weekday and weekend settling and waking times - the jet lag effect is created when a change occurs in an individual’s settling and waking times. This can often occur at the weekend if an individual goes to bed much later on a Friday and Saturday night and rises much later on a Saturday and Sunday. The result can be equivalent to travelling across a different time zone and forcing your body to wake and sleep at a different time than you are used to. This change occurs again come Monday morning when the individual’s waking and settling times are brought forward.
A shift in a child’s body clock can make them feel groggy and tired during the day. Mental and physical performance will be reduced.
A shift in a child’s body clock impacts on sleep:
- Difficulty falling asleep - by trying to sleep when the body clock is not expecting to, and it is still set on ‘wake’. This can be especially pronounced on Sunday night and continue for a few days until your child’s body clock resets itself.
- Reduced sleep time - changes in your child’s body clock can disrupt sleep and lead to reduced sleep. If it takes you longer to fall asleep, but you have to wake at a set time (which can be much earlier during weekdays), it will reduce your sleep time leading to sleep deprivation and the associated health problems.
- Difficulty waking in the morning - if your child’s body clock is set to ‘sleep’ and you are forcing it to wake up in order to get ready for school / nursery, they may feel groggy, have a headache, feel easily upset or angry, and nauseous. Reduced and fragmented sleep which is also a result of the jet lag effect will also make waking difficult.
These effects may last for a few days before your body clock resets itself. If an individual changes their sleeping and waking times every weekend, it means that they may experience prolonged sleep disruption and sleep deprivation due to constant jet lag effect. This may result in long-term mental and physical health problems.
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Useful linksBack up
Useful websites:
Book references:
DrYemula.C.Roberts.A.(2014) Sleep Problems in Children and Young People: A Simple Teaching Aid. Health Insights 4U Ltd.
Prof.Stores.G.(2009) Sleep problems in children and adolescents: the facts. Oxford University Press.
Sound Sleep. Sleep Scotland (2010) Jewel&Esk College. Edinburgh.
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My child is 10 to 12Back up
You have a pre-teen and with that there are many new adventures and challenges you might face as a family.
In this section we have put together some information, we hope will help guide you.
If you have any concerns, make sure you talk to a healthcare professional such as your GP.
You can contact the 0-19 admin hub by live chat by clicking here or by giving the team a call on: 0800 170 7055 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm).
If you have any concerns or are worried about how you are feeling please don’t hesitate to contact The Mental Health Number where helpful Mental Health Navigators are on hand to support you, signpost you to help for you.
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ImmunisationBack up
Overview:
Your child should receive a number of immunisations to protect them from dangerous childhood diseases.
In this section we will highlight the immunsations your child needs and at what age, as well as support and advice if you miss your child’s vaccination appointment.
Things to know about immunisations:
You can get your child immunised at your GP surgery, which will usually be done by the practice nurse. They will ask a few questions and ensure your child is well and able to have their immunisations that day. If your child is unwell, you will be given a new appointment.
Please take your Personal Child Health Record ('red book') with you so your child's record can be updated.
Where to go for more information:
For further information about the Routine childhood immunisation schedule please visit NHS England website.
You can contact the 0-19 admin hub by live chat by clicking here or by giving the team a call on: 0800 170 7055 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm).
For any queries in regard to your child’s routine immunisation appointments, to amend, cancel or book an appointment for any missed immunisations please contact your GP surgery directly.
More information
Who delivers the vaccines to my child?
The school nursing team supported by a team of Immunisation Nurses and support staff deliver the routine national immunisation programme to school aged children. This includes children who may be home schooled, and others not in school.
Vaccine consent
What consent is needed for my child to have a vaccine?
Consent for vaccinations is initially required from parents. The decision to have the vaccination is legally the young persons. However, the nurse would much rather have the parents’ permission as well. If we do not receive a completed consent form before the vaccination session, we will look to offer the young person the opportunity to self-consent on the day (secondary school vaccinations only). This is in line with the Gillick Competency Framework.
I do not consent for my child to receive the vaccine
Please be assured if we receive a written refusal of consent we will not vaccinate your child. However, we do have a duty of care to advise your child where they may be able to access the vaccine if they choose to have it at a later date.
Need to know more?
We also like to record vaccine refusals from both young people and parents to ensure their health records are update and to identify any concerns that are highlighted. If you are unsure about having the vaccinations or if you would like to discuss anything further, please contact the school nursing team on 0300 111 1022 (option 4)
What happens if my child has missed the vaccination?
The school nursing team can also provide catch up clinics for any child or young person who missed the above vaccination in school.
If your child has missed their immunisation in school or is home educated, you can bring them to one of our community immunisation clinics. We have clinics across county and you are able to book into any clinic that is convenient to you. Please contact us on 0300 111 1022 (option 4)
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Vaccination scheduleBack up
The school nursing team offer the following vaccinations in Secondary school:
HPV vaccinations in Year 8 (2 doses, 6 months apart)
HPV vaccine From September 2019, all 12 and 13-year-olds in school Year 8 will be offered on the NHS the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.
It helps protect against cancers caused by HPV, including:
- Cervical cancer
- Some mouth and throat (head and neck) cancers
- Some cancers of the anal and genital areas
As well as protecting against 90% of genital warts.
In England, girls and boys aged 12 to 13 years will be routinely offered their HPV vaccinations when they're in school Year 8. It's important to have both doses to be protected.
When will the vaccinations take place?
Immunisation dates:
- HPV Vaccinations September :(1st dose) April-June (2nd dose)
- Flu vaccinations: October - December
- Teenage booster vaccinations: Feb- March.
The school nursing team will visit your child’s school once to offer the vaccinations. A consent form (paper or e-consent) will be sent home approximately two to four weeks prior to the planned immunisation session. (For exact dates of Immunisation sessions please check with your child’s school calendar.)
Men ACWY and DTP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Polio) vaccinations in Year 9
Men ACWY vaccine The Men ACWY vaccine is given by a single vaccine and protects against four different strains of meningococcal bacteria that cause meningitis and blood poisoning (septicaemia): A, C, W, and Y.
3-in-1 teenage booster (DTP) The teenage booster, also known as the three-in-one or the Td/IPV vaccine. It is a single vaccine given to boost protection against 3 separate diseases: tetanus, diphtheria and polio.
This Immunisations for Young People Guide outlines and explains these vaccinations and why they are needed.
Immunisation dates:
- HPV Vaccinations September :(1st dose) April-June (2nd dose)
- Flu vaccinations: October - December
- Teenage booster vaccinations: Feb- March.
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Flu vaccinationBack up
The children's flu vaccine is offered as a yearly nasal spray to young children to help protect them against flu. Flu can be a very unpleasant illness for children, with potentially serious complications, including bronchitis and pneumonia. Vaccinating your child will not only protect them against flu but will also help protect more vulnerable friends and family by preventing the spread of flu.
The vaccination will be given by a quick and simple spray up the nose.
This is offered at your GP surgery.
You can find more information here Children's nasal flu vaccine (annual)
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Vaccination support
Vaccination side effects
It's natural to be concerned that your child will have a side effect after having a vaccination. While all vaccines have the potential to cause side effects in some people, the reality is that most tend to be mild and do not last longer than a few days. Some people do not get any side effects at all.
Most common side effects in babies and young children are at the site of the injection. They include:
- swelling
- redness
- a small hard lump
These symptoms usually pass within a couple of days and you do not need to do anything about them.
What if my child becomes unwell after a vaccination?
Symptoms such as swelling, redness or a small hard lump at the site of injection should pass with a couple of days and you do not need to do anything about them.
Children may sometimes develop a high temperature. If this happens, keep your child cool. Make sure they do not wear too many layers of clothes or blankets and give them plenty of cool drinks.
You can also give them a dose of infant paracetamol or ibuprofen liquid according to the instructions on the bottle.
Read an NHS leaflet about the common side effects that might occur in babies and children under 5, and how to treat them.
Anti-vaxxers movement
We know that there is information on the internet around a movement called anti-vaxxers which includes arguments such as vaccinations being linked to autism or that they overload a person’s system. This information is neither factual or has any scientific research behind it.
Vaccinations are an important and crucial way you can keep your child safe as well as helping to keep your community safe too.
Illnesses such as smallpox were driven to near extinction because people got vaccinated – unfortunately we are now starting to see an increase in certain illnesses that had been thought to be almost eradicated due to people not their vaccinating their children or themselves.
If you do have concerns about vaccinating your child we would ask that you speak to your healthcare professional – your GP, midwife or health visitor – who can help to advise you.
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Minor illnessessBack up
Overview
Minor illnesses are generally defined as medical conditions that will resolve on their own and can be reasonably self-diagnosed and managed at home with over-the-counter medications.
In this section we will highlight examples of minor illnesses and what can help them.
Things to know about minor illnesses:
There are different types of minor illnesses and your baby might pick one up, but you can speak to your GP, midwife or health visitor if you are worried.
Please note, antibiotics DO NOT work for a viral infection and if your child has a viral infection, please go to your local pharmacy for advice.
Examples of minor illnesses may include; Fever, Coughs, Colds, Teething, Headaches, Diarrhoea, Vomiting, Rashes.
Where to go for more information:
For more information about some minor ilnesses please navigate through the sections below.
You can often find that your local pharmacy will provide support and advice, however having simple treatments at home ready such as Paracetamol (Calpol) and Oral Rehydration Therapy (such as Dioralyte) can help manage symptoms such as pain, discomfort and raised temperature.
For a full list of minor illnesses and for further information please visit the NHS England Website.
You can contact the 0-19 admin hub by live chat by clicking here or by giving the team a call on: 0800 170 7055 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm).
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Common illnesses informationBack up
As your child grows and develops it's likely they might suffer from one or more of the following minor illnesses.
Usually these sort themselves out on their own, but it is important when your child is feeling poorly you keep an eye on them and let your health visitor, GP or midwife know if you have any concerns or questions.
Information on colds, coughs and ear infections
Information on Diarrohoea and vomiting
Whilst most minor illnesses do get better on their own it is also important to recognise when or if your child becomes seriously ill.
You can read more about signs and symptoms by clicking here.
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Nutrition and physical wellbeingBack up
Overview:
Children should be encouraged to eat a variety of foods from the eatwell plate the same as the rest of the family.
In this section we will highlight some information on the Eatwell plate, as well as portion sizes, water consumption, dentist information and activity.
Things to know about nutrition:
Remember, you are their role model. If you are an active family then that’s what they will see this as a normal thing to do and more likely to stay active as they grow. This is similar with foods and eating as well.
Where to go for more nutrition:
For more information about nutrition please click on the 'more information' section below where you will find lots of information and advice.
You can contact the 0-19 admin hub by live chat by clicking here or by giving the team a call on: 0800 170 7055 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm).
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ActivityBack up
Children should be getting at least 60 minutes of activity per day. It doesn’t have to be done in one go, you can break it down over the day.
Being active has so many social, emotional and physical health benefits. It’s great to be active as a family and there are lots of things you can do together locally and we have some wonderful country parks, swimming pools and cycle routes to try.
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DentalBack up
Avoid sugary food and drink before bedtime. They should be consumed less often and only at mealtimes. Try sugar free, diet or no added sugar drinks. Remember, plain water or lower fat milks are best.
It’s free for kids under 18 to visit NHS dentists, so make sure you take them regularly.
Make sure your kids clean their teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste. Help them brush once before bed and once at any other time that suits you and your family.
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What should they eat?Back up
Children should be encouraged to eat a variety of foods from the eatwell plate the same as the rest of the family. The 4 main food groups are:
- bread, other cereals and potatoes
- fruit and vegetables
- milk and dairy foods
- meat, fish and alternatives (such as eggs, pulses – peas, beans and lentils – nuts and soya).
There is no need to buy portion sized foods as this is more expensive and unnecessary. Children above 5 years to adults should base their meals around starchy carbohydrates for energy, such as bread and pasta.
A lot of sugary foods and drinks are not advised for young children, but if they do have them occasionally, try to keep it to a minimum. This will be better for their teeth, promote a healthy weight and overall wellbeing.
Avoid giving salt at the table and takeaway foods too often and also cooking with salt.
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PubertyBack up
Overview:
As part of puberty, your children's brains undergo lots of changes and rewiring too which mean their feelings and emotions can feel a bit out of control.
In this section we will highlight; puberty and what happens, menstruation and periods.
Things to know about puberty and adolescent development:
Puberty is the term we use for when our bodies physically change from a child’s body to an adult’s body. This happens over a number of years and can start from as young as 9 or 10 up until the age of 18 to 20.
There are lots of resources to help parents, children and young people talk about these changes and it is important to stress the changes are “normal” and happen to everyone, just that we cannot predict when these will occur. Please see useful information here.
Where to go for more information:
For more information about puberty and adolescent development please click on the 'more information' section below where you will find lots of information and advice.
You can contact the 0-19 admin hub by live chat by clicking here or by giving the team a call on: 0800 170 7055 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm).
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More informationBack up
The Relate website has some useful information and tips on talking to your children around a full range of issues from relationships to drugs and alcohol and managing behaviours:
Whatever the type of relationship you are in it is important to make sure it is healthy and that you know how to access services to support your physical / sexual health.
www.fpa.org.uk/sites/default/files/is-this-love-non-printing.pdf
thelowdown.info/ Has lots of information about relationships and sexual health.
Your practice nurse / family doctor can advise you around contraception and further information is available via our sexual health team at: www.nhft.nhs.uk/sexual-health
It is also important to regularly check yourself for any “unusual” lumps or bumps – see the links below and if you are worried about anything contact your GP for advice.
Boys bodies Q&As https://bit.ly/2TLzgUI
Girls bodies https://bit.ly/2tmhtYu
Boys self examination and testicular cancer:
http://mvmbr.co/1jlLNMc
Breast awareness: https://bit.ly/1I0PZs1 Remember most breast lumps are harmless and both men and women can be affected by breast cancer.
Operation puberty video
As part of puberty our brains undergo lots of changes and rewiring too which mean our feelings and emotions can feel a bit out of control. It’s important to allow children and young people time to express their feelings and emotions to recognise the emotional part of the brain changes first therefore adolescence tends to be dominated by feelings as opposed to logical thinking. Allowing time for feelings to be explored and expressed, maybe in a creative way or using mindfulness helps children to develop into resilient teenagers and adolescents.
There are lots of resources available to support children and young people with their emotions, you can see more information around this on our emotional health and wellbeing tab.
Parenting teenagers can be a challenging time for parents and carers. Children and young people want more freedom to explore their environment and friendships but as parents we want to keep our children safe.
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Useful linksBack up
The Relate website has some useful information and tips on talking to your children around a full range of issues from relationships to drugs and alcohol and managing behaviours.
Breast awareness: Remember most breast lumps are harmless and both men and women can be affected by breast cancer.
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Responsive parentingBack up
Overview:
Building a positive relationship with your child is the best way to help them develop positive emotional wellbeing
In this section we will highlight things to think about regarding your child’s behaviors and how best to support and praise them positively.
Things to know about responsive parenting and behaviours:
It is worth taking time to take a few moments to think about what happened before the situation, during and after. This can help identify what is triggering the behaviour, and provide ideas on what to do differently to reduce the chance of the behaviour occurring. It can also be useful to consider what you were feeling and thinking at the time but also what your child was feeling and thinking.
Where to go for more information:
For more information about responsive parenting and behaviours please click on the 'more information' section below where you will find lots of information and advice.
If you would like to talk to a healthcare professional or your health visitor about this, please contact us on the 0-19 admin hub live chat or call us on: 0300 111 1022 (option 4).
More information
Building a positive relationship with your child is the best way to help them develop positive emotional wellbeing. Sometimes it is difficult to understand why your child may display certain behaviours such as anger or being destructive.
It is worth taking time to take a few moments to think about what happened before the situation, during and after. This can help identify what is triggering the behaviour, and provide ideas on what to do differently to reduce the chance of the behaviour occurring. It can also be useful to consider what you were feleing and thinking at the time but also what your child was feeling and thinking.
During these years your young person will be more creative and will start to think about the world in really interesting, different ways. This however may create some challenges as your child’s brain is still not fully developed and they still need your help to self-regulate. Your child’s behaviour may change dramatically. During this time your child’s brain is experiencing massive changes as it rewires, you may notice behaviours you have not seen since the toddler years … don’t panic this is normal. Your young person will become more argumentative and will push against you more. This is keeping with their adolescent adventure and their experimentation with independence. They may become more emotionally distant from you (don’t worry – they’ll come back but maybe not until they leave their teens). They will act like your opinion of them doesn’t matter but it does – as much as ever. (Daniel Siegel adolescent)
Other elements to consider:
- Think about online activity and behaviours that children maybe witnessing through games and videos and how they may copy these (link into safety tab)
- Have clear rules about important matters (but keep to a minimum) be a positive role model by following these yourself
- Give more attention to your child when they are behaving sensibly rather than when they are behaving badly
- Look for the good things to praise, not criticise
- NEVER let them get what they want by misbehaving
Reacting calmly in situations
So what can you do to help make sure you react calmly in situations where your child may be presenting with challenging behaviours?
A useful tool suggested by NSPCC is to Take 5. This process encourages you as a parent to stop, breathe and react calmly even in the situation of your child screaming in the middle of a supermarket, for example.
Watch the video here from other parents, their experiences and the suggestions they have to dealing with challenging behaviours calmly.
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Reacting calmly in situationsBack up
So what can you do to help make sure you react calmly in situations where your child may be presenting with challenging behaviours?
A useful tool suggested by NSPCC is to Take 5. This process encourages you as a parent to stop, breathe and react calmly even in the situation of your child screaming in the middle of a supermarket, for example.
Watch the video here from other parents, their experiences and the suggestions they have to dealing with challenging behaviours calmly.
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Other informationBack up
Building a positive relationship with your child is the best way to help them develop positive emotional wellbeing. Sometimes it is difficult to understand why your child may display certain behaviours such as anger or being destructive.
It is worth taking time to take a few moments to think about what happened before the situation, during and after. This can help identify what is triggering the behaviour, and provide ideas on what to do differently to reduce the chance of the behaviour occurring. It can also be useful to consider what you were feleing and thinking at the time but also what your child was feeling and thinking.
By using Respond, Connect, Relax, Play, Talk, children can identify with positive behaviours.
Other elements to consider:
- Think about online activity and behaviours that children maybe witnessing through games and videos and how they may copy these (link into safety tab)
- Have clear rules about important matters (but keep to a minimum) be a positive role model by following these yourself
- Give more attention to your child when they are behaving sensibly rather than when they are behaving badly
- Look for the good things to praise, not criticise
- NEVER let them get what they want by misbehaving
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Video supportBack up
BODY SCANS EMOTIONAL COACHING
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SafetyBack up
Overview:
As your child gets older it can feel like it is getting harder and less in your control to keep them safe.
You are doing great.Keeping conversations open with your children can help them come to you if they feel they need advice or support.
Things to know about safety:
Risk comes in many different ways and being able aware of them, will support you in preventing them from happening.
Being aware of the environment your child is in can help to stop preventable accidents from happening.
Where to go for more information:
You can contact the 0-19 admin hub by live chat by clicking here or by giving the team a call on: 0800 170 7055 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm).
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Accidents and preventionBack up
Accidents happen, and often they happen in such a short space of time that before you can blink something has gone wrong.
When it comes to children it is important that you keep a close eye them.
Accidents can come in all different ways and types including:
· Burns and scalds
· Choking
· Drowning
· Falls
· Strangulation
· Suffocation
· Accidental poisoning
The NHS website has some useful information and top tips to help you keep your child safe – you can access this information by clicking here.
If your child has an accident it is important to know what to do and when you need to seek medical advice, again the NHS website has a long list of information including where you can learn basic first aid on their website. Click here to read more.
Safety and pets
The Dog’s Trust has put together information about being dog smart around babies and children which you can access here.
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Road and travel safetyBack up
Car seats
All children must use a car seat until they are 12 years old or 135 cm (whichever happens first).
The recommendations for the car seat position and type of seat change as the child grows and develops. The legal requirements can be found on the GOV.UK website. Specific safety advice relating to the car seat you have must be followed in order for it to work effectively.
Keeping walking safe
When walking near a road it is a good idea to:
- look out for and encourage your child to be aware of hidden entrances or driveways crossing the pavement
- make sure your child walks on the side of the pavement away from the traffic
- Never let your child go near a road alone or even with an older child.
- Never let children play on driveways.
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Bike safetyBack up
Cycling is a fun, healthy, environmentally friendly and cheap so is a great option for getting around. To stay safe on your bike be considerate of the following:
- Access ‘Bikability’ either via your child’s school or find a local provider; this is a free training package for children and young people using their bikes on the road.
- Wear a good quality well fitted helmet to protect your brain if you fall off your bike and hit your head.
- Before you set off make sure your bike is in good working order testing the brakes and ensureing tyres are pumped up.
- Plan routes to make sure you are choosing the safest route.
- Access ‘Bikability’ either via your child’s school or find a local provider; this is a free training package for children and young people using their bikes on the road.
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Young people out on their ownBack up
Older children / teenagers will gain more independence so it is important that they understand how to keep themselves safe. You can help them to be independent young adults by:
- Teach them how to look and listen before and while crossing the road
- Point out that phones and friends are distracting so to take extra care to not use their phone and remove headphones when crossing the road
- Ask your young person to plan their route choosing the safest way to go
- Talk to them about not accepting lifts from people they don’t know very well
- Have conversations about staying safe when they or their peers are using alcohol or drugs. Drugs and alcohol can impair judgment and your young person should understand that it is never safe to accept a lift from someone that is under the influence
- Talk about avoiding situations where others may be using drugs or alcohol, it is important that young people think about how they can refuse and what the options available to them are. Some families use a “Text an X” arrangement with their young people – if they text an X to a parent or responsible adult they will call them and state that they need them to come home, arranging to pick them up if needed to enable them to get away from the situation they are in.
- Teach them how to look and listen before and while crossing the road
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Dial 999 ifBack up
Dial 999 for an ambulance if your child:
- stops breathing or turns blue
- is struggling for breath
- is unconscious or seems unaware of what's going on
- will not wake up
- has a fit for the first time, even if they seem to recover.
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SleepBack up
Overview:
Sleep is an essential part of any child’s growth and development. It promotes growth, strengthens immunity, helps with cell repair and healing and maintains physical and emotional health
In this section we will highlight what happens during sleep, advice on getting your child to sleep and what you can do if your child is having sleep problems.
Things to know about sleep:
Primary school children 5 to 12 years old will need between 9 and 11 hours of sleep.
Difficulties in achieving good quality sleep can have a significant effect on the child’s general wellbeing, on mood, physical coordination and ability to learn and retain new information. Behaviour and social difficulties may result as the body struggles with lethargy, irritability and heightened emotional responses.
Where to go for more information:
You can contact the 0-19 admin hub by live chat by clicking here or by giving the team a call on: 0800 170 7055 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm).
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What happens during sleepBack up
Sleep is an amazing brain journey and is crucial for brain development during childhood and adolescence. There are number of functions for sleep that include, consolidation of the memory and learning, assisting with the development of the child’s vocabulary, pronunciation and ability to remember words and sounds. It promotes growth, strengthens immunity, helps with cell repair and healing and maintains physical and emotional health
Difficulties in achieving good quality sleep can have a significant effect on the child’s general wellbeing, on mood, physical coordination and ability to learn and retain new information. Behaviour and social difficulties may result as the body struggles with lethargy, irritability and heightened emotional responses.
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Supporting sleep difficultiesBack up
It is important to rule out any medical or emotional condition that may be affecting your child’s ability to sleep.
If you have any medical concerns regarding your child, it is important that you seek expert advice and support from your GP.
Sleep difficulties may be due to behaviours. This is often seen in young children
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Limit setting: This is when the child refuses to go to bed or continually gets out of bed. The child makes demands on the parent. Such demands include, ‘one more story’, ‘I’m hungry’, ‘I need a drink’, demonstrating attention seeking behaviours that exhaust parents and result in the whole family dreading bedtime!
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Sleep-onset association: This is when the child requires intervention from a parent. For a younger child, such as rocking, and /or feeding and for both younger and older children, for a parent to be present, often lying with the child until they are asleep. Upon waking at night, the child requires the same setting in order to get back to sleep.
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Combined: The child demonstrates limit setting and sleep onset association concerns
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How you can help your child to sleepBack up
How you can help your child to sleep?
Implementing good sleep hygiene is an essential, easy way to provide an optimum environment and setting to strengthen the sleep-wake cycle and sleep associations, to help your child prepare for sleep, self-soothe to fall asleep and maintain sleep.
Good sleep hygiene can be divided into four main areas:
During the daytime:
- Spend at least 30 minutes a day outside
- Have regular exercise such as playing in the park, cycling and/or attending an organised activity such as football or trampolining
- Ensure exercise happens early on in the day or directly after school. Avoid cardio-vascular exercise at least 4 hours before bed.
- Naps usually fade out at aged 3 years. Avoid naps after 2pm as this may affect your child’s ability to fall asleep at night.
Before bedtime:
- No more than an hour before bed, begin the bedtime routine. Close the curtains and dim the light. The body takes ‘time givers’ from the environment to set the body clock; light is an important ‘time giver’. As the light fades, the secretion of melatonin is triggered. This is the body’s ‘sleepy hormone’. Melatonin does not maintain sleep, neither is it a sedative, it just gives the body a gentle signal that it is nearing the time for sleep.
- During the hour before bed, turn off the TV, introduce calming activities such as reading a story, puzzles, colouring or listening to soothing music. Music that is only played at bed time, helps to reinforce the association that it is nearing the time to go to sleep.
- Make sure your child is not hungry before bed. Offer a light supper such as warm milk and wholemeal toast or a yogurt. Avoid foods or drinks containing caffeine such as chocolate, coffee, tea and cola, particularly in the late afternoon and evening.
- Do not return to the lounge (or daytime room) after the evening bath. This provides an environmental cue to your child that it is ‘time for sleep’.
- It is important to maintain a consistent routine every night. This helps to strengthen the association with sleep and strengthen the body clock.
The Bedroom
- There should be no electronic equipment in the bedroom.
- Prepare the bedroom for ‘sleep’. Ensure the room is quiet and dark and free of clutter.
- Ensure the bedroom temperature is comfortable. Between 16-18 degrees is an ideal temperature.
- All toys should be put away or covered
- A comfortable bed is important
- Keep lighting low, avoid main lights
- Environmental noise should be kept to a minimum
- Remove any nocturnal pets that may interrupt sleep
Bedtime and wake-up time
- Set a bedtime to be maintained every night that is age appropriate to your child
- Maintain a consistent sleep time and wake time 7 days a week. This strengthens the body clock
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How to sleep wellBack up
As discussed when looking at younger children, maintaining a consistent routine and implementing Good Sleep Hygiene is essential to achieve an adequate sleep/wake cycle and quality sleep. The same principles apply to everyone, whatever their age.
However, there are some additional considerations for the teenager.
- Electronic equipment: Staying ‘connected’ is so important to teenagers. Indeed, using electronic equipment can benefit learning opportunities, social contact and keep up to date with issues around the world. However, it is important to put boundaries on their use. Particularly in the evening. Computer games can be stimulating and the light emitted from the screen can affect our ability to produce melatonin. All technology and electronic equipment should be turned off at least one hour before bed and removed from the bedroom overnight.
- Emotional Wellbeing: It is normal to ‘worry’, it can even act as a fuel to motivate us to achieve something. However, if our worries spiral out of control, this can significantly affect our ability to sleep. It is important to share any worries with an adult you trust, perhaps a parent, teacher or your school nurse. Talking about your worries early in the day and learning strategies to manage your worries and other wellbeing issues will help you to achieve good quality sleep.
- School pressures: Increasing work pressures and deadlines loom large at times. If you are finding things are becoming overwhelming, discuss this with a teacher or trusted adult. Learning to manage your workload is essential to avoid late night ‘study’ that affects your function the next day and increases your sleep debt.
- Caffeine: When feeling tired and lethargic, you may find yourself reaching for a coffee or other caffeine containing drink such as energy drinks or Cola to keep you awake. Caffeine can reduce the production of melatonin ( the sleep hormone) and is a stimulant. Avoid caffeine based foods such as those containing chocolate in the evening too.
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From adolescene to young adultBack up
The average sleep need for a teenager is 9 ¼ hours
‘I’m a teenager, it’s an important time for me, I’m preparing for exams, making new relationships, I’m developing my own values and beliefs and the ability to reason and problem solve. But I’m finding it hard to sleep. What is happening and what can I do?’
Adolescence is a time of lots of change, for the body (puberty) and the brain. During adolescence your brain goes through a time of significant development, particularly the pre-frontal cortex, that regulates your emotional responses and reasoning. The body clock changes too and can be set back by 2 hours. As a result, you feel more alert later, fall asleep later and then wake later. This is normal development but it can have a significant effect on daytime function and the ability to get up in time for school!
As seen in younger children, sleep deprivation effects learning, emotional wellbeing and physical health.
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Achieving quality sleep for teenagersBack up
- Maintain a consistent routine
- Be aware that your body clock will naturally move about 2 hours, therefore implementing Good Sleep Hygiene is essential
- Talk with your friends about agreeing a time when everyone will ‘turn off’ social media and other electronic equipment
- Share any worries or concerns. This is taking control of your emotional wellbeing and is a positive strength
- Be mindful of the stimulant effect of caffeine on the body and try and avoid after lunchtime
- Don’t keep your knowledge on sleep to yourself … tell your friends, share the amazing effect quality sleep can have on your wellbeing, helping you to reach your potential physically, emotionally and socially.
References:
DrYemula.C.Roberts.A.(2014) Sleep Problems in Children and Young People: A Simple Teaching Aid. Health Insights 4U Ltd.
Prof.Stores.G.(2009) Sleep problems in children and adolescents: the facts. Oxford University Press.
Sound Sleep. Sleep Scotland (2010) Jewel&Esk College. Edinburgh.
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Useful websites
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My child is 13 to 15Back up
It’s time for the teenage years.
As your child moves from being little to a teenager, as if suddenly before your eyes, you might experience the pull if their individuality, expressions of their personality and a yearning for independence coming in.
In this section we have put together some information, we hope will help guide you.
If you have any concerns, make sure you talk to a healthcare professional such as your GP.
You can contact the 0-19 admin hub by live chat by clicking here or by giving the team a call on: 0800 170 7055 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm).
If you have any concerns or are worried about how you are feeling please don’t hesitate to contact The Mental Health Number where helpful Mental Health Navigators are on hand to support you, signpost you to help for you.
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ImmunisationsBack up
Overview:
Your child should receive a number of immunisations to protect them from dangerous childhood diseases.
In this section we will highlight the immunsations your child needs and at what age, as well as support and advice if you miss your child’s vaccination appointment.
Things to know about immunisations:
You can get your child immunised at your GP surgery, which will usually be done by the practice nurse. They will ask a few questions and ensure your child is well and able to have their immunisations that day. If your child is unwell, you will be given a new appointment.
Please take your Personal Child Health Record ('red book') with you so your child's record can be updated.
Where to go for more information:
For further information about the Routine childhood immunisation schedule please visit NHS England website.
You can contact the 0-19 admin hub by live chat by clicking here or by giving the team a call on: 0800 170 7055 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm).
For any queries in regard to your child’s routine immunisation appointments, to amend, cancel or book an appointment for any missed immunisations please contact your GP surgery directly.
More information
Who delivers the vaccines to my child?
The school nursing team supported by a team of Immunisation Nurses and support staff deliver the routine national immunisation programme to school aged children. This includes children who may be home schooled, and others not in school.
Vaccine consent
What consent is needed for my child to have a vaccine?
Consent for vaccinations is initially required from parents. The decision to have the vaccination is legally the young persons. However, the nurse would much rather have the parents’ permission as well. If we do not receive a completed consent form before the vaccination session, we will look to offer the young person the opportunity to self-consent on the day (secondary school vaccinations only). This is in line with the Gillick Competency Framework.
I do not consent for my child to receive the vaccine
Please be assured if we receive a written refusal of consent we will not vaccinate your child. However, we do have a duty of care to advise your child where they may be able to access the vaccine if they choose to have it at a later date.
Need to know more?
We also like to record vaccine refusals from both young people and parents to ensure their health records are update and to identify any concerns that are highlighted. If you are unsure about having the vaccinations or if you would like to discuss anything further, please contact the school nursing team on 0300 111 1022 (option 4)
What happens if my child has missed the vaccination?
The school nursing team can also provide catch up clinics for any child or young person who missed the above vaccination in school.
If your child has missed their immunisation in school or is home educated, you can bring them to one of our community immunisation clinics. We have clinics across county and you are able to book into any clinic that is convenient to you. Please contact us on 0300 111 1022 (option 4)
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Vaccination scheduleBack up
The school nursing team offer the following vaccinations in Secondary school:
HPV vaccinations in Year 8 (2 doses, 6 months apart)
HPV vaccine From September 2019, all 12 and 13-year-olds in school Year 8 will be offered on the NHS the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.
It helps protect against cancers caused by HPV, including:
- Cervical cancer
- Some mouth and throat (head and neck) cancers
- Some cancers of the anal and genital areas
As well as protecting against 90% of genital warts.
In England, girls and boys aged 12 to 13 years will be routinely offered their HPV vaccinations when they're in school Year 8. It's important to have both doses to be protected.
When will the vaccinations take place?
Immunisation dates:
- HPV Vaccinations September :(1st dose) April-June (2nd dose)
- Flu vaccinations: October - December
- Teenage booster vaccinations: Feb- March.
The school nursing team will visit your child’s school once to offer the vaccinations. A consent form (paper or e-consent) will be sent home approximately two to four weeks prior to the planned immunisation session. (For exact dates of Immunisation sessions please check with your child’s school calendar.)
Men ACWY and DTP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Polio) vaccinations in Year 9
Men ACWY vaccine The Men ACWY vaccine is given by a single vaccine and protects against four different strains of meningococcal bacteria that cause meningitis and blood poisoning (septicaemia): A, C, W, and Y.
3-in-1 teenage booster (DTP) The teenage booster, also known as the three-in-one or the Td/IPV vaccine. It is a single vaccine given to boost protection against 3 separate diseases: tetanus, diphtheria and polio.
This Immunisations for Young People Guide outlines and explains these vaccinations and why they are needed.
Immunisation dates:
- HPV Vaccinations September :(1st dose) April-June (2nd dose)
- Flu vaccinations: October - December
- Teenage booster vaccinations: Feb- March.
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Vaccination support
Vaccination side effects
It's natural to be concerned that your child will have a side effect after having a vaccination. While all vaccines have the potential to cause side effects in some people, the reality is that most tend to be mild and do not last longer than a few days. Some people do not get any side effects at all.
Most common side effects in babies and young children are at the site of the injection. They include:
- swelling
- redness
- a small hard lump
These symptoms usually pass within a couple of days and you do not need to do anything about them.
What if my child becomes unwell after a vaccination?
Symptoms such as swelling, redness or a small hard lump at the site of injection should pass with a couple of days and you do not need to do anything about them.
Children may sometimes develop a high temperature. If this happens, keep your child cool. Make sure they do not wear too many layers of clothes or blankets and give them plenty of cool drinks.
You can also give them a dose of infant paracetamol or ibuprofen liquid according to the instructions on the bottle.
Read an NHS leaflet about the common side effects that might occur in babies and children under 5, and how to treat them.
Anti-vaxxers movement
We know that there is information on the internet around a movement called anti-vaxxers which includes arguments such as vaccinations being linked to autism or that they overload a person’s system. This information is neither factual or has any scientific research behind it.
Vaccinations are an important and crucial way you can keep your child safe as well as helping to keep your community safe too.
Illnesses such as smallpox were driven to near extinction because people got vaccinated – unfortunately we are now starting to see an increase in certain illnesses that had been thought to be almost eradicated due to people not their vaccinating their children or themselves.
If you do have concerns about vaccinating your child we would ask that you speak to your healthcare professional – your GP, midwife or health visitor – who can help to advise you.
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Minor illnessesBack up
Overview
Minor illnesses are generally defined as medical conditions that will resolve on their own and can be reasonably self-diagnosed and managed at home with over-the-counter medications.
In this section we will highlight examples of minor illnesses and what can help them.
Things to know about minor illnesses:
There are different types of minor illnesses and your baby might pick one up, but you can speak to your GP, midwife or health visitor if you are worried.
Please note, antibiotics DO NOT work for a viral infection and if your child has a viral infection, please go to your local pharmacy for advice.
Examples of minor illnesses may include; Fever, Coughs, Colds, Teething, Headaches, Diarrhoea, Vomiting, Rashes.
Where to go for more information:
For more information about some minor ilnesses please navigate through the sections below.
You can often find that your local pharmacy will provide support and advice, however having simple treatments at home ready such as Paracetamol (Calpol) and Oral Rehydration Therapy (such as Dioralyte) can help manage symptoms such as pain, discomfort and raised temperature.
For a full list of minor illnesses and for further information please visit the NHS England Website.
You can contact the 0-19 admin hub by live chat by clicking here or by giving the team a call on: 0800 170 7055 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm).
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Common minor illnessesBack up
As your child grows and develops it's likely they might suffer from one or more of the following minor illnesses.
Usually these sort themselves out on their own, but it is important when your child is feeling poorly you keep an eye on them and let your health visitor, GP or midwife know if you have any concerns or questions.
Information on colds, coughs and ear infections
Information on Diarrohoea and vomiting
Whilst most minor illnesses do get better on their own it is also important to recognise when or if your child becomes seriously ill.
You can read more about signs and symptoms by clicking here.
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PubertyBack up
Overview:
As part of puberty, your children's brains undergo lots of changes and rewiring too which mean their feelings and emotions can feel a bit out of control.
In this section we will highlight; puberty and what happens, menstruation and periods.
Things to know about puberty and adolescent development:
Puberty is the term we use for when our bodies physically change from a child’s body to an adult’s body. This happens over a number of years and can start from as young as 9 or 10 up until the age of 18 to 20.
There are lots of resources to help parents, children and young people talk about these changes and it is important to stress the changes are “normal” and happen to everyone, just that we cannot predict when these will occur. Please see useful information here.
Where to go for more information:
For more information about puberty and adolescent development please click on the 'more information' section below where you will find lots of information and advice.
You can contact the 0-19 admin hub by live chat by clicking here or by giving the team a call on: 0800 170 7055 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm).
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More information on pubertyBack up
The Relate website has some useful information and tips on talking to your children around a full range of issues from relationships to drugs and alcohol and managing behaviours:
Whatever the type of relationship you are in it is important to make sure it is healthy and that you know how to access services to support your physical / sexual health.
www.fpa.org.uk/sites/default/files/is-this-love-non-printing.pdf
thelowdown.info/ Has lots of information about relationships and sexual health.
Your practice nurse / family doctor can advise you around contraception and further information is available via our sexual health team at: www.nhft.nhs.uk/sexual-health
It is also important to regularly check yourself for any “unusual” lumps or bumps – see the links below and if you are worried about anything contact your GP for advice.
Boys bodies Q&As https://bit.ly/2TLzgUI
Girls bodies https://bit.ly/2tmhtYu
Boys self examination and testicular cancer:
http://mvmbr.co/1jlLNMc
Breast awareness: https://bit.ly/1I0PZs1 Remember most breast lumps are harmless and both men and women can be affected by breast cancer.
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Nutrition and physical wellbeingBack up
Overview
12 to 18 year olds are still growing throughout their teenage years so it’s very important that they consume a healthy balanced diet and are moderately active at least 60 minutes per day to promote a healthy weight and positive wellbeing.
In this section we will highlight some information on the Eatwell plate, as well as portion sizes, water consumption, dentist information and activity.
Things to know about nutrition:
Remember, you are their role model. If you are an active family then that’s what they will see this as a normal thing to do and more likely to stay active as they grow. This is similar with foods and eating as well.
Where to go for more nutrition:
For more information about nutrition please use the below tabs.
You can contact the 0-19 admin hub by live chat by clicking here or by giving the team a call on: 0800 170 7055 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm).
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What should young people be encourage to eat?Back up
Young people should be encouraged to eat a variety of foods from the eatwell plate the same as the rest of the family. The 4 main food groups are:
– bread, other cereals and potatoes
– fruit and vegetables
– milk and dairy foods
– meat, fish and alternatives (such as eggs, pulses – peas, beans and lentils – nuts and soya).
Children above 5 years to adults should base their meals around starchy carbohydrates for energy, such as bread and pasta.
A lot of sugary foods and drinks are not advised for children and young people, but if they do have them occasionally, try to keep it to a minimum. This will be better for their teeth, promote a healthy weight and overall wellbeing.
Avoid giving salt at the table and takeaway foods too often and also cooking with salt.
Young people should be encouraged to drink tap water as it’s the best option to quench their thirst and won’t damage their teeth. However as they get older and start to make their own decisions it becomes increasingly difficult to promote this. Children above 2 years can be offered semi-skimmed milk to reduce their overall fat intake. As mentioned above, aim to avoid sugary fizzy drinks as much as possible.
Energy drinks should be avoided due to the high sugar and caffeine content
https://www.nhs.uk/news/food-and-diet/warnings-issued-over-energy-drinks/
Activity
Children aged 5-18 years should be getting at least 60 minutes of activity per day. It doesn’t have to be done in one go, you can break it down over the day. Being active has so many social, emotional and physical health benefits. It’s great to be active as a family and there are lots of things you can do together locally and we have some wonderful country parks, swimming pools and cycle routes to try.
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Useful links
‘Just one Norfolk’ have pulled together some great content and advice for how to eat well in pregnancy and what to avoid.
This website provides trusted NHS help and advice during pregnancy, birth and parenthood.
The Eatwell Guide is a policy tool used to define government recommendations on eating healthily and achieving a balanced diet.
Start active, stay active: infographics on physical activity
Infographics explaining the physical activity needed for general health benefits for different age ranges.
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Responsive parentingBack up
Overview:
Sharing time with your teenager at this age continues to build on developing a positive relationship.
Things to know about responsive parenting and behaviours:
As your child / teenager grows and develops there will be decisions around changes in boundaries. Talking to them about why new boundaries are planned, whilst promoting independence will help them to co-operate more readily.
Where to go for more information:
For more information about responsive parenting and behaviours please click here where you will find lots of information and advice.
You can contact the 0-19 admin hub by live chat by clicking here or by giving the team a call on: 0800 170 7055 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm).
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Video supportBack up
BODY SCANS EMOTIONAL COACHING
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SafetyBack up
Overview:
As your child gets older it can feel like it is getting harder and less in your control to keep them safe.
You are doing great.Keeping conversations open with your children can help them come to you if they feel they need advice or support.
Things to know about safety:
Risk comes in many different ways and being able aware of them, will support you in preventing them from happening.
Being aware of the environment your child is in can help to stop preventable accidents from happening.
Where to go for more information:
You can contact the 0-19 admin hub by live chat by clicking here or by giving the team a call on: 0800 170 7055 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm).
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Accidents and preventionBack up
Accidents happen, and often they happen in such a short space of time that before you can blink something has gone wrong.
When it comes to children it is important that you keep a close eye them.
Accidents can come in all different ways and types including:
· Burns and scalds
· Choking
· Drowning
· Falls
· Strangulation
· Suffocation
· Accidental poisoning
The NHS website has some useful information and top tips to help you keep your child safe – you can access this information by clicking here.
If your child has an accident it is important to know what to do and when you need to seek medical advice, again the NHS website has a long list of information including where you can learn basic first aid on their website. Click here to read more.
Safety and pets
The Dog’s Trust has put together information about being dog smart around babies and children which you can access here.
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Online SafetyBack up
As your child gets older they may start to access the internet and spend more time with friends, independently from you or your home.
Getting older means trying new things and they may want to try new experiences that their friends are also doing.
As a parent understanding and listening to your child about their experiences and talking openly about the things that can put their safety at risk will help encourage your child to have open conversations.
Where to go for more information:
For more information about safety please click here where you will find lots of information and advice.
If you would like to talk to a healthcare professional or your health visitor about this, please contact us on the 0-19 admin hub live chat or call us on: 0300 111 1022 (option 4).
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Young people out on their ownBack up
Older children / teenagers will gain more independence so it is important that they understand how to keep themselves safe. You can help them to be independent young adults by:
- Teach them how to look and listen before and while crossing the road
- Point out that phones and friends are distracting so to take extra care to not use their phone and remove headphones when crossing the road
- Ask your young person to plan their route choosing the safest way to go
- Talk to them about not accepting lifts from people they don’t know very well
- Have conversations about staying safe when they or their peers are using alcohol or drugs. Drugs and alcohol can impair judgment and your young person should understand that it is never safe to accept a lift from someone that is under the influence
- Talk about avoiding situations where others may be using drugs or alcohol, it is important that young people think about how they can refuse and what the options available to them are. Some families use a “Text an X” arrangement with their young people – if they text an X to a parent or responsible adult they will call them and state that they need them to come home, arranging to pick them up if needed to enable them to get away from the situation they are in.
- Teach them how to look and listen before and while crossing the road
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Dial 999 ifBack up
Dial 999 for an ambulance if your child:
- stops breathing or turns blue
- is struggling for breath
- is unconscious or seems unaware of what's going on
- will not wake up
- has a fit for the first time, even if they seem to recover.
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SleepBack up
Overview
Sleep is an essential part of any child’s growth and development. It promotes growth, strengthens immunity, helps with cell repair and healing and maintains physical and emotional health
In this section we will highlight what happens during sleep, advice on getting your child to sleep and what you can do if your child is having sleep problems.
Things to know about sleep:
Difficulties in achieving good quality sleep can have a significant effect on the child’s general wellbeing, on mood, physical coordination and ability to learn and retain new information. Behaviour and social difficulties may result as the body struggles with lethargy, irritability and heightened emotional responses.
Where to go for more information:
You can contact the 0-19 admin hub by live chat by clicking here or by giving the team a call on: 0800 170 7055 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm).
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What is sleepBack up
Sleep is an amazing brain journey, we spend about a third of our life asleep. While each person is unique, sleep follows a fairly predictable pattern that changes through life. We experience both deep and lighter sleep and even have brief awakenings during the night which are all part of ‘normal sleep’.
The benefits of sleep include
- Promotes growth
- Strengthens our immunity
- Helps our bodies repair
- Consolidates our memory and learning
- Maintains our physical and emotional health
Lack of sleep effects our general wellbeing
- Impacts on our emotional wellbeing and mood
- Physical health and coordination
- Our ability to learn new information and problem solve
Other information
The body clock
The body clock signals the body when it is time to sleep and when it is time to wake. Most animals have a biological clock that governs its circadian (circ: about dian: day) rhythm. The circadian rhythm controls many of our daily functions such as temperature, hormone secretion, blood pressure, including sleep and wakefulness.
In order to keep our circadian rhythm regulated our bodies react to signals or ‘time givers’
It takes signals or ‘time givers’ from
- Light
- Temperature
- Food
- Social activities
Disruption to the body clock, can be caused by a difference between weekday and weekend settling and waking times - the jet lag effect is created when a change occurs in an individual’s settling and waking times. This can often occur at the weekend if an individual goes to bed much later on a Friday and Saturday night and rises much later on a Saturday and Sunday. The result can be equivalent to travelling across a different time zone and forcing your body to wake and sleep at a different time than you are used to. This change occurs again come Monday morning when the individual’s waking and settling times are brought forward.
A shift in a child’s body clock can make them feel groggy and tired during the day. Mental and physical performance will be reduced.
A shift in a child’s body clock impacts on sleep:
- Difficulty falling asleep - by trying to sleep when the body clock is not expecting to, and it is still set on ‘wake’. This can be especially pronounced on Sunday night and continue for a few days until your child’s body clock resets itself.
- Reduced sleep time - changes in your child’s body clock can disrupt sleep and lead to reduced sleep. If it takes you longer to fall asleep, but you have to wake at a set time (which can be much earlier during weekdays), it will reduce your sleep time leading to sleep deprivation and the associated health problems.
- Difficulty waking in the morning - if your child’s body clock is set to ‘sleep’ and you are forcing it to wake up in order to get ready for school / nursery, they may feel groggy, have a headache, feel easily upset or angry, and nauseous. Reduced and fragmented sleep which is also a result of the jet lag effect will also make waking difficult.
These effects may last for a few days before your body clock resets itself. If an individual changes their sleeping and waking times every weekend, it means that they may experience prolonged sleep disruption and sleep deprivation due to constant jet lag effect. This may result in long-term mental and physical health problems.
Melatonin sleep hormone
Melatonin is also known as the ‘sleep hormone’. It is naturally produced and is triggered when the light level falls. The fading light is detected by the retina of the eye which in turn triggers the pineal gland to secrete melatonin.
Melatonin does not maintain sleep, rather it is a regulator, signalling to the body it is time to settle from the busy activities of the day, thereby promoting sleep.
Certain foods provide a natural source of melatonin and include, pineapple and orange juice, oats, sweetcorn, rice, ginger, barley and tomatoes
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Sleep cyclesBack up
During sleep your child’s body is resting, however their brain can still be quite active. We experience two types of sleep pattern during a sleep cycle.
Typical Sleep cycles start with NREM (Non-Rapid Eye Movement) and alternate with REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep throughout the night.
NREM (Non-rapid eye movement) sleep
During this sleep pattern your child’s brain is quiet and their body may move. NREM has three stages:
- Dozing stage when your child’s muscles relax, and their heartbeat slows
- Light Sleep where they can be woken easily
- Deep sleep when it is more difficult to wake your child up
During deep sleep your child may talk in their sleep, sleepwalk and have night terrors. Growth hormone is released in deep sleep
REM (Rapid eye movement sleep)
During this sleep pattern your child’s brain is active, their eyes can move from side to side, their muscles are relaxed, and dreams can occur including nightmares. During this period of sleep your child can be woken more easily. REM sleep is a time when your child is filtering the day’s events and their memory is strengthened.
Sleep scientist Matt Walker did a TED talk on what sleep which has some helpful animations to explain sleep cycles:
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Sleep as a teenagerBack up
From Adolescence to Young Adult
The average sleep need for a teenager is 9 ¼ hours
‘I’m a teenager, it’s an important time for me, I’m preparing for exams, making new relationships, I’m developing my own values and beliefs and the ability to reason and problem solve. But I’m finding it hard to sleep. What is happening and what can I do?’
Adolescence is a time of lots of change, for the body (puberty) and the brain. During adolescence your brain goes through a time of significant development, particularly the pre-frontal cortex, that regulates your emotional responses and reasoning. The body clock changes too and can be set back by 2 hours. As a result, you feel more alert later, fall asleep later and then wake later. This is normal development but it can have a significant effect on daytime function and the ability to get up in time for school!
As seen in younger children, sleep deprivation effects learning, emotional wellbeing and physical health.
How to sleep well through the incredible teenage years
As discussed when looking at younger children, maintaining a consistent routine and implementing Good Sleep Hygiene is essential to achieve an adequate sleep/wake cycle and quality sleep. The same principles apply to everyone, whatever their age.
However, there are some additional considerations for the teenager.
- Electronic equipment: Staying ‘connected’ is so important to teenagers. Indeed, using electronic equipment can benefit learning opportunities, social contact and keep up to date with issues around the world. However, it is important to put boundaries on their use. Particularly in the evening. Computer games can be stimulating and the light emitted from the screen can affect our ability to produce melatonin. All technology and electronic equipment should be turned off at least one hour before bed and removed from the bedroom overnight.
- Emotional Wellbeing: It is normal to ‘worry’, it can even act as a fuel to motivate us to achieve something. However, if our worries spiral out of control, this can significantly affect our ability to sleep. It is important to share any worries with an adult you trust, perhaps a parent, teacher or your school nurse. Talking about your worries early in the day and learning strategies to manage your worries and other wellbeing issues will help you to achieve good quality sleep.
- School pressures: Increasing work pressures and deadlines loom large at times. If you are finding things are becoming overwhelming, discuss this with a teacher or trusted adult. Learning to manage your workload is essential to avoid late night ‘study’ that affects your function the next day and increases your sleep debt.
- Caffeine: When feeling tired and lethargic, you may find yourself reaching for a coffee or other caffeine containing drink such as energy drinks or Cola to keep you awake. Caffeine can reduce the production of melatonin ( the sleep hormone) and is a stimulant. Avoid caffeine based foods such as those containing chocolate in the evening too.
Main Principles for achieving quality sleep for teenagers
- Maintain a consistent routine
- Be aware that your body clock will naturally move about 2 hours, therefore implementing Good Sleep Hygiene is essential
- Talk with your friends about agreeing a time when everyone will ‘turn off’ social media and other electronic equipment
- Share any worries or concerns. This is taking control of your emotional wellbeing and is a positive strength
- Be mindful of the stimulant effect of caffeine on the body and try and avoid after lunchtime
- Don’t keep your knowledge on sleep to yourself … tell your friends, share the amazing effect quality sleep can have on your wellbeing, helping you to reach your potential physically, emotionally and socially.
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Promoting good quality sleepBack up
Essential elements to promote quality sleep:
Good sleep hygiene requires consistent routines that are maintained, routines are important for children and make them feel safe and secure. Sleep routines will vary from family to family depending on your circumstances, the key is making sure you are consistent with your approach, Below is an example of a sleep routine however you can tailor this depending on your family’s circumstances and child’s age.
Remember babies and young children need their parent close and we would not expect them to self sooth as they need their care giver close to reinforce secure attachments and contain their emotions. However good sleep hygiene is still important within the home as this can lay the foundations for positive sleep experiences later. Positive re-enforcement and lots of praise is also essential for children to support routines within the home.
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Useful linksBack up
Books:
DrYemula.C.Roberts.A.(2014) Sleep Problems in Children and Young People: A Simple Teaching Aid. Health Insights 4U Ltd.
Prof.Stores.G.(2009) Sleep problems in children and adolescents: the facts. Oxford University Press.
Sound Sleep. Sleep Scotland (2010) Jewel&Esk College. Edinburgh.
Useful websites:
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My child is 16Back up
Sixteen years and older. Your baby isn’t a baby anymore, and what a job you have done. Give yourself a pat on the back!
Your child (and we know, still your baby!) is starting to really spread their wings; their unique personalities, independent decision making and still get mum or dad to do the laundry is something to see.
They are thinking about the future, and wishing it would come sooner, and with your help and guidance – even if it is not always appreciated at the time – will help them as they make the change to adulthood.
In this section we have put together some information, we hope will help guide you.
If you have any concerns, make sure you talk to a healthcare professional such as your GP.
You can contact the 0-19 admin hub by live chat by clicking here or by giving the team a call on: 0800 170 7055 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm).
If you have any concerns or are worried about how you are feeling please don’t hesitate to contact The Mental Health Number where helpful Mental Health Navigators are on hand to support you, signpost you to help for you.
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Minor illnessesBack up
Overview
Minor illnesses are generally defined as medical conditions that will resolve on their own and can be reasonably self-diagnosed and managed at home with over-the-counter medications.
In this section we will highlight examples of minor illnesses and what can help them.
Things to know about minor illnesses:
There are different types of minor illnesses and your baby might pick one up, but you can speak to your GP, midwife or health visitor if you are worried.
Please note, antibiotics DO NOT work for a viral infection and if your child has a viral infection, please go to your local pharmacy for advice.
Examples of minor illnesses may include; Fever, Coughs, Colds, Teething, Headaches, Diarrhoea, Vomiting, Rashes.
Where to go for more information:
For more information about some minor ilnesses please navigate through the sections below.
You can often find that your local pharmacy will provide support and advice, however having simple treatments at home ready such as Paracetamol (Calpol) and Oral Rehydration Therapy (such as Dioralyte) can help manage symptoms such as pain, discomfort and raised temperature.
For a full list of minor illnesses and for further information please visit the NHS England Website.
You can contact the 0-19 admin hub by live chat by clicking here or by giving the team a call on: 0800 170 7055 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm).
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Common illness informationBack up
As your child grows and develops it's likely they might suffer from one or more of the following minor illnesses.
Usually these sort themselves out on their own, but it is important when your child is feeling poorly you keep an eye on them and let your health visitor, GP or midwife know if you have any concerns or questions.
Information on colds, coughs and ear infections
Information on Diarrohoea and vomiting
Whilst most minor illnesses do get better on their own it is also important to recognise when or if your child becomes seriously ill.
You can read more about signs and symptoms by clicking here.
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Nutrition and physical wellbeingBack up
Overview
12 to 18 year olds are still growing throughout their teenage years so it’s very important that they consume a healthy balanced diet and are moderately active at least 60 minutes per day to promote a healthy weight and positive wellbeing.
In this section we will highlight some information on the Eatwell plate, as well as portion sizes, water consumption, dentist information and activity.
Things to know about nutrition:
Remember, you are their role model. If you are an active family then that’s what they will see this as a normal thing to do and more likely to stay active as they grow. This is similar with foods and eating as well.
Where to go for more nutrition:
You can contact the 0-19 admin hub by live chat by clicking here or by giving the team a call on: 0800 170 7055 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm).
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What should they be eating?Back up
Young people should be encouraged to eat a variety of foods from the eatwell plate the same as the rest of the family. The 4 main food groups are:
– bread, other cereals and potatoes
– fruit and vegetables
– milk and dairy foods
– meat, fish and alternatives (such as eggs, pulses – peas, beans and lentils – nuts and soya).
Children above 5 years to adults should base their meals around starchy carbohydrates for energy, such as bread and pasta.
A lot of sugary foods and drinks are not advised for children and young people, but if they do have them occasionally, try to keep it to a minimum. This will be better for their teeth, promote a healthy weight and overall wellbeing.
Avoid giving salt at the table and takeaway foods too often and also cooking with salt.
Young people should be encouraged to drink tap water as it’s the best option to quench their thirst and won’t damage their teeth. However as they get older and start to make their own decisions it becomes increasingly difficult to promote this. Children above 2 years can be offered semi-skimmed milk to reduce their overall fat intake. As mentioned above, aim to avoid sugary fizzy drinks as much as possible.
Energy drinks should be avoided due to the high sugar and caffeine content
https://www.nhs.uk/news/food-and-diet/warnings-issued-over-energy-drinks/
Activity
Children aged 5-18 years should be getting at least 60 minutes of activity per day. It doesn’t have to be done in one go, you can break it down over the day. Being active has so many social, emotional and physical health benefits. It’s great to be active as a family and there are lots of things you can do together locally and we have some wonderful country parks, swimming pools and cycle routes to try.
Useful links
‘Just one Norfolk’ have pulled together some great content and advice for how to eat well in pregnancy and what to avoid.
This website provides trusted NHS help and advice during pregnancy, birth and parenthood.
The Eatwell Guide is a policy tool used to define government recommendations on eating healthily and achieving a balanced diet.
Start active, stay active: infographics on physical activity
Infographics explaining the physical activity needed for general health benefits for different age ranges.
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PubertyBack up
Overview:
As part of puberty, your children's brains undergo lots of changes and rewiring too which mean their feelings and emotions can feel a bit out of control.
In this section we will highlight; puberty and what happens, menstruation and periods.
Things to know about puberty and adolescent development:
Puberty is the term we use for when our bodies physically change from a child’s body to an adult’s body. This happens over a number of years and can start from as young as 9 or 10 up until the age of 18 to 20.
There are lots of resources to help parents, children and young people talk about these changes and it is important to stress the changes are “normal” and happen to everyone, just that we cannot predict when these will occur. Please see useful information here.
Where to go for more information:
For more information about puberty and adolescent development please click on the 'more information' section below where you will find lots of information and advice.
You can contact the 0-19 admin hub by live chat by clicking here or by giving the team a call on: 0800 170 7055 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm).
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More information on pubertyBack up
The Relate website has some useful information and tips on talking to your children around a full range of issues from relationships to drugs and alcohol and managing behaviours:
Whatever the type of relationship you are in it is important to make sure it is healthy and that you know how to access services to support your physical / sexual health.
www.fpa.org.uk/sites/default/files/is-this-love-non-printing.pdf
thelowdown.info/ Has lots of information about relationships and sexual health.
Your practice nurse / family doctor can advise you around contraception and further information is available via our sexual health team at: www.nhft.nhs.uk/sexual-health
It is also important to regularly check yourself for any “unusual” lumps or bumps – see the links below and if you are worried about anything contact your GP for advice.
Boys bodies Q&As https://bit.ly/2TLzgUI
Girls bodies https://bit.ly/2tmhtYu
Boys self examination and testicular cancer: http://mvmbr.co/1jlLNMc
Breast awareness: https://bit.ly/1I0PZs1 Remember most breast lumps are harmless and both men and women can be affected by breast cancer.
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Responsive parentingBack up
Overview:
Sharing time with your teenager at this age continues to build on developing a positive relationship.
Things to know about responsive parenting and behaviours:
As your child / teenager grows and develops there will be decisions around changes in boundaries. Talking to them about why new boundaries are planned, whilst promoting independence will help them to co-operate more readily.
Where to go for more information:
You can contact the 0-19 admin hub by live chat by clicking here or by giving the team a call on: 0800 170 7055 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm).
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Video supportBack up
EMOTIONAL COACHING
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SafetyBack up
Overview:
As your child gets older it can feel like it is getting harder and less in your control to keep them safe.
You are doing great.Keeping conversations open with your children can help them come to you if they feel they need advice or support.
Things to know about safety:
Risk comes in many different ways and being able aware of them, will support you in preventing them from happening.
Being aware of the environment your child is in can help to stop preventable accidents from happening.
Where to go for more information:
You can contact the 0-19 admin hub by live chat by clicking here or by giving the team a call on: 0800 170 7055 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm).
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Accidents and preventionBack up
Accidents happen, and often they happen in such a short space of time that before you can blink something has gone wrong.
When it comes to children it is important that you keep a close eye them.
Accidents can come in all different ways and types including:
· Burns and scalds
· Choking
· Drowning
· Falls
· Strangulation
· Suffocation
· Accidental poisoning
The NHS website has some useful information and top tips to help you keep your child safe – you can access this information by clicking here.
If your child has an accident it is important to know what to do and when you need to seek medical advice, again the NHS website has a long list of information including where you can learn basic first aid on their website. Click here to read more.
Safety and pets
The Dog’s Trust has put together information about being dog smart around babies and children which you can access here.
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Online safetyBack up
As your child gets older they may start to access the internet and spend more time with friends, independently from you or your home.
Getting older means trying new things and they may want to try new experiences that their friends are also doing.
As a parent understanding and listening to your child about their experiences and talking openly about the things that can put their safety at risk will help encourage your child to have open conversations.
Where to go for more information:
For more information about safety please click here where you will find lots of information and advice.
If you would like to talk to a healthcare professional or your health visitor about this, please contact us on the 0-19 admin hub live chat or call us on: 0300 111 1022 (option 4).
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Young people out on their ownBack up
Older children / teenagers will gain more independence so it is important that they understand how to keep themselves safe. You can help them to be independent young adults by:
- Teach them how to look and listen before and while crossing the road
- Point out that phones and friends are distracting so to take extra care to not use their phone and remove headphones when crossing the road
- Ask your young person to plan their route choosing the safest way to go
- Talk to them about not accepting lifts from people they don’t know very well
- Have conversations about staying safe when they or their peers are using alcohol or drugs. Drugs and alcohol can impair judgment and your young person should understand that it is never safe to accept a lift from someone that is under the influence
- Talk about avoiding situations where others may be using drugs or alcohol, it is important that young people think about how they can refuse and what the options available to them are. Some families use a “Text an X” arrangement with their young people – if they text an X to a parent or responsible adult they will call them and state that they need them to come home, arranging to pick them up if needed to enable them to get away from the situation they are in.
- Teach them how to look and listen before and while crossing the road
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Dial 999 ifBack up
Dial 999 for an ambulance if your child:
- stops breathing or turns blue
- is struggling for breath
- is unconscious or seems unaware of what's going on
- will not wake up
- has a fit for the first time, even if they seem to recover.
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SleepBack up
Overview
Sleep is an essential part of any child’s growth and development. It promotes growth, strengthens immunity, helps with cell repair and healing and maintains physical and emotional health
In this section we will highlight what happens during sleep, advice on getting your child to sleep and what you can do if your child is having sleep problems.
Things to know about sleep:
Difficulties in achieving good quality sleep can have a significant effect on the child’s general wellbeing, on mood, physical coordination and ability to learn and retain new information. Behaviour and social difficulties may result as the body struggles with lethargy, irritability and heightened emotional responses.
Where to go for more information:
You can contact the 0-19 admin hub by live chat by clicking here or by giving the team a call on: 0800 170 7055 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm).
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Sleep as a teenagerBack up
From Adolescence to Young Adult
The average sleep need for a teenager is 9 ¼ hours
‘I’m a teenager, it’s an important time for me, I’m preparing for exams, making new relationships, I’m developing my own values and beliefs and the ability to reason and problem solve. But I’m finding it hard to sleep. What is happening and what can I do?’
Adolescence is a time of lots of change, for the body (puberty) and the brain. During adolescence your brain goes through a time of significant development, particularly the pre-frontal cortex, that regulates your emotional responses and reasoning. The body clock changes too and can be set back by 2 hours. As a result, you feel more alert later, fall asleep later and then wake later. This is normal development but it can have a significant effect on daytime function and the ability to get up in time for school!
As seen in younger children, sleep deprivation effects learning, emotional wellbeing and physical health.
How to sleep well through the incredible teenage years
As discussed when looking at younger children, maintaining a consistent routine and implementing Good Sleep Hygiene is essential to achieve an adequate sleep/wake cycle and quality sleep. The same principles apply to everyone, whatever their age.
However, there are some additional considerations for the teenager.
- Electronic equipment: Staying ‘connected’ is so important to teenagers. Indeed, using electronic equipment can benefit learning opportunities, social contact and keep up to date with issues around the world. However, it is important to put boundaries on their use. Particularly in the evening. Computer games can be stimulating and the light emitted from the screen can affect our ability to produce melatonin. All technology and electronic equipment should be turned off at least one hour before bed and removed from the bedroom overnight.
- Emotional Wellbeing: It is normal to ‘worry’, it can even act as a fuel to motivate us to achieve something. However, if our worries spiral out of control, this can significantly affect our ability to sleep. It is important to share any worries with an adult you trust, perhaps a parent, teacher or your school nurse. Talking about your worries early in the day and learning strategies to manage your worries and other wellbeing issues will help you to achieve good quality sleep.
- School pressures: Increasing work pressures and deadlines loom large at times. If you are finding things are becoming overwhelming, discuss this with a teacher or trusted adult. Learning to manage your workload is essential to avoid late night ‘study’ that affects your function the next day and increases your sleep debt.
- Caffeine: When feeling tired and lethargic, you may find yourself reaching for a coffee or other caffeine containing drink such as energy drinks or Cola to keep you awake. Caffeine can reduce the production of melatonin ( the sleep hormone) and is a stimulant. Avoid caffeine based foods such as those containing chocolate in the evening too.
Main Principles for achieving quality sleep for teenagers
- Maintain a consistent routine
- Be aware that your body clock will naturally move about 2 hours, therefore implementing Good Sleep Hygiene is essential
- Talk with your friends about agreeing a time when everyone will ‘turn off’ social media and other electronic equipment
- Share any worries or concerns. This is taking control of your emotional wellbeing and is a positive strength
- Be mindful of the stimulant effect of caffeine on the body and try and avoid after lunchtime
- Don’t keep your knowledge on sleep to yourself … tell your friends, share the amazing effect quality sleep can have on your wellbeing, helping you to reach your potential physically, emotionally and socially.
References:
DrYemula.C.Roberts.A.(2014) Sleep Problems in Children and Young People: A Simple Teaching Aid. Health Insights 4U Ltd.
Prof.Stores.G.(2009) Sleep problems in children and adolescents: the facts. Oxford University Press.
Sound Sleep. Sleep Scotland (2010) Jewel&Esk College. Edinburgh.
Useful websites:
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What is sleepBack up
Sleep is an amazing brain journey, we spend about a third of our life asleep. While each person is unique, sleep follows a fairly predictable pattern that changes through life. We experience both deep and lighter sleep and even have brief awakenings during the night which are all part of ‘normal sleep’.
The benefits of sleep include
- Promotes growth
- Strengthens our immunity
- Helps our bodies repair
- Consolidates our memory and learning
- Maintains our physical and emotional health
Lack of sleep effects our general wellbeing
- Impacts on our emotional wellbeing and mood
- Physical health and coordination
- Our ability to learn new information and problem solve
Other information
The body clock
The body clock signals the body when it is time to sleep and when it is time to wake. Most animals have a biological clock that governs its circadian (circ: about dian: day) rhythm. The circadian rhythm controls many of our daily functions such as temperature, hormone secretion, blood pressure, including sleep and wakefulness.
In order to keep our circadian rhythm regulated our bodies react to signals or ‘time givers’
It takes signals or ‘time givers’ from
- Light
- Temperature
- Food
- Social activities
Disruption to the body clock, can be caused by a difference between weekday and weekend settling and waking times - the jet lag effect is created when a change occurs in an individual’s settling and waking times. This can often occur at the weekend if an individual goes to bed much later on a Friday and Saturday night and rises much later on a Saturday and Sunday. The result can be equivalent to travelling across a different time zone and forcing your body to wake and sleep at a different time than you are used to. This change occurs again come Monday morning when the individual’s waking and settling times are brought forward.
A shift in a child’s body clock can make them feel groggy and tired during the day. Mental and physical performance will be reduced.
A shift in a child’s body clock impacts on sleep:
- Difficulty falling asleep - by trying to sleep when the body clock is not expecting to, and it is still set on ‘wake’. This can be especially pronounced on Sunday night and continue for a few days until your child’s body clock resets itself.
- Reduced sleep time - changes in your child’s body clock can disrupt sleep and lead to reduced sleep. If it takes you longer to fall asleep, but you have to wake at a set time (which can be much earlier during weekdays), it will reduce your sleep time leading to sleep deprivation and the associated health problems.
- Difficulty waking in the morning - if your child’s body clock is set to ‘sleep’ and you are forcing it to wake up in order to get ready for school / nursery, they may feel groggy, have a headache, feel easily upset or angry, and nauseous. Reduced and fragmented sleep which is also a result of the jet lag effect will also make waking difficult.
These effects may last for a few days before your body clock resets itself. If an individual changes their sleeping and waking times every weekend, it means that they may experience prolonged sleep disruption and sleep deprivation due to constant jet lag effect. This may result in long-term mental and physical health problems.
Melatonin sleep hormone
Melatonin is also known as the ‘sleep hormone’. It is naturally produced and is triggered when the light level falls. The fading light is detected by the retina of the eye which in turn triggers the pineal gland to secrete melatonin.
Melatonin does not maintain sleep, rather it is a regulator, signalling to the body it is time to settle from the busy activities of the day, thereby promoting sleep.
Certain foods provide a natural source of melatonin and include, pineapple and orange juice, oats, sweetcorn, rice, ginger, barley and tomatoes
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Sleep cyclesBack up
During sleep your child’s body is resting, however their brain can still be quite active. We experience two types of sleep pattern during a sleep cycle.
Typical Sleep cycles start with NREM (Non-Rapid Eye Movement) and alternate with REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep throughout the night.
NREM (Non-rapid eye movement) sleep
During this sleep pattern your child’s brain is quiet and their body may move. NREM has three stages:
- Dozing stage when your child’s muscles relax, and their heartbeat slows
- Light Sleep where they can be woken easily
- Deep sleep when it is more difficult to wake your child up
During deep sleep your child may talk in their sleep, sleepwalk and have night terrors. Growth hormone is released in deep sleep
REM (Rapid eye movement sleep)
During this sleep pattern your child’s brain is active, their eyes can move from side to side, their muscles are relaxed, and dreams can occur including nightmares. During this period of sleep your child can be woken more easily. REM sleep is a time when your child is filtering the day’s events and their memory is strengthened.
Sleep scientist Matt Walker did a TED talk on what sleep which has some helpful animations to explain sleep cycles:
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Promoting quality sleepBack up
Good sleep hygiene requires consistent routines that are maintained, routines are important for children and make them feel safe and secure. Sleep routines will vary from family to family depending on your circumstances, the key is making sure you are consistent with your approach, Below is an example of a sleep routine however you can tailor this depending on your family’s circumstances and child’s age.
Remember babies and young children need their parent close and we would not expect them to self sooth as they need their care giver close to reinforce secure attachments and contain their emotions. However good sleep hygiene is still important within the home as this can lay the foundations for positive sleep experiences later. Positive re-enforcement and lots of praise is also essential for children to support routines within the home.
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Useful resourcesBack up
Books:
DrYemula.C.Roberts.A.(2014) Sleep Problems in Children and Young People: A Simple Teaching Aid. Health Insights 4U Ltd.
Prof.Stores.G.(2009) Sleep problems in children and adolescents: the facts. Oxford University Press.
Sound Sleep. Sleep Scotland (2010) Jewel&Esk College. Edinburgh.
Useful websites:
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