Parents
In this section you will find useful information to support you as an expectant parent or carer in the antenatal and pregnancy period.
Pregnancy
For information regarding your pregnancy, please visit the NHS Pregnancy and Baby Guide or Tommy's. Both can provide guidance on what to expect in pregnancy throughout trimester one, two and three, common pregnancy symptoms, information on vaccinations and keeping well during your pregnancy
For those looking for a trusted, evidence-based pregnancy app, the Baby Buddy App is free to download. It has tools to help parents in their transition to parenthood and can help develop knowledge and confidence.
The Dad Pad App is tailored for new dads and dads-to-be in Dorset and provides an essential guide from practical skills, to support with mental health
See Maternity Matters Dorset for a full range of services in your local area, including antenatal classes. It also has useful information such as a guide to your maternity options, antenatal appointments and what to do if you think you are in labour.
Infant feeding
Whether you want to breast or bottle feed your baby, please use these resources below for support:
- UNICEF BFI Breastfeeding Resources provides useful videos on positioning and attachment, how to hand express and maximising milk supply
- Vitamin D and Breastfeeding
- NHS Bottle Feeding Advice and First Steps Nutrition give instructions on how to make up a bottle, as well as how to sterilise bottles and teats, guidance on responsive feeding and information regarding infant formula milks
- Regardless of how you choose to feed your baby, skin to skin contact is important and provides many benefits for mother and baby. Please use this link to find out additional information about this UNICEF BFI Skin to Skin Contact.
We provide a free online breastfeeding course. You can complete it on our breastfeeding course page and it is is suitable for pregnant mums and their partners and includes information about breastfeeding a new baby.
Financial support
Please see the following websites for information about potential financial support during your pregnancy, childcare schemes and free vouchers to spend on milk, fruit, vegetables and infant formula.
Remember, you can speak to a member of the health visiting team by calling your local hub if you require further support.