10/08/2009

Free Online Service Helps First-Time Parents

A new interactive website to help parents and carers keep their babies healthy, happy and safe is being rolled out nationally today by the Department of Health. NHS Baby LifeCheck is designed to provide information and advice to mums, dads and carers of babies aged five to eight months.

www.babylifecheck.co.uk guides parents and carers through a set of simple multiple choice questions, then offers advice and reassurance on making the best decisions for their child. It covers topics including: development, talking and playing, feeding, healthy teeth, safety, sleep routine, immunisations and being a parent.

Created in consultation with parents, NHS Baby LifeCheck recognises that being the mum or dad of a young baby can sometimes be a challenge. It offers top tips, helpful videos and details of organisations which can support people across a range of issues – from weaning worries to feeling down or lonely.

Health Minister Ann Keen said: "NHS Baby LifeCheck is a reliable source of non-judgemental, online information for parents and carers. It provides reassurance and advice about their baby's health development, happiness and safety.

"It's an easy way for parents to find out if they are doing the best thing for their child, whilst also supporting them to set goals or find further help to make improvements for themselves and their baby."

First-time mum, Dina Yacob, who has used NHS Baby LifeCheck said: "I completed the NHS Baby LifeCheck for my seven month old son. It really reassured me that I am doing the right things for my baby. It also reminds you to get on with some things - for example introducing a cup instead of a bottle for drinks - which I knew I would have to do, but had forgotten in the rush of everything else."

Nicola Stenning, a health visitor in Hammersmith and Fulham, said: "NHS Baby LifeCheck has been tested with parents to ensure it provides them with tailored information while giving reassurance.

"Becoming a parent for the first time can come with the worry of whether you are doing it right; this free service will help parents to find out. NHS Baby LifeCheck will be a useful source of information and guidance for parents of babies between five to eight months, at a time when they receive less frequent visits from health professionals."

(JM/BMcc)

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

26 March 2007
'Postcode lottery' remains in NHS dental care
There are "huge regional variations" in NHS dental care in England, consumer organisation Which? has warned in new research. The survey of 466 dentistry practices - which comes a year after the start of new NHS dentists' contract in England - found that just over a third (36%) are taking on any new NHS patients.
05 December 2012
Survival Rates Of Premature Babies Increase
More babies born before 26 weeks are surviving, according to a detailed analysis of the figures for England. Severely premature babies were more likely to survive in 2006 than in 1995, the EPICure study found. There was, however, no improvement before 24 weeks - which is the legal limit for abortion.
06 May 2009
UK Adopts New Growth Charts Based On Breast-Fed Babies
All newborn babies and children up to four years old will have their growth measurements plotted on new charts from this week.
06 June 2014
Three New Babies Reportedly Poisoned At NHS Hospitals
The number of poisoned babies with the bacillus cereus at NHS hospitals has increased to 18, after three new cases came to light. The latest death happened on the 01 June, according to reports. It is understood that most of the babies have been premature and were being treated in neonatal intensive care units in nine different hospitals.
04 January 2005
Five further health trusts make foundation grade
Following approval by the independent regulatory body, five Trusts have been granted Foundation Trust status.