Having a Baby, Starting a Family
The information below might be useful if you are thinking about having a baby, if you are expecting or have just had a baby.
|Information relating to the following items as well as online advice and links to external organisations is available from the Directgov Having a Baby website
- Healthy Pregnancy
If you are thinking about becoming pregnant or are pregnant there are a number of precautions you can take to increase your chances of a healthy pregnancy,
> Folic acid and healthy eating
> Stop smoking in pregnancy
By giving up smoking, you can help your baby get a healthier start in life. Smoking whilst pregnant not only damages your own health, but can also harm your baby. Call the NHS Pregnancy Smoking Helpline 0800 169 9 169, it is a confidential support service.
> Limit your alcohol intake
> Contact with animals
There are certain animals and animal products you should avoid when pregnant.
- Antenatal Care
Guidance for expectant parents on issues such as vaccinations, check-ups and screening tests.
- Breastfeeding or Bottle-feeding?
It's never too early to think about how you are going to feed your baby.
- Sleeping Safely
Cot death or SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) is where a child (usually under the age of one year) dies in their sleep. Remember cot death is rare so don't let worrying stop you enjoying your baby's first few months. There is no known medical reason why this happens but there are a number of things you can do to reduce the risk of cot death.
- Registering the Birth
You will need to register your child's birth within 42 days of your child being born in the district where the birth took place. If you can't go to this district you can go to another office (still within 42 days) and that registrar will send your details to the appropriate district office. Births in Surrey will need to be registered in one of the |County's Registry Offices (online information provided by Surrey County Council).
Births at Kingston Hospital will need to be registered at |Kingston Registry Office, as it is in the Borough of Kingston-Upon-Thames.
You will then receive a short birth certificate and a registration card that you will need to complete and take to your local GP surgery. You won't be able to register your child with a doctor without this registration card and you will need the birth certificate for a number of reasons including Child Benefit applications.
- Childcare
- If you are considering childcare there are a number of options available to you.
Elmbridge Borough Council organise a wide range of holiday activities during every school holiday. Find out more information about the |SHOUT! and SHOUT! Louder holiday activity programme for 3 to 18 year olds.
You can call Childcarelink on08000 96 02 96 for details of your local Children's Information Service (CIS) and factsheets on childcare options.
If you have a concern or complaint you cannot resolve with your childcare provider, call OFSTED's Early Years Complaints Helpline on 0845 601 4772. OFSTED does not usually become involved in complaints over fees and contractual arrangements.
To find out how play can benefit your child or how to set up your own childcare activity please contact the |Play Development Officer.
- Post-natal Depression
Post-natal depression (PND) is very common among new parents and may affect as many as one in six new mothers.
If you think you have PND, it's important to see your GP. Getting treatment and getting well again is important for both you and your baby. The Association for Post-Natal Illness has a helpline on 020 7386 0868
- Teenage Pregnancy
Information about how to prevent and deal with teenage pregnancy.
- Entitlements
Information about the Welfare Food Scheme and other benefits.
