Plymouth midwifery services
Information on pregnancy, what to expect and contacts to book appointments and for talking to a member of the team - Midwifery Care in the Community.
Online antenatal education
Through The Solihull Approach, Plymouth families can access free antenatal courses which guides you through various aspects of antenatal care. These courses offer a wealth of information and practical tips.
Online courses for parents using the Solihull Approach - Plymouth Online Directory.
Or book to join a group or request one to one support through your local Children’s Centre or Family Hub.
Find Children's Centres and Family Hubs on the Plymouth Online Directory.
Express your interest in a course online.
Feeding your baby
It is never to early to think about and plan to breastfeed your baby.
Feeding Your Baby on the Start for Life website.
The Unicef UK Baby Friendly Initiative. Transforming healthcare for babies, their mothers, parents and families in the UK.
Health visitors
Plymouth city health visitors support families in local communities, mainly with children aged up to 5 and their families.
Find out more about health visiting on the Livewell Southwest website.
Health visitors follow guidance for regular checks and reviews - Your baby's health and development reviews on the NHS website.
Crying
All babies cry. Sometimes this can feel overwhelming, trying to work out how to comfort your infant, particularly when you feel tired. This is a time to build in ways that work best for you and your baby.
Advice on how to cope can be found on the ICON website.
Sleeping
Making sure that babies have safe sleeping arrangements is so important as co-sleeping is a risk to your infant. Helpful advice can be found on the Lullaby Trust website.
Register the birth of your baby
A baby’s birth must be registered within 42 days - Register a birth in Plymouth.
General information about registering a birth can be found on GOV.UK
British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS)
Not all pregnancies are planned, you can access advice if you want to consider/talk through your options through the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS)
Mental health
Some parents may feel low and worried about their own mental health during pregnancy and after the birth of their baby. This is not unusual.
The Perinatal Positivity website has videos you can watch.
Advice and support can be found through midwives and health visitors and through the Perinatal Mental Health Team at Livewell Southwest.
Find out more about perinatal mental health on the NHS England website.
The MIND website has information about postnatal depression and perinatal mental health.
The early days following the birth of your baby will be full of emotions. These are picked up by babies who are programmed to learn about the world through their carers and the people around them.
Watch Layla's Story on YouTube to find out how and why our early childhood shapes the adults we become.
If you are worried you can speak to your health visitor or staff at your local Children’s Centre or Family Hub. Find a list of Children's Centres and Family Hubs on the Plymouth Online Directory.
Or contact Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) Infant Mental Health Pathway at Livewell Southwest.
Video Interaction Guidance (VIG) is a technique for improving communication in situations where it naturally occurs, building on each individual's unique style by concentrating on what is effective.
Other useful links
Links to groups and organisations for pregnancy and babies can be found on the Plymouth Online Directory - Pregnancy and babies directory.