Ante-natal contact

Whether you're breast or bottle feeding, here is some handy information to help you. See the feeding your baby section of the Salford Royal website. Breastfeeding in Salford is another great resource.

You can also read about Vitamin D, and the Healthy Start Programme and why it is important and who needs to take supplements.

Healthy Start gives you and your family the best start in life.

Institute of Health Visiting (IHV) have produced some information about getting to know your baby.

Download the understanding your baby factsheet (Adobe PDF format) from the IHV.

The NSPCC have produced a guide: Handle with care – Keeping your baby safe (Adobe PDF format).

Maternal mental ill health can seem a complex and daunting prospect but it is far more common than you may think with every 1 in 10 new mothers experiencing some form of depression or anxiety.  

Research is now showing that parental depression and anxiety can have a long term impact on a child’s emotional wellbeing, however the good news is that these affects can be overcome with good support. Don’t forget that you can always talk to your health visitor about how you are feeling.  If your child is under 1 year, your health visitor will be able to offer additional listening visits to help support you and your baby.

Download the understanding your mental health and emotional wellbeing factsheet (Adobe PDF format) from the IHV.

Being a new dad can be a roller-coaster of emotions. Some men say that seeing their baby being born was the most fantastic thing in their life whilst others may say it was the worse experience ever!

Download the understanding your emotional health and wellbeing factsheet for fathers (Adobe PDF format) from the IHV

Everybody is different and will react to parenthood in many different ways. If you are ever concerned about your own mental health or that of your partner contact your 0-19 team. For useful and practical information for dads why not download the dadpad app - a must have for new dads.

Dad Matters in Salford exists to support dads to have the best possible relationship with their children. We work closely with other professionals within Salford to better support dads in the first 1001 days of their parenting journey.

It is normal for a baby to cry, but how do you cope when the crying never seems to stop?

You can talk to a friend, your health visitor or GP, or contact the Cry-sis helpline on 08451 228 669, open 9am to 10pm, seven days a week. You'll be charged for your call.

Cry-sis can put you in touch with other parents who have been in the same situation.

ICON is a programme aimed at helping parents and carers with young babies to cope with infant crying. Read the ICON leaflet (Adobe PDF format).

As well as putting baby down to sleep on their back, how else can you encourage safer sleep?

• NHS approved sleep advisors for babies to teens from Millpond Sleep Clinic
• Safer sleep advice for parents from the Lullaby Trust
• Feeding baby at night advice from Salford Royal

Are you wondering which vaccinations your child needs and when they should have them? You'll find more information about vaccinations on the NHS website.

NHS factsheets

• Immunisations up to 13 months
• Pre school immunisations (Adobe PDF format)

ERIC's guide to potty training.

Taking care of children`s teeth, advice from the NHS.

Concerned about your child’s speech? Visit Speak up Salford for lots of helpful advice and resources.

Top tips for talking from the National Literacy Trust.

Reading with your baby from the Book Trust.

Visit the hungry little minds campaign for simple fun activities for children aged 0 to 5.

Download the how to reduce unintentional injuries in children under 5 years factsheet from the IHV.