Welcoming your New Baby

Congratulations on your new arrival.

This is an exciting but often anxious time - especially if it is your first child. The team of midwives, health visitors and doctors are here to help you. Do not hesitate to contact us or make an appointment for your or your baby with any concerns that you might have.

Please register your baby with us as soon as you are able to. 

Contraception is required from day 21 after the birth. The midwife can provide a leaflet explaining the choice available to you. Contraception is needed even if you are breastfeedig - the pill can still be taken but it needs to be progesterone-only pill, which is taken daily - this will not interfere with milk production

If you would like contraception or would like to discuss this further please make an appointment with a Doctor or Nurse Practitioner. It is a good idea to make the appointment before day 21 after the birth.

If you have chosen to breastfeed, then keep going as long as you can as this is the best for your baby. Your midwife will help you with any difficulties which are common when you first start to breastfeed.

Assuming all is well, your next appointment will be your post-natal and baby check at 8 weeks after the birth, we encourage both parents to come along if this is possible. You will be advised to make a double appointment. Please bring your babies red book with you. 

Your baby will be given a full routine check, and following this, given his/her first immunisation by the practice nurse. If you do have any Paracetamol (eg calpol) then you will be given a prescription at this point. You can give 60mg (2.5mls) of Paracetamol after the immunisations to treat the possibility of post-immunisation fever. Further instructions will be given by the nurses on the day.

Useful links:

https://iconcope.org/advice-for/

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/support-for-parents/

Best wishes.

Published on 21 November 2024