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Information for New Mums: What to Expect When You Bring Your Baby Home

Congratulations on the arrival of your new baby! Bringing your baby home is an exciting time. At Pendleside Medical Practice, we are here to support you through this new chapter with essential information and guidance.

Registering Your Baby with Our Practice

One of the first steps after bringing your baby home is to register them with our practice. This ensures that your baby can receive timely medical care and routine check-ups. You should be contacted by our admin team, who will provide you with the necessary registration forms. If you do not receive these, please contact our reception team on 01200 401680, to complete the registration process as soon as possible.

Your Postnatal Care

6-Week Postnatal Check for Mum: Approximately six weeks after your baby is born, we will contact you to schedule your postnatal check-up. This appointment is important for assessing your physical and emotional recovery after childbirth. During this visit, our clinicians will:

  • Discuss any concerns you may have about your health
  • Address any issues you may have related to breastfeeding or postpartum depression
  • Provide advice on contraception and sexual health

Your Baby’s Health and Immunisations

8-Week Check and Immunisations for Baby: When your baby is around eight weeks old, you will be invited to bring them in for their first comprehensive GP health check and primary set of routine immunisations. This appointment is crucial for ensuring your baby’s healthy development and protecting them against serious diseases. During this visit, the GP and Practice Nurses will:

  • Perform a thorough physical examination of your baby
  • Monitor growth and developmental milestones
  • Administer the first set of immunisations, including vaccines for diseases such as diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), and hepatitis B (DTaP/IPV/Hib/HepB), and the rotavirus vaccine

What to Expect When You Bring Baby Home

Bringing your baby home comes with many new experiences and adjustments. Here are some key points to keep in mind:

Feeding:

  • Whether you choose to breastfeed or formula-feed, feeding your baby regularly is crucial for their growth and development.
  • Newborns typically feed every 2-3 hours, but each baby is different. Follow your baby's hunger cues and feed on demand.

Sleeping:

  • Newborns sleep a lot, often up to 16-18 hours a day, but their sleep is usually broken into short periods.
  • Create a safe sleep environment by placing your baby on their back in a crib with a firm mattress and no loose bedding.

Changing:

  • Expect to change your baby’s nappy frequently, as newborns tend to have many wet and soiled nappies each day.
  • Keep an eye out for any signs of nappy rash and use barrier creams as needed to protect your baby’s skin.

Bonding and Development:

  • Spend plenty of time holding, cuddling, and talking to your baby to strengthen your bond and support their emotional development.
  • Engage in activities that stimulate your baby's senses, such as gentle rocking, singing, and providing a variety of textures for them to feel.

Support and Resources

Adjusting to life with a new baby can be challenging, and it’s important to seek support when needed. Our practice offers various resources and services to help you, including:

  • Health Visitor Support: Health visitors can provide advice on baby care, feeding, and any concerns you may have about your baby’s health and development. You can contact our local health visitors on: 0300 247 0040
  • Breastfeeding Support: If you need help with breastfeeding, your midwife or health visitor can offer guidance and support. For further information, take a look at the following ELHT Help-page on Infant Feeding.
  • Community Midwives: Blackburn with Darwen and Hyndburn and Ribble Valley: 01254 733434
  • Postnatal Mental Health information: Useful contacts - Peri/Post-natal mental health
  • Postnatal Groups: Join local postnatal groups to connect with other new mothers, share experiences, and receive support.

For any concerns about yourself or your babies' health, please ring Reception on 01200 401680. We are here to support you and your baby during this exciting time and ensure you both receive the best possible care.