Doubt creeps in for new mums at five months

New research just released from the Department of Health reveals that first-time mums have the most questions about their babies’ development at around five months and one week after they have given birth.

It is around this time that new mums find themselves having to make big decisions on their own and are at a high risk of feeling isolated.

Most questions mums have at this time relate to the new weaning stage they are about to embark on, sleeping difficulties and safety in the home.

A 54 per cent of new mums heard from their family once a week after their baby is born, but this dropped to just 25 per cent of mums five months later.

Public Health Minister Gillian Merron said: “This is about equipping first time parents to make the best choices for their babies. The Government recognises that being a new parent can be a worrying time, and you want reassurance that what you’re doing is right. Parents are looking for a source of reliable information to get this reassurance and to know that they are doing the best they can for their child. That’s why the Government has set up the NHS Baby LifeCheck to empower parents to make confident decisions about their baby’s health, happiness and safety.”

Created in consultation with parents, www.nhs.uk/babylifecheck has been designed to cover  a range of topics and support from weaning worries, development, tips and support with feelings of isolation.