Child Development
Child Development
There will be many milestones in your child's development and every baby / child develops at a different pace - the following links can guide you through the many changes that occur between birth and adolescence and explain how you can support your child's development.
Health during and after pregnancy
The NHS Pregnancy and Baby Guide (opens in a new tab) provides comprehensive information on getting pregnant, pregnancy, labour and birth, newborn babies and babies and toddlers.
The National Childbirth Trust (opens in a new tab), known as NCT, is a voluntary charitable organisation set up fifty years ago offering information and support in pregnancy, childbirth and early parenthood.
The NCT helpline offers access to specialist information and support on pregnancy and birth and breastfeeding, from breastfeeding counsellors and antenatal teachers. The NCT helpline also offers postnatal support with issues such as crying, sleep and depression in the weeks after birth.
NCT Helplines
For practical and emotional support in all areas of pregnancy, birth and early parenthood including help with feeding, call the NCT Helpline on 0300 330 0700
NCT Pregnancy and Birth Line 0300 330 0772 9am to 8pm, Monday to Friday
For all questions relating to your pregnancy or birth experiences. NCT qualified antenatal teachers are available to listen and help.
NCT Breastfeeding Line 0300 330 0771 8am-10pm, every day of the year including Bank Holidays
Call to talk to a qualified NCT breastfeeding counsellor about feeding your baby. Most mums want to breastfeed and NCT are experts in helping you carry out your wish. NCT can also help if you decide to use a little, some, mostly or all formula and would like support in doing so. NCT can help when the time comes to start your baby on solids or if you want to switch between breastfeeding and formula.
NCT Postnatal Line 0300 330 0773 9am-1pm, Monday to Friday
Life with a new baby is a challenge and NCT qualified practitioners are available to talk if you have questions or are struggling with any part of being the parent of a new baby.
Not smoking during pregnancy
Find out the benefits of stopping smoking in pregnancy, and the dangers of smoking during pregnancy. Protecting your baby from tobacco smoke is one of the best things you can do to give your child a healthy start in life.
Help Me Quit - Wales (opens in a new tab)
NHS - Smoking in pregnancy (opens in a new tab)
Breastfeeding
Watch videos following mums who decide to breastfeed their babies, and learn everything you ever wanted to know about breastfeeding and how to do it successfully.
Best Beginnings (opens in a new tab)
Information and videos about pregnancy, emotions and life with your new baby
'Bump to Breastfeeding' videos (opens in a new tab)
Birth to five
The Welsh Government provides a publication 'Birth to Five' free to parents in Wales.
It is based on the Department of Health publication which has been revised and updated for Wales, and is bilingual. 'Birth to Five' includes information on:
- the first weeks with a new baby
- growth and development
- learning and playing
- habits and behaviour
- feeding your child
- illness and accidents
- mothers' health
- services
- rights and benefits
The NHS development timeline shows how your child will develop, from birth to five years old.
Start4Life
Start4Life brings together all the latest news and advice on nutrition and activity for new parents, with tips on how to give your baby the best start in life.
Childhood Immunisations
The NHS offer many vaccines free to everyone in the UK - the NHS guide provides you and your family with a checklist of the vaccines available and the age at which you should ideally have them.