Support Available After Having Your Baby

Bringing your baby home is exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming. Caring for a newborn while recovering from birth is a big adjustment, and it’s important to remember that you are not expected to do it alone.

There are many healthcare professionals and support services available to help you and your baby during the first weeks and months after birth. Whether you have questions about feeding, your recovery, your baby’s health or your emotional wellbeing, support is available.

Your Public Health Nurse (PHN)

Your Public Health Nurse (PHN) plays an important role in supporting you and your baby after you leave hospital.

Following the birth of your baby, your maternity hospital will notify your local Public Health Nursing Service. Your PHN will usually contact you to arrange your first visit, which often takes place within the first few days after you return home.

Your Public Health Nurse can:

Check your baby’s general health and development.
Weigh your baby and monitor growth.
Support you with breastfeeding or formula feeding.
Answer questions about sleeping, crying and settling your baby.
Assess your own physical recovery after birth.
Offer advice on your emotional wellbeing.
Provide guidance on safe sleep and baby care.
Arrange follow-up visits if needed.
Refer you to other services if additional support is required.

Your PHN is often your first point of contact for non-urgent questions during your baby’s first years.

Breastfeeding Support

Breastfeeding can take time to establish, and it is normal to need support in the early days.

If you are experiencing difficulties, help is available from:

Midwives before you leave hospital.
Your Public Health Nurse.
Lactation Consultants.
Your GP.

Local breastfeeding support groups.

Breastfeeding support is available for concerns such as:

Positioning and attachment.
Sore or cracked nipples.
Low milk supply.
Engorgement.
Mastitis.
Expressing and storing breast milk.
Combination feeding.
Returning to work while breastfeeding.

Asking for help early can often prevent small feeding problems from becoming more difficult.

Remember that feeding should not be painful. If you experience ongoing pain or your baby is not feeding well, seek advice promptly.

Your GP

Your GP continues to care for both you and your baby after you leave hospital.

Your Baby’s Care

Your GP can:

Assess your baby’s health if they become unwell.
Provide routine healthcare and advice.
Carry out your baby’s six-week check (if provided by your GP practice).
Discuss feeding concerns.
Assess reflux, rashes, constipation or other common newborn concerns.
Provide immunisations in line with the National Immunisation Programme.
Your Care

Your GP can also support your recovery by:

Reviewing your physical recovery after birth.
Checking caesarean or perineal wound healing if needed.
Assessing heavy bleeding or infection.
Treating breast infections such as mastitis.
Discussing contraception.
Reviewing pelvic-floor symptoms.
Supporting your emotional wellbeing.
Diagnosing and treating postnatal depression or anxiety.
Referring you to specialist services if required.

You should arrange your routine postnatal check at around six weeks after your baby’s birth.

Your Community Pharmacist

Your pharmacist is an accessible source of healthcare advice and can help with many common postnatal concerns.

Your pharmacist can advise on:

Medicines that are safe while breastfeeding.
Pain relief after birth.
Constipation.
Haemorrhoids (piles).
Minor skin conditions.
Cracked nipples and nipple creams.
Infant feeding equipment.
Vitamin supplements.
Minor illnesses affecting you or your baby.

If your pharmacist feels your symptoms require medical assessment, they will advise you to see your GP or attend hospital.

Always tell your pharmacist if you are breastfeeding before taking any medicines, including over-the-counter products or herbal supplements.

Lactation Consultants

Some women need additional breastfeeding support beyond the early days.

A lactation consultant has specialist training in breastfeeding and can help with more complex issues such as:

Babies struggling to latch.
Slow weight gain.
Tongue-tie concerns.
Expressing milk.
Returning to work.
Maintaining milk supply.
Breastfeeding after a difficult birth or caesarean section.

Your maternity hospital, Public Health Nurse or GP can advise how to access breastfeeding support in your area.

Parent and Baby Support Groups

Meeting other parents can help you feel more confident and less isolated.

Many communities offer:

Breastfeeding support groups.
Parent and baby groups.
Baby massage classes.
Postnatal exercise classes.
Parenting education sessions.

Your Public Health Nurse can tell you what is available locally.

Mental Health Support

Adjusting to life with a new baby can be emotionally challenging.

If you feel:

Persistently low.
Anxious.
Overwhelmed.
Unable to cope.
Disconnected from your baby.

Speak to your GP, Public Health Nurse or maternity team.

Many women experience the baby blues during the first week after birth, but if symptoms continue for more than two weeks or become more severe, it is important to seek help.

Support may include:

Practical advice.
Counselling or talking therapies.
Community mental health services.
Medication if appropriate.

Early support often leads to a quicker recovery.

When Should You Ask for Help?

Contact your GP, Public Health Nurse or maternity hospital if:

Your baby is feeding poorly.
Your baby has fewer wet nappies than expected.
Your baby appears unusually sleepy or difficult to wake.
You are struggling with breastfeeding.
Your stitches or caesarean wound become painful or infected.
Your vaginal bleeding becomes heavy or has an unpleasant smell.
You develop a temperature of 38°C or higher.
You feel persistently low or anxious.
You are worried about your baby’s health or your own recovery.

You know yourself and your baby best. If something doesn’t feel right, seek advice.

Emergency Help

Call 112 or 999 or attend your nearest Emergency Department immediately if:

Your baby has difficulty breathing.
Your baby becomes floppy or unresponsive.
Your baby has a seizure.
You have severe chest pain or difficulty breathing.
You have heavy vaginal bleeding.
You have thoughts of harming yourself or your baby.

Key Points to Remember

You are not expected to manage alone after having a baby.
Your Public Health Nurse is an important source of ongoing support.
Ask for breastfeeding help early if you experience any difficulties.
Your GP cares for both you and your baby after birth.
Your pharmacist can advise on medicines and many common postnatal concerns.
Emotional wellbeing is just as important as physical recovery.
Never hesitate to ask for help if you are worried about yourself or your baby.

The weeks after birth are a time of learning and adjustment for every family. Making use of the support available can help you feel more confident, recover well and give your baby the best possible start in life.