Start for Life offer

Improve your chances of getting pregnant and having a healthy pregnancy by taking a folic acid supplement, stopping smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, knowing which medicines you can take, and keeping up with the NHS vaccination schedule.

Self-refer your pregnancy or your loved one’s pregnancy to the Birmingham and Solihull United Maternity and Newborn Partnership (BUMP) to access the right local care from day one.

When pregnant, alcohol passes from your blood through the placenta to your baby which can cause serious life-long conditions called Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) with the more you drink, the greater the risk.

NHS midwives provide advice, answer questions, and offer support to pregnant women in Birmingham and Solihull as part of the Local Maternity and Neonatal System (LMNS)

Information and advice on getting ready for giving birth, symptoms of pregnancy such as vomiting and morning sickness, the challenges ahead, and getting support.

If you’re more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under age 4, you may be entitled to Healthy Start vouchers to help to buy milk, vitamins, and healthy food.

Health Visitors are specialist community nurses who provide expert advice and support such as height and weight reviews during a minimum of five scheduled health and development contacts – antenatal (around 28 weeks pregnancy), new birth (10-14 days after birth), 6-8 weeks, 9 months, and 2 years.

If you’re a parent or carer of a child aged 0-5 and have questions for a qualified health professional, you can text 0750 733 2563 on Monday-Friday between 09:00-16:30 or message online at www.chathealth.nhs.uk to receive a response within 24 working hours.

No matter how you decide to feed your baby, it is crucial to ensure that they get the nutrition they need to develop and stay healthy with feeding advice, breastfeeding support, online classes, café groups, and antenatal/postnatal resources.

A specialist nurse programme for young first-time mothers and fathers aged 19 and under (or 21 and under with care experience) from pregnancy to age 2.

From changing nappies to baby bonding and introducing solid foods, get tips on bathing, dressing, and feeding, as well as useful advice on coping with emotional changes, stress, and anxiety after childbirth.

For the first 6-12 months, the safest place for a baby to sleep is in a separate bed in the same room as parents or carers – on their back, in a clear space, on a firm, flat, waterproof mattress, in a smoke-free environment at a comfortable temperature (between 16-20°C).

Enjoyable ideas on how to talk, play, relax, cuddle, and respond to your child at different ages and stages of their development.

Free activities, development milestones, and tips and advice on developing your child’s language and communication skills.

Activities ideas for you and child to do together such as learning to talk, building your baby’s strength with tummy time and playtime activities, and keeping your toddler active both in and outside your home.

Speech and language therapists (SLT) from Solihull Children’s Community Therapies assess how children communicate with family, friends, and in their educational setting to enable their parents or carers to feel confident about how to support them.

A collection of services and support for children and young people with Special Educational Needs & Disabilities (SEND) between age 0-25, including information on co-production, social care, the Children’s Disability Register, newsletters, engagement, and more.

You can start brushing your baby’s teeth as soon as they start to come through using a baby toothbrush with a tiny smear of fluoride toothpaste.

If you smoke at home, loved ones who breathe in your smoke are four times more likely to develop lung cancer than normal.

For example, babies and toddlers are more likely to get chest infections, meningitis, and an ear infection called ‘glue ear’. If they have asthma, their symptoms will get worse.

If you smoke, smoke outside. This reduces the risk of smoke being inhaled by those around you.

More information on passive smoking can be found on the NHS website.

Helping you live well and find the services and support you need at all stages of life, including financial support for the cost of living, physical and emotional wellbeing, unpaid carers, employment, and more – download the Here2Help booklet for more information.

Parents and carers can access a range of online parenting courses for FREE on the Solihull Approach website by applying the access code “APPLEJACKS”.

Reduce the chances of accidents happening and what to be wary of, including seasonal hazards, product recalls, nappy bags, water beads, button batteries, grapes, fidget spinners, blind cords, and open windows – with resources such as wall charts for at-a-glance safety education.

Smokefree Solihull provide stop smoking support for people who live in, access a GP in, or work in Solihull.

Following an initial assessment, Smokefree Solihull provide up to 12 weeks of free nicotine replacement therapy and behavioural support, making you three times more likely to quit smoking.

If you are looking to quit smoking, call 0121 740 1212, email ablh.solihull@nhs.net, or access their online referral form.

Support is available to children, young people, and families who find themselves experiencing long waits to access children’s community therapy and mental health services, including community groups, parent workshops, peer support, and more.