Everything you need to know prior to conception, throughout pregnancy and birth, all the way through until your baby turns two years old
Every family knows the immense joy that the arrival of a baby can bring. But every parent or carer also knows the anxiety of this sudden responsibility. The sleepless nights, the doubt, the questions – these are all natural and common experiences during the 1,001 days from conception to a baby’s second birthday.
In Sefton we believe that the first 1,001 days are a critical time for babies, and their parents and carers. A healthy pregnancy sets up the unborn baby for a healthy life, and pregnancy changes life for parents, carers and the family around them.
Our aim is to provide seamless support for families with voluntary, community, health and council services working together.
We acknowledge all families need some help to give their babies the best start in life. Whether it is from healthcare professionals or volunteers, family or friends, there is a diverse range of support and services available in this country. However, it is not always easy for families to access information about what support is available. This can make it hard for families who are juggling the demands of caring for a baby to find the support they need when they need it.
Our Start for Life offer will contain the services that are available to parents and carers in the first 1,001 critical days, and information on how parents and carers can access them.
By sharing resources and working together, we can ensure families receive the services they need. Parents will feel supported and part of their communities accessing help they need without barriers.
This shared and integrated Early Help approach will mean:
- Co-ordinated services resulting in healthy, happy babies and young children who are well attached to resilient and confident caregivers
- Healthy, happy children and young people progressing through their education. Developing emotional resilience, social skills and positive aspirations
- Young adults in appropriate education, training or employment, in stable relationships and with living skills that make them healthy and independent
The Start for Life offer will include services and sessions supporting:
- Early language development
- Infant-feeding advice and specialist breastfeeding support
- Parent infant relationships and perinatal mental health
- Parenting support
- These sessions will compliment services like midwife appointments and health visitor drop ins
We'll update this page as our Start for Life offer develops, so check back later for more information.