Where to find support for parents-to-be

Support for new parents

Whether you are looking for specialist help, medical reassurance, or just a listening ear and a virtual cup of tea, there are always people to help. We’ve started a list of support for new parents to share.

Parenting Classes and Communities

• National Childbirth Trust (NCT)
  For antenatal courses and the chance to make local friendships that can last a lifetime

• Action for Children
  Judgement-free advice and emotional support from parenting coaches

• Bounty
  Pregnancy week-by-week, online support, parenting community and special offers

• MumsMeetUp
  Connecting mums locally and across the UK

Phone and online helplines for parenting support

• Gingerbread
  Support and forum for single parent families

• Families Need Fathers
  Supporting dads, mums and grandparents following separation

• Pink Parents
  Gay and lesbian parenting support

Health Advice

• Asthma UK
  Advice and support for parents of children with asthma

• National Eczema Society
  Help and information for eczema sufferers, from newborn to adulthood

• Pregnancy Sickness Support
  Support network is for sufferers of Nausea and Vomiting in Pregnancy (NVP) and Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG) and their carers

• British Skin Foundation
  UK charity funding research into all types of skin disease, offering support and information

• The Lullaby Trust
  The Trust raises awareness of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, offers support for bereaved families and advice on safer sleep for babies

Mental Health

• Anxiety UK
  Helpline services, courses, groups and free resources

• MIND
  Provides advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem

• Maternal Mental Health Alliance
  Expert support with mums and babies in mind

Allergies

• Allergy uk
  Providing support, advice and information for those living with allergic disease

Bedwetting

• Huggies® DryNites®
  Head here for product solutions and information about Huggies® DryNites® pyjama pants and bed mats. You’ll also find plenty of articles here that offer support and advice.

• Eric
  The children's bowel and bladder charity

Government bodies and benefits

• Sure Start Maternity Grant
  Find out how to get a one-off payment of £500 to help towards the costs of having a child

• Maternity prescription charge exemption and free dental treatment
  Claim for free dental treatment and avoid paying for prescriptions

• To claim child benefit
  How to claim child benefit as soon as you’ve registered the birth of your child

Contributors

Sally J Hall Parenting editor, journalist & author