Caring for your baby

After you've had your baby Shropshire Healthier Together provides information on a range of services and support that's available post-birth. 

You'll also find the following helpful:

Solid foods

Introducing solid foods from six months is initially more about getting your baby used to different tastes and textures. They'll continue to get most of their energy and nutrients from breast or formula milk. 

It's a good idea to wait until around six months before introducing solid foods because: 

  • Breast milk or first infant formula provide the energy and nutrients your baby needs until they're around six months old (with the exception of vitamin D in some cases) 

  • If you're breastfeeding, feeding only breast milk up to around six months of age will help protect your baby against illness and infections 

  • Waiting until around six months gives your baby time to develop so that they can cope fully with solid foods – this includes solid foods made into purées, cereals and baby rice added to milk 

  • Your baby will be more able to feed themselves 

  • Your baby will be better at moving food around their mouth, chewing and swallowing it – this may mean they'll be able to progress to a range of tastes and textures (such as mashed, lumpy and finger foods) more quickly, and may not need smooth, blended foods at all 

Take a look at the NHS website for more information.

Feeding your baby

Breastfeeding

The Breastfeeding Network offers peer support sessions across the county.

Additional information about breastfeeding:

To find breastfeeding groups in Shropshire take a look at the Family Information Directory.

Responsive bottle feeding 

If you're thinking about bottle feeding your baby more information can be found on the NHS website.

Sleep  

The Lullaby Trust provides information on safer sleeping and what you should avoid. 

Sleep Tight workshops are also available through our Parenting Team.

Child safety 

Child accident prevention is a crucial aspect of ensuring the safety and wellbeing of children. Here are some key points to consider for preventing accidents: 

  1. Environment: improving the design and planning of living spaces can create safer homes and leisure areas. This includes using adaptations like fireguards and safety gates. 

  1. Education: increasing awareness of accident risks and providing information on how to minimise these risks is essential. This involves educating both children and adults about safety in various settings. 

  1. Enforcement: implementing and adhering to safety regulations can help prevent accidents by ensuring that environments are as safe as possible. 

  1. General safety advice: simple solutions and changes to routines can prevent many serious accidents. FoGeneral safety advicer example, keeping small objects like button batteries out of reach can prevent choking hazards

For more detailed information and resources, the Child Accident Prevention Trust offers free educational materials, safety workshops, and advice for parents and carers. They also provide specific guidance on hazards such as button batteries and the risks associated with certain toys like fidget spinners.

Remember, most serious accidents involving children are preventable with the right knowledge and precautions. 

Bereavement support 

The loss of a baby is a deeply upsetting time and it's crucial to seek support to help you through the grief. Shropshire and Telford Hospital Trust offer bereavement support to families who have experienced a pregnancy loss or death of a baby.

Shropshire Sands is an organisation dedicated to supporting anyone affected by the death of a baby. They offer peer support to bereaved families, and while they are not currently running monthly face-to-face sessions, they are available to arrange support via email.