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Early parenthood

Support during the transition to parenthood

The NCT aims for all parents to have a positive start to family life.

We want all women and men to feel prepared and supported to become confident and caring parents.

We value and promote high quality social, financial and emotional support for all parents, as well as opportunities for men and women to prepare for the transition to parenthood because:

  • The transition to parenthood is the founding phase of family life. What happens in the early days can have a major impact at the time and have long-term consequences for the child, the parents and for society.
  • Mothers and fathers are often unprepared for the physical, emotional and financial demands of looking after a new baby and many feel isolated and overwhelmed.
  • First time parents often have very limited experience of caring for babies or children and may not have extended family or friends who are parents of a baby living close by.
  • Parenthood should be recognised for its contribution to the future of our society. Economic and social polices are needed to raise families out of poverty, end discrimination and promote social inclusion.

Campaign to End Child Poverty

The NCT is a member of the campaign to End Child Poverty

3.8 million children - one in three - are currently living in poverty in the UK, one of the highest rates in the industrialised world. This is a shocking figure given the wealth of our nation. The NCT believes that the social and emotional impact of poverty on new parents undermines the foundations of family life and childhood.

Find out what you can do to get the government to keep its promise to Britain's children and eradicate child poverty by 2020.

Parenting Programmes

NCT is working with a number of other charities to improve the quality of TV programmes focussed on parenting of young children. Find out more about what the NCT is doing to ensure that broadcasting standards protect the children and their parents who are featured in reality TV shows.

Get involved in these campaigns and find out how you can support the NCT's campaigning work across the areas of pregnancy and birth, early parenthood and babyfeeding.