Having a baby is life-changing. Help yourself adjust and grow in confidence with an Early Days course. You’ll be guided by one of our highly experienced course leaders, meet other mums in the same boat, build a network of support and gain valuable knowledge, skills and insight.
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Your first few months with your new baby can feel amazing and overwhelming all at the same time. It’s normal to feel uncertain and it can be hard to find the right support.
NCT Early Days brings you all the information and skills you need to confidently parent your new baby while introducing you into a supportive group of new mums. Here you’ll be welcomed and supported while you find your feet.
"Fantastic supportive course, especially being able to meet other mums in the same situation and have a regular catch up. Learnt a lot and it has hugely helped my confidence grow as a first time mum."
What to expect
Expert course leaders
Our warm, supportive course leaders bring years of personal and professional experience to every session. Understanding the impact of a new baby and knowledgeable about the needs of parents and babies, they will listen, relate to your experience and help you. From working through your questions to guiding you with information, ideas and support, our course leaders are trained to the highest standard by NCT.
"I'm so glad I booked the Early Days course. I was so focused on preparing for the birth that I neglected reading up on the first weeks of parenting, which were very overwhelming, so the course was fantastic. The instructor was brilliant - reassuring and insightful - and I met a great group of fellow new mums, which has been a godsend in lockdown."
A close-knit network
NCT Early Days courses are designed for you to bring your baby too. You can start as soon as you feel ready to get out and about. You’ll have a close group around you during those important early days and a support group for as long as you need. Early Days courses are renown for creating lifelong friendships.
"It was a really great course to meet other new mums and have a safe group of people to ask the lots of questions you have in the first few months!"
An informed approach
We want you to feel confident that you're making the right decisions for your family and getting all the support and information you need. Early Days courses help you explore parenting and consider what might work for you and your baby.
We offer evidence-based information and link you into local services and support, so you can make informed decisions and start to feel more confident and connected.
"I absolutely loved my postnatal course. Everything I wanted to find out about and more were covered in detail. Our course leader was brilliant, so knowledgeable and helpful about what was happening with our babies. I now feel much more confident and able to trust my own judgement."
What you’ll learn
Early development
Learn about caring for your baby and how you can support their development in the early weeks and months. Through understanding babies crying, communicating, sleep cycles and development, Early Days courses help you develop the skills and confidence to help you comfort them, anticipate their sleep and feeds whilst learning to meet their emotional needs.
"I was unsure what to expect before the course... our practitioner made us all feel so welcome and at ease. She shaped and managed the content to suit our group. I learnt so much from feeding and sleeping to slings and relationships. A fantastic course that I would recommend to all new parents."
Wellbeing
Looking after your baby is important but your own wellbeing matters too. Early Days courses give you the time to focus on your own needs and to think about all of those involved in the care of your baby. Your course leader will talk about common issues new mums and families face, from the impact on relationships, to sex after birth and returning to work. They'll share key information and top tips from other parents.
"I am so happy I stepped out and reached out. I feel so much better now."
Shared experiences
Sharing your stories and anxieties with other mums can really help you feel better. You’ll realise that no problem is unique, and that many of your worries are shared by other mums. From your birth experiences to your worries about parenting, you can share safely here.
"I was really struggling with being a new mum and this course helped me feel like I wasn't alone!"
"Reassuring, warm course connecting new Mums in their time of need!"
Pricing
Our courses vary in price depending on length and location. To see a list of all prices and locations, search for your nearest course or drop us an email.
We want every parent to have access to our courses, so we offer flexible payment plans and generous discounts for parents relying on certain benefits, or whose total household income is less than £30,000 per year. Drop us a confidential email to learn more.
