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    • NCT Antenatal course
      Prepare for birth and early parenthood and connect with local expectant parents at our in-person sessions.
    • Online NCT Antenatal course
      Prepare for birth and early parenthood in a flexible, supportive way from home.
    • NCT Antenatal refresher course
      Expecting again? Revisit the essentials, ask what’s changed, and prepare with confidence.
    • NCT New Baby course
      Build confidence in the early days with your baby, from feeding to sleep.
    • NCT Introducing Solid Foods workshop
      Clear, practical guidance to help you start solids with confidence.
    • NCT Baby & Child First Aid
      Learn practical skills to handle emergencies with confidence.
    • View all courses
    • Pregnancy
      Evidence-based answers to questions, from the early weeks to the final stretch.
    • Labour & birth
      Balanced information to help you understand your options and feel prepared.
    • Baby & toddler
      Trusted guidance on feeding, sleep and early development.
    • Life as a parent
      Real-life support for the challenges and changes of parenthood.
    • View all pregnancy & parent information
    • NCT Walk and Talks
      Get some fresh air, take a stroll and connect with local parents.
    • NCT Nearly New Sales
      Shop or sell preloved baby items and find great value essentials.
    • Infant feeding support
      NCT Infant Feeding Line, Baby Cafés and peer support groups.
    • NCT Baby & Child First Aid
      Learn practical skills to handle emergencies with confidence.
    • NCT Bumps & Babies
      Relaxed meet-ups to connect with parents near you.
    • Peer support groups
      Support your mental health with people who understand.
    • Newborn Talks: Support Drop-ins
      Expert-led online sessions with time for your questions.
    • View all events and support services
    • Make a donation
      Help fund vital services that support parents when they need it most.
    • Become a member
      Join a movement working to improve support, care and outcomes for every parent.
    • Volunteer at NCT
      Give your time to support parents locally and make a real difference.
    • Fundraise for NCT
      Raise funds your way to support families across the UK.
    • Partner with us
      Work with us to support parents and create lasting impact.
    • Share your stories
      Share your experience to help shape services and support other parents.
    • View all support us
    • For Every Parent strategy
      How we’re working to support every parent, every step of the way.
    • Our impact
      The difference we make for parents, families, and communities across the UK.
    • NCT Board of Trustees
      The people who guide our direction and ensure we stay true to our mission.
    • NCT Leadership Team
      The team leading NCT’s work and helping shape our future.
    • Our history
      How NCT began, and the journey that’s brought us to where we are today.
    • Community support programmes
      Commissioned, co-produced services that deliver trusted local support for parents and families.
    • Contact us
      Ways to get in touch with our teams for help, questions, or support.
    • View all about us

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    • NCT Antenatal course
      Prepare for birth and early parenthood and connect with local expectant parents at our in-person sessions.
    • Online NCT Antenatal course
      Prepare for birth and early parenthood in a flexible, supportive way from home.
    • NCT Antenatal refresher course
      Expecting again? Revisit the essentials, ask what’s changed, and prepare with confidence.
    • NCT New Baby course
      Build confidence in the early days with your baby, from feeding to sleep.
    • NCT Introducing Solid Foods workshop
      Clear, practical guidance to help you start solids with confidence.
    • NCT Baby & Child First Aid
      Learn practical skills to handle emergencies with confidence.
    • View all courses
    • Pregnancy
      Evidence-based answers to questions, from the early weeks to the final stretch.
    • Labour & birth
      Balanced information to help you understand your options and feel prepared.
    • Baby & toddler
      Trusted guidance on feeding, sleep and early development.
    • Life as a parent
      Real-life support for the challenges and changes of parenthood.
    • View all pregnancy & parent information
    • NCT Walk and Talks
      Get some fresh air, take a stroll and connect with local parents.
    • NCT Nearly New Sales
      Shop or sell preloved baby items and find great value essentials.
    • Infant feeding support
      NCT Infant Feeding Line, Baby Cafés and peer support groups.
    • NCT Baby & Child First Aid
      Learn practical skills to handle emergencies with confidence.
    • NCT Bumps & Babies
      Relaxed meet-ups to connect with parents near you.
    • Peer support groups
      Support your mental health with people who understand.
    • Newborn Talks: Support Drop-ins
      Expert-led online sessions with time for your questions.
    • View all events and support services
    • Make a donation
      Help fund vital services that support parents when they need it most.
    • Become a member
      Join a movement working to improve support, care and outcomes for every parent.
    • Volunteer at NCT
      Give your time to support parents locally and make a real difference.
    • Fundraise for NCT
      Raise funds your way to support families across the UK.
    • Partner with us
      Work with us to support parents and create lasting impact.
    • Share your stories
      Share your experience to help shape services and support other parents.
    • View all support us
    • For Every Parent strategy
      How we’re working to support every parent, every step of the way.
    • Our impact
      The difference we make for parents, families, and communities across the UK.
    • NCT Board of Trustees
      The people who guide our direction and ensure we stay true to our mission.
    • NCT Leadership Team
      The team leading NCT’s work and helping shape our future.
    • Our history
      How NCT began, and the journey that’s brought us to where we are today.
    • Community support programmes
      Commissioned, co-produced services that deliver trusted local support for parents and families.
    • Contact us
      Ways to get in touch with our teams for help, questions, or support.
    • View all about us
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  3. Pregnancy & parent information
  5. Life as a parent
  7. Practicalities of being a parent

Practicalities of being a parent

Practical information about some of the common situations you might be experiencing: returning to work, travelling with your child, parental leave, benefits and more.

Practicalities of being a parent articles

  • All
Showing 12 articles
childminder
Average childcare costs
Benefits and entitlements
Benefits and entitlements to claim when you have a baby
kids at childminders
Childcare options
Childcare
Choosing childcare that suits your family
woman talking
Help with childcare costs
Toddler in cot
How to reuse baby items and what to buy new
Maternity rights
Maternity and paternity leave, pay, rights and time off work
Maternity and nursing bras
Maternity bras and nursing bras: what you need to know
Reusable nappies
Reusable nappies or disposable nappies?
Baby in car seat
Travel with a baby: car seats, taxis, and bicycles
Parent and baby on a plane
Travelling abroad with a baby
Travelling by public transport
Travelling by public transport with a baby
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