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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.
    • NCT Baby Cafes
      Free, friendly drop-ins for feeding support from trained counsellors.
    • 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.
    • 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

NCT3.Mobile

    • 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.
    • NCT Baby Cafes
      Free, friendly drop-ins for feeding support from trained counsellors.
    • 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.
    • 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

Life as a parent

Find information about your own health and wellbeing, how to thrive through changes you might be experiencing and some of the practicalities of being a parent. We're here with you.
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Illustration of a dad kissing his baby

Life as a parent articles

  • All
  • Wellbeing & mental health
  • Support with change
  • Practicalities of being a parent
Showing 14 articles
childminder
Average childcare costs
family with young baby
Benefits and entitlements to claim when you have a baby
kids at childminders
Childcare options
Childcare
Choosing childcare that suits your family
Driving with your baby
Driving with your baby or toddler long distance: tips for road trips
woman talking
Help with childcare costs
Second baby: how to reuse baby items and what to buy new
How to reuse baby items and what to buy new
Woman wearing maternity bra
Maternity bras and nursing bras: what you need to know
Returning to work
Maternity leave: pay, rights and return to work
Dad playing with baby
Paternity leave and pay: the information you need before your baby comes
family with kids
Shared Parental Leave
young family
Time off work for sick children and parental leave: a guide
Parent and baby on a plane
Travelling abroad with a baby
Public Transport
Travelling with a baby on public transport: 10 tips

Information you can trust 

Our aim is to give every parent access to free, evidence-informed information about pregnancy, birth, infant feeding and early parenthood. We want to help you feel confident, informed and supported. We work hard to make sure the information is useful for you.

About our pregnancy and parent information

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Support with feeding
Pregnancy & Baby Guide
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Supporting families through pregnancy, birth, and early parenthood

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