Download a personalised vaccination calendar, which highlights the dates your child needs to have their vaccinations by.

Download from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/

For general guidance about childhood immunisations click HERE

For information about MMR vaccination click HERE

Use this visual guide to help you identify common conditions and illnesses that may affect your child. Includes conditions such as measles, slapped cheek syndrome, chicken pox and warts.

Website: www.nhs.uk

The HANDi Paediatric app gives up-to-date advice about common childhood illnesses and how to treat them. Developed by NHS organisations in Devon, the HANDi app is available to download for free onto any Apple or Android smartphone or tablet.

Website: HANDi APP

Download to Apple devices HERE

Download to Android devices HERE

For a hub of information for new parents and families go to:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/support-and-services/services-and-support-for-parents/

We are happy to advise parents about bites and stings. Please contact us if you are worried. For useful general advice please go to the NHS information HERE

Support group for one-parent families in Cornwall: Facebook Group, chat, outings etc. For a downloadable leaflet click HERE

Tel: 07737 573647 (Liz Northcott)

Facebook: COPS

Hub or resources and links to support groups for parents. Includes all the challenges, diet and going back to work etc.

Website: https://www.nhs.uk/start4life/baby/feeding-your-baby/breastfeeding/

For information for parents and carers about growth charts and how they are used, from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) click HERE

For a downloadable factsheet click HERE

Devon Under-5s support pages, offering help to Mums trying to breastfeed. Hub of self-help resources and support including: 

• Feeding helplines
• Peer Support Groups
• Health Visiting team
• Latch & Attach appointments
• Infant Feeding Clinics

Website: https://healthforunder5s.co.uk/devon/services/specialist-support/supporting-infant-feeding/

Devon text service for parents: text 07520 631721

NHS Information for parents including when to get help.

Website:https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/scarlet-fever/

Government information for the UK Health Securuty Agency can be found HERE

For a very useful article, with good images, and guidance on when to seek help, from Royal Collegeof Paediatrics and Child Health, click HERE

Really excellent hub of advice for parents from bringing out your child's talents to safe social media.

Click HERE

Place2Be is a children's mental health charity with over 25 years' experience working with pupils, families and staff in UK school. They are also organisers of Children's Mental Health Week, held annually in February.

Better Health Start For Life site provides NHS-endorsed advice, videos and tips, plus simple, healthy recipes, it puts everything parents need to know in one place.

https://www.nhs.uk/start4life/weaning/

Have a look at Start for Life, a really useful resource for parents and anyone working with young children. The website provides trusted NHS help and advice to parents and focuses on the key topics of breastfeeding, introducing solid foods and developing communication, language and literacy skills through encouraging parents to chat, play and read with their children.

Website: https://www.nhs.uk/start-for-life/

For and introductory video click HERE

A group for Mums living in Cornwall who are experiencing low mood following the birth of a child. Run by Outlook Southwest it offers 5 free 2-hour sessions that look at the following:

• Lighten your mood
• Get on top of your worries
• Manage sleepless nights
• Build confidence & self-esteem
• And Find Yourself Again!

Tel: 01208 871905

More info: HERE

Self-refer: https://www.cornwallft.nhs.uk/osw-contact-us

Children under 5 and their parents/carers. Meets at Holsworthy Methodist Chapel every Tuesday in term time, 9-11am. Tea & toast on arrival. Free but donations welcomed.

Email: michelleh.bandh2411@gmail.com

FREE Parent and Toddler group at Bude Methodist Church, Leven Road, EX23 8LA

Meets Mondays 10am -12noon

Tel: 01288 355508

Please note other charged parent and toddler groups also use this venue on other days.

Health Visitor attended, child weigh-in sessions are held at Bude Children's Centre, Broadclose Hill, Bude, EX23 8EA, on the first 3 Tuesdays of every month, 10am-11:30am. Just drop-in.

Tel: 01288 353968 

The Pearl Exchange Parent Support Group meets Mondays 10-11am or 11:15am-12:15pm,     Pitch 'n' Putt, Crooklets Road, Bude

Tel: 07377390708

On Facebook: HERE

The 2 Minute Foundation is a registered charity, that encourages everyone to play their part and clean up our planet, 2 minutes at a time.

Meets at Crooklets Beach, Bude. 

For 0-4's and parent/s! 

Thursdays 09:30-11:30am during term time.

Other family and older children activities available throughout the year.

Website: https://2minute.org/2-Minute-Beach-School

Charity offering a hub of resources for parents including:

• Toy safety
• Animal safety
• Road safety
• Burns and scalds
• Cycle safety
• In-car safety
• Choking
• Water safety

Website: https://capt.org.uk/

Website hub providing advice for parents, young people and pregnant women, plus clinical resources to support healthcare professionals. Endorsed by RCPCH.

Website:  https://www.what0-18.nhs.uk/

Helping young families on low incomes to access healthy food, milk and vitamins.

You could qualify for the NHS Healthy Start scheme if you’re at least 10 weeks pregnant or you have at least one child aged under four.

Downloadable leaflet

Tel: 0300 330 2090

Website: https://www.healthystart.nhs.uk/

Nationwide company offering baby & child first aid classes to parents and carers. Covers Cornwall, Barnstaple, Bideford and Okehampton locally. 

They say "Whether you are a Parent, Carer or Grandparent looking for a 2-hour first aid or baby proofing class, a professional looking for a first aid qualification course, or a child keen to know the basics of life saving first aid, multi award winning Mini First Aid have a class, a course, or online learning for you." 

Charges apply for classes and courses.

Website: https://www.minifirstaid.co.uk/classes

Cornwall Council have created an online course for parents to develop their onw relationship for better parenting. They say "Whether you are parenting together or separately, one of the best things you can do for your child is to improve the relationship between parents. The courses can be accessed online, entirely on your own, or through a group workshop - where you can meet other parents and professionals."

Tel:0300 1234 101

Website: https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/parenting

Course flyer

Parenting is hard. Having cancer is hard. It doesn’t matter what your family looks like, or if you’re just diagnosed, in treatment, living with, or now cancer free, this organisation aims to help you navigate family life and the challenges parenting throws at you. Good website, with coaching courses empowering and supporting parents at a tough time.

Website: https://www.parentingwithcancer.org/

Offers free support and activities for parents, caregivers and their children in Torridge and North Devon. Support includes breast pump hire, breast feeding peer support, local groups and workshops, hypnobirthing and antenatale groups etc. Has a good facebook community.

Website: https://earlynourishment.co.uk/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/earlynourishment

For a really useful factsheet from The Breastfeeding Network about antidepressants and breastfeeling click on the link below. Please note: The information provided is taken from various reference sources.  It is provided as a guideline.  No responsibility can be taken by the author or the Breastfeeding Network for the way in which the information is used.  Clinical decisions remain the responsibility of medical and breastfeeding practitioners.  The data presented here is intended to provide some immediate information but cannot replace input from professionals.

CLICK HERE

The Breastfeeding Network (BfN) aims to be an independent source of support and information for breastfeeding women and others.

Helpline: 0300 100 0212 (National Breastfeeding Helpline)

Website: https://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/

A group that help to engage children with special educational needs and disabilities. Activities designed for them to enjoy, with their parents/carers and siblings.

Meets every Monday at The Orchard Centre, Blindhole, Launceston during term time. Lego club, arts & crafts, music therapy, sensory play and more! 

Tel: 01566 248210

Website: http://lansentogether.org.uk/

Cornwall Council's parenting support courses focus on child development, building positive relationships with children and creating opportunities to join parenting communities, have fun and access peer support from other families. A full range of FREE courses cover all stages of parenting from pre-birth to older teens, with good SEND courses.

Website: https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/parenting

It can be tricky deciding whether or not to keep your child off school, nursery or playgroup when they're unwell. There are specific government guidelines to help you make that decision.

Have a look at this NHS website to give you a helping hand in making a decision.

Website: HERE

National organisation planting local groups at local venues to help mums support one another through the parenting journey. They say:

"We're building a community of Mums who are there to listen, share and support each other...Whether you need a listening ear, a shoulder to lean on, or simply a space to share your journey, our community is here for you. Let’s come together to uplift and empower one another through the highs and lows of motherhood."

For information compiled by Inclusion Cornwall on financial support and grants available to individuals and parents please click HERE

Correct October 2024; some information applies to the whole of UK and not just Cornwall