Free resources for UK new parents: NHS, apps and local support
The first weeks with a newborn can feel relentless, and knowing where to turn for help makes a real difference. The UK has a wide range of free NHS, government and community services built specifically for this stage, and many parents are unaware of how much is available at no cost. This guide pulls the most useful ones together so you can spend less time searching and more time with your baby.
Your health visitor: the professional most new parents forget to use
Health visitors are qualified nurses or midwives who have completed additional specialist training. According to the NHS, your health visitor should make first contact with you at around 28 weeks of pregnancy, well before your baby arrives. Once your baby is born, they will usually carry out a new baby review at home around 10 days after the birth.
After that initial visit you can continue to see your health visitor at child health clinics, GP surgeries or health centres. They can give advice on postnatal mental health and connect you with local support groups. If you are unsure how to reach yours, your GP surgery or midwife team can pass on the details.
Midwife support in the early days
Your community midwife stays involved in your care from birth until the health visitor takes over at the new baby review, typically around day 10. During that window the midwife can visit you at home, check on your recovery and your baby's feeding, and flag anything that needs attention. If you have concerns between visits, your maternity unit will have a number you can call at any time.
The 6 to 8 week postnatal check
Between 6 and 8 weeks after birth, your GP surgery will offer you a postnatal check. The appointment covers how you are feeling mentally and emotionally, your physical recovery including any stitches from an episiotomy or caesarean, blood pressure where relevant, contraception options, and your vaccination status. The NHS encourages parents not to put on a brave face at this appointment: it is the right moment to raise anything that has been worrying you.
Your baby will also receive their own check with a GP at around the same time. This covers their growth, development, feeding and any early concerns. The two appointments can sometimes be combined, but ask your surgery to confirm how they arrange them.
Child health clinics
Child health clinics are run by health visitors and GPs and offer regular baby health and development reviews as well as vaccinations. Many clinics also run parent and baby groups, breastfeeding support sessions and peer support groups in the same building. They are free to attend and no appointment is usually needed for the drop-in elements. Check with your GP surgery or health visitor for clinic days and times near you.
Family Hubs and Sure Start Children's Centres
Family Hubs are local centres offering parenting classes, access to health visitors, feeding support and postnatal mental health support. They serve parents and carers of children from birth to 19, or up to 25 for those with special educational needs or disabilities. If you are pregnant or have just had a baby, you are eligible from the start.
Sure Start Children's Centres, where they are still operating locally, provide family health and support services, early learning and childcare for children from birth to 5 years. Some have specific programmes for younger parents. Availability varies because a number of centres have been absorbed into the Family Hub network. Your local council website or the Family Information Service can tell you what is available in your area. The Family Information Service also helps with childcare for children with disabilities or additional needs.
Helplines and community organisations
Several free national helplines exist for parents who need extra support:
- Coram Family Lives (general parenting support): 0808 800 2222
- Contact (support for families of disabled children): 0808 808 3555
- Family Rights Group (advice on statutory services): 0808 801 0366
- Parent Talk (WhatsApp-based support from Action for Children): 0770 017 4470
All of these are free to call or message, and none of them require a referral from a professional.
Frequently asked questions
When does a health visitor first contact me?
Your health visitor should make contact at around 28 weeks of pregnancy. After the birth they will carry out a home visit at roughly 10 days old. From then on you can see them at child health clinics and GP surgeries without a formal referral.
What happens at the 6-week postnatal check?
Your GP will look at your mental wellbeing, physical recovery (including any wounds), blood pressure if applicable, contraception and vaccination status. Your baby receives a separate but roughly simultaneous check covering growth, development and feeding. Raise any concern at all during this appointment as it is specifically designed for that purpose.
What are Family Hubs and how do I find one?
Family Hubs are council-run local centres that bring together parenting support, health visitor access, feeding help and mental health resources in one place. They are open to parents from pregnancy onwards. Search your local council's website or contact your local authority directly to find the nearest hub and its opening times.
Are Sure Start Children's Centres still running?
Many Sure Start Children's Centres continue to operate, though some have transitioned into the newer Family Hub model. They provide health and support services, early learning and childcare for children from birth to 5 years, and some offer specific sessions for young parents. Your Family Information Service or local council can confirm what is available close to you.
Is Cubby free to use?
Yes. Cubby has a free tier that covers logging feeds, nappy changes, sleep and growth from day one. You can track everything that matters in those early weeks without paying anything to get started.
Track your baby with Cubby, free
Cubby makes it easy to log feeds, sleep and nappies so you always have the right information ready for your health visitor or GP appointments.
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