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NHS – Early Days After Birth - Free NHS postnatal guidance
NHS Early Days provides free, trusted guidance to help new parents navigate the first weeks after childbirth. It covers maternal recovery, newborn feeding, safe sleeping, emotional wellbeing, and routine health checks. Families can learn what to expect, recognise potential concerns, and understand when to seek professi...
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NHS Early Days provides free, trusted guidance to help new parents navigate the first weeks after childbirth. It covers maternal recovery, newborn feeding, safe sleeping, emotional wellbeing, and routine health checks. Families can learn what to expect, recognise potential concerns, and understand when to seek professional healthcare advice and support.
- Free NHS guidance on recovery and caring for your newborn.
- Learn about bleeding, healing, emotional changes, and postnatal checks.
- Find information on feeding, nappies, sleep and newborn health.
- Contact your midwife, health visitor or GP with concerns.
- Seek urgent help for serious symptoms.
Important: Seek urgent medical advice for concerning postnatal symptoms. Call 999 for sudden, very heavy bleeding, particularly with faintness, dizziness or a pounding heartbeat.
Sources and review
Organisation: NHS (National Health Service) Resource type: Postnatal health education and newborn care guidance Cost: Free Source workbook: MidwifePlus Public Resource Directory Listing: MP-007 Source checked: 23 October 2026 Next suggested review: April 2027 Editorial status: Reviewed for directory listing Partnership status: Independent signposting; no partnership implied.
Approved 30 October 2026 · Review due 30 April 2027
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