Support for the 1001 Critical Days
Being a new parent is one of life’s greatest gifts, but it doesn’t come without its challenges. Our list of resources and guidance will help support you in each step of your incredible journey from pregnancy to your baby’s second birthday.
NAVIGATE YOUR BABY'S FIRST 1001 DAYS WITH CONFIDENCE
The period between pregnancy and your child's second birthday represents 1001 critical days that lay the foundation for their lifelong health and development. During this time, parents and carers often face unique joys and challenges that can feel overwhelming if they do not receive proper support. In this section, you will find some trusted resources including practical guidance to help you navigate this crucial time.
We believe every baby should experience the best start in life.
1001 BUILDING BLOCKS
Your baby’s first 1001 days - from pregnancy to age two - will shape the rest of their life. During this remarkable period, your baby's brain forms more than a million connections every second, creating the foundation for future learning, behaviour and health.
Every interaction, every word, every moment of care contributes to your baby's development. By understanding and supporting your baby's needs during this formative time, you're helping build the essential foundations for lifelong physical and emotional wellbeing.
SUPPORTING YOUR PARENTING JOURNEY
Parenting during the 1001 Critical Days isn’t about being perfect. What matters is being responsive to your baby's needs, building a close relationship and adapting as you learn together. We know this journey can feel overwhelming at times. That's why we've gathered practical resources based on decades of research to help you navigate these important early days with confidence.
Every family's needs are different, and that's completely normal. Our carefully selected tools and guides will help you find what works for your situation. This might be connecting with your local family hub, finding support with feeding or sleep challenges, or understanding your baby's development. These trusted resources are designed to support both your baby's best start in life and your wellbeing as a parent or caregiver.
TRUSTED SUPPORT FOR YOUR PARENTING JOURNEY
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All the support you need about pregnancy, babies, healthy child development, childcare and early education.
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Family hubs are a single place to get support for children, young people and families. This can include baby groups and parent classes, counselling services and financial advice.
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Baby Buddy is a pregnancy and parenting app offering self-care tools. The app provides trusted information to:
support and empower mums, dads and caregivers,
build your knowledge and confidence, and
help you take care of your physical and mental health during pregnancy, birth and the first year of your baby’s life.
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The National Breastfeeding Helpline offers friendly, non-judgemental, independent, evidence based breastfeeding support and information to anyone in the UK who needs it. The helpline is provided by the Breastfeeding Network and the Association of Breastfeeding Mothers.
https://www.nationalbreastfeedinghelpline.org.uk/
Midwives, health visitors and trained local volunteers (peer supporters) are there to help you get breastfeeding off to a good start. They can give you lots of information and support when you need it.
https://www.nhs.uk/baby/breastfeeding-and-bottle-feeding/breastfeeding/help-and-support/
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A virtual family hub, which offers information, advice, guidance and support for all stages of your parenting or caring journey.
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Developed in conjunction with the NHS, the Dad Pad helps guide new dads by providing knowledge and practical skills to help give them and their partners give their baby the best start for life.
The 1001 Critical Days Pledge
It is our mission to secure 1001 global parliamentarians from more than 50 countries around the world to sign up in support of the 1001 Critical Days Foundation and to act as champions for our work.