Back the Babies Bill
The 1001 Critical Days Foundation is supporting the Infants, Parents and Carers Bill, known as the ‘Babies Bill’.
Help parents to give their babies the best start in life.
The Babies Bill is a Private Member’s Bill introduced by Sir Desmond Swayne MP. It focuses on support for babies, parents, carers and prospective parents and carers during the first 1,001 days, from pregnancy to age two.
The Bill received its First Reading in the House of Commons on 17 June 2026. Its Second Reading is currently scheduled for Friday 4 September 2026. Parliament notes that future parliamentary dates may be provisional.
The Babies Bill at a glance
Official title: Infants, Parents and Carers Bill
Campaign name: The Babies Bill
Sponsor: Sir Desmond Swayne MP
Type of Bill: Private Member’s Bill, Ballot Bill
First Reading: 17 June 2026
Second Reading: Currently scheduled for 4 September 2026
Current status: The full Bill text is currently being written. This page will be updated when the detailed Bill wording becomes available.
What is the Babies Bill?
The Babies Bill is intended to give support during pregnancy and the first two years of a child’s life a stronger and more enduring foundation in law.
Its official long title says that the Bill will make provision about support for infants, parents and carers, including the assessment of needs and reporting requirements.
The current proposal would make provision for:
Assessing the needs of babies, parents, carers and expectant parents and carers;
Providing appropriate information, services and support;
Giving important support during the first 1,001 days a stronger statutory foundation;
Requiring annual reporting to Parliament on the support being - provided and the difference it is making.
Because the full Bill is currently being written, the detailed provisions may change as the legislation is drafted.
What would the Babies Bill change?
The Babies Bill is not intended to create a new system of support or introduce new services. It aims to provide an enduring legal foundation for support already being delivered through Best Start Family Hubs and Healthy Babies programme, as it relates to pregnancy and the first two years.
Relevant services includes:
Maternity
Health visiting;
Parenting support and the home learning environment;
Infant feeding support;
Perinatal mental health support;
Parent-infant relationships support;
Safeguarding;
SEND.
Current delivery expectations for Best Start Family Hubs and Healthy Babies are set out in non-statutory government guidance covering April 2026 to March 2029. The Babies Bill aims to place this support on a Statutory footing and strengthen accountability to Parliament.
Why do the first 1,001 days matter?
The first 1,001 days are the period from pregnancy to a baby’s second birthday. The baby’s earliest experiences create the
building blocks for lifelong emotional and physical wellbeing.
This period helps set the foundations for a child’s cognitive, emotional and physical development. Timely, high-quality support for babies and families can improve outcomes and help address health inequalities. Babies need to feel safe and secure to thrive and their parents and carers need access trusted support early to meet their babies needs
The Babies Bill is about supporting families, not judging them. It is about early intervention; making sure help is available before difficulties become crises.
Why is the 1001 Critical Days Foundation supporting the Bill?
The mission of the 1001 Critical Days Foundation is to build a better world for babies where governments prioritise the 1,001 critical days as the foundation for a healthy society. We believe the first 1,001 days should be visible in law, policy and public services. Support for babies and families should be seen as the foundation of a healthy society.
The Foundation is supporting the Babies Bill by
Providing evidence and expertise about the first 1,001 days; helping explain the Bill clearly to policymakers, the early years sector and the public;
Encouraging cross-party parliamentary support;
Working with charities, practitioners and families to build awareness.
The Bill is sponsored by Sir Desmond Swayne MP. The 1001 Critical Days Foundation remains independent and apolitical.
What happens next?
The Babies Bill’s Second Reading is currently scheduled for Friday 4 September 2026.
Second Reading is when MPs debate the overall purpose and principles of a Bill. MPs then decide whether it should proceed to its next parliamentary stage. Private Members’ Bills follow the same principal stages as government Bills, including Second Reading, Committee Stage, Report Stage and Third Reading.
View the official Infants, Parents and Carers Bill record on the UK Parliament website: https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/4156
How can MPs support the Babies Bill?
MPs can:
Pledge their support by contacting Sir Desmond Swayne’s Office;
Save Friday 4 September and attend Second Reading;
Tell Sir Desmond’s office if they may wish to speak during the debate;
Share their support publicly using #BackTheBabiesBill;
Encourage parliamentary colleagues to support the Bill.
Suggested social post for MPs
I’m backing the Babies Bill because every baby deserves the best start in life. The first 1,001 days, from pregnancy to age two, lay the foundations for lifelong health and wellbeing.
Please join me in supporting the Bill’s Second Reading on 4 September.
#BackTheBabiesBill @1001criticaldaysfoundation
MPs are recommended to tag the 1001 Critical Days Foundation or invite the Foundation to collaborate on their post.
How can members of the public support the Babies Bill?
You can support the campaign by writing to your MP and asking them to:
Back the Babies Bill;
Ask your MP to attend the Second Reading on Friday 4 September.
Suggested message to your MP:
I am writing to ask you to support the Infants, Parents and Carers Bill, known as the Babies Bill. The Bill aims to give important support during pregnancy and the first two years of life a stronger legal foundation. Please support the Bill and attend its Second Reading on Friday 4 September.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Babies Bill already law?
No. There is currently no law in England that protects the support offered to parents and babies. The Babies Bill is currently a Private Member’s Bill progressing through the House of Commons.
Has the full Babies Bill been published?
Not yet. As of June 2026, the official UK Parliament website says that no publications are available because the Bill is still at an early drafting stage.
Who introduced the Babies Bill?
Sir Desmond Swayne MP introduced the Infants, Parents and Carers Bill after coming first in the 2026 Private Members’ Bill ballot.
When is the Babies Bill’s Second Reading?
Second Reading is currently scheduled for Friday 4 September 2026. Parliamentary dates can change, so this page will be kept updated.
What would the Babies Bill do?
The current proposal would make provision for assessing the needs of babies, parents and carers, providing appropriate information and support, and reporting annually to Parliament.
Would the Bill create new services?
The Bill is not intended to create a separate system. Its purpose is to give relevant information and support already being delivered through Best Start Family Hubs and Healthy Babies Programme a stronger statutory foundation.
Where would the Bill apply?
The full Bill text has not yet been published, so its formal territorial extent will be confirmed when the detailed legislation becomes available.
Every baby deserves the best start in life #BackTheBabiesBill
Official sources and further reading:
Infants, Parents and Carers Bill. Official UK Parliament record: https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/4156
Infants, Parents and Carers Bill. Parliamentary stages: https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/4156/stages
Best Start Family Hubs and Healthy Babies. Government guidance: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a2965046d178a6fb7e32098/Best_start_family_hubs_and_healthy_babies_-_guidance_for_local_authorities.pdf
https://educationhub.blog.gov.uk/2026/03/best-start-family-hubs-what-parents-need-to-know/
Government response on the first 1,001 days: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/government-response-to-the-report-the-first-1000-days-a-renewed-focus/government-response-to-the-health-and-social-care-committees-fifth-report-of-session-2024-to-2026-the-first-1000-days-a-renewed-focus
This page is maintained by the 1001 Critical Days Foundation and will be updated as the Bill progresses.