Discover organisations and websites featuring advice and information for parents and those looking after babies.
CRY-SIS
08451 228 669 (every day 9am-10pm)
Website: www.cry-sis.org.uk
Support for families with excessively crying, sleepless and demanding babies and young children. Answering service will give the phone number of volunteer contacts, who once had similar problems.
Fathers Direct
Tel: 0845 634 1328
Website: www.fathersdirect.com
Information and online magazine, aimed specifically at fathers, on all aspects of parenting.
FSID
Tel: 020 7222 8001
Website: www.fsid.org.uk/
The Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths (FSID) is the UK's leading baby charity working to prevent sudden deaths and promote health.
Home-Start
Information line: 0800 068 63 68
Website: www.home-start.org.uk
Offers support, guidance and practical help to families with children under five, in their own homes. See the website for further information and details of local schemes.
La Leche League
Helpline: 0845 120 2918
Website: www.laleche.org.uk
The website contains a wealth of information on breastfeeding and parenting topics. Contact the telephone helpline to speak to a La Leche League leader in their own home for breastfeeding suggestions and support.
National Childbirth Trust
Enquiry line: 0870 444 8707 (9am-5pm Mon-Thurs; 9am-4pm Fri)
Breastfeeding support line: 0870 444 8708 (every day 8am-10pm)
Website: www.nct.org.uk
Information and advice on all aspects of pregnancy, breastfeeding and early parenthood, with postnatal support groups. Ring enquiry line for details of local services.
Parentline Plus
0808 800 2222 (24 hours)
0800 783 6783 (text phone)
Advice and information for parents and carers, and parenting courses.
Working Families
Advice Line: 0800 013 0313
Website: www.workingfamilies.org.uk
Helps parents balance work and home by providing information and advice on working family-friendly hours, parental leave and childcare.
The Baby Friendly Initiative – for parents
www.babyfriendly.org.uk/page.asp?page=1
Programme launched by the World Health Organization and UNICEF which promotes successful breastfeeding. The website contains up-to-date information on a variety of related topics.
Baby Sleep
www.mayoclinic.com/health/baby-sleep/FL00118
Sleepless nights are a rite of passage for most new parents. This website contains some simple tips to help your baby sleep through the night by encouraging good sleep habits.
Cosleeping and Your Baby
www.kidshealth.org/parent/general/sleep/cosleeping.html
American site that looks at the pros and cons of sharing your bed with your infant, with tips on making cosleeping as safe as possible.
Cot Death Warning
www.bupa.co.uk/health_information/html/health_news/041103cot.html
It seems that a significant number of infants are still at risk of overheating by sleeping in overheated rooms or being put under too many blankets. Given the associated risk factor with cot death, this article urges parents to turn down the thermostat where the baby sleeps.
Does My Baby Have Colic?
www.thenewparentsguide.com/babys-and-colic.htm
Looks at possible causes, symptoms and what can be done to help a baby with suspected colic.
How to Raise a Happy Baby and Child
www.babycenter.com/baby-social-emotional-development
Scroll down to find this and other useful articles. Explains how to read your baby's facial expressions to determine what the problem is and offers some comforting information for parents of young babies who cry a lot.
Infantile Colic
www.aafp.org/afp/20040815/735.html
Detailed article on colic from the American Family Physician journal, looking at possible causes, diagnosis and management. Also includes a link to a clearly written patient handout on colic.
The Liedloff Continuum Network
This website advocates the principles described in Jean Liedloff's book, The Continuum Concept, and suggests practical ways that parents can integrate them into daily life. Also contains excerpts from the book, details about the author, a forum and other useful information.
Mumsnet
Popular UK site for parents where frank discussion can take place and there are opportunities to meet other parents.
Promoting Resilience: Changing concepts of parenting and childcare
www.childrensproject.co.uk/resilience.asp
Paper written by a Consultant Child Psychiatrist at the London Tavistock Clinic which discusses society's changing attitudes to parenting in Britain and cites key research findings, with references to both Truby King and Dr Spock.
