Pregnancy and babies

Press Ctrl-P to Print

Every pregnancy and birth is different and life-changing. Many parents feel wiped out by the whole experience, just when they need energy for all the work ahead.

If you don't have an 'easy' baby, the crying and sleepless nights can get to you. If there are health problems or your baby has a disability, there's even more to get to grips with.

We hope you'll find the information you're looking for here, if not get in touch. And if there are any organisations or websites that have helped you, please let us know.

How to parent your newborn

Information and advice for new parents.

Local Authorities in Scotland

Link to every local authority website in Scotland on Directgov website. Useful for finding information about local services, childcare and education.

Mumsnet: by parents for parents

Wide range of advice and information for parents and families.

National Childbirth Trust

Offers range of antenatal classes, helplines and social and educational events. Telephone helplines for parents available.

Netmums

Local web-based network for mums - and dads - by mums with a wealth of information and advice on being a mum or dad with young children in your home town.

One Space

Parenting website for single parents. It provides information for lone parents on issues including, bullying, parenting teenagers, life after separation.

Baby Registry

Website by and for parents with babies and young children.

BBC Parenting

A good general source of parenting information.

Familys First

Parentline Scotland

Swine Flu immunisation programme

Baby Registry

Website by and for parents with babies and young children.

BBC Parenting

A good general source of parenting information.

Circle: supporting families in Scotland

Supports children at risk of school exclusion, neglect and abuse and provides family support services.

Cry-sis: support for crying, sleepless and demanding babies

Self-help and support to families. National telephone helpline service.

Crying and sleeping in the first months of life

Explains why crying and sleeping problems are so common and gives straightforward advice for parents.

Disabled Parents Network

National support organisation with a telephone helpline service.

Down's Syndrome Scotland

Provides support, advice and information to people with Down's syndrome, and advice to parents, carers and professionals.

Enable Scotland

Offers a range of services for children and adults with learning difficulties and support for families.

Hands On Scotland

Home Link

Home-Start

One-to-one support, practical help and friendship to families with young children. Telephone helpline service.

Parentline Scotland

Ten Steps for Healthy Toddlers

Guide to choosing a childminder

Information on what a childminder can do for you and your family and some issues you may want to consider.

Local Authorities in Scotland

Link to every local authority website in Scotland on Directgov website. Useful for finding information about local services, childcare and education.

Paying for Childcare

Website where you can find out about the financial support you may be able to receive to help with the costs of childcare.

Scottish Childcare

Free, impartial information on childcare and pre-school education services throughout Scotland.

Scottish Childminding Association

Information to parents and carers about choosing childminding as a childcare option. They provide a telephone helpline.

Childcare for lone parents in Scotland

Information and advice about finding childcare for lone parents.

Childcare Support for Disabled Children (Capability Scotland)

Childcare vouchers

Money-saving government scheme for working parents who pay for childcare.

Daycare Trust

National charity campaigning for quality, affordable, accessible childcare for all. Has a helpline for parents.

Action for Sick Children (Scotland)

Safeguards the interests of all sick children, young people and their families.

Baby Registry

Website by and for parents with babies and young children.

BBC Parenting

A good general source of parenting information.

Circle: supporting families in Scotland

Supports children at risk of school exclusion, neglect and abuse and provides family support services.

Enable Scotland

Offers a range of services for children and adults with learning difficulties and support for families.

Hands On Scotland

Capability Scotland

Works with disabled people of all ages and their families and carers. Run a telephone advice service.

Childcare Support for Disabled Children (Capability Scotland)

Contact a Family

Information, advice and support to parents and carers of children with any special need or disability. Has a telephone helpline.

Disabled Parents Network

National support organisation with a telephone helpline service.

Down's Syndrome Scotland

Provides support, advice and information to people with Down's syndrome, and advice to parents, carers and professionals.

Enable Scotland

Offers a range of services for children and adults with learning difficulties and support for families.

Grapevine Disability Information Service

Local Authorities in Scotland

Link to every local authority website in Scotland on Directgov website. Useful for finding information about local services, childcare and education.

Play Talk Read

Website with lots of ideas for improving your child's early learning by playing, talking and reading with them.

Scottish Book Trust

Encourages children and young people to read, write and be inspired by books.

Baby Registry

Website by and for parents with babies and young children.

BBC Parenting

A good general source of parenting information.

Childcare Support for Disabled Children (Capability Scotland)

Contact a Family

Information, advice and support to parents and carers of children with any special need or disability. Has a telephone helpline.

Action for Sick Children (Scotland)

Safeguards the interests of all sick children, young people and their families.

Allergy UK

Charity providing information on allergy, food intolerance and chemical sensitivity. Telephone helpline available.

Baby Registry

Website by and for parents with babies and young children.

BBC Parenting

A good general source of parenting information.

Capability Scotland

Works with disabled people of all ages and their families and carers. Run a telephone advice service.

Childcare Support for Disabled Children (Capability Scotland)

Circle: supporting families in Scotland

Supports children at risk of school exclusion, neglect and abuse and provides family support services.

Cry-sis: support for crying, sleepless and demanding babies

Self-help and support to families. National telephone helpline service.

Crying and sleeping in the first months of life

Explains why crying and sleeping problems are so common and gives straightforward advice for parents.

Disabled Parents Network

National support organisation with a telephone helpline service.

Down's Syndrome Scotland

Provides support, advice and information to people with Down's syndrome, and advice to parents, carers and professionals.

Enable Scotland

Offers a range of services for children and adults with learning difficulties and support for families.

Grapevine Disability Information Service

Hands On Scotland

Home Link

Home-Start

One-to-one support, practical help and friendship to families with young children. Telephone helpline service.

Parentline Scotland

Swine Flu immunisation programme

Ten Steps for Healthy Toddlers

Paternity leave

Information for dads about applying for and taking paternity leave.

Action for Sick Children (Scotland)

Safeguards the interests of all sick children, young people and their families.

Citizens Advice Scotland

Network of advice centres (CABs) all over the country.

Contact a Family

Information, advice and support to parents and carers of children with any special need or disability. Has a telephone helpline.

Down's Syndrome Scotland

Provides support, advice and information to people with Down's syndrome, and advice to parents, carers and professionals.

Maternity rights for lone parents

Maternity rights at work, benefits you are entitled to if you are not working, and legal issues for unmarried parents in Scotland.

Paying for Childcare

Website where you can find out about the financial support you may be able to receive to help with the costs of childcare.

Baby Registry

Website by and for parents with babies and young children.

BBC Parenting

A good general source of parenting information.

Benefits information for children and families

Details of benefits for expecting a baby, bringing up children, tax credits, bringing up children with special needs, and more.

Childcare for lone parents in Scotland

Information and advice about finding childcare for lone parents.

Childcare vouchers

Money-saving government scheme for working parents who pay for childcare.

Citizens Advice Scotland

Network of advice centres (CABs) all over the country.

Daycare Trust

National charity campaigning for quality, affordable, accessible childcare for all. Has a helpline for parents.

Maternity rights for lone parents

Maternity rights at work, benefits you are entitled to if you are not working, and legal issues for unmarried parents in Scotland.

Sibling rivalry

Information that helps parents understand how siblings react to a new child in the family and their own feelings about coping with the demanding tasks ahead.

BBC Parenting

A good general source of parenting information.

Hands On Scotland

Parentline Scotland