Health Business - New mothers question babies’ development at five months

New mothers question babies’ development at five months

Teething and weaning developments lead to questions.

Research has found that new mothers have the most questions about their babies’ development when their child is five months and one week old.

The survey, carried out by the Department of Health to help with the development of NHS Baby LifeCheck, found that during the five to eight month period, 81 per cent asked said their baby’s needs are changing and developing quickly and also that they have concerns as to whether they are doing things right and meeting needs.

60 per cent experience a decline in visits from friends and family, with more than half of new mothers hearing from family once a month when their baby is born, dropping to only a quarter experiencing this five months in.

54 per cent have a partner less able to get home or be at home to help out at this point, 32 per cent of those questioned said they don’t have any time for themselves, and 20 per cent felt that baby care tasks are ‘repetitive and mundane’.

NHS Baby LifeCheck is a free online questionnaire to help new mums and dads keep their babies healthy, happy and safe and recognises that being the parents of a young baby can be challenging.

It covers topics including development, talking and playing, feeding, healthy teeth, safety, sleep routine, immunisations and being a parent. It also offers top tips, helpful videos and support organisations from weaning worries to feeling down or lonely.

Public Health Minister Gillian Merron said: “This is about equipping first time parents to make the best choices for their babies. The government recognises that being a new parent can be a worrying time, and you want reassurance that what you're doing is right."

"Parents are looking for a source of reliable information to get this reassurance and to know that they are doing the best they can for their child.”

Further reading:
NHS Baby LifeCheck