Congratulations! Your baby’s here – life just got a whole lot busier!
You may be feeling joy, happiness, tiredness, stress and overwhelmed. However you’re feeling – it’s perfectly normal with such a huge change to your life. Most importantly, talk to your Midwife, GP or Health Visitor if you’re concerned about the way you’re feeling.
Below are some of the tasks you’ll need to complete over the next few weeks.
To register a birth in Portsmouth, parents must arrange an appointment with the Portsmouth Register Office within 42 days of the baby’s birth. You can find all the information you need on the register a birth page.
You’re eligible to claim most benefits as soon as your baby is born.
If you’re already claiming benefits, contact the service who pays the benefit to update them of your change of circumstances. You may be entitled to more from these now that you have a child (or another child.)
If you’re in receipt of Housing Benefit, you need to let the Housing Benefit team know as another person in the home can affect the number of bedrooms you need – which will affect the amount of housing allowance you’ll receive. Find more information on the Housing Benefit page.
For more information, visit our financial help for families page.
You need to let your GP Surgery know when your baby is born and they’ll give you an application to register your baby there. If you’re not registered yourself, use the NHS Choices website to search for your nearest surgery with current vacancies.
You won’t be able to arrange an appointment for your baby, until they have registered so don’t wait until your baby requires medical attention to do this. Processing your registration can take up to a week so it’s best to apply nice and early.
It may seem a little odd registering your baby at a dentist when they have no teeth, but we’d advise you do this early on as there could be a waiting list.
It’s advised you start taking your child to the dentist from a young age so that they get used to going. The Dentist’s receptionist will suggest when your child should first attend – it could be as early as six months. Find a dentist at the NHS Choices website.
Health Visitors and Community Health Nurses can offer advice and information on topics such as; infant feeding/healthy eating, keeping your child safe, childhood immunisations, sleep, behaviour, child development and groups and activities to support you and your child. They can also weigh your baby. If you would like to speak to the Health Visiting team or book a face to face appointment at one of the clinics across the city, call 0300 123 6629, Monday – Friday, 9.00am – 4.00pm.
