New Parents

Congratulations on the birth of your baby.

If your baby is healthy, her needs will be just like other babies. You don't need to be doing anything different or special at this stage. We know that it can be difficult at first to see past the Down's syndrome to your baby's individual personality. Take time to listen to her, get to know her and enjoy her. A loving secure environment is the most important thing that you can give your baby at this time.

Top Tip: If you have heard that babies with Down's syndrome cannot breastfeed, this is not the case. Many babies with Down's syndrome are now breastfed. Our booklet for new parents contains advice about breastfeeding.

New parents are often concerned that their baby will miss out if they are not immediately providing some form of regular stimulation. We understand this feeling, it is very natural, but, don't be hard on yourself. Give yourself time to adjust to your new baby, interact with her. The rest can come later!

If you have any questions , worries or would just like a chat, please call our Helpline on 0208 614 5100 or 0333 121 2300 (not premium rate)*. Do not hold back, we will probably have heard your questions or worries all before from other new parents. If you don't have any questions or concerns, call or email us anyway. We can send you a new parent pack and information about joining the Down's Syndrome Association.

Our New Parent's Guide may answer some of your questions about Down's syndrome. It includes advice about telling others your feelings as well as information about feeding your baby and about your baby's development.

Some health conditions are more common in children with Down's syndrome and it is important that your baby is screened for these. Make sure that you have a copy of the Personal Child Health Record (PCHR) insert for babies born with Down's syndrome. This contains information about health screening, child development and weight and growth charts. Call us if you have not been given a copy. Our Helpline can answer your health questions and suggest resources which might be useful. Anything we can't answer we will refer to the UK Down's Syndrome Medical Interest Group (DSMIG). If your baby has a heart condition, take a look at the website of the Down's Heart Group.

Your relatives can find out more from reading Down's Syndrome Leaflet for Friends and Family.

The Early Support programme created an information booklet that provides more general information about Down's syndrome for new parents.

Remember, too much information may be overwhelming at this stage and may never be relevant. We can provide you with a contact for your local Down's syndrome support group if you would like to talk to or meet with other parents.

You may start thinking about the benefits that you and your child may be entitled to.  Take a look a what you can claim - Benefits 0-3

*Our new 0333 number is charged at national rate for both mobile and landline calls, unlike 0845 numbers which can be expensive from a mobile, your calls are included within your minute allowance with no premium.