Parents offered baby-rearing answers

Monday, 10 August 2009 12:00 AM

By politics.co.uk staff

Whether worried about weaning or just feeling lonely, new parents can now turn to the government for handy hints about child-rearing.

The Department of Health has launched a new website, NHS BabyLifeCheck, which provides information and advice to those responsible for babies aged five to eight months.

The move is the latest government initiative to provide easily accessible advice for parents, on a day when the laziness of Britons is in question in general. Research out today by the Nuffield Trust suggests two-thirds of parents are 'too tired' to play with their children.

A big plus of the baby advice website, according to health minister Ann Keen, is how it helps parents while being "non-judgmental" towards them.

"It provides reassurance and advice about their baby's health development, happiness and safety," she said.

"It's an easy way for parents to find out if they are doing the best thing for their child, whilst also supporting them to set goals or find further help to make improvements for themselves and their baby."

Topics covered by the website include development, talking and playing, feeding, healthy teeth, safety, sleep routine, immunisations and - last of all - "being a parent".

This is not the first time the government has stepped in to offer parents specific help.

It follows NHSTeenLifeCheck, for 12- to 15-year-olds, and precedes NHS Mid-lifeCheck, for 45- to 60-year-olds. The latter will be launched by the end of the year.

Gordon Brown is 58 years old.

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• health
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• public health