Bonding with your Baby

Every child’s journey is shaped by the moments that matter, from first steps and first words to the first day at school. The government’s Best Start in Life campaign, delivered by the Department for Education and the Department for Health and Social Care, aims to help break down barriers to opportunity for every family, supporting parents and children from pregnancy through to age five and beyond. We know that being a parent is filled with joyful firsts, but it can also bring natural worries and questions. That’s why Best Start in Life brings together trusted information, advice, and support - making it easier and more affordable for families to access early education and childcare, health guidance, and practical help at every stage. Best Start in Life is here to help parents and carers whether they are expecting, navigating their child’s early health, exploring childcare options, or preparing for school. The Best Start in Life website offers practical tools all designed to make the journey as a parent easier:

A childcare checker to see what childcare support parents could get.

Links to the Best Start Family Hubs checker and the Local Authority checker to find local support.

A breakfast clubs map to see if their child’s school offers free breakfast clubs.

A weekly e-mail to sign up to for personalised tips and advice tailored to stage of pregnancy or the age of the child.

Your baby’s brain grows rapidly, making over a million new connections every second, which means the first 2 years are especially important for your baby’s healthy development.

The way you respond to your baby’s needs, and the experiences you have together can make a huge difference.

Responding lovingly to your baby’s needs helps them build emotional resilience, confidence, and supports lifelong mental wellbeing.

Babies don’t come with a manual, but they do work hard to be understood.

Their body language, facial expressions, noises, and cries are all their ways of telling you what they need.

Best Start in Life can help you to recognise and respond to your baby’s cues.

Making your baby feel safe and secure helps build their confidence.

Toddlers have big feelings, but they sometimes struggle to express them, and dealing with them can feel overwhelming.

Best Start in Life has advice on how to help your child manage their emotions.