HANDi App

If your child is unwell, use the HANDi App to check their symptoms and get instant, NHS-approved medical advice.

Developed and approved by Paediatric Consultants, the HANDi App provides expert advice on how best to manage the most common childhood illnesses, including:

• diarrhoea and vomiting
• high temperature
• 'chesty baby’ illnesses, such as bronchiolitis, asthma and croup
• 'chesty child’ illnesses such as wheezing and asthma
• abdominal pain
• common new-born problems

The app is free, and can be downloaded to any Apple or Android smartphone or tablet.

More information can be found here: HANDi App - Herefordshire and Worcestershire Integrated Care System

Using the HANDi App

The Baby Buddy app is a multi-award-winning parenting and pregnancy app.

Baby Buddy's self-care tools are based on the latest research and evidence and provides trusted information to:

• support and empower mums, dads, and caregivers
• build their knowledge and confidence
• help them take care of their physical and mental health during pregnancy, birth and the first year of their baby’s life

The Baby Buddy app

Skin-to-skin contact means holding your baby naked against your skin, usually under your top or under a blanket.

When your baby is born, you will be encouraged to have skin-to-skin contact as soon as possible. See Skin-to-skin contact with your newborn for more information.

The Unicef video below on meeting your baby for the first time describes the importance of skin-to-skin contact.

Vitamin D helps babies' bones develop properly. Babies get vitamin D through breasy and bottle feeding.

Breastfed babies

From birth to 1 year, if you are breastfeeding your baby they should have a daily supplement containing 8.5 to 10 micrograms of vitamin D.

This applies whether you are partially or exclusively breastfeeding, and whether you are taking a supplement containing vitamin D yourself.

Formula-fed babies

If your baby is having 500ml (about a pint) of formula milk a day, they do not need a vitamin D supplement as formula is already fortified with vitamin D and other nutrients.

One of the best ways to protect your baby against diseases like measles, rubella, tetanus and meningitis is through immunisation.

Your baby needs their first injections at 8 weeks. Vaccinations are offered free of charge in the UK – just book your appointments with your GP.

Vaccinations and newborn screening tests - Start for Life - NHS

Remember, as well as protecting your own baby, you're also protecting other babies and children by preventing the spread of disease.