First Baby on way, what to do ...........?

jo_b_2

If you're entitled to a Sure Start Maternity Grant you cna claim at any time from the 29th week of pregnancy until your child is three months old.

The grant is a one-off payment from the Social Fund to help low income families. £500 is payable for each child due, born or adopted.

You can get the grant if you or your partner are getting
-Income Support
-Income-based JSA
-Working Families Tax Credit
-Disabled Person's Tax Credit.

jo_b_2

Thought I'd move this thread up, as it might come in usual for Gadget Freak and for all the expectant mums that seem to be on here.

Is it something in the water? ::)

Trix

About the tax credits thing - remember you may already be entitled to the working tax credit now, then when your baby is born you can claim for the child tax credit as well. Your details will already be in the system so it might speed things up a bit.

maz_4

I heard you can get discount for childcare after the baby is born if you put the child in a private nursery and are intending to go back to work, is this true? anyone know more about this?

maz_4

I heard you get something from the inland revenue which cover about 75% of your childcare costs, is this correct?

jellyhead

that would be the childcare bit of tax credits, it all depends on your income. my sister gets it, i don't.

maz_4

do u no what the earnings threshold is for this?

jo_b_2

I heard you get something from the inland revenue which cover about 75% of your childcare costs, is this correct?

There are lots of links on This Thread which may give you some more information about the tax credit system. Hope that helps.

Caterina

Many congratulations on expecting your first baby!

Start investigating now about facilities for parents and babies, creches, groups etc, as it is very difficult to motivate yourself when you have just given birth and are looking after a new baby 24/7!

Stock up the freezer, start a bulk buy and bulk cooking, you will be soooo pleased later!

If you want to breastfeed, ask the midwives if the hospital where you are planning to give birth has a breastfeeding specialist, as you will need all the help you can get.

Go to antenatal classes. NHS ones are free and mostly quite informative but they do not always give you the full whack of your birth rights etc. if you are quite radical in your choices.

NCT classes are costly (but some NCT teachers offer concessionary rates) and are usually more informative, but can lean heavily on the 'natural birth' options and some mums report that they felt a bit inadequate if they were planning to go for a medicalised birth or a caesarean. Hope you can find one that suits you!

Start thinking about options around birth and write a well informed and realistic birth plan.

Think about who you want with you during the birth of your baby and make sure you are assertive enough to choose who you REALLY want, don't agree to have someone just out of politeness (mother in law, mother, irritating sister etc). There is no space for politeness in the birth room, you need to feel totally comfortable with the birth partner of your choice.

Above all, stay positive, rest a lot, eat well and do now all the things you have ever wanted to do (within measure!) because soon your life will be changed beyond recognition and you will have no time to do anything else! But it gives so much joy that it is well worth it!

Hope this helps.

Best wishes

Caterina

Edited: OOOOPPPPSS just realised that it was the dad posting this! Congratulations, Brian! Please pass any of these ideas to the mum if you think she might find them helpful.

Sarahsaver

Dont be sucked in by the parent and baby magazines which tell you you 'need' this that and the other. Second hand whatever you have will do. Baby wont notice if you have decorated its room or not, or really care if the clothes he/she is in have been on other babies. People will bombard you with gifts to start with and it will tail off. Keep tags on clothes and take them back to exchange for stuff you do need.
Get your baby a savings/building society account. Just a tenner a month soon adds up.
Prams are a rip off and are probably too big to get in your car if you have one. 'Travel systems' are the same. A separate car seat and a buggy suitable from birth will be fine.
Bottles can be sterilised in a dishwasher.
Use washable nappies please for your wallet, babys bum and the environment.
You will need a tumble drier.
Avoid white clothes.
Go with your instincts.
Take plenty of photos.
Enjoy this time because you will never be the same again! ;D
Get an answer phone if you dont have one. My mother in law phoned me at 7AM to find out how baby and i were doing - this after just getting home at 3.30am!!! (i had planned a home birth but it didnt work out, but the midwife let me 'in and out' of hospital so to speak)
All the best, and by the way i have had 3 children, your first child will teach you how to be a parent, and will be the one you panic about the minutest things for, in preparation if you ever have any more.