Website of the Department of Health

Birth to five: 2007 edition

Birth to Five is an easy-to-use and practical guide for parents. It gives the latest advice and information on all aspects of child health, immunisation, healthy eating, childhood illnesses and child safety.

Fully illustrated with photographs, cartoons, and helpful diagrams, this new edition of Birth to Five explains:

• the first few weeks and how your child will develop;
• learning, playing, habits and behaviour;
• feeding the family;
• where to get help and advice; and
• your rights and benefits.
  

This book contains everything you need to know about becoming a parent.

The text of this publication is Crown copyright. The photos however, have been re-produced with permission. If you wish to re-use them you must approach the copyright owners, for permission. Their names are listed on page 2.

Birth to Five has been written with advice from:
The Child Accident Prevention Trust, Community Practitioners and Health Visitors Association, Maternity Alliance, National Childbirth Trust, Royal College of General Practitioners, Royal College of Midwives, Royal College of Nursing, Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, St. John Ambulance.

• Download cover (PDF, 139K)
• Download list of contents (PDF, 52K)
• Download Chapter 1: the first weeks (PDF, 661K)
• Download Chapter 2: How your child will grow (PDF, 182K)
• Download Chapter 3: Learning and playing (PDF, 364K)
• Download Chapter 4: Habits and behaviour (PDF, 264K)
• Download Chapter 5: Feeding your child (PDF, 388K)
• Download Chapter 6: Illness and accidents (PDF, 417K)
• Download Chapter 7: Your own life (PDF, 194K)
• Download Chapter 8: Your services (PDF, 55K)
• Download Chapter 9: Your rights and benefits (PDF, 104K)
• Download list of useful organisations (PDF, 76K)