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A child changes the world. Hardly anyone can imagine how much before the birth. The emotional and practical challenges can trigger a rollercoaster of emotions, especially for first-time parents. It may take a while for you to adjust to your new everyday life as a family. While you get to know your little one better and better, there are many things to think about in the first few days after the birth. Registering your child at the registry office, informing the health insurance company, applying for child benefit and parental allowance - these are just a few of the to-do's on your list. To help you get off to a successful start in your new family life and enjoy everyday life with a baby to the full, you can find valuable advice here on the Familienportal.NRW to help you complete the organizational tasks in no time at all. This will leave you more time for the precious moments with your newborn.

"Is our child growing up healthy?" This is probably the most common question you will ask yourself during the first twelve months of your baby's life. Early detection examinations are used to check whether your child is healthy and developing in line with their age. You can find everything you need to know about the U examinations here. Breastfeeding is a big issue for many new mothers. What to do if it doesn't really work out? And what alternatives are there if you can't or don't want to (fully) breastfeed? On the Familienportal.NRW you will find detailed information and further reading recommendations on all breastfeeding issues and alternatives to breast milk. Baby sleep is also very important for mothers and fathers in the first year of life. Babies first have to get used to the new day-night rhythm - and that takes time. Read here how you can create a safe sleeping environment for your child and which tips will help them sleep peacefully. If your baby cries a lot for no apparent reason, it can wear on your nerves. If you feel overwhelmed, don't be afraid to seek help from a crying clinic. You can find out where to find one below. First teeth on the way? How can accidents in the home be avoided by creating a child-safe environment? Do I get child sickness benefit if my baby has a fever and I can't go to work as a result? You can find answers to these and other questions here.

Changing emotions, little sleep and the huge responsibility for a small, helpless being: Despite all the happiness, the first weeks and months after the birth cost parents a lot of strength. You may have heard of the baby blues or be in the middle of it: instead of maternal happiness, hormones are on a rollercoaster and tears are often flowing. We have some valuable tips to help you get through the baby blues. As a mother, it is important to give yourself plenty of rest in the postnatal period. This helps you to get to know your child intensively and allows you to enjoy the closeness together. We have summarized advice and tips on the topic of the postpartum period for you here. A balanced diet is particularly important during breastfeeding. But what do mothers need to provide their baby with all the nutrients? And what does a balanced diet mean? You can find the answers here. During pregnancy, the body performs at its best for nine months. After the birth, careful postnatal recovery helps to get the body back into shape and prevent long-term consequences and complaints. Read more about the importance of postnatal recovery.

The first year of having a baby is a test of endurance, especially for first-time parents. You can read as many guides as you like, but in real life, between all-nighters, baby food and mountains of laundry, things are very different. It's not unusual for parents to reach their limits sooner or later. Despite all the happiness of having a baby, life as a couple also changes your relationship with your partner. Especially shortly after the birth, togetherness takes a back seat for a while. This makes it all the more important that you, as new parents, recapture the intimate togetherness step by step. This is not always easy, because organizing everyday life in the first year brings a lot of challenges. How do you manage the balancing act between child, partnership and self-care? Here you will find tips on how to organize your new role as a parent and still find time for two and for mindful self-care.

Longer parental leave or back to work full-time or part-time as soon as possible? After the birth, parents are faced with the decision of how to organize family and career. Find out here about working time models and options to help you achieve the best possible work-life balance. Parental leave allows mothers and fathers to take unpaid time off work to look after their child. But how much parental leave are you entitled to? And what deadlines need to be observed? You can find answers to all your questions about parental leave here. An important prerequisite for a successful return to work after the birth is reliable childcare. In North Rhine-Westphalia, you have the choice between various forms of childcare. Have you already thought about your wishes and needs? Get to know the different types of childcare on offer and find out more about the concepts and costs. On the Familienportal.NRW, you can find information on all aspects of balancing work and family life as well as helpful tips for returning to work.

In the first year of life, your newborn baby is already taking huge developmental steps on its journey into life. It becomes more active from day to day: it smiles, explores its environment, learns to grasp, sit and crawl. You can support this early childhood development in the first year of life by attending baby courses. In toddler groups, babies explore their environment and experience their first social contacts in a playful way. In baby swimming, the child loses its fear of water and has fun with movement. The Musikgarten introduces even the youngest children to music and has a positive influence on body, mind and soul. These are just a few examples that you can choose from. What do you enjoy? You will find numerous offers for joint activities with your child on site. How you can gently support your baby's individual development in the first twelve months of life and what types of baby courses are available can be found here.

Many parents want to achieve a good work-life balance. Reliable childcare creates the conditions for this. In North Rhine-Westphalia, there are various forms of childcare to choose from. But which childcare is the right one? When should you look for childcare? And what costs should you expect? You can find answers to these questions here on the Familienportal.NRW. It is best to enquire about the options early on, as the demand for childcare places is high in many towns and municipalities. Successful early childhood education is a decisive factor for more equal opportunities. All daycare facilities and childminders in North Rhine-Westphalia have agreed on a joint education agreement, but their educational focuses differ. Here we present various concepts that promote the healthy development of children. Do you actually know the special features of a movement kindergarten or a forest kindergarten? Does Montessori education mean anything to you? Or have you ever heard of attachment theory? We have put together a practical glossary of important educational terms for you on the Familienportal.NRW - explained in an easy-to-understand way.

Are you planning your first trip with your baby? Careful travel preparations are advisable to ensure a relaxing time for everyone. Which vacation destinations are baby-friendly? Should you prefer to stay close by or can it be a long-distance trip by plane? And what should you bear in mind when planning your next family adventure with your little one? Here you will find lots of helpful tips to make your travel preparations with children easier. You should definitely take note of the new travel document regulations for your child. The children's passport was abolished on January 1, 2024. You can find out which ID documents you will need from now on, what is required for the application and how to apply for the new documents on Familienportal.NRW.

It is a great joy when parents finally hold their newborn in their arms. But a baby turns your normal life upside down every day. The newborn's needs are now the focus of attention around the clock. This often costs time and energy. There are many crises and conflicts in the first year after giving birth. Lack of sleep, uncertainty and the new living conditions can lead to tensions within the relationship. It is therefore particularly important to talk openly about feelings and concerns in the first year with your baby in order to avoid misunderstandings. If the differences nevertheless become too great and a separation is unavoidable, the focus should be on the well-being of your child. Regardless of age, a separation is always a drastic life change that is associated with strong feelings. Be there for your child with patience and empathy and don't be afraid to seek help and support. In North Rhine-Westphalia, there are also counseling centers near you that can give you advice and reassurance. Find out here where you can get help quickly.

How often should my child be breastfed? How do I soothe it when it cries? And what helps them fall asleep and stay asleep? In the first weeks and months after the birth, parents have many questions. You will certainly also need a lot of information. You can find lots of recommended reading for initial information on the Familienportal.NRW. For help and support in the first year with a baby, you can also contact an advice center in your area at any time. The Familienportal.NRW provides information on where you can find suitable contacts. In the first few months, babies demand the full attention of mothers and fathers. This can sometimes be quite nerve-wracking. Parental advice centers can help you with any questions you may have after the birth. In person, by phone or online.The Network for Early Help also has contact points near you. The services are diverse, free of charge and voluntary: from parent-child meetings to crying clinics and parenting courses. There is special help for parents of children with disabilities, including counseling services, care services and early intervention. Don't be afraid to accept support to make life easier for you and your child.