Save Birth to Five

[AnnieBott]

The printed version of the Department of Health publication "Birth to Five", which until recently was distributed to all mothers of new babies, is under threat in the move to making all things digital. This would mean the already disadvantaged who may not have ready access to computers and/or wifi maybe further disadvantaged. To support a return to the printed version please sign the petition: epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/34517

How weird - I've just put my copy in recycling today.

Thanks for letting me know about the changes - it would be a shame if wasn't available to those who want and need it in paper format.

Suspect they've been stealthily doing this for a while. I had a baby in jan 2012 and I never had a copy of this - wasn't even mentioned to me.

Was it actually worth the paper it was written on though?

I had my baby in August 2012 and been told its only available online...

I have had two copies of this, one with each child and I have NEVER looked at it.

It is a massive waste of trees.

Never got one and my twins were born in 2011

I think that the pregnancy and the birth to five books should be available on request. Prehaps there could be a phone number on pregnancy notes or the little read book that people could phone up and request a paper copy. A one stage there was DVD on breastfeeding that was given to all pregnant women. Has that been scrapped was it just an experiment in my area.

I found my birth to five book that I got with my son really useful. It is a bit dated now. Although there is a lot of the web like mumsnet; many sites are trying to sell you something. It's nice having something that is offical.

I agree it should be available on request, or offered as an option not given out as standard. I read mine but didn't find it especially useful. But it should be available to those who will need it.