With a baby

The most important thing for your baby is that you are present, feed them and care for them.

Our child health clinic services, as well as activities for babies at playgrounds and libraries, are here to support your whole family in managing this new life situation and looking after your wellbeing.

Caring for your baby

Basic baby care

If you don't quite know what to do with your new baby, don't worry: basic baby care is straightforward. Being held, milk, a clean nappy and warm clothes go a long way.

Breastfeeding your baby

We recommend that you breastfeed your baby fully until 4–6 months of age and continue breastfeeding alongside solid foods at least until your child is one year old.

Baby’s sleep

A small baby is just learning the difference between day and night. Your baby’s sleep will gradually settle into a circadian rhythm, but night feeding will continue until at least six months of age and usually long after that.

Baby’s crying

Crying is one of the baby’s ways of expressing themselves. Over time, you will learn to distinguish between the different cries of your child.

Starting solid foods

You can start introducing your baby to solid foods at around 4–6 months of age. At first, they can taste vegetables and fruits in your lap, but soon they will be eating a variety of foods while sitting in a high chair.

Caring for your baby’s teeth

Your baby’s first milk teeth erupt at around the age of six months. You can start brushing the teeth as soon as the first tooth appears.

Your baby’s development and health

Baby’s social development

Early interaction between you and your baby will lay the foundation for bonding, emotional regulation and language development.

Baby’s speech development

It is important that you interact with your baby from the very beginning. Your baby will learn speech through interaction, i.e. when you are present and talk with your baby.

Baby’s motor skill development

Your baby will learn about their body and environment through movement. Most babies will develop their motor skills roughly in the same order, but at their own pace.

Baby's visits to the child health clinic

Your baby will have their first appointments at the child health clinic during their first weeks of life. If your baby is the first in your family, a public health nurse will visit you at home for the first appointment.

Vaccinations for babies

We will give your baby the vaccinations required by the Finnish national vaccination programme at the age-specific check-ups.

Baby's ailments

Skin problems and stomach upsets are common problems in young babies. If your baby develops a fever before three months of age, you should see a doctor.

Reach the maternity and child health clinic

Our professionals answer your questions in the chat at the bottom right of the page. You can also ask for advice from the health and social services’ chatbot, which is available 24 hours a day, every day.

You can call our phone service to ask for advice and book an appointment with a public health nurse.

In the Maisa portal, you can send a message to your designated nurse at the maternity and child health clinic, as well as take care of other tasks such as making appointments and monitoring your examination results.

Call our phone service at 09 3105 5530(Link starts a phone call)

Use the Maisa service(Link leads to external service)

See the opening hours on the maternity and child health clinic service page

Resources and activities for families with babies

Meet other families with babies

You can meet other families in the same situation at family cafés run by organisations, through playdates at playgrounds and at nursery rhyme evenings held by libraries, for example.

Culture Kids

Every child born in 2020 or after and living in Helsinki is sponsored by a cultural operator who will invite the child and an accompanying adult to cultural events in Helsinki each year.

Coping during the first year of parenthood

Sleep deprivation and messiness often move in together with the new baby. You will manage better if you accept the situation, share responsibilities and take time for yourself when you can.

Story times at libraries

The Helmet library network of the Helsinki Metropolitan Area provides plenty of things to do for families with babies and toddlers.

The youngest of children can take part in nursery rhyming sessions or musical fairy tales, while slightly older children can take part in activities such as activity-based story times. Events are also held in languages other than Finnish. Many libraries also have a play area where it is safe for children to get to know the library.

Browse the events of Helmet libraries (Link leads to external service)

Pieni vauva lukee sylissä kuvakirjaa. — Photo: Katja Tähjä

Activities for families with babies

You can meet other babies' parents at libraries, family cafés and baby activities at playgrounds.
There’s no need to sign up or commit to attending, and you can come along with your baby for just part of the time.