Resources for Parents and Caregivers: Pregnancy to Children Age 1

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has identified resources to support parents who are struggling with depression after having a baby. Postpartum depression is common and there are resources to help.

Here are some resources and ways to talk to someone for immediate help with postpartum depression.

The Women, Infants, & Children Nutrition Program (WIC) is a free nutrition program that provides healthy foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to health care and other services to eligible Massachusetts families.

WIC offers individual breastfeeding care before and after a baby is born, as well as assistance in accessing breast pumps.

The Massachusetts Family Centers and the Coordinated Family and Community Engagement Network offer free parent-child playgroups, education, and support for you and your child in your community.

Search online for licensed center-based and family-based child care programs and get information on licensing, location, and ages served.

Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (CCR&Rs) offer child care financial assistance to eligible families and resources for finding child care services.

The Massachusetts Home Visiting Initiative provides free home visiting services to eligible families expecting a child or have young children from a family support specialist trained to understand the needs of pregnant and parenting families.

Healthy Families is a free support program for first-time moms and dads ages 23 and under. Young parents can sign up for the program from pregnancy until their baby reaches age 1.

Welcome Family is a free program offered to all families with newborns who live in Boston, Fall River, Lowell or Holyoke/Springfield. Welcome Family provides a one-time visit from an experienced nurse.

F.O.R. Families is a home visiting program for families who are transitioning from homelessness to stable housing and receiving Emergency Assistance from the Division of Housing Stabilization.

FIRST Steps Together is a home visiting program in some communities that was created to support you as a parent working on your recovery. Each family is connected with a Family Recovery Support Specialist, who is a parent in recovery themselves.

A program for children birth to age 3 who have developmental delays or whose parents are concerned that they’re not reaching age-appropriate milestones.

A home visiting program for families living in Lowell, Springfield, Cambridge/Somerville, or Fall River. A team works with your family from pregnancy through your child’s 1st birthday to help connect you with resources and build a strong foundation.

24/7 phone support for Massachusetts residents to get information on essential health and human service community resources, including child care referrals and parenting support.

Information on child development from birth to age 5 and tools to track and spot concerns early through Learn the Signs. Act Early.

Being a parent is challenging. Get parenting information and ideas, and connect with other moms and dads who’ve asked the same questions and faced similar challenges through One Tough Job.

Tried and true tips for comforting your newborn. Watch videos and download a mobile app to get advice from experts and other parents through All Babies Cry.

Information for parents on caring for your child’s mental health and emotional well-being, including a Crisis Call and Text line from Hand Hold MA.