Postnatal Support in Worthing: What’s Available and How to Find the Right Help

The weeks after birth can be wonderful, bewildering, exhausting, and emotional — often all at once. Yet for many families, this is the time when they feel most alone.

Antenatal care is plentiful. There are appointments, scans, classes, and check-ups. Then your baby arrives — and for many people, the support suddenly feels much thinner on the ground.

If you're in Worthing or the surrounding West Sussex area, here's an honest guide to what's actually available in those early weeks and months, and how to make the most of it.

NHS Postnatal Care in Worthing

Your midwife will visit you at home after the birth — typically within 24 hours of discharge, and then again over the following days. In Worthing, this care is provided by University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (UHSussex), which covers Worthing Hospital and the surrounding area.

The number of midwife visits you receive will depend on your individual situation. Generally, you'll be under midwifery care until around 10–14 days after the birth, at which point your care transfers to the health visitor.

Health visitors offer check-ups, weigh-ins, developmental assessments, and support with feeding and baby sleep. They're also a key point of contact if you're struggling with postnatal mental health — so don't hesitate to be honest with them about how you're feeling.

West Sussex County Council has a Family Information Service which can help signpost you to local groups and services, and the Healthy Child Programme offers ongoing support through your child's early years.

Infant Feeding Support

Feeding a baby — whether you're breastfeeding, using formula, or combining both — can be one of the most challenging parts of early parenthood. The good news is there is support available locally.

Worthing has several breastfeeding peer support groups, and the National Breastfeeding Helpline (0300 100 0212) is available seven days a week. La Leche League also has a presence in Sussex if you prefer in-person support.

Your health visitor and GP can make referrals if you're experiencing specific difficulties like tongue tie, mastitis, or significant feeding challenges.

Local Parent and Baby Groups

One of the things that can make a huge difference in those early weeks is simply being around other new parents — people who get it, who aren't going to judge you for turning up with spit-up on your shoulder or a baby who won't stop crying.

In Worthing, there are various options depending on what appeals to you: NCT groups, library baby groups, swimming sessions, and classes like baby yoga or sensory play. Worthing has a reasonable offering for a smaller town, and Brighton is easily accessible if you want more variety.

Searching "baby groups Worthing" or checking the West Sussex Family Information Service directory will bring up current options, as these change regularly.

Postnatal Mental Health

Postnatal depression and anxiety are far more common than many people realise. Research suggests around 1 in 5 women experience a mental health problem during pregnancy or in the year after birth — and the same applies to partners.

In West Sussex, you can access support through your GP, your health visitor, or via self-referral to Talking Therapies (formerly IAPT). West Sussex Talking Therapies offers support for anxiety and depression and doesn't require a GP referral to access.

If you're struggling, please do reach out — to someone, anyone. You don't have to be at crisis point to ask for help.

Doula Postnatal Support

Alongside NHS care and community groups, some families choose to bring in a postnatal doula — and if you've never heard of that option before, it's worth knowing about.

A postnatal doula isn't a nurse, a maternity nurse, or a sleep trainer. She's a trained, non-medical support person who comes to your home to help you in a holistic, flexible way.

Depending on what you need on a given day, a postnatal doula might hold or settle your baby so you can sleep, shower, or simply eat a proper meal; support you with feeding — listening, problem-solving, and offering practical guidance (not clinical advice); provide a calm, non-judgemental space to talk through how you're really feeling; help you and your partner navigate the transition into parenthood together; and offer practical guidance on newborn care, settling, and day-to-day baby life.

It's not about being told what to do — it's about having someone steady in your corner during a time that can feel anything but.

You Don't Have to Do This Alone

One of the biggest myths about the postnatal period is that you should be able to cope on your own, or that asking for help means you're struggling. You're not failing if you need support. You've just done one of the most physically and emotionally demanding things a human body can do.

The families who tend to thrive in those early weeks aren't necessarily the ones who had an easy time — they're the ones who had good support around them.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does postnatal doula support begin?

It can begin as soon as you come home from hospital — or even before, during pregnancy, to plan ahead. Visits are flexible and arranged around what works for your family.

Is postnatal doula support covered by the NHS?

No. Postnatal doula support is private. Costs vary depending on hours and frequency of visits — a free consultation is the best place to start if you'd like to explore what's involved.

I'm not sure I need a doula — how do I know if it's right for me?

An honest chat is the best way to find out. A good doula won't pressure you into anything — she'll talk through what you're looking for and whether she can help. There's no obligation from an initial consultation.

Can my partner be there during postnatal visits?

Of course. Postnatal doula support is for the whole family. Partners often benefit enormously too — having someone to ask questions to, and to help them support you.

What if I'm already struggling and I haven't got support in place?

It's never too late to reach out. Whether that's calling your GP or health visitor, contacting a local group, or getting in touch with a doula — please don't wait until things feel manageable to ask. Ask now.

I'm Mai, a birth and postnatal doula based in Worthing. I support families across Brighton, Hove, and the wider West Sussex area in the days and weeks after birth. If you'd like to find out more, I'd love to hear from you.

Radiant Birth Journey — Doula support in Worthing, Brighton, Hove and West Sussex.