23rd July 2026
We are delighted to share this Voices blog by Eileen Perrins, iHV Perinatal & Infant Mental Health Lead, who joined the Briefing on the Babies Bill with Sir Desmond Swayne MP on Thursday 16 July. From the briefing, Eileen shares how health visiting team members can support and back this new Bill which goes for its Second Reading on Friday 4 September.
The Institute of Health Visiting is proud to pledge our support for the Infant, Parents and Carers Bill (known as the Babies Bill). The Bill, introduced as a Private Member’s Bill by Sir Desmond Swayne MP, with the support of the 1001 Critical Days Foundation, would place the 1,001 critical days (from pregnancy to age two) onto the statute book, establishing an enduring legal foundation for support to babies and families.
What would the Babies Bill do?
The Bill would enshrine in law services already delivered through the Best Start Family Hubs and Healthy Babies Programme, including midwifery checks, health visiting, infant feeding, parental mental health, and parent-infant relationship support.
How can you support?
The Second Reading for the Bill is on Friday 4 September.
We encourage you to write to your local MP to ask them to show their support by attending on this date. Being there allows your MP to participate in the debate and support the Bill’s progress.
Template emails are available to use here: https://www.1001criticaldays.com/news/back-the-babies-bill
We all know the importance of the first 1001 days and as a unified voice we can support this Bill, which would strengthen the legal foundation for ensuring babies and their families receive the help and support they need.
