Infant health

News

RCPCH and leading health organisations ask MPs to back the Babies Bill

3 September 2026

Ahead of the Infants, Parents and Carers (Babies) Bill second reading tomorrow, 4 September, healthcare professionals are asking MPs to support the Bill and champion the role of health in the first 1,001 days.

News

Building strong foundations in the first 1,001 days: The new "Babies Bill"

3 September 2026

Tomorrow, MPs will debate a new Bill in the House of Commons that seeks to protect in law the services provided for infants, parents and carers. In this blog, RCPCH's Early Years Clinical Lead, Dr Saras Hosdurga, explains why the College is calling on MPs to support the Bill, and what more is needed...

Resource

Informing the mental health strategy for England: call for evidence – consultation response

In July 2026, RCPCH responded to the Department of Health and Social Care’s (DHSC) call for evidence to inform the development of a new mental health strategy for England. Our response focuses on the needs of infants, children and young people and highlights the importance of prevention, early in...

Document

State of Child Health 2026: Early childhood development

This indicator assesses whether children have met the expected developmental outcomes as they enter primary school. It provides an indication of their overall health and wellbeing at a key milestone, and whether children have received access to the support they needed to ensure the best start in lif...

Infant health

Document

State of Child Health 2026: Infant mortality

Infant mortality is defined as the death of a child under the age of one year and is measured as deaths per 1,000 live births. This includes the neonatal (first 28 days) and post-neonatal (28 days to 1 year) periods.

Child and adolescent mortality

Health policy

Infant health

Topic page

Strong foundations

The early years of a child’s life provide the foundation for their health, development and long‑term outcomes. Our Strong foundations campaign is calling for strengthened health services that support babies, young children and their families.

News

RCPCH responds to the introduction of Awaab’s Law

28 October 2025

Awaab’s Law, introduced on 27 October 2025, will be a step change for children as the new law seeks to improve housing conditions and tenant safety in social housing.

News

RCPCH responds to The Lullaby Trust's newest data

20 October 2025

The Lullaby Trust have published new polling data showing that nearly one in three parents of babies delay contacting doctors due to fears of wasting NHS time.

News

End of the year update from the President

20 December 2024

Pulling it all together through the lens of our new strategy.

News

Conversations with policy makers - with Dame Andrea Leadsom MP

19 July 2023

In a first for our podcasts, we delve into the world of government and parliament. RCPCH President Camilla Kingdon speaks with Dame Andrea Leadsom MP, Conservative Member of Parliament for South Northamptonshire about her experiences of advocating for infant and child health.