Having a baby is expensive. But a surprising amount of support, free products, and financial entitlements exists that many families either don't know about or claim too late. This guide covers the lot — government entitlements, NHS schemes, retailer programmes, and free sample packs worth picking up.
Retailer offers and free gift packs change frequently. Always verify current availability directly with the provider before making decisions based on them.
NHS and government entitlements
These are not perks — they are things you are entitled to by law or by being registered with the NHS.
Maternity Exemption Certificate (MatEx)
As soon as your pregnancy is confirmed, ask your GP or midwife for a MatEx certificate. It entitles you to:
- Free NHS prescriptions — for the duration of your pregnancy and for 12 months after your baby's birth
- Free NHS dental treatment — including check-ups, fillings, and extractions, for the same period
Apply using form FW8, available from your GP surgery or midwife. The certificate covers you from the moment your pregnancy is confirmed, so apply early — you can claim back costs for prescriptions you paid for before the certificate arrived.
Healthy Start scheme
If you are at least 10 weeks pregnant, or have a child under 4, and you receive certain qualifying benefits (including Universal Credit, Income Support, or Child Tax Credit), you are entitled to:
- Healthy Start vouchers — currently worth £4.25 per week (pregnant) or £8.50 per week (baby under 1), redeemable for plain cow's milk, plain fresh and frozen fruit and vegetables, and infant formula
- Free Healthy Start vitamins — folic acid, vitamin C, and vitamin D for pregnant and breastfeeding women; vitamin A, C, and D drops for children up to age 4
Even if you don't qualify for the vouchers, the vitamin drops are available free from many children's centres, health visitor teams, and pharmacies. Ask your midwife or health visitor — all breastfed babies should be receiving vitamin D drops from birth, regardless of income.
Apply at: healthystart.nhs.uk
Sure Start Maternity Grant
A one-off, tax-free payment of £500 to help with the cost of a new baby. You can apply if:
- You are expecting your first child (or expecting a multiple birth, even if you have other children)
- You or your partner receive a qualifying benefit such as Universal Credit, Income Support, or Pension Credit
Apply within 11 weeks of the due date or within 3 months of the birth. Apply via GOV.UK — you will need your National Insurance number and details of the qualifying benefit.
Child Benefit
£26.05 per week for your first child (2024–25 rate), paid every four weeks. You can claim from the day your baby is born — don't wait.
- Claim as soon as you have the birth certificate
- You will also need to register the birth within 42 days (England and Wales), which triggers the National Insurance number application for your child
- Higher earners may be subject to the High Income Child Benefit Charge — check your individual circumstances
Claim at: gov.uk/child-benefit
Free childcare hours
From September 2024, the government is expanding free childcare entitlements in England significantly:
- 15 hours per week for children from 9 months old (working parents)
- 30 hours per week from age 3 (working parents)
- 15 hours from age 3 for all children regardless of parental employment
Entitlements vary in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland — check with your local council for current provision.
Statutory Maternity Pay and Maternity Allowance
If you are employed, you are entitled to Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) for up to 39 weeks:
- 6 weeks at 90% of your average weekly earnings
- 33 weeks at the statutory flat rate (£184.03 per week in 2024–25, or 90% of earnings if lower)
If you are self-employed, unemployed, or don't qualify for SMP, you may be entitled to Maternity Allowance — up to £184.03 per week for 39 weeks.
Partners may be entitled to Statutory Paternity Pay (up to 2 weeks) and Shared Parental Leave, which allows parents to split up to 50 weeks of leave between them.
Tax-Free Childcare
Once your baby is born, you can open a Tax-Free Childcare account. The government adds 20p for every 80p you pay in, up to £500 per quarter (£2,000 per year per child). It can be used with any registered childcare provider, including nurseries, childminders, and after-school clubs.
Apply at: gov.uk/tax-free-childcare
Free gift packs and retailer programmes
Emma's Diary
Emma's Diary is a free pregnancy and baby tracking resource that also provides two free gift packs — one during pregnancy and one after birth. Each pack contains product samples, vouchers, and information booklets. Register at emmasdiary.co.uk and the packs are posted to you.
Emma's Diary is also distributed through many GP surgeries and midwife appointments.
Bounty Packs
Bounty packs are offered at the booking-in appointment (a "Mum to Be" pack) and on the postnatal ward after birth (a "Newborn" pack). Each contains product samples, vouchers, and information booklets.
Note: Bounty representatives visit postnatal wards to sell photographs. You are under no obligation to engage with them, purchase photos, or share your personal data. Your midwife can ask them to leave if you'd prefer not to be approached.
Amazon Baby Wishlist (Welcome Box)
Creating a baby wishlist on Amazon unlocks a free Baby Welcome Box containing a curated selection of baby product samples. The box is typically available once a qualifying amount has been purchased from your wishlist by friends or family.
Log in to your Amazon account and search "Baby Wishlist" to set one up. Share the link with family ahead of a baby shower — it also removes the guesswork for people buying gifts.
Boots Parenting Club
Free to join via the Boots app or website. Benefits include:
- A free changing bag (subject to availability — check current offer)
- Bonus Advantage Card points on baby and pregnancy purchases
- Member-exclusive discounts on nappies, formula, and baby care products
- Early access to baby events
Tesco Baby and Toddler Club
Free to join online. Members receive a free gift pack by post and access to Clubcard-boosted offers on baby products throughout the year.
ASDA Baby and Toddler Club
Free to join via the ASDA website. Members receive a free welcome gift pack and regular coupons for baby products. ASDA's baby events (typically in January and September) offer significant discounts on prams, car seats, and nursery furniture — worth watching if you're still buying equipment.
Lidl and Aldi baby events
Both retailers run periodic baby events (typically twice a year) offering significant discounts on nursery equipment, clothing, and feeding products. Items sell out quickly — sign up for Lidl Plus and the Aldi app to get advance notice.
Free and low-cost support services
Children's Centres (Family Hubs)
Children's Centres — now rebranded Family Hubs in many areas — offer free or low-cost:
- Antenatal classes
- Baby groups and weigh-ins
- Infant feeding support (including breastfeeding drop-ins)
- Parenting programmes
- Health visitor clinics
Find your nearest via your local council website.
NCT Nearly New Sales
The NCT runs regular nearly-new sales across the UK where parents sell second-hand baby and children's equipment and clothing. Prams, bouncers, clothing, and toys at a fraction of retail price. Find events at: nct.org.uk/nearly-new-sales
Best Beginnings — Baby Buddy app
A free NHS-endorsed app developed with midwives and health visitors. Covers pregnancy week by week, birth preparation, feeding, sleep, and emotional wellbeing. Particularly strong on mental health content. Free to download on iOS and Android.
Dental treatment for your baby
NHS dental care is free for children from the moment their first tooth appears. Register them with a dentist as soon as that first tooth arrives — don't wait for a problem to develop.
A note on formula company clubs and sample packs
Formula companies (Aptamil, Cow & Gate, SMA, HiPP) run free membership clubs that offer discount vouchers and product samples. These are legal to join and widely used.
However, it's worth knowing that the WHO International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes advises against the promotion of formula to pregnant women and new mothers, and the NHS does not endorse or promote these programmes. If you are breastfeeding and concerned that receiving formula marketing might affect your confidence, it is reasonable to opt out.
If you are formula feeding or combination feeding, these clubs can offer genuine savings — the vouchers in particular can be valuable given the cost of infant formula.
Quick checklist
| Entitlement | When to apply | Where |
|---|---|---|
| MatEx certificate | As soon as pregnancy confirmed | GP or midwife (form FW8) |
| Healthy Start vitamins | From 10 weeks pregnant | healthystart.nhs.uk |
| Sure Start Maternity Grant | From 11 weeks before due date | gov.uk |
| Child Benefit | From birth | gov.uk/child-benefit |
| Free childcare hours | From 9 months (working parents) | Local council |
| Emma's Diary pack | Any time in pregnancy | emmasdiary.co.uk |
| Boots Parenting Club | Any time | Boots app or website |
| Amazon Baby Wishlist box | Once wishlist is active | amazon.co.uk |
| NHS dental care (baby) | From first tooth | Register with a dentist |
| Healthy Start drops (baby) | From birth | Health visitor or children's centre |
If you're unsure what you're entitled to, your health visitor or children's centre is a good starting point — they're familiar with local provision and can point you to services you might not have heard of.