Pharmacy help for new parents & parents-to-be

What can your pharmacist do for you? Find out more about how your Boots pharmacists are there to help

Whatever your pregnancy or parenting health concern, your pharmacist is here to help you if they can. Your pharmacists can offer the following services and advice...

Give one-to-one advice

Because no one enjoys discussing icky things like piles or constipation over the counter, most of our pharmacies have consultation rooms where you can talk in private. Honestly, you can raise absolutely anything with us – we’ve heard it all before.

Help you find feeding solutions

Once your baby is born, our pharmacists are trained to advise on feeding issues like colic or reflux. Plus, we have a huge range of products to help take the stress out of feeding – from breast pumps to nursing pillows. We can also advise on what over-the-counter medication is suitable when you’re breastfeeding. 

Give you lifestyle solutions

We don’t just dispense medicines. If we can’t recommend a bump-friendly product, we may suggest a lifestyle solution – like steam inhalations for a blocked nose or ways to help you avoid contact with pollen during hay fever season. If we can help, we will.

Tell you what's bump friendly (& what's not)

Got a cold? Headache? Indigestion? Our pharmacists can give you the lowdown on which over-the-counter products are suitable to use when you’re expecting and can advise you on any supplements you may be considering taking in pregnancy. And when baby arrives, we can help answer your queries, from how to soothe cracked nipples (you) to how to treat sore bottoms (them).

Advise you when to see a doctor

Pregnancy is a journey into the unknown and can bring up a raft of puzzling symptoms. It’s great to know that your pharmacist is on hand without having to wait for an appointment at your GP. Pharmacists study for at least four years to qualify so you can rest assured that you’re in safe hands. And if we think you do need to see a GP, we’ll refer you straight away.

Help you or your partner stop smoking

Smoking when pregnant can increase your risk of a low-birthweight baby, and secondhand smoke has been linked to an increased risk of cot death. We can give you extra help to boost your willpower or advise on which stop-smoking products might be suitable if you don’t think your willpower will hold up! Come in for a chat.

Recommend suitable baby products

Babies are utterly magical… but what with the drool mouths, blocked noses, and brightly colored poos, there’s never a dull moment! Luckily, we’re on hand to help. Once baby is born, we’ll be your new best friend. So, come and say hello.

In the meantime, why not test your knowledge in our baby first aid quiz.