PHA produces new booklet for mums-to-be
The Public Health Agency (PHA) has produced a new leaflet for mums-to-be. ‘Getting to know your baby: How to start connecting with your baby’ has been written to help mothers understand why it is helpful to start building a relationship with their baby during pregnancy. It also explains what parents need to know in order to get off to a good start with caring for and feeding baby.
The leaflet will be used to help midwives have conversations with women about getting to know baby and what to expect in the early days.
This is the first time PHA has produced a leaflet which includes information on the importance of close and loving relationships to baby brain development. The leaflet encourages pregnant women to take time out to relax and think about their baby and to talk to baby while he or she is in the womb. It also aims to help mothers understand what a newborn baby needs to feel safe and secure.
Photographs help explain what to do to keep stress levels to a minimum for baby and mum. This includes skin to skin contact, keeping baby close by day and night, and responding to the baby’s need to be fed or comforted.
Both breast- and bottle-feeding mothers are reassured that they will not ‘spoil’ their baby if they respond quickly to baby crying.
Maurice Meehan, Infant Mental Health Lead with PHA said: “During the last three months of pregnancy and the first two years of life, a baby’s brain is developing at a rapid rate.
“Developing a close and loving relationship with baby will lay the building blocks for him or her growing into a secure and confident child and adult.”
Janet Calvert, Regional Breastfeeding Lead with PHA explains: “Breastfeeding has many important health benefits. The way a mother responds to her breastfed baby and the hormones released with breastfeeding can help ensure a baby’s need for comfort and security are quickly met.
“This leaflet will help pregnant mothers understand why being responsive is important.”
The leaflet is available at http://bit.ly/KmTlM6