New parents often have concerns about feeding, knowing what their baby needs, and risks like SIDS. They may worry about ensuring the baby stays at the right temperature. Midwives, health visitors, GPs, and other agencies can help address these common worries and provide support. It is important for parents to get advice tailored to their specific situation.

1. Unit 1.6 Understand the needs of
the mother and baby during pre-
conception, pregnancy and the first
years of life

2. Learning outcomes
Understand post-natal care
• Describe concerns parents may have following the birth of a
baby
• Identify sources of support for parents following the birth of
a baby
• Describe how to prevent SIDS
• Explain the difference between breast and bottle feeding

3. LO3. Understand post-natal care [AC 3.1]
Time: 10 mins
• Think of 4 to 5 concerns that new parents may have following
the birth of their baby.
• Complete the first Colum of your table.
• Share and discuss these with a partner.

4. The first few weeks for new parents can be a daunting time
especially if it is their first baby.
Parents may be concerned about:
• Knowing what the baby wants (what the babies different
cries mean).
• Feeding: is the baby getting enough milk especially if breast
feeding.
• How to make sure the baby is not too hot or cold.
• Sleeping, including cot death.
LO3. Understand post-natal care [AC 3.2]
The first few weeks

5. Time: 10 mins
• Discuss with a partner how the parents may overcome their
concerns.
LO3. Understand post-natal care [AC 3.2]

6. Time: 15 mins
• Silent debate
• Debate the concerns that new parents may have and how
these fears can be supported and overcome.
• Use the discussion had in the Pairs activity to support the
debate.
LO3. Understand post-natal care [AC 3.2]

7. There is a team of professionals and agencies who can help with
any concerns a parent may have about their new baby, including:
• Midwife in hospital
• Community midwife (from discharge until baby is 10 days old)
• Health Visitor (from 10 days until child is 5 years old)
• GP.
LO3. Understand post-natal care [AC 3.3]
Professionals and agencies

8. Time: 15 mins
• In small groups find out information about different agencies
that could support new parents with concerns about their
baby.
LO3. Understand post-natal care

9. • A major concern for new parents can be Sudden Infant Death
Syndrome (SIDS) or cot death
• It ranks near the top of most parents list of concerns
• SIDS in occurs in fewer than 1 in every 1,000 babies
LO3. Understand post-natal care [AC 3.2, 3.3]
Sudden Infant Death (SIDS)

10. Time: 15 minute
• Recap from unit 1.3 how parents can reduce the risk of SIDS.
• Devise a quiz to test each others knowledge
LO3. Understand post-natal care [AC 3.1]

11. • Feeding can be a major concern for parents
• Some mothers are not able to breast feed for a number of
reasons. These can be due to medical reasons or surgery.
• Some medical conditions may also prevent the mother from
breast feeding.
• Some mothers may choose not to breast feed by personal
choice.
LO3. Understand post natal care [AC 3.2, 3.3]
Feeding
What concerns might a parent face when Feeding their baby?

12. Time: 10 mins
• How and who would you advise a parent, if they had concerns
about their new baby to consult ?
• What advice could you give them?
Understand post natal care

13. Time: 15 minutes
• Produce a leaflet to show parents the pros and cons of breast
and bottle feeding.
• This should be informative to support them with concerns.
LO3. Understand post natal care

14. Learning outcomes
Understand post-natal care
• Describe concerns parents may have following the birth of a
baby
• Identify sources of support for parents following the birth of
a baby
• Describe how to prevent SIDS
• Explain the difference between breast and bottle feeding

15. Summary – plenary activities
1. Parenting is a difficult job. Every child, parent and family is different, so
it should not be assumed that advice will support their particular
circumstances.
2. Who will know the parents better then often the professionals and
sources discussed and could support them?