• Support mothers (and fathers where possible) in the transition to parenthood and in the promotion of bonding and attachment²⁸. Encourage mothers and fathers to reflect on their developing baby and what their unborn baby may be like
• Promote parental wellbeing, for example:
  • Encourage ‘mindfulness’²⁹
  • Promote relaxation
  • Address anxiety and depression
  • Support healthy couple relationships
  • Support the development of social networks
• Support the role of fathers - engage and promote the role of the father^{30 31}
• Signposting to information and services as appropriate

Resources:

• Maternal Emotional Wellbeing and Infant Development: A Good Practice Guide for Midwives³²
• Health habits for baby and you³³
• Apps, for example:
  • Getting to Know your Baby³⁴
  • Best Beginnings³⁵ Bump to Breastfeeding
  • NCT online information and resources

Midwifery clinics in children’s centre

Midwifes to inform health visitors of pregnancy (follow-up with information as necessary i.e. change of pregnancy status) and health visitor to conduct interview using the Promotional Guide and inform midwives of named health visitor team)

Offered to all parents, but particularly first time parents³⁷. Programmes should include the ‘transition to parenthood’, getting to know your unborn baby and negotiating new roles in addition to physical aspects of pregnancy. For example:

• Universal programmes:
  • Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond: Resource pack for all providers of antenatal education³⁸
  • Solihull Approach antenatal course³⁹
  • National Childbirth Trust (NCT)⁴⁰
  • Mellow Bumps⁴¹
• Targeted programmes:
  • Baby Steps (NSPCC)⁴²
  • Nurturing Parents Programme (PEEP)⁴³

• One Plus One – Relationship Support (Brief Encounters)Training⁴⁴
• Solihull Approach⁴⁵

Practitioner with ‘Perinatal and Infant Mental Health’ training to provide an advisory service to colleagues; liaise with specialist mental health services; cascade training to others and provide on-going support and motivation

• Breast feeding coordinators in post, promotion of breastfeeding advice and support
• Breastfeeding buddies⁴⁸