Baby Steps is an educational service for pregnant women and their partners/family.
It's designed to prepare soon-to-be mums and dads for becoming a parent.
Baby Steps supports pregnant women and their partners/family with having a baby, becoming a parent and giving their baby the best possible start. It includes workshops on how to care for a new baby and reducing the stress that often occurs with parents of a new baby.
Baby Steps usually takes place in small relaxed group settings, for example at local children's centres, but may be delivered virtually during the Covid-19 pandemic. This involves phone/video appointments instead of home visits and virtual group sessions instead of face-to-face classes. Also, the virtual program is shorter consisting of four antenatal group and two postnatal group sessions.
Either way, parents have the chance to meet other local parents and become more aware of local services. The team can explain current plans for Baby Steps classes and any access requirements.
Katie joined the sessions - let her tell you how it went.
Baby Steps is broken down into nine sessions, each one looking at a different aspect of parenting and baby development. It is a relaxed and informal setting, with the rough breakdown below.
For the virtual program, the same content is covered but in six sessions instead of nine.
Session 1
How our Babies Develop
Introduction to the service and a chat about what our babies might be like.
Session 2
Health and Wellbeing
Looking at our health and how it affects our babies.
Session 3
Becoming a Parent
The challenges of parenthood.
Session 4
Giving Birth
The process of labour and birth.
Session 5
Caring for a baby
Looking at ways to care for and feed babies.
Session 6
Meeting our abies
Getting to know our babies and forming early relationships.
Home visit/virtual appointment
Find out how it’s all going with your new baby.
Session 7
Welcoming our babies
Bring your babies to the group and getting to know them.
Session 9
Our family's future (the end of the service)
Hopes and wishes for the future.
By attending Baby Steps parents gain confidence in becoming parents whilst also meeting other parents in a relaxed group atmosphere.
All eligible women are contacted by the provider if they are known to the midwifery services at Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital or King's College Hospital.
If you have not been offered Baby Steps you can phone or email the team, who will get back to you as soon as possible.
Sheila O’Connor - LEAP Midwife
Phone: 07500 880 763
Email: BabySteps@gstt.nhs.uk
LEAP run the Baby Steps service in partnership with Guys and St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust, Evelina London and Lambeth Council.
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