Baby Steps is an educational service for pregnant women and their partners/family.
It is a nine-week perinatal parent education service, 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. 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.
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.
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 Babies
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 Families 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 Guys 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
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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