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Putting your baby to sleep in a safe space

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Putting your baby to sleep in a safe space

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It is important you ensure your baby is placed to sleep in a safe environment  to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) which is commonly known as cot death. It can give you the peace of mind to enjoy this special time. Click this link to follow simple steps of making a safe sleep environment. Safer-sleep-for-babies-a-guide-for-parents-web.pdf (lullabytrust.org.uk)

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Dudley Maternity & Neonatal Voices Partnership engages with all women, birthing people and their families across the borough and welcomes them to share their stories of Maternity and Neonatal Care within Dudley.

The staff at Russell's Hall Hospital and in the Dudley Community, from both the Maternity and Neonatal Departments, work closely with the Maternity & Neonatal Voices Partnership to ensure that they are listening to the voices of their women and birthing people. They are keen to make positive changes, to learn where necessary and to implement this learning across Maternity and Neonatal Services.

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Dudley Maternity & Neonatal Voices Partnership engages with all women, birthing people and their families across the borough and welcomes them to share their stories of Maternity and Neonatal Care within Dudley.

With a diverse population accessing care at Russells Hall Hospital and out in the community, we are aware that these women and birthing people need to feel protected and empowered when they are on their pregnancy journey and beyond when they become parents. We want every woman and birthing person to feel included in decisions about their care and to understand what is happening and why.

The staff at Russells Hall Hospital and in the Dudley Community, from both the Maternity and Neonatal Departments, work closely with the Maternity & Neonatal Voices Partnership to ensure that they are listening to the voices of their women and birthing people. They are keen to make positive changes, to learn where necessary and to implement this learning across Maternity and Neonatal Services.

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Dudley Maternity & Neonatal Voices Partnership engages with all women, birthing people and their families across the borough and welcomes them to share their stories of Maternity and Neonatal Care within Dudley.

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For lots of reasons, the journey into parenthood can bring joy and happiness, along with stress and new adaptations.  It can be an emotional time for everyone as you constantly try to adapt to the needs of your new expanding family. Sometimes it can be difficult to know when things have crossed the line, and what we think is stress may be signs of postnatal mental health conditions in early parenthood like depression, anxiety or other mental health problems. Its important you always reach out for support if you feel like you may be struggling with your mental health. There is lots of different support networks you can link in with. Please click on this link for support or contact your community midwife or GP.

Further support is available from links below where you can self refer. Having a baby will fast track your referral and ensure there isn't a delay in gaining support with your mental health.

Dudley Talking Therapy Service - Dudley Integrated Health and Care NHS (dihc.nhs.uk)

We are Rethink Mental Illness
Call  0800 008 6516 or
Text 07860 025281

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Your Baby's Mum - Tommy's Wellbeing Plan

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Advice and exercise after childbirth from a physiotherapy department  

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Advice and exercise after childbirth from a physiotherapy department  

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Please follow the link below for advice on exercise and recovery after childbirth linked to the hospital maternity page. All leaflets are located at the bottom of the Maternity Home page.

Advice and exercise after childbirth

After having your baby physiotherapists are located on the ward to support your recovery.

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Pelvic floor exercises can help to strengthen the muscles on the pelvic floor, which come under great strain during pregnancy and childbirth.  Doing pelvic floor exercises helps to reduce or avoid urinary and faecal incontinence, and prolapse.
Linked here is the official guide to pelvic floor exercise  along with relevant videos to support your recovery after having a baby.

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At the Dudley Group we pride ourselves in being awarded our baby friendly UNICEF award in supporting women with feeding choices. Here is a link to the infant feeding padlet on further support.

Postnatal Information- Dudley Infant Feeding Team (padlet.com)

Your midwife and health visitor are there to support you in your successful feeding journey. Further support can be found within our Infant Feeding team on
01384 456111 Ext 3887
07920246433
dgft.spmwif@nhs.net
The Infant Feeding team can support you when you have had your baby in hospital and at home.

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It is important that you look after you stiches after having a baby. Its common for women to tear during childbirth. Here are some top tips how how to reduce the risk of infection.
Wash your hands before and after going to the toilet
Change your pad regular
Bathe regularly in plain warm water
Pat the area dry
If you have any concerns with your stiches. Please speak to your midwife. Your midwife is able to give you individualised advice.

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After birth week 1 – pain management and wound care

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Breastfeeding - 24hour a day, 7 days a week support is available...

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Breastfeeding - 24hour a day, 7 days a week support is available...

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For breastfeeding support weekdays 09:00 - 17:00 contact the Dudley Infant Feeding Team on:
01384 456111, ext 3887
07920246433
dgft.spmwif@nhs.net

For breastfeeding support weekdays (17:00-09:00) weekends and bank holidays contact maternity triage on 01384 456111 ext 3053.

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Looking after your caesarean section wound

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Looking after your caesarean section wound

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What contraception can I use after giving birth?

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What contraception can I use after giving birth?

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It is possible that you can get pregnant very quickly after giving birth even if you're breastfeeding and haven't had a period. You normally ovulate 2 weeks before having a period which means you can get pregnant before your first period returns after having your baby. It is important you plan contraception in advance and this will be discussed with your midwife on discharge and your GP at your 6 week postnatal check up, however you can contact these health professional's at any time before hand. Click the link above to read about the options you have after having a baby and when it is advised to start them.

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ICON is a national programme that promotes to parents that it  is normal for babies to cry and educate parents on how to cope in these times. Their aim is to reduce incidences where baby's are shaken by parents in frustration that can cause significant harm. Once your baby is born it takes time for yourself and your baby to adjust to your new life together. When baby's cry it can be hard to work out what will help soothe your baby. Click this link above to look at calming techniques and meeting your baby needs. Remember its ok to walk away from a crying baby when their in a safe space and take time to breathe.

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Babies cry, you can cope When babies cry it can be stressful and overwhelming. Help is out there and all you need to do is ask. Latest news Testimonials

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Columns have been created to help you navigate with ease through this padlet.

Please scroll to the right

Any link or photograph that is highlighted will take you to further information on the topic introduction

Any concerns with your own health or your baby please contact 01384 456111 Ext 3053

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Your feedback is important to us and we are always looking at ways to improve our service. Please take a few minutes to fill in a family and friends test below.
Maternity Wards - Surveys (dgft.nhs.uk)

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Russells Hall Hospital
Between the hours of 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday the Community Midwifery Team will able to advise you on
01384 244358
Out of these hours please contact
01384 456111 Ext 3053

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Becoming a parent can bring new worries and anxieties when your baby becomes unwell and poorly. The midwife or support worker at discharge will highlight a yellow sticker on your discharge envelope where important signs and symptoms of a poorly baby are listed. Linked is a tool devised to help you go though a step by step guide to understand whether your baby needs to be seen by a doctor, alternatively your child health record book, often known as your red book if full of useful information on childhood illnesses.
If you have any life threatening concerns about your new born please call 999.

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If you’re worried your baby is unwell, our free Baby Check app helps you decide whether they need to see a health professional or not…

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For most women after having a baby will be uncomplicated and they will recover fully  by 6 weeks after having the baby. Some women become unwell after having a baby and it is important your'e aware of the signs and symptoms of Postnatal sepsis. If you have any symptoms below:
Slurred speech or confusion
Extreme shivering or muscle pain
Passing no urine (in a day)
Severe breathlessness
It feels like your going to die
Skin mottled or discoloured
Please contact Maternity Triage 24/7 on 01384 456111 Ext 3053 who will advices you on your presenting symptoms and invite you in for assessment.

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Depending on your personal situation and circumstances there is a wide variety of settings that community team deliver your care to  you in the postnatal period. These include visits at home, community hubs, phone calls or back into the hospital. The day after you're discharged from hospital a midwife will be in contact between 9am and 5pm by a visit or phone call. If you are discharged on a Friday and live within the Dudley Borough you will be given an appointment to attend the hospital  the next day. These are held where you attended your scans in the antenatal clinic.  Please see the contact numbers.

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There are two types of blood clots that you can develop in pregnancy and the risk increases significantly once you have had your baby. These are known as
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) or
Pulmonary Embolism (PE).
Both of these can cause life threatening and limiting side effects and it is important for you to understand the signs and symptoms of a DVT and PE to be able to get immediate help from A&E.  Some women may be sent home with blood thinning injections called Inhixa. All women are risk assessed throughout pregnancy and reassessed before going home. It is really important you complete your full course of injections that have been prescribed. While this reduces your risk, it doesn't eliminate your risk of developing a blood clot so its important to still check for symptoms of blood clots. Click this link for more information of self administration of blood thinning injections at home.

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You have 6 weeks to register your baby's birth. This is a legal requirement. Every baby born at Russells Hall Hospital needs to be registered at one of two registry offices as located below. You can book an appointment online by clicking on the link below
Dudley Registration Services booking service
or call
0300 555 2345.
There is free parking on site.

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The hearing screening test will be offered to your baby in hospital before discharge or you will be invited to attend a clinic appointment.
It is not always possible to get clear responses from the first screening test. This does not necessarily mean your baby has a hearing loss. It can mean:

your baby was unsettled when the test was done

there was background noise

your baby has fluid or a temporary blockage in their ear – this is very common and passes with time

your baby has a hearing loss

In these cases your baby will be offered another screening test

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When your baby is 5 days old a midwife will prick your baby’s heel using a special device to collect some drops of blood onto a card with your consent. Occasionally this may be later than 5 days. The purpose of this test is to screen for 9 rare but serious conditions. Early treatment and diagnosis can improve your child health and prevent disability or even death.

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New-born and Infant Physical Examination (NIPE)

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New-born and Infant Physical Examination (NIPE)

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Within 72 hours of giving birth, you will be offered a top-to-toe physical examination for your baby referred to as a NIPE. This will include 4 specific screening tests to find out whether your baby has a suspected problem with their eyes, heart, hips or in boys, their testes which would benefit from early investigation and possible treatment.

The screening tests are carried out again between 6 and 8 weeks of age as some conditions do not develop or become apparent until then.

This short video above shows what is included in the check.

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Newborn and infant physical examination (English)

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It's recommended to buy a baby car seat before your baby is born if possible. It's important to buy a seat that fits your car and is suitable for a new born.

If you have your baby in hospital you will need the car seat to drive your new born home safely. It's a good idea to practise fitting the seat before your baby is born.

It's also important to understand the use of a car seat is for travelling and it is not advised for your baby to sleep in.
This leaflet breaks down the importance of travelling safely with your baby.
9-car-seat-factsheet-2019.pdf (lullabytrust.org.uk)

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NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board (ICB)

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Oh Baby! Top tips for new dads: Car seat queries

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Wearing your baby in a sling close to you can support the transition from your womb to earth side. However its important you know how to do this safely. Follow the advice as above.

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When you are a new parent, it's normal to have lots of questions about caring for your baby. This web page signposts to useful information and advice to support you through those all-important early weeks...

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When you are a new parent, it's normal to have lots of questions about caring for your baby. This web page signposts to useful information and advice to support you through those all-important early weeks.

Top tips for new dads

From car seat queries to which rashes and spots to be concerned about and what's normal in nappies - a new series of videos aimed at new dads has been shared by the Black Country Local Maternity and Neonatal System (LMNS).

Local dads volunteered to take part and the films feature them asking questions and sharing worries with Midwives Gabriella Garbett, Afrah Muflihi, Megan Gosnall and Carol King-Stephens.

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When you are a new parent, it's normal to have lots of questions about caring for your baby. This web page signposts to useful information and advice to support you through those all-important early weeks.

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Discover a range of guidance and support from Dudley Council and our partners, designed for families of children from conception to age two.

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Discover a range of guidance and support from Dudley Council and our partners, designed for families of children from conception to age two.

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A local GP talks about his experience as a new father.

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Halesowen GP and new father talks about DadPad app

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Hundreds of people in Dudley have downloaded a new app, which provides useful information on caring for babies and young children.

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The Department of Health and Social Care recommends:

Babies from birth to 1 year of age who are being breastfed should be given a daily supplement containing 8.5 to 10 micrograms of vitamin D to make sure they get enough. This is whether or not you're taking a supplement containing vitamin D yourself.

Babies fed infant formula should not be given a vitamin D supplement if they're having more than 500ml (about a pint) of infant formula a day, because infant formula is fortified with vitamin D and other nutrients.

Children aged 1 to 4 years old should be given a daily supplement containing 10 micrograms of vitamin D

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Vitamin supplements

The government recommends all children aged 6 months to 5 years are given vitamin supplements containing vitamins A, C and D every day.

Babies who are having more than 500ml (about a pint) of infant formula a day should not be given vitamin supplements. This is because formula is fortified with vitamins A, C and D and other nutrients.

Babies who are being breastfed should be given a daily vitamin D supplement from birth, whether or not you're taking a supplement containing vitamin D yourself.

Where you can get baby vitamin drops

Your health visitor can give you advice on vitamin drops and tell you where to get them.

You're entitled to free vitamin drops if you qualify for Healthy Start.

The Department of Health and Social Care only recommends vitamin supplements containing vitamins A, C and D.

But some supplements you can buy contain other vitamins or ingredients. Talk to a pharmacist about which supplement would be most suitable for your child.

Having too much of some vitamins can be harmful. Keep to the dose recommended on the label, and be careful not to give your child 2 supplements at the same time.

For example, do not give them cod liver oil and vitamin drops because cod liver oil also contains vitamins A and D. One supplement on its own is enough, as long as it contains the recommended dose of vitamin D.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is only found in a few foods, such as oily fish and eggs. It's also added to some foods, such as fat spreads and breakfast cereals. But it's difficult to get enough vitamin D from food alone.

The main source of vitamin D is summer sunlight on our skin. But it's important to keep your child's skin safe in the sun.

Children should not be out in the sun too long in hot weather. Remember to cover up or protect their skin before it turns red or burns.

Young children should still have vitamin drops, even if they get out in the sun.

The Department of Health and Social Care recommends:

Babies from birth to 1 year of age who are being breastfed should be given a daily supplement containing 8.5 to 10 micrograms of vitamin D to make sure they get enough. This is whether or not you're taking a supplement containing vitamin D yourself.

Babies fed infant formula should not be given a vitamin D supplement if they're having more than 500ml (about a pint) of infant formula a day, because infant formula is fortified with vitamin D and other nutrients.

Children aged 1 to 4 years old should be given a daily supplement containing 10 micrograms of vitamin D.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is important for babies and young children, and some may not be getting enough.

It's needed for a healthy immune system, can help their vision in dim light, and keeps skin healthy.

Good sources of vitamin A include:

dairy products

fortified fat spreads

carrots, sweet potatoes, swede and mangoes

dark green vegetables, such as spinach, cabbage and broccoli

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is important for your child's general health and immune system. It can also help their body absorb iron.

Good sources of vitamin C include:

A balanced diet for babies and young children

It's important for children to eat a wide variety of foods to make sure they're getting all the energy and nutrients they need to grow and develop properly.

Get more advice and information on a balanced diet for babies and young children:

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Find out why vitamins are important for the health of your baby or young child, and which vitamin supplements they should take.

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Please see the link above for the latest advice from the NHS about keeping your baby safe in the bath.

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NHS Bathing Guidance Update - Neonatal Nurses Association (NNA)

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The NHS has updated guidance on bathing babies and children for parents, carers and health professionals following reports of deaths from Child Death Overview

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Parenting and Infant Feeding Support in Dudley

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Parenting and Infant Feeding Support in Dudley

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If you are pregnant - please follow this link for the antenatal information resources

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If you are pregnant - please follow this link for the antenatal information resources

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Includes:

Pregnancy advice

Russells Hall Hospital maternity unit tour

Looking after yourself in pregnancy

Important signs and symptoms

Contact numbers

Birth preparation information

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Congratulations on your pregnancy. This can be a very exciting time for you and your family. This padlet was devised to support information that will be discussed with you through your pregnancy by your midwife or other relevant health professional in pregnancy

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Pregnancy/new baby information

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Pregnant/New Baby :: Black Country 0-18 years website

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After you've had your baby

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After you have had your baby :: Black Country 0-18 years website

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A mental wellbeing website for young people, parents/carers and school based staff in Dudley.

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Happier Minds - Mental Wellbeing For Young Persons In Dudley

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Mental Wellbeing resources and help for young persons, parents and carers, and school based staff in Dudley and other local Boroughs.