New advice on
storing breast milk and the best medicines to take during
pregnancy are some of the updates the Department of Health has
made to its popular Pregnancy and Birth to Five
books being relaunched today.
The books have been a vital source of information for mums-to-be
and new parents for over ten years, offering the latest
information on issues that matter to them. The books will be given
free to all expectant women and new parents by their midwives and
health visitors.
The Pregnancy and Birth to Five books have now
been updated to reflect latest advice and evidence and include
extra information parents have told us they need. Some of the
changes include:
Increasing the amount of time it is recommended breast milk can
be stored in a fridge from 24 hours to 5 daysReflecting latest
Food Standards Agency advice that:it is safe for mothers to eat
peanuts during pregnancy, but babies shouldn’t be given them for
the first six months of life pregnant women should not drink more
than 200mg of caffeine a day – that’s two mugs of instant
coffeeIntroducing a step-by-step breast feeding guide and
information on medicines for common ailments while pregnant or
breast feeding
All of this information has been updated in online resources on
NHS Choices as it has changed, but these books bring it all
together in one handy reference tool for parents.
Commenting on the new books, Health Minister Ann Keen said:
“Parents have told us how useful they find these books and the
advice they give, and we’ve listened to their feedback on what
extra information they need. That’s why we’ve updated the
Pregnancy and Birth to Five books to include
more advice on the topics parents find most difficult including
post natal depression and breast feeding. I would encourage all
parents to use these books and their midwife and health visitor to
ensure they have all the information and support they need through
pregnancy and early years.”
Commenting on the new books, General Secretary of the Royal
College of Midwives Cathy Warwick said:
"The RCM is pleased to have helped update these
publications and feels that they will be a vital new resource for
pregnant women and their families. We believe that they will help
empower and educate pregnant women to make informed choices and
decisions about their unborn baby and their newborn child’s health."
As well as offering advice and guidance, the books let parents
know what support and contact they can expect from the NHS at
every stage of pregnancy and early years.
First time mum-to-be Hannah Plumridge said:
"The new Pregnancy book is really easy to dip in and
out of. It’s good to read something that is written from the NHS
point of view so you don't just learn about what is
happening physically, but what you can expect at each midwife
appointment and what the NHS can offer at each stage of the
pregnancy. I thought the section on the labour was the most
informative I have read – I now know more about the process once
labour begins and what happens afterwards, rather than just
physically giving birth."
Notes to Editors
For further information please contact the Department of Health
press office on 020 7210 5221 Changes to advice on peanut and
caffeine consumption have previously been publicised by the Food
Standards AgencyThe Department of Health worked with a number of
stakeholders to update the books including:
· Community Practitioners’ and Health Visitors’ Association
· Department for Children, Schools and Families
· Department for Work and Pensions
· Food Standards Agency
· National Childbirth Trust
· National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE)
· Royal College of Anaesthetists
· Royal College of General Practitioners
· Royal College of Midwives
· Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
· Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
· UK Medicines Information
· Resuscitation Council (UK)
· Royal College of Nursing
PDF versions of both guides can be found at:
Pregnancy:
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_107302
Birth to Five:
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_107303
Contacts:
Department of Health
Phone: 020 7210 5221
NDS.DH@coi.gsi.gov.uk