Concerns for wellbeing of babies born in lockdown

Concerns for the wellbeing of babies born in lockdown are being raised, as parents struggle to access regular support services.

England's children's commissioner is highlighting pressures facing mothers caring for babies without the usual family and state support networks.

Playgroups are closed and health visitor "visits" are being carried out remotely in most cases. The NHS said adaptations had been made to keep new mothers and babies safe.

The briefing paper from Anne Longfield's office says an estimated 76,000 babies will have been born in England under lockdown so far. But births are not being registered, because of temporary rules tied to the virus pandemic, so even basic information about new babies is not being gathered.

At the same time, support services provided by health visitors and GPs are not readily accessible, with many taking place via phone and video calls or not at all. There are concerns many babies may have missed their developmental health checks, due in the first few weeks of life to pick up urgent developmental needs.

"In some areas, the six-week GP baby check hasn't been available or parents haven't wanted to attend it due to a potential risk of infection," she said.

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Source: BBC News, 7 May 2020