Remote Support for Parents and Babies
The idea of offering Remote Support for Parents and Babies evolved during the first Lockdown of the Pandemic.
My Maternity Nurse role involves supporting families in their homes with a new baby.
This work literally dried up overnight as we were instructed to stay at home.
I started to receive frantic calls from parents asking for advice on caring for their newborn.
How to check the latch when breastfeeding?
Should they pump as well? Is this the normal colour of baby poo?
Why won’t my baby sleep? Is my baby sleeping too much?
Why won’t my baby stop crying?
Fortunately, with remote support, I was able to assist parents with these issues and challenges!
Why Do New Parents Choose Remote Support?
For many, remote support can be an affordable and practical option when addressing issues such as feeding or sleep.
Parents have access to an experienced maternity practitioner who can listen and guide them through implementing changes and strategies.
Furthermore, parents can often feel overwhelmed with the amount of information available.
It is hard to know what is a reliable source on the internet and how up-to-date the information is.
My role, as a Remote Maternity Nurse Consultant is to empower parents.
Creating a plan of support that is right for their baby and for them as a family dynamic.
There is no ‘one sleep solution’ that suits all babies or the parents trying to implement it!
How Do Remote 1-1 Consultations Work?
Initially, when parents contact me asking for remote support I will email them a questionnaire and book a 1-1 Skype or Zoom Consultation.
The questionnaire covers pregnancy, labour, birth and includes a typical 24 hours in your baby’s life with feeding and sleep.
It is helpful for me to gather as much information as possible prior to the Remote Consultation.
This enables me to create a general overview of what has been happening.
Furthermore, create relevant strategies for enabling a happier and more peaceful family environment, for the baby and parents.
Remote Consultations generally last about an hour, however, for more complex cases, the time is not limited to an hour.
I work to ensure that parents have the opportunity to include everything they need to talk about.
Additionally, an opportunity to ask questions and fully understand and agree on the plan of support is also included in the first consultation.
Following the initial remote consultation, parents will receive a written plan of what was discussed.
Strategies are given to start implementing and resources as needed.
I am able to support parents as they implement changes and communicate via E-mail or Video Call.
Often coaching parents as they begin a new strategy such as settling their baby in a cot for naps.
Talking parents through how to resettle a crying baby and helping to extend sleep cycles.
What Are the Benefits of Remote Support for Newborn or Infant Babies?
Messaging services offer a convenient method to communicate what is happening with the baby or babies on a daily basis.
Furthermore, this enables me to give parents the confidence to continue with the plan and the information to change things as necessary.
It is also beneficial to have regular Skype or Zoom reviews to discuss what is working and what may need changing.
Usually one live remote consultation a week is enough, however, I want parents to feel as supported as possible.
Therefore, sometimes parents will ask for a call and we can often sort things out very quickly.
Sometimes parents will add a remote support package as an extension of the in-home Maternity Nurse support.
This works very well as parents feel reassured that they will still have continued support.
For more details on the remote services I am able to offer please feel free to visit the Online Clinic page.
