Aldi is funding a free online course to help new and expectant parents look after their mental health during pregnancy and after birth.
Developed by NowBaby in partnership with perinatal mental health charity PANDAS Foundation, ‘Preparing Emotionally for Parenthood’ will be available from today with short video chapters parents can watch at their own pace and in their own time.
The course covers preparing emotionally for birth, adjusting to life with a new baby, looking after relationships and recognising when extra support may be needed.
Parents can revisit the practical advice and guidance whenever they need and can register for free at www.nowbaby.co.uk.
The course will also signpost parents to further support, including PANDAS Foundation’s call-back helpline, WhatsApp service, peer support groups and wellbeing resources, alongside professional healthcare services such as midwives, health visitors and GPs.
Julie Ashfield, chief commercial officer at Aldi UK, said: “When you’re getting ready for a baby, it’s easy to focus on everything they’ll need. But it’s a big change for parents too, and they also need support along the way.
“That’s why we’re funding this course and working with PANDAS and NowBaby to give parents free, practical guidance as they prepare for their baby’s arrival and find their feet afterwards.”
David Salem, Commercial Director at NowBaby, said: “Preparing for a baby isn’t just about the birth. It’s also about how you might feel when you get home and life starts to look very different.
“The course brings together our antenatal education and PANDAS’ expertise to help parents prepare emotionally, with short chapters they can watch at their own pace and return to after their baby arrives.”
Annie Belasco, CEO of PANDAS Foundation, said: “It can be hard to say you’re struggling when you feel you should be coping. We want parents to know they don’t need a diagnosis to ask for help.
“By working with NowBaby and Aldi, we want to make it easier for parents to talk about how they’re feeling and find support, both during pregnancy and after their baby arrives.”
The course builds on Aldi’s partnership with PANDAS Foundation, which saw the supermarket introduce mental health messaging on its Mamia Sensitive and Extra Sensitive baby wipes in a UK supermarket first. The packs highlight common signs of perinatal mental illness, including low mood, anxiety and tearfulness, and signpost PANDAS’ free helpline and peer support groups.
