With the support of Teddy’s Wish, The Lullaby Trust has developed a series of free bite-size presentations, which can be shared with families by CONI coordinators and health visitors. The Care of Next Infant (CONI) programme is a national health visitor led service, coordinated by The Lullaby Trust, that provides vital extra support for bereaved families during pregnancy and after birth. The partnership with Teddy’s Wish will enable The Lullaby Trust to support CONI coordinators in their contact with families and allow the continued delivery of the programme during the COVID-19 crisis.

Parents who have experienced a sudden and unexpected death of a baby often feel anxious when they have another baby. The programme offers much-needed regular contact with a health visitor, symptom diaries, weight charts and movement monitors and the support of a paediatrician. This helps to reduce anxiety and allow CONI parents to enjoy the first year of their baby’s life.

Teddy’s Wish have been longstanding supporters of The Lullaby Trust and the CONI programme and last year partnered with the charity to deliver free CONI Co-ordinator training to health visitors in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. This opened up training to areas of the country that had previously been unable to afford it allowing more families access to the vital support offered by the CONI programme.

Jenny Ward, Chief Executive of The Lullaby Trust said:

“We are delighted to be continuing partnership work with Teddy’s Wish. Support for families is more important than ever at this time and the CONI programme is a lifeline for many bereaved parents. The new resources will make it easier for health visitors to continue to deliver the CONI programme so bereaved families have access to this much needed support.”

Founders of Teddy’s wish, Jennifer and Chris Reid said:

“As bereaved parents ourselves we know that becoming a parent again is frightening and emotionally very confusing. The practical and emotional support we received from CONI is invaluable and will help other parents learn to manage their anxieties to allow the love and hope back into their lives.”

Learn more about the CONI programme here.