The Top 10 Things You’ll Learn About Newborn Care Before Delivery

Bringing a newborn into the world is an exciting yet challenging journey. For many parents-to-be, preparing for their baby’s arrival involves not only setting up a nursery and packing a hospital bag but also learning the essentials of newborn care. Antenatal classes are a fantastic resource for expecting parents, offering practical advice, demonstrations, and emotional reassurance.

This guide explores the top 10 things you’ll learn about newborn care before delivery, helping you feel confident and prepared for those precious early days.

1. How to Feed Your Baby

Feeding is one of the first and most frequent tasks you’ll manage with your newborn. Antenatal classes cover the basics of both breastfeeding and bottle feeding, allowing parents to choose the approach that works best for them.

What You’ll Learn:

Breastfeeding Basics: Correct latch techniques, positions like cradle hold and football hold, and how to recognise feeding cues.

Bottle Feeding Tips: Sterilising bottles, preparing formula, and ensuring proper feeding positions to avoid gas.

Signs of Successful Feeding: Learning to spot if your baby is feeding well, such as steady sucking and adequate nappy output.

NHS Advice: Breastfeeding is recommended as the healthiest option for babies, but antenatal classes also provide non-judgemental guidance on formula feeding.

2. Safe Sleep Practices

Creating a safe sleep environment is critical to reducing the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Antenatal classes provide practical demonstrations and evidence-based advice.

Key Recommendations:

Always place your baby on their back to sleep.

Use a firm mattress in a crib or Moses basket, free of soft bedding or toys.

Share a room with your baby for the first six months but avoid bed-sharing.

The Lullaby Trust emphasises that understanding safe sleep guidelines before delivery is crucial for ensuring your baby’s safety from day one.

3. Bathing Your Baby

Bathing a newborn for the first time can feel intimidating, but antenatal classes demystify the process with step-by-step demonstrations.

Bathing Tips:

Use lukewarm water (37–38°C) and test it with your elbow or a thermometer.

Hold your baby securely, supporting their head and neck.

Keep the bath short—5 to 10 minutes is ideal for newborns.

Pat your baby dry and keep the umbilical cord stump clean and dry.

NHS Guidance: Babies don’t need daily baths; two to three times a week is sufficient.

4. Nappy Changing Made Simple

Nappy changes are an essential part of daily life with a newborn, and antenatal classes provide practical advice to make this routine task easier.

What You’ll Learn:

The difference between disposable and reusable nappies.

How to clean your baby effectively to prevent nappy rash.

Tips for managing wet and soiled nappies and recognising signs of healthy digestion.

Changing nappies frequently not only keeps your baby comfortable but also prevents irritation and infections.

5. Recognising Newborn Cues

Newborns communicate their needs through subtle cues, such as cries, movements, and facial expressions. Antenatal education helps parents decode these signals.

Common Cues:

Hunger: Rooting, lip-smacking, or sucking on hands.

Tiredness: Yawning, rubbing eyes, or becoming fussy.

Discomfort: Crying, arching the back, or pulling legs to the chest (often due to gas).

By responding promptly to these cues, parents build trust and strengthen their bond with their baby.

6. Soothing a Fussy Baby

All babies cry—it’s their way of communicating. Antenatal classes teach parents effective techniques to soothe their baby when they’re fussy.

Soothing Techniques:

Swaddling to provide a sense of security.

Gentle rocking or bouncing motions.

Using white noise or soft music to create a calming environment.

Checking for common discomforts, such as hunger or a wet nappy.

Learning these techniques before delivery equips parents to handle crying spells with confidence and patience.

7. Understanding Baby’s Health and Safety

Antenatal classes emphasise the importance of monitoring your baby’s health and knowing when to seek medical advice.

Key Topics:

Recognising signs of illness, such as fever or difficulty breathing.

Knowing when to call a healthcare professional for concerns like prolonged crying or poor feeding.

Understanding baby-proofing basics to create a safe home environment.

NHS Resources: Offer guidelines for recognising and managing common newborn health concerns.

8. Partner Involvement in Baby Care

Antenatal classes are designed to include partners, ensuring they feel prepared and confident in their role as caregivers.

Partner Contributions:

Sharing responsibilities like nappy changes, feeds, and soothing the baby.

Providing emotional support to the mother during recovery.

Bonding with the baby through activities like skin-to-skin contact.

Active partner involvement strengthens the family bond and reduces the stress placed on the primary caregiver.

9. Building a Support Network

Parenthood can feel isolating, but antenatal classes provide opportunities to connect with other parents who are on the same journey.

Benefits of a Support Network:

Sharing tips and experiences helps normalise common challenges.

Building friendships creates a support system for emotional and practical help.

Many parents find long-term connections through antenatal classes.

The National Childbirth Trust (NCT) offers both in-person and online courses that facilitate community building among parents.

10. Preparing Emotionally for Parenthood

Becoming a parent is as much an emotional journey as a practical one. Antenatal classes help parents-to-be navigate this transition with resilience and self-assurance.

Emotional Preparation:

Addressing fears and anxieties about birth and parenting.

Normalising feelings of self-doubt and exhaustion.

Emphasising the importance of self-care for parents.

According to Tommy’s PregnancyHub, antenatal education improves parents’ emotional well-being, reducing feelings of overwhelm during the postpartum period.

UK Resources for Antenatal Newborn Care

For expecting parents in the UK, several trusted organisations offer antenatal education:

NHS Pregnancy Services: Provides free antenatal classes and resources for parents-to-be. Visit NHS Pregnancy Care

National Childbirth Trust (NCT): Offers comprehensive antenatal courses tailored to parents’ needs. Visit NCT

Tommy’s PregnancyHub: Features online resources and expert advice for new parents. Visit Tommy’s

The Lullaby Trust: Specialises in safe sleep advice for newborns. Visit Lullaby Trust

Final Thoughts

Antenatal newborn care classes are an invaluable resource for parents-to-be, providing practical skills, emotional reassurance, and a sense of community. From feeding and bathing to soothing and recognising your baby’s cues, these classes cover all the essentials to help you feel prepared for parenthood.

Learning these basics before delivery not only reduces stress but also enhances the joy of welcoming your baby into the world. With the right preparation, you can approach the early days of parenting with confidence and clarity, ready to embrace every precious moment.