Minding the Baby
Minding the Baby (MTB) is an intensive and preventive home-visiting programme developed by Yale University that helps first time mothers aged 14–25. The focus of the intervention is to reduce negative infant and maternal outcomes and strengthen the attachment relationship.
MTB is delivered by an interdisciplinary team of highly skilled practitioners, who have health and social work experience, integrating advanced practice nursing and mental health care for mothers and infants.
This randomised controlled trial (RCT) tested the efficacy of this innovative intervention across three UK sites. Participants, who were recruited during pregnancy, were randomly assigned to one of two arms, a treatment arm – MTB, or a control arm – treatment as usual.
We evaluated the effectiveness of the MTB programme by looking at a range of maternal and infant outcomes, including infant attachment security, maternal sensitivity and verified accounts of infant maltreatment and neglect.
In addition, we assessed the cost effectiveness of the MTB programme in order to support future roll-out of services. This study, involving a collaboration between the NSPCC, University College London and three NHS hospitals, afforded a unique opportunity to advance knowledge regarding effective ways to support some of the youngest and most vulnerable children in the UK.