Postnatal and Infant Feeding Information
Here you can find information about the care you will receive after your baby is born.
- Maternity Ward Information
If you are not discharged home with your baby from the Delivery Suite, you will be transferred to the Maternity Ward. Your length of stay will depend upon your individual circumstances.
Whilst you are on the Maternity Ward you will either stay in a five bedded bay, or dependent upon your individual situation, a single room.
Single rooms cannot be booked at WWL.
We want you to feel as comfortable as you can during your stay and will provide you with refreshments throughout the day. You are welcome to bring your own snacks and drinks, providing that they do not need to be kept in a fridge or warmed in a microwave as we have no facilities for this.
The mealtimes are 12pm and 5pm daily.
If you would like a member of the Chaplaincy Team to visit you during your stay, please ask a midwife to arrange this for you.
- Visiting
Updated: July 2026
Patient visiting is under constant review and is based on patient and staff feedback.
Introduction to Overnight Visiting
We welcome overnight visiting in the Maternity Unit at WWL NHS Foundation Trust for one birth partner. This offer has been introduced in response to feedback from women who have experienced a difficult birth or emergency procedures.
We understand that having support overnight can make a meaningful difference -providing practical help with care, encouraging family bonding, and helping to ease anxiety for new mothers.
We encourage birth partners who stay overnight to remain actively involved in supporting care and wellbeing, recognising that ward environments are not designed for visitor rest.
Please note that the named birth partner should remain the same throughout the overnight stay and cannot be changed or swapped.
Staying overnight may affect your rest, so you may find it more beneficial to go home and return when you are rested.
If you are feeling overtired or have any existing health conditions, we strongly encourage you to consider whether an overnight stay is the best option.
Please note that we are unable to provide additional comfort facilities such as beds, showers, or food and drink. A standard chair will be available at the bedside; we are working towards have reclining chairs available.
To help ensure the safety and wellbeing of all mothers and babies, we ask that all overnight visitors follow hospital guidance, including Infection prevention and control and Fire safety procedures’
Our current Maternity Visiting Policy is as follows:
- One named birth partner can visit at any time to support whilst admitted on the Maternity ward, Delivery suite, Induction Bay, Day assessment unit and Maternity triage. This will be supported by agreement to our guidance for birth partner overnight visiting,
- When attending the hospital one support person can attend Maternity triage and Delivery suite with you; when it is confirmed that you are in active labour a second support person can be invited to attend with you if you wish. They will remain with you throughout your birth until your transfer to the postnatal ward, at which point your second support person will be required to leave the hospital, and your main support person may stay.
- New grandparents can attend the Delivery suite for a short visit prior to transfer to the Maternity ward if you wish, this will be a maximum of 2 at a time as well as one birth support (maximum of 3 in total)
- Patients undergoing an elective caesarean section will be admitted to the Maternity ward and can bring one support person with them.
- Patients’ children and two further visitors can visit, if desired, between 2pm - 8pm on the Maternity ward (maximum of three in total)
- One Support Person can attend all antenatal hospital and community appointments including any pregnancy scans. We continue to ask that children do not attend routine antenatal appointments where possible but understand on occasion children may need to attend.
- We fully recognise that there are times when women will require additional family support/ visits which can be discussed and agreed on an individual basis with your Midwife.
Partners and visitors will be asked not to attend:
- Please avoid visiting if you are unwell (e.g. cold, flu, vomiting, or diarrhoea). If you are unsure, please speak to the midwife in charge.
- Visitors who appear to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs will be asked to leave.
- Overnight Visiting Guidance
Birth Partner Overnight Visiting Information and Guidance
WWL NHS Foundation Trust
We kindly ask that you take a few moments to read the information below if you are considering staying overnight on the Maternity Unit.
We welcome overnight visiting in response to feedback from women who have experienced complex births or emergency procedures. We recognise that having a trusted birth partner present overnight can provide reassurance, emotional support, and practical help with care and early bonding.
We encourage birth partners who stay overnight to remain actively involved in supporting care and wellbeing, recognising that ward environments are not designed for visitor rest.
The same named birth partner must remain throughout the overnight stay and cannot be changed.
Staying overnight may impact your own rest and wellbeing. You may find it more beneficial to go home and return when you are rested. If you are overtired or have any health concerns, please consider whether staying overnight is the best option.
Please note that we are unable to provide additional facilities for visitors such as beds, showers, or food and drink. A standard chair will be available at the bedside; we are working towards providing reclining chairs in the future.
To maintain a safe, calm, and respectful environment, we ask that all overnight visitors follow the guidance below.
Thank you for your support and cooperation.Guidance for Birth Partner Overnight Visiting
We are committed to maintaining a safe and supportive environment for all patients, visitors, and staff. Where behaviour falls outside of these expectations, staff may ask visitors to leave. In some circumstances, additional support from security may be required, and serious incidents may be referred to the police.
Health and Safety
- Please do not attend if you are unwell (e.g. cold, flu, vomiting, or diarrhoea). If unsure, speak to the midwife in charge.
- Visitors who appear to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs will be asked to leave.
- Children are not permitted to stay overnight.
Ward Conduct and Safety
- Please remain close to your partner’s bedside wherever possible.
- Be mindful that not all women will have visitors and may feel uncomfortable with unfamiliar people nearby.
- Where clinically appropriate, staff may request that curtains remain open to allow observation and timely care.
- If the fire alarm sounds, follow staff instructions immediately.
Baby Safety
- Babies must remain within the ward area at all times.
- After feeding, changing, or cuddling, please return your baby to the cot.
- Avoid walking around the ward while holding your baby.
- Do not sleep with your baby in your arms or in the bed.
Personal Conduct
- Visitors must remain fully dressed at all times (pyjamas or underwear alone are not suitable).
- If undertaking skin-to-skin contact, clothing should be replaced afterwards.
- Non-slip footwear should be worn (no bare feet or socks only).
- Visitors must not use hospital beds, including empty beds.
- We recommend that valuables are left at home or secured in the bedside cabinet.
- Please keep personal belongings to a minimum and ensure the bedside area remains tidy and accessible for staff.
Noise and Environment
- Please help maintain a calm environment by keeping noise to a minimum.
- Avoid phone, video, or FaceTime calls between 10:00 PM and 8:00 AM.
Movement and Facilities
- If you anticipate needing to leave frequently (for example, to smoke), an overnight stay may not be suitable.
- A visitor toilet is available on the second floor; there are no visitor facilities on the ward.
- Please keep movement around the hospital to a minimum overnight.
Ward Access
Access to the ward is controlled via a swipe system. Staff will prioritise patient care, so there may occasionally be a short delay when entering or leaving.
- Visitors are generally unable to leave and re-enter between 10:00 PM and 8:00 AM, except for essential reasons such as using toilet facilities or obtaining refreshments.
Identification
If you remain on the ward overnight, you will be issued with a coloured name band to help staff identify you.
Questions, Concerns and Feedback
If you have any concerns during your stay:
- During the day, please speak to the Midwife in Charge, Ward Manager, or Matron.
- Out of hours, you can ask to speak with the Midwife in Charge or Delivery Suite Coordinator.
We welcome feedback about your experience. Please speak to a member of staff to access a Friends and Family feedback card.
If you have any questions about this guidance, please speak to a member of staff.
- Medication
You may require medication once you have had your baby.
All medications will be given on an individual basis as prescribed and you will be asked regularly if you require any medication for pain relief whilst on the Maternity Unit.
Please speak to a midwife if you have any questions about your medication or require further analgesia (painkillers).
You may wish to have some simple analgesia, such as paracetamol and/or ibuprofen, available at home for after your birth.
The leaflet below discusses more about managing your pain after birth
- Keeping Your Baby Safe
Maternity Unit
Your baby will remain with you at all times unless he/she is on the Neonatal Unit.
There may be times when your baby requires a test, such as a blood test or a review by a paediatrician (baby doctor) and if this cannot be done at the bedside it will be performed in the clinical room. You will be encouraged to accompany your baby.
All WWL staff are required to always wear an ID badge. Do not let anyone take your baby without showing you their WWL ID first or unless they are familiar to you, for example, a midwife who has cared for you before.
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
Please follow the link below where you will find useful information on preventing SIDS:
What is sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)? - The Lullaby Trust
ICON
ICON is a programme that gives advice and support to cope with your new baby and crying:
Parents Advice | ICON (iconcope.org)
- Bonding With Your Baby and Infant Feeding
- What Screening Tests Will My Baby Have?
- What If My Baby Goes To The Neonatal Unit?
It can be a very distressing time when your baby is admitted to the Neonatal Unit (NNU), even if you were expecting it to happen. You will probably have lots of questions about your baby’s wellbeing and the Neonatal Team will always be happy to answer any questions that you may have. The team on the NNU will encourage you to spend time with your baby as soon as it is possible following the birth and provide you with regular updates on your baby’s health.
If you are discharged from the Maternity Unit before your baby is well enough to go home, the NNU Team will encourage you to return to the NNU to spend time with your new baby as bonding during those early weeks is very important.
Please find below links to information that you may find useful
Screening tests for you and your baby: babies in special care units - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
For babies born premature or sick | Bliss
NNU phone number 01942 778504
- Health Information For New Mothers
- What Happens When I Go Home?
When you are discharged from the hospital or have given birth at home you will be visited the following day by one of our community midwives. They will visit to assess you and your baby’s wellbeing and answer any questions that you may have.
The community midwife or maternity support worker will visit on day five to undertake the new born blood spot screening (with your consent) and your baby’s weight will be checked.
Further visits will be arranged on a personalised individual basis dependent upon you and your baby’s needs.
Unfortunately, we cannot always give you a specific visiting time, but this is usually between 8.30am and 5pm.
Please provide a current phone number when you leave hospital/after your home birth, so that the Midwifery Team can contact you should they need to.
If you and your baby are well, your care is usually transferred to the Health Visiting Team at around 14 days.
- Birth Registration
- Health Visitor & GP Information
Services and support for parents - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Appointments: 0300 707 1245
Duty Tel. Number: 0300 707 1243
- Information for Partners
- BCG Vaccine
It may be recommended that some babys recieve a BCG vaccination. More information can be found below
- Baby Blues and Postnatal Depression
- Safe Sling Use
- Anya App
Support for the first 1001 days of parenting
Wigan parents can now get free premium access to the Anya app, here to support you from pregnancy until your baby is 2 years old. Anya provides 24/7 personalised information and support from our AI powered virtual supporter, guidance from our human experts, and our unique 3D breastfeeding animations to help with feeding comfortably. Join a growing community of parents today: to unlock free access, download the Anya app, sign up, and enter your Wigan postcode.
Learn more at anya.health/wigan
Support for Expectant Parents
Wigan parents can now get free access to the Anya app, designed to support you through pregnancy and into parenthood.
- Chat with Anya AI, your 24/7 virtual supporter, about any pregnancy topics on your mind.
- Follow our antenatal programme to help you feel empowered and prepared for birth.
- Create your personal tailored birth plan using our birth planning tool.
- Chat with other parents in our communities, to talk through pregnancy or parenting topics
- Get 1-2-1 support from our in-app human experts
To unlock your free access, download the Anya app, sign up, and enter your Wigan postcode.
Learn more at anya.health/wigan
Support for New Parents
Struggling on little sleep?
Finding feeding tricky?
Questions about parenting?
Wigan parents can now get free access to the Anya app – here to support you on the journey to parenthood. Anya provides
- 24/7 personalised information and empathetic support from our Anya AI
- 1-2-1 guidance from our human experts through instant messaging in-app
- 3D breastfeeding animations to help with feeding comfortably
- Communities to connect with other parents
- Practical tips to help you adjust to life with your newborn
To unlock your free access, download the Anya app, sign up, and enter your Wigan postcode.
Learn more at anya.health/wigan
