New NICE Guidance [NG247] published on 15th January on "Maternal and child nutrition: nutrition and weight management in pregnancy, and nutrition in children up to 5 years" has raised the bar on the information and support provided to pregnant women and new parents.

The new guidance updates and replaces the NICE guideline on maternal and child nutrition (PH11, 2008) and the recommendations on weight management during pregnancy from NICE's guideline on weight management before, during and after pregnancy (PH27, 2010).

The new guidance is extensive and a must read for anyone working with or in contact with women who might become pregnant (youth services are mentioned for example), pregnant women, new mothers (including employers and education providers when they return to work/study) and children under five (including early years settings). It includes what advice should be given to pregnant women about nutrition (food and drink), support during breastfeeding, support and advice for low income households, weight management support, weaning and nutrition for the under fives.

The new guidance talks about weight stigma, a welcome addition, for example stating practitioners should "Reassure the person that their weight and BMI can be shared sensitively with them (for example, by being written down rather than spoken aloud) or not shared with them, depending on what they prefer"...(and) "follow the recommendations on sensitive communication and avoiding stigma during discussions about weight".

In the guidance around weaning and feeding one to five year olds both the nutrition needed as well as the food environment is addressed. This is a very welcome update and, if followed, could transform the care and support available for the target populations. We all have a role to play.

There were five recommendations for research:

1. Digital technologies to increase uptake of folic acid supplementation

2. High-dose folic acid supplementation

3. Optimum dose of vitamin D during pregnancy for people with a BMI that is within the overweight or obesity weight categories

4. Dietary interventions during pregnancy for people with gestational diabetes

5. Safe and appropriate formula feeding

 You can read the full guidance by clicking here