About the CONI programme

The Care of Next Infant (CONI) programme supports bereaved families before and after the birth of their new baby, giving hundreds of families peace of mind and support.

A close up of a baby's hand grasping the parent's hand
On this page

Through CONI, parents may:

Health professional with grey hair wearing scrubs and smiling.

Receive regular contact

e.g. home visits and telephone conversations from their health visitor, so they can talk freely about any worries and seek advice.

An illustrated baby is sleeping. They have fair skin and wear a nappy. On their nappy is a movement monitor.

Borrow movement monitors

which pick up movements as the baby breathes and rings an alarm if movements stop for longer than 20 seconds.

Baby lying on back as a doctor listens to their heart using a stethoscope.

Receive training on basic life support

so parents will know what to do if their baby stops breathing before professional help is available.

Woman wearing a hijab, close up of her hand writing in a notebook using a pen.

Use a symptom diary

to record their baby’s health, which they can then discuss with their health visitor or show to a medical professional, when they are worried.

An illustration of a hand holding a phone with the Baby Check app open by The Lullaby Trust. It is on a page saying 'temperature', with an illustration of a baby and a thermometer.

Use the Baby Check app

to help to decide when their baby is unwell and needs to seek medical help.

A health professional speaks with a couple. The woman is pregnant. The couple are looking and engaging with the health professional, who is holding booklets in her hand.

Monitor their baby’s growth

with a detailed weight chart to detect changes that may mean baby should be checked by a doctor.

Demonstration of what the room thermometer looks like for babies' rooms. It is a two-sided piece of card with a thermometer on the front, and the ABCs of safer sleep on the back.

Receive a room thermometer

and guidance on safer sleep for babies, baby bedding and clothing.

A woman sits on the sofa at home and helps her cute toddler daughter hold her baby brother for the first time. The big sister appears excited and proud.

Receive a ‘passport’

so that if the parents’ are worried that their baby is unwell, they can be seen quickly by the right person either at the GP or hospital.

  • An illustration of a woman wearing green uniform. She has fair skin and black hair.

    What parents say about CONI

    Following the death of Tim, when I fell pregnant with Jacob I was obviously delighted, but extremely anxious. The CONI programme was a tremendous support. I couldn’t have coped without it.

    Parent who has been on our CONI programme
  • Illustration of a woman wearing blue uniform and a purple lanyard. The woman has grey hair and eyebrows.

    What professionals say about our CONI training:

    I found this course very informative. I liked that I was able to go through the different modules at my own pace, when I had the time, in between working on my case load.

    CONI coordinator
    CONI training
  • Illustration of a woman wearing a lanyard. She has dark skin and short, flicking hair. She is a hearing aid user.

    What parents say about CONI:

    My focus experience has been very good and helps my health having me better head space to deal with my children.

    Parent who has been on our CONI programme
  • Illustration of a man wearing a nurses' uniform with a name tag. He has medium skin tone, black hair and a slight beard.

    What professionals say about our training:

    Really enjoy the training and have lots of questions around my area and what we offer our families.

    CONI coordinator
    CONI training
  • Illustration of a man on the phone. He has dark skin with a turban and a lilac top.

    What parents say about CONI:

    It’s a fantastic thing to have after a traumatic event, having that constant a healthcare provider always checking in and knowing your not alone has been amazing.

    Parent who has been on our CONI programme

    Availability of CONI in your area

    CONI is currently available in many areas of England, Wales, Northern Ireland. Each area has a local co-ordinator who will discuss with parents the support available and arrange a plan of care with parents and professionals. Where CONI  is available, this programme is for parents who are expecting / given birth to a baby following the sudden unexpected death  of their baby. Some areas are able to offer the programme to parents who are bereaved for other reasons, you will need to ask your midwife.

    The programme is usually offered for 6 months after the baby is born but may be longer depending on the individual circumstances.

    For further details about CONI and the availability of CONI in your area, please email [email protected].

     

    Blue forget me nots in a field.

    If you're passionate about making CONI available in your area

    We are too. Contact us today. We will do all we can to ensure CONI is available to every parent and every family. You can keep grieving families supported by influencing key decision makers in your area.

    Email us today to make a difference

    More information

    The latest CONI news, updates and information for CONI coordinators. Empowering you with all the resources you need to support families.

    Information for CONI coordinators

    We’re so pleased we’re going to help another family together.

    CONI enrolment form

    We have a feedback form that we appreciate when families who’ve been on our CONI programme. It helps us all offer better support to families when they need it most.

    CONI feedback form