New mothers should be interviewed three to four months after they give birth to check they are bonding with their babies, according to a Government-commissioned report.
At the moment, midwives and health visitors usually check on new mothers for up to six weeks after their delivery.
But after that they face several months without a formal appraisal of how they are coping with motherhood.
New mothers should be interviewed three to four months after they give birth to check they are bonding with their babies, according to a Government-commissioned report
Child abuse charity The Wave Trust, which carried out the research, said failing to check for post-natal depression, domestic violence or alcoholism at this stage can have a long-lasting impact on the child.
They found babies who formed poor relationships with their mothers were more likely to become aggressive and break the law when they got older.
And they said the 15 per cent of children who suffer neglect or violence at the hands of their parents are responsible for nearly three-quarters of disruptive behaviour among children.
The report was commissioned by the Department for Education and supported by the Department of Health.
The findings have also been endorsed by Children¿s Minister Elizabeth Truss
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2297241/New-mums-need-post-natal-depression-checks-make-sure-bonding-baby.html#ixzz2OHonkUHg
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
