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Maternity Nurses, Nannies and the Infant Sleep Industry

08 June 2026

Lead MP

Connor Rand

Debate Type

Adjournment Debate

Tags

EmploymentStandards & EthicsNHS
Other Contributors: 1

At a Glance

Connor Rand raised concerns about maternity nurses, nannies and the infant sleep industry in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.

How the Debate Unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:

Lead Contributor

Opened the debate
The MP highlighted the vulnerability of parents seeking advice on infant care, especially regarding safe sleeping practices. He expressed concern over unqualified individuals posing as experts in this field and potentially putting children's lives at risk. The MP cited an instance from his constituency where a four-month-old baby died after being placed in an unsafe sleeping position based on unsound advice from an unqualified maternity nurse. This incident, along with similar cases highlighted by the BBC, underscores the urgent need for regulation in this industry. The MP called for mandatory safeguarding training and qualification standards for those providing home-based childcare, stronger legal protections for titles such as 'nurse', 'practitioner', and 'consultant', and increased investment in health visitors and infant care services to provide adequate support for new parents.

Government Response

EmploymentStandards & EthicsNHS
Government Response
The Minister thanked Connor Rand for raising this critical issue. She acknowledged that being a new parent is challenging, and rogue advice from so-called experts can have devastating effects on families seeking reputable guidance. The Department for Education is responsible for regulating nannies and childcare services through the early years foundation stage statutory framework, which sets out safer sleep requirements linked to NHS guidance. Plans are in place to update this framework by September 2026. The Government has also launched a 'Best Start in Life' campaign promoting safe-sleep advice via various channels, including social media and email programmes. Additionally, they have published post-natal toolkits and guidance for GPs on postnatal care appointments. The Minister highlighted that the titles such as 'maternity nurse', 'night nurse', or 'baby sleep consultant' are not regulated professions but often misleadingly imply qualifications. In May 2025, the Government announced intentions to protect the professional title 'nurse' by making it illegal for unqualified individuals to use this term. The Minister invited stakeholders and interested parties to share their views on protecting these titles through a call for evidence. She emphasised that patient and public safety is paramount and will ensure that future legislation underpinning the Nursing and Midwifery Council implements these changes properly.
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About House of Commons Debates

House of Commons debates take place in the main chamber of the House of Commons. These debates cover a wide range of topics including government policy, legislation, and current affairs. MPs from all parties can participate, question ministers, and hold the government accountable for its decisions.