Aldi has launched a free online course to support the mental health of new and expectant parents, building on its partnership with perinatal mental health charity PANDAS Foundation.

It is funding the ‘Preparing Emotionally for Parenthood’ course, developed by antenatal education provider NowBaby in collaboration with PANDAS, to help parents navigate the emotional challenges of pregnancy and life with a newborn.

Available from today, the course features short video chapters that parents can watch at their own pace, covering topics including preparing emotionally for birth, adjusting to life with a baby, maintaining relationships and recognising when additional support may be needed.

It will also direct parents to further support services, including PANDAS’ helpline, WhatsApp service, peer support groups and wellbeing resources, alongside professional healthcare services.

Aldi UK chief commercial officer Julie Ashfield said: “When you’re getting ready for a baby, it’s easy to focus on everything they’ll need. But it’s a big change for parents too, and they also need support along the way.

“That’s why we’re funding this course and working with PANDAS and NowBaby to give parents free, practical guidance as they prepare for their baby’s arrival and find their feet afterwards.”

The initiative builds on Aldi’s existing partnership with PANDAS, which saw the grocer become the first UK supermarket to introduce perinatal mental health messaging on its own-label baby wipes.

The messaging, featured on Aldi’s Mamia Sensitive and Extra Sensitive baby wipes, highlights common signs of perinatal mental illness, including anxiety, low mood and tearfulness, while directing customers to free support services.

PANDAS Foundation chief executive Annie Belasco said: “It can be hard to say you’re struggling when you feel you should be coping. We want parents to know they don’t need a diagnosis to ask for help.

“By working with NowBaby and Aldi, we want to make it easier for parents to talk about how they’re feeling and find support, both during pregnancy and after their baby arrives.”

NowBaby commercial director David Salem added that the course was designed to help parents prepare for the emotional changes that can follow childbirth, with practical advice they can revisit after their baby arrives.

The course is available free of charge through the NowBaby website.

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