The Western Cape Department of Social Services has put out a plea to all pregnant mothers to seek help rather than abandon their babies if they are in difficult circumstances. This comes after the body of a new-born baby was found in the community of Rasta Park at the weekend‚ an informal settlement close to Sir Lowry’s Pass.The department has promised to offer any assistance required by SAPS as a concealment of birth case has been opened in the Somerset West police station.The department “strongly condemns any action which places the lives of babies and children at risk. There is no excuse for the dumping and abandoning of babies & children‚” said Sihle Ngobese‚ spokesman for MEC Albert Fritz.“Our services to prospective and new parents are ongoing‚ designed to assist children and parents in the crucial first 1‚000 day period (from conception to the second birthday) of a child’s development‚” said Ngobese.According to the Perinatal Mental Health Project‚ “The perinatal period is the time from pregnancy through the end of the first year of being a parent. We may expect women to be happy about being pregnant and having a baby. But for many women‚ psychological distress and poverty interact in a vicious cycle. This can make the life-transition to parenting a time of enormous stress.”TMG Digital/Cape Town Newsroom..