Congratulations and welcome to Parents-to-Be.
If you’re reading this page it’s likely that you’re either planning a baby, are currently pregnant or perhaps have recently welcomed a new little one into your family.
So wherever you are in your parenting journey we want to congratulate you and welcome you to our support programme.
Our programme is split into weekly videos with resources to support you with everything you need for your parenting journey, from feeding and caring for your little one to relationships and looking after yourself.
Chapter 1: Transition to parenhood
Chapter 1 covers aspects of your transition to parenthood. Within this chapter we encourage you to reflect upon your journey up to this point and explore how your pregnancy has progressed.
We will provide information on how to look after yourself in pregnancy and start to consider how your relationship with your baby is developing. It’s important to acknowledge that not everyone’s journey to become pregnant is straight forward and even in those cases where perhaps becoming pregnant has been relatively easy, the pregnancy or social situation may not have been.
It’s also important to recognise that everyone’s situation is very different and whilst expecting a baby is a truly magical and exciting time, for many of us it can also bring a lot of worry and stress. Within this chapter we both celebrate the excitement, but also acknowledge difficulties and will signpost you to other sources of information and advice.
Resources
Videos:
Leaflets:
- Becoming pregnant – preparing to give birth
- What do I wish for my baby?
- Being with your baby – Becoming a mum
- My pregnancy and post-birth wellbeing plan
Chapter 2: Feeding
Feeding your baby will take up a huge amount of your time in the first few weeks. Whilst pregnant, it’s important to consider your options and be prepared with all most up-to-date information and advice.
Within this chapter we will explore feeding options. Advice is given on breastfeeding and information is also available around formula feeding and how to do this safely. We will also cover some of the more common concerns around colic and reflux.
Resources
Videos:
Leaflets:
Chapter 3: Caring for your baby
Once your baby arrives and you return home, the feelings of being left alone with this little human can be very overwhelming. It’s useful to know what to expect beforehand and prepare as much as possible for your new arrival.
Within this chapter we cover some of the very basics of taking care of a new born including:
- bathing
- changing a nappy
- baby’s Red Book
- immunisation schedule
A safe sleeping environment for your baby is vital and so we will provide you with advice on how to put your baby down to sleep as safely as possible.
We will also provide you with information about what to expect from our health visiting team during the first couple of visits and explain the Healthy Child Programme – a series of scheduled contacts throughout the first 2 years of your child’s life to assess their health and development.
Resources
- Videos:
- Lullaby Trust
Websites:
- NHS – How to change your baby’s nappies
- NHS – Washing your baby
- ICON – Information about infant crying and how to cope
Chapter 4: Looking after your relationships
Introducing a baby in to the family is a really exciting prospect and babies can bring so much joy and happiness. A new baby can change the dynamics within existing relationships. Whether that be between partners, children, family members or maybe friendships. It’s important to consider how things may change for you and explore with your partner what you think these changes may look like.
Within this chapter we encourage you to consider what type of a parent you think you will be or you want to be and how will you and your partner work together to overcome some of the more difficult aspects of caring for a new baby.
Sometimes, significant life events such as having a baby do not always bring joy. At times it can be really stressful and exhausting. We will explore how having a baby can effect parental mental health and explain the signs and symptoms to look out for when considering if you need to access more support.
We will explain what bonding and attachment is and suggest ways you can promote this within your relationship with you baby.
Videos:
- Attachment and bonding
- Maternal mental health
Leaflets
