‘There is an enormous amount of information and advice on parenthood, which may feel overwhelming. Some of it may seem contradictory and it can be hard to know where to begin. To help, I have selected articles and websites on specific topics, such as getting to know your baby, sleep and the transition to parenthood, which I hope you find useful.’
How to get to know your baby
’25 Things Every Baby Would Want you to Know.’
This is a short pamphlet written by The Association of Infant Mental Health, that really helpfully speaks for your baby, giving you an insight into your baby’s mind and what they need, from play and comfort, to sleep and separation.
Baby Watching: Making Sense of Your Baby
This is a thoughtfully written article by The Institute of Health Visiting. It provides a description of the different types of sleeping and wakeful states you may observe in your baby, for example deep sleep, quiet alert and unsettled, with helpful videos to illustrate. By watching your baby and looking out for these signs, this can help you to get to know your baby and so learn what they may need.
For further insights, click the articles below.
Becoming a Parent
From Partners to Parents: Couples and the Transition to Parenthood
This pamphlet, written by the North Dakota State University Family Science Department, outlines some of the central issues that men and women may face when becoming parents. It includes a helpful quiz to encourage discussion between you. It also offers some ideas on how to help you healthily manage this enormous change in your relationship.
‘Being with your baby…becoming a Mum.’ It may equally be entitled …becoming a Dad
This is a booklet written in collaboration between Parents and Professionals within the Cheshire and Merseyside Specialist Perinatal Service. Although it was produced during the Pandemic, much of it holds true for life today. It includes some of the emotions that you may feel and makes some suggestions on what may be helpful to manage them, as well as offering tips on how to be with baby.
For further insights, click the articles below.
Sleep
Crysis
Cry-sis is a national charity that provides a helpline seven days a week from 9am until 10pm if you feel you are really struggling with your baby’s sleeplessness and associated crying. You can call them on 0800 448 0737. They have a helpfully brief and straightforward guide on their website about how to help your baby with sleep, importantly offering separate advice for you when your baby is under three months and between three and 12 months.
For further insights, click the articles below.
Breastfeeding
The National Breast Feeding Network
Breast feeding can be challenging for so many reasons, from tongue ties and hospitalisations, to sleeplessness, mastitis and the range of emotions it can bring, encompassing deep intimacy all the way to feeling as if you are a feeding machine.
The National Breast Feeding Network offers a support line from 9:30am until 9:30pm seven days a week and can be reached on 0300 100 0212. You can speak to women who themselves have breast fed and have been through training to offer you support when you feel you may need it.
Food and Weaning
The Infant and Toddler Forum
The Infant and Toddler Forum under the ‘Resources for Parents’ tab, provides simple advice on food, including what to eat in pregnancy, introducing food to baby and food refusal. It includes tips on signs that baby is hungry, super helpful to help prevent your little one becoming really cranky, as well as when your baby is full up.
For further insights, click the articles below.
Specific Help for Fathers
Dads Matters
Dads Matters is an organisation that offers support specifically to fathers. They aim to support you in your role as a father and with your wellbeing. They offer in person support in certain parts of the UK, free online events such as ‘New Dads,’ as well as advice nationally.
For further insights, click the articles below.
Pregnancy Sickness Support
Pregnancy Sickness Support
Pregnancy sickness can become severe and have a significantly debilitating impact upon your life. Please do seek medical help if this is something you are experiencing. This website provides a really helpful variety of support including a helpline, telephone counselling, being matched with a peer and an online community space.
Traumatic Birth
Understanding Post Traumatic Stress Disorder After Birth
Giving birth can be a terrifying experience for many women, as the leaflet below states, up to one in four women find at least some part traumatic. It describes the signs that may mean you are really struggling with what happened, ways you may be trying to cope and why you are having certain experiences, such as flashbacks.
Many parts of the UK now have NHS specialist services, known as Maternal Mental Health Services, that support parents, men or women who may have experienced birth trauma. Please speak to your GP if you feel you need help.
Beyond Birth Living Library: peer support for those who experienced a difficult birth
This peer support programme has been developed by the NHS to enable parents and grandparents to find help from someone else who has gone through a similar experience of a difficult birth. The programme aims to connect parents or grandparents for four to six 40 minute phone calls.
