GOOD ENOUGH START PRACTITIONERS
How practitioners help
Practitioners will share the facts about the parent-infant relationship when they meet you during your pregnancy and answer any questions you may have. With your consent they will ask you to share information and thoughts about your pregnancy and home circumstances. They will explain why this is important at the first meeting.
Practitioners will provide additional bespoke antenatal and postnatal support for parents and infants when needed to empower you to build your unique parent-infant bond.
If appropriate, they will support you to break the cycle of adverse childhood experiences.
Practitioners work in partnership with your Midwife, Health Visitor, GP and range of family services.
OUR NETWORK
Good Enough Start Practitioners' primary focus is to support 'the parent-infant relationship' to promote parent and infant mental health. When necessary we connect families with relevant support services to reduce some of the risk factors that effect a parent's ability to meet their infant's needs.
GOOD ENOUGH START CATCHMENT
Good Enough Start is a pilot, funded until October 2022, available to parents living in Millom, Haverigg, The Hill, The Green, Thwaites and Silecroft. Good Enough Start has the same catchment as Millom GP Surgery, Midwifery and Health Visitor Services. If you live outside this catchment and would like to talk about information contained in this website, you are advised to contact your local Midwife, GP or Health Visitor who will still be able to help.
INFORMATION
One of Good Enough Start's Service aims is to provide accurate information to everyone. The following links are supported by Good Enough Start.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
HOW IS GOOD ENOUGH START DIFFERENT TO OTHER SERVICES?
Good Enough Start is a complementary, preventative service. Practitioners work in partnership with your Midwife, Health Visitor and local family services.
Good Enough Start support is all about supporting the emotional health and wellbeing of pregnant women and their baby antenatally and postnatally until baby is 2 years old. It is a pilot service working towards transforming family support for all communities in future.
WHY IS THE PARENT-INFANT BOND SO IMPORTANT?
This special parent-infant bond is also known as attachment. Attachment is a psychological connection which builds trust and security. If attachment is insecure then a baby may not develop the necessary brain growth required to function effectively, socially and emotionally, throughout life.
MY BABY AND I ARE ABSOLUTELY FINE, WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS FOR ME?
Most parents will be absolutely fine without a Good Enough Start service as they will remain emotionally positive and have the support of good family or friends. Good Enough Start believes that knowledge is power so every parent should have the facts to support their their baby's lifelong future. Good Enough Start will encourage friendships and peer support between parents; offer a variety of activities to promote positive mental health. You may choose to become a Good Enough Start champion, with training, to support future newborns and pass on your Good Enough Start knowledge. Together all parents can create a community of securely attached children, each one psychologically equipped to take full advantage of education and life's opportunities.
WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF 1001 DAYS?
From Conception to Age Two your baby's brain develops at a rapid rate, building lifelong foundations. During this time, your baby's brain develops in progressive stages therefore you will need to adapt to provide evolving stimulation to meet their growing needs. So it is important that your parent-infant relationship adapts to respond to your baby's changing needs. Good Enough Start will share the facts throughout and support you when necessary.