NURTURING PARENTS
Caring for a little person requires a mother and father to focus on the present moment and feel emotionally available to consistently interpret and meet their baby’s needs. Sometimes, stressful situations can arise or resurface, which can make it more difficult to focus on a little person's emotions.
Good Enough Start can empower caregivers to create meaningful time with babies to strengthen the parent-infant relationship even if adult life becomes stressful. Nurturing parents means nurturing babies.
EXPECTATIONS
Every parent is unique. Some parents-to-be feel ready to have a baby and some less so. Some parents have had a long journey, some are not so sure.
Good Enough Start offers confidential conversations without judgment to support everyone to prepare for the changes ahead to build confidence to nurture and bond with your baby. We focus on your strengths to enhance your approach as you build your parent-infant relationship.
HOME ENVIRONMENT
A safe, comfortable environment supports caring for a baby. There are factors, often beyond your control, that can unsettle this environment such as loss of income, illness, bereavement, separation and so on.
We can signpost to available services to help if you choose whilst empowering you to support your parent-infant relationship during tough times.
YOUR CHILDHOOD
Childhood experiences can influence our parenting approach.
When our experiences are mainly positive it's easier to adapt to becoming the parent you want to be. When experiences have been less than ideal unconscious memories can hinder your connection with your infant.
The vast majority of parents consciously decide not to let their children experience their negative, unhappy experiences.
We offer confidential conversations to contribute to empowering you to feel confident about how you build a safe parent-infant relationship with your child if unresolved childhood feelings are negatively affecting you.
MENTAL HEALTH
The “baby blues” is a term used to describe the feelings of worry, unhappiness, and fatigue that many women experience after having a baby. Babies require a lot of care, so it’s normal for mothers to be worried about, or tired from, providing that care. Baby blues, which affects up to 80% of mothers, includes feelings that are somewhat mild, last a week or two, and go away on their own.
Pregnancy itself can affect a woman’s mental health. Antenatal depression is when you feel sad all the time for weeks or months during your pregnancy. The condition can vary from mild to severe and can affect women in different ways. Depression in pregnancy is very common. Around 1 in 10 pregnant women have antenatal depression. Read more - Tommy's Pregnancy Hub. Here.
If you are living with long-term anxiety, depression or other mental health diagnosis discuss your plans to have a baby with your GP or psychiatrist. Pre-pregnancy counselling will help you and your doctor plan for the healthiest start for you and your baby. Most medication is safe for pregnant women but it's always best to check. Read more NHS advice. Here.
NHS ADVICE
Postnatal depression is a type of depression that many parents experience after having a baby. It can also affect fathers and partners.
It's important to seek help as soon as possible if you think you might be depressed, as your symptoms could last months or get worse and have a significant impact on you, your baby and your family. Read NHS advice.
Postpartum psychosis is a rare but serious mental health illness that can affect a woman soon after she has a baby. If you suspect you are affected by this. Read NHS advice about what to do.