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Week 6 - What to expect from the session 

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Week 6 - What to expect from the session 

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Week 5 - What to expect from the session

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Week 5 - What to expect from the session

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Week 3 - What to expect from the session

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Week 3 - What to expect from the session

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Week 2 - what to expect from the session 

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Week 2 - what to expect from the session 

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Please see the group rules for each week 

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All about the Solihull Approach and its training in emotional health and wellbeing for children

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Containment - Solihull Approach 'Understanding your child'

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Additional Non-Solihull Approach ideas for extended learning & information

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Additional Non-Solihull Approach ideas for extended learning & information

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Looking for advice on how to look after a newborn? All of our tips for newborns can be found on this page. Learn about the importance of talking from day one and how newborns are communicating with you before they can talk.

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Useful Non-Solihull Approach information for extended learning

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Useful Non-Solihull Approach information for extended learning

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Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University

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Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University

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Serve & Return Interaction Shapes Brain Circuitry

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All babies cry, and some more than others. Crying is your baby's way of telling you they need comfort and care.
Sometimes it's easy to work out what they want, and sometimes it's not.

The most common reasons for crying are:

hunger

a dirty or wet nappy

tiredness

wanting a cuddle

wind

being too hot or too cold

boredom

overstimulation

There may be times of the day when your baby tends to cry a lot and cannot be comforted. Early evening is the most common time for this to happen.

This can be hard for you, as it's often the time when you're most tired and least able to cope.

The amount babies cry tends to peak when they're around 4 to 8 weeks old, then gradually tail off.

How to calm a crying baby

Try some of the following ways to comfort your baby. Some may work better than others:

If you're breastfeeding, let your baby suckle at your breast.

Having some gentle noise in the background may help distract your baby.

Some older babies like to use a bit of cloth or a blanket as a comforter.

Hold your baby or put them in a sling so they're close to you. Move about gently, sway and dance, talk to them and sing.

Rock your baby backwards and forwards in the pram, or go out for a walk or a drive. But limit how long your baby sleeps in a car seat to up to 30 minutes for newborns and up to 2 hours for babies. Even if they wake up again when you stop, at least you'll have had a break.

Find something for them to listen to or look at. This could be music on the radio, a CD, a rattle, or a mobile above the cot.

Try stroking your baby's back firmly and rhythmically, holding them against you or lying face downwards on your lap.

Undress your baby and massage them gently and firmly. Avoid using any oils or lotions until your baby's at least a month old. Talk soothingly as you do it and keep the room warm enough. Some health centres and clinics run baby massage courses. For information, ask your midwife or health visitor.

Try a warm bath. This calms some babies instantly, but makes others cry even more.

Sometimes too much rocking and singing can keep your baby awake. You might find lying them down after a feed will help.

Ask your health visitor for advice.

Crying during feeds

Some babies cry and seem unsettled around the time of a feed. If you're breastfeeding, you may find that improving your baby's positioning and attachment helps them settle.

You can go to a breastfeeding drop-in group and ask for help if there's one available in your local area.

The Breastfeeding Network's website can provide information on the nearest group to you.

You can also ask your health visitor for advice.

Crying during feeds can sometimes be a symptom of reflux, a common condition where babies bring back milk after feeds.

Speak to your health visitor or GP for more information and advice.

If your baby cries constantly

There are several reasons that can cause a baby to cry excessively.

It can be exhausting if you have tried everything and nothing seems to comfort your baby.

Colic

Excessive crying could be a sign that your baby has colic. Everyone agrees that colic exists, but nobody knows what causes it.

Some doctors think it's a kind of stomach cramp. The crying sounds miserable and distressed, and stops for a moment or two, then starts up again, which suggests it could be caused by waves of stomach pain.

The crying can go on for some hours. There may be little you can do except try to comfort your baby and wait for the crying to pass.
Get tips for coping with colic
Crying and illness

If your baby's crying constantly and you cannot console or distract them, or the cry does not sound like their normal cry, it can be a sign they're ill.

Or they may be ill if they're crying and have other symptoms, such as a high temperature. If this is the case, contact your health visitor, GP or call NHS 111.

Call 999 and ask for an ambulance if your baby:

has a fit (seizure or convulsion)

has blue, mottled, ashen (grey) or very pale skin

is unresponsive, floppy or not waking up as easily as usual

breathes rapidly or makes a throaty noise while breathing, or seems to be working hard to breathe, perhaps sucking in their stomach under their ribcage

is being violently sick a lot (projectile vomiting)

has a high temperature, but their hands and feet feel cold

has a spotty purple-red rash anywhere on the body - this could be a sign of meningitis

Find out the signs of serious illness in your baby
Trust your instincts. You know what's different or worrying behaviour in your baby.

Getting help with a crying baby

You can talk to a friend, your health visitor or GP, or contact the Cry-sis helpline free on 0800 448 0737. It is open 9am to 10pm, 7 days a week.

Cry-sis can put you in touch with other parents who have been in the same situation.

You can also visit the Cry-sis website for information on coping with crying babies.

If you decide to talk to your health visitor or GP, it can help to keep a record of how often and when your baby cries.

For example, this might be after every feed or during the evening. This can help your health visitor or GP to work out if there's a particular cause for the crying.

Keeping a record can also help you identify the times when you need extra support. You could think about possible changes to your routine.

There may be times when you're so tired and angry you feel like you cannot take any more. This happens to a lot of parents, so do not be ashamed to ask for help.

If you do not have anyone who can take care of your baby for a short time and the crying is making you stressed, put your baby in their cot or pram, make sure they're safe, close the door, go into another room and try to calm yourself down.

Set a time limit - for example, 10 minutes - then go back.

Never shake your baby

No matter how frustrated you feel, you must never shake your baby. Shaking moves their head violently and can cause brain damage.

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A crying baby can be exhausting and it can be hard to know what they need, especially in the early days. Use these tips to help soothe them.

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But it's not always easy to work out what they're trying to say when they can't speak any words.

There are some signs to look for to get an idea of what they're trying to communicate.

Every baby is different, and you'll get to know your own, but here are some signals you might spot.

If I'm rubbing my eyes and cheeks, starting to stare into the distance and clenching my fists tight, it's likely that I'm getting a little sleepy.
When babies are tired, they often show it by rubbing their face, tugging on their ears or balling their hands into fists. Often they get a bit glassy-eyed and stare at nothing in particular. These are all sure-fire signs your little one needs to get to sleep.

I'm kicking my legs and breathing a bit fast, my face is reddening... it could be a sign that I either need a change of activity or a burp.
Legs raised and kicking, along with quick breathing and a pained expression, could be a sign that baby is either a bit frustrated or that they need winding.

Whatever you're saying or doing, it looks like I'm going 'oooooh!' in response! When I'm pulling my lips into a little 'O' shape and widening my eyes, it's playtime.
This look, wide open eyes and round little mouth, is a common one for excited babies who want to play with their parents. They might also clap, wave their hands, or even make a sound or two.

If your little one is ready to play, why not try out some of our activities for 0-3 months?

If you're touching my face and I keep turning towards your hand to suck on your fingers, it could be a sign that I'm hungry.
Looking for a food source with their mouth, often called rooting, is a natural thing for your baby to do when hungry.

Hungry babies will often look to latch on to parents' fingers, hands, noses, necklaces and clothes whenever any of these come near to their faces.

If I'm turning my head away from yours in the middle of playtime, or trying to duck out and crawl off, maybe it's time to stop!
When they're really enjoying an activity, babies will stare at you with wide eyes. But when they're overstimulated or have just had enough of something, they might tell you by looking or crawling away.

If your baby is crying, they might be trying to tell you lots of different things. Why not check out our article on the 8 reasons your baby might be crying.
Article produced with help from Sheena Flack, an NHS Speech and Language Therapist based in Dundee.

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Newborn facial expressions: 5 early ways your baby communicates with you

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Well before they can say words, there are all sorts of ways your baby communicates with you. Learn why babies make an o shape with their mouth, what is rooting and lots more.

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Solihull Approach Parenting in Herefordshire

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Reciprocity - Solihull Approach Parenting

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Useful Non-Solihull Approach links for extended learning & information

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Useful Non-Solihull Approach links for extended learning & information

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Some babies sleep much more than others. Some sleep for long periods, others in short bursts. Some soon sleep through the night, while some don't for a long time.
Your baby will have their own pattern of waking and sleeping, and it's unlikely to be the same as other babies you know.

It's also unlikely to fit in with your need for sleep. Try to sleep when your baby sleeps.

If you're breastfeeding, in the early weeks your baby is likely to doze off for short periods during a feed. Carry on feeding until you think your baby has finished or until they're fully asleep. This is a good opportunity to try to get a bit of rest yourself.

If you're not sleeping at the same time as your baby, don't worry about keeping the house silent while they sleep. It's good to get your baby used to sleeping through a certain amount of noise.

How can I get my baby used to night and day?

It's a good idea to teach your baby that night-time is different from daytime from the start. During the day, open curtains, play games and don't worry too much about everyday noises when they sleep.

At night, you might find it helpful to:

keep the lights down low

not talk much and keep your voice quiet

put your baby down as soon as they've been fed and changed

not change your baby unless they need it

not play with your baby

Your baby will gradually learn that night-time is for sleeping.

Where should my baby sleep?

For the first 6 months your baby should be in the same room as you when they're asleep, both day and night. This can reduce the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome).

Particularly in the early weeks, you may find your baby only falls asleep in your or your partner's arms, or when you're standing by the cot.

You can start getting your baby used to going to sleep without you comforting them by putting them down before they fall asleep or when they've just finished a feed. It may be easier to do this once your baby starts to stay alert more frequently or for longer.

If you use a baby sling to carry your baby, make sure you use it safely. The Lullaby Trust has information about swaddling your baby and using slings safely.

Establishing a baby bedtime routine

You may feel ready to introduce a bedtime routine when your baby is around 3 months old. Getting them into a simple, soothing bedtime routine can be a great opportunity to have 1-to-1 time with your baby.

The routine could consist of:

having a bath

changing into night clothes and a fresh nappy

putting them to bed

reading a bedtime story (see more in Baby and toddler play ideas)

dimming the lights in the room to create a calm atmosphere

giving a goodnight kiss and cuddle

singing a lullaby or having a wind-up musical mobile you can turn on when you've put your baby to bed

brushing their teeth (if they have any)

As your child gets older, it can be helpful to keep to a similar bedtime routine. Too much excitement and stimulation just before bedtime can wake your child up again. Spend some time winding down and doing some calmer activities, like reading.

How much sleep does your baby need?

Just as with adults, babies' and children's sleep patterns vary. From birth, some babies need more or less sleep than others. The list below shows the average amount of sleep babies and children need during a 24-hour period, including daytime naps.

Newborn sleep needs

Most newborn babies are asleep more than they are awake. Their total daily sleep varies, but can be from 8 hours up to 16 or 18 hours. Babies will wake during the night because they need to be fed. Being too hot or too cold can also disturb their sleep.

Sleep requirements at 3 to 6 months old

As your baby grows, they'll need fewer night feeds and will be able to sleep for longer. Some babies will sleep for 8 hours or longer at night, but not all. By 4 months, they may be spending around twice as long sleeping at night as they do during the day.

Baby sleep at 6 to 12 months

For babies aged 6 months to a year, night feeds may no longer be necessary and some babies will sleep for up to 12 hours at night. Teething discomfort or hunger may wake some babies during the night.

Sleep requirements from 12 months

Babies will sleep for around 12 to 15 hours in total after their first birthday.

2-year-old sleep needs

Most 2 year olds will sleep for 11 to 12 hours at night, with 1 or 2 naps in the daytime.

Sleep requirements for 3 to 4 year olds

Most children aged 3 or 4 will need about 12 hours sleep, but this can range from 8 hours up to 14. Some young children will still need a nap during the day.

Coping with disturbed nights

Newborn babies invariably wake up repeatedly in the night for the first few months, and disturbed nights can be very hard to cope with.

If you have a partner, ask them to help. If you're formula feeding, encourage your partner to share the feeds. If you're breastfeeding, ask your partner to take over the early morning changing and dressing so you can go back to sleep.

Once you're into a good breastfeeding routine, your partner could occasionally give a bottle of expressed breast milk during the night. If you're on your own, you could ask a friend or relative to stay for a few days so you can get some sleep.

Dealing with baby sleep pattern changes

All babies change their sleep patterns. Just when you think you have it sorted and you've all had a good night's sleep, the next night you might be up every 2 hours.

Be prepared to change routines as your baby grows and enters different stages. And remember, growth spurts, teething and illnesses can all affect how your baby sleeps.

If your baby is having problems sleeping or you need more advice about getting into a routine, speak to your health visitor.

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Read tips on how to help your baby sleep, including what to expect, establishing a routine, and safe sleeping.

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Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) – sometimes known as ‘cot death’ – is the sudden, unexpected and unexplained death of an apparently healthy baby.

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Help save babies' lives

Our work is entirely reliant on donations. Support from people like you has saved 29,000 babies' lives since 1991. Please donate today to help give little lives big futures.

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How to reduce the risk of SIDS

Our safer sleep advice gives simple steps for how you can sleep your baby to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) which is commonly known as cot death. It can give you the peace of mind to enjoy this special time.

Our advice is based on strong scientific evidence and should be followed for all sleep periods, not just at night.

If you have any questions about SIDS or safer sleep, please call our information line on 0808 802 6869 (lines open Monday-Friday 10am-2pm).

Watch our free presentations on how to sleep your baby safely and reduce the risk of SIDS

Things you can do

Always place your baby on their back to sleep

Keep your baby smoke free during pregnancy and after birth

Place your baby to sleep in a separate cot or Moses basket in the same room as you for the first 6 months

Breastfeed your baby

Use a firm, flat, waterproof mattress in good condition

Things to avoid

Never sleep on a sofa or in an armchair with your baby

Don't sleep in the same bed as your baby if you smoke, drink or take drugs or are extremely tired, if your baby was born prematurely or was of low birth-weight

Avoid letting your baby get too hot

Don't cover your baby's face or head while sleeping or use loose bedding

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Reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) for your baby by following our safer sleep advice. The advice is based on strong scientific evidence.

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This quality standard covers routine postnatal care in the first 8 weeks after birth. It describes high-quality care in priority areas for improvement.

The quality standard uses the term 'woman' or 'mother' and includes all people who have given birth, even if they may not identify as women or mothers. The term 'partner' refers to the woman's chosen supporter. This could be the baby's father, the woman's partner, a family member or friend, or anyone who they feel supported by or wish to involve. The term 'parents' refers to those with the main responsibility for the care of a baby. This will often be the mother and the father, but many other family arrangements exist, including single parents.

NICE has also published a quality standard on antenatal and postnatal mental health.

In September 2022, this quality standard was updated and replaced the previous version published in 2013. The topic was identified for update following the annual review of quality standards. The review identified updated guidance on postnatal care, and statements prioritised in 2013 were updated or replaced. For more information, see update information.

How to use NICE quality standards and how we develop them

Quality standards help you improve the quality of care you provide or commission. They apply in England and Wales (see the UK government website and Welsh government website). Decisions on how they apply in Scotland and Northern Ireland are made by ministers in the Scottish government and Northern Ireland Executive.

Find out how to use quality standards and how we develop them. We check our quality standards every August to make sure they are up to date.

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Overview | Postnatal care | Quality standards | NICE

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This quality standard covers routine postnatal care in the first 8 weeks after birth. It describes high-quality care in priority areas for improvement

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Useful Non-Solihull Approach links for extended learning & information

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Useful Non-Solihull Approach links for extended learning & information

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How to move on to solid foods and drinks, meal ideas and food safety.

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Is my baby choking or gagging?

There's a difference between choking and gagging.

Gagging is a normal reflex as your baby learns to chew and swallow solid foods. Gagging is loud. Your child's skin may also look red when they're gagging, but redness can be harder to see on brown and black skin.

Choking is quiet. If your child has white skin, it may begin to look blue ( cyanosis) when they're choking. If they have brown or black skin, their gums, inside their lips, or their fingernails may begin to look blue.

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Choking and gagging on food - Start for Life

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See our advice on what to do if your baby is choking or gagging when weaning, and how to avoid it.

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Get advice on starting solids (weaning), including when to start, what foods to give your baby, and which milks to offer as they grow.

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A collection of articles and child-friendly recipes to help you make mealtimes a fun learning opportunity for your little one.

Baby and child-friendly recipes

Weaning and child-friendly recipe collection

Tips on weaning, including children in family mealtimes and recipes for all stages from 6 months to 12 months+.

WEANING

Baby-friendly Fajitas / Family Chicken Fajitas (from around 12 months)

Miguel Barclay's fajitas two ways - one version for baby and another for the rest of the family.

WEANING

Child-friendly breakfast ideas you can make together

Children's dietitian Angharad Banner has come up with some easy breakfast ideas you can make with toddlers.

WEANING

Weaning tips

Your weaning questions answered

NHS registered children's dietitian, Angharad Banner and a team of Health Visitors answer your weaning questions.

WEANING

The Parent Manual: Weaning

Advice for starting to wean babies onto solid foods.

TIPS AND ADVICE

What can my baby eat and when?

A children's dietitian answers all sorts of questions when it comes to weaning, baby foods and mealtimes.

WEANING

Making the most of mealtimes

How to include your baby in family mealtimes

From breakfast to dinner: easy ways to chat and interact with your baby at mealtimes.

TIPS AND ADVICE

Brain-boosting bites for babies and toddlers

Dietitian Angharad Banner gives the lowdown on foods that are great for fuelling children's brain development.

TIPS AND ADVICE

How do I get my fussy toddler to eat?

Pickiness is common, but how can you help your child develop a healthy attitude towards food?

TIPS AND ADVICE

Shikha Gill - 'Don't put pressure on yourself with kids' food'

We caught up with Shikha Gill from My Little Food Critic to ask her all about cooking with kids.

TIPS AND ADVICE

In case you missed it

Find an activity to try

Tips and advice

Child development science

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Mealtimes with kids - BBC Tiny Happy People

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A collection of articles and child-friendly recipes to help you make mealtimes a fun learning opportunity for your little one.

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Solihull Approach Parenting in Herefordshire

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The importance of play - Solihull Approach parenting

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Useful Non-Solihull Approach information for extended learning 

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Useful Non-Solihull Approach information for extended learning 

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Child development and milestones - BBC Tiny Happy People

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A collection of films and articles all about the science of child development. Your child is incredible - find out all about their mental development and how they come to understand the world and learn to communicate through play.

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Useful Non-Solihull Approach links for extended learning & information

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Useful Non-Solihull Approach links for extended learning & information

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Finding childcare, financial support for childcare and childcare for school-age children

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This Short video follows baby Margot and her family and looks at how the brain is shaped and developed by life experiences.

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Headspace | Mini Meditation | Let Go of Stress

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Here is a grounding mindfulness video to give you 2 minutes of managing stress

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Managing Anxious Thoughts And Stress With Mindfulness

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Easily create surveys and polls to collect customer feedback, measure employee satisfaction, and organize team events.

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Easily create surveys and polls to collect customer feedback, measure employee satisfaction, and organize team events.

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Easily create surveys and polls to collect customer feedback, measure employee satisfaction, and organize team events.

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Easily create surveys and polls to collect customer feedback, measure employee satisfaction, and organize team events.