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Link to Who is 'Together with Baby' Padlet

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Link to Who is 'Together with Baby' Padlet

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Here we explain who we are and how we support parents and the wider community.

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This padlet explores neurodiversity - what it is, support for if you/your partner is neurodivergent during the process of pregnancy/parenting, supporting a neurodivergent child, supporting children with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) as well as some groups for children who are neurodivergent or have SEND.

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Welcome to this platform of resources created by Together with Baby. If you are reading this, you are likely working with a clinician in our team or are waiting for an assessment with us.

We have created this platform full of resources based on many conversations we have had with parents who have used our service. Scrolling across the page you will see various topics where you can click through to their individual platforms. Many of the pages are connected and you can find links within the various pages to each other.

Not all of the information here will be relevant to you and please do not feel that you need to read everything - we know there is a lot here!

Your clinician may recommend certain topics that you might find helpful but you are welcome to explore and find what suits you.

If you have any questions or would like some tips with where to start please contact your clinician on the number they have provided to you or our main office on 01621 866900.

We are always welcome to other suggestions of what you might like to see here!

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Attachment theory is an idea that psychologists and therapists have studied and use to understand the relationships that we have with others. Attachment is another way to describe how we 'bond' and form connections with people. This is an important survival strategy for babies as they are entirely dependent on others to meet their emotional and physical needs.

The theory tells us that we all have a style of attachment, based on our early experiences, which can act as a 'template' for forming new relationships as we move through life.

We experience our first relationship as babies with our caregiver(s). Babies understand relationships by the responses they receive from those that are caring for them. In other words, babies connect with their caregiver by learning how their needs will be met, both physically and emotionally.

Becoming a parent is a huge transition for everyone, however attachment theory can help to explain why some parents may find it more challenging to bond with their baby during this process. We know that our early experiences and our templates for forming relationships will shape how we manage the parent-baby connection. The good news is that our attachment style is flexible and we can improve the bond between parent and baby by better understanding the needs in the relationship.

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This padlet contains a range of positive messages from parents who have used this service.

We hope this will provide some support to those of you who are feeling alone or who are lacking hope regarding your relationship with your baby.

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This padlet is for anyone who identifies themselves as LGBTQIA + (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual +).

It contains practical support, support specific for same sex parents (women and men), support for trans parents, feeding support, support for bonding as a non-biological parent, and support for asexual parents.

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This padlet shares links and apps for weaning, as well as advice and support, babies' cues around weaning and peer support.

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At Together with Baby, we are interested in seeing who is using this padlet, and if users are finding it helpful.

We would really appreciate if you could take a few minutes to respond to these polls, however you are not obligated to answer any questions if you do not want to.

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An interactive map made by our team with family hubs, resource centres, parent-infant activities and help available around Essex.

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Link to the Resources for New Parents Padlet

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Link to the Resources for New Parents Padlet

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This padlet contains the following topics specifically in the context of new parents: general information, pregnancy & birth, crying, sleeping, playing, bathing, bonding and changing relationships with partner.

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This padlet explores what to expect as a parent, some tips for regulating emotions, and information/support on baby blues, and mental health.

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This video explores who Together with Baby are, and the process of getting support.

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This padlet explores having a second baby and adapting to this, bringing a second baby into the home, and managing your relationships with your other children.

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NICU = Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

This padlet explores what NICU is, how to care for and bond with your NICU baby, managing anxiety as a parent, and tips from parents.

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The Together with Baby website gives a summary of Together with Baby, as well as contact and referral details, and information leaflets.

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Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

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Together with Baby (Essex Parent Infant Mental Health Service) - Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

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Together with Baby (Essex Parent Infant Mental Health Service) is a specialist parent and infant mental health service.

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This padlet contains tips and birth stories, as well as information on 'the rush of love' and birth plans not going as expected.

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Link to the Bonding with your Bump Padlet 

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Link to the Bonding with your Bump Padlet 

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This padlet includes: bonding with your bump, gender disappointment, sensory development in the womb, feeling baby's movements and communicating with baby in the womb.

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This padlet explores how to improve babies sleep as well as your own, the costs and benefits of the 'cry it out' method, co-sleeping with baby and why your baby might not sleep.

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This padlet explores the importance of play, engagement and disengagement cues, ideas for play and importance of turn-taking.

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This padlet is a hub of resources for single parents!

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This padlet shares some techniques to manage anxiety.

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A space for parents to add their own recommendations and ideas

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As a service we understand that families come in many different forms and it is therefore not a requirement for a person to be a biological parent to their infant, but only that they are a primary caregiver. We are a friendly and non-judgemental service and welcome referrals from:

·       Single parents

·       Step-parents

·       Parents from the LGBTQIA+ community

·       Parents from ethnic minorities

·       Parent that have conceived their child via adoption, surrogacy, or IVF methods

·       Other non-traditional routes to becoming parents

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This padlet explores some support groups and websites for Dads, the role of the father, paternal mental health & experience of birth and pregnancy, and tips for supporting a birthing partner.

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This padlet contains information on why babies/toddlers cry, why this may feel hard, how to soothe yourself and baby as well as extra support.

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This padlet contains information on communication, engagement and disengagement cues, as well as baby behavioural states, play, soothing baby and skin-to-skin contact.

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This padlet contains themes some may find distressing.

It discusses physical and psychological birth trauma, including post-natal PTSD, as well as providing some support links.

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Best Start in Life is a government-led strategy aimed at supporting child development and ensuring that all children have the 'Best Start in Life' to allow them to grow & thrive.

On this webpage, you will find information such as: a week by week guide to pregnancy, bonding support, breastfeeding support, introducing solid foods and many more pages.

You can also use the tabs at the top of the page to navigate to a specific collection of resources that would feel most helpful to you - pregnancy, baby, toddler, childcare & early years education, or school readiness.

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Advice and support for your child’s development

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"Pregnancy in Mind (PiM) is a free mental health support group for parents-to-be to find space for whatever they’re feeling. It is designed for parents experiencing or at risk of mild anxiety or depression.

Our Pregnancy in Mind (PiM) online groups are safe spaces where we support you with whatever emotions you're feeling during pregnancy. PiM typically meets once a week for eight weeks. Sessions are for either parent. You can come on your own or bring a support person."

These sessions occur from 2nd June - 21st July, from 6:30-8pm on Zoom. .

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Pregnancy in Mind (PiM) is a free mental health support group for parents-to-be to find space for whatever they’re feeling. It is designed for parents experiencing or at risk of mild anxiety or depression.

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If you identify as transgender, please select 'my gender is different to these options' - Padlet only allows 4 options

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If you are from a mixed ethnic background, please select 'other'.

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What stage are you at in your parental journey?

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By non-biological parent, we mean if your child has been conceived via surrogacy or has been adopted by you. We understand this can be a challenging term, but the service supports any means of becoming a parent.

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What is your relationship to the referred child?

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Did you find what you needed on this padlet?

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I found some things I needed, but not everything

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Did the contents of the padlet feel useful?

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Are the contents of this padlet easy to understand?

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Did the padlet answer any questions you may have had?

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Do you feel that this padlet supported and was applicable to you?

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We thank you for your time taken to respond to these polls.

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Link to Social Isolation and Loneliness Padlet

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Link to Social Isolation and Loneliness Padlet

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This padlet contains links to various groups, for parent and infant, including SEND children. It also provides support for people experiencing social isolation and loneliness, as well as managing changing relationships and the identity shifts that come with being a parent.

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This padlet explores the challenges of being a young parent, including managing friendships and relationships, and potential feelings of guilt and shame.

It contains practical and emotional support links and groups, and also has a section specifically for young Dads.

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This padlet provides some advice for step-parents, as well as some tips for bonding with a step-child.

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Link to Non-traditional routes to parenting Padlet

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Link to Non-traditional routes to parenting Padlet

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This padlet provides some information on how to bond with your baby if your route to parenting was 'non-traditional'. It contains support links on IVF, surrogacy, adoption and fostering, as well as struggles with conception & fertility, and struggles with IVF.

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Please note, some things discussed in this padlet may be distressing. The padlet links to the 'By Your Side' Service, as well as providing some support links for bereaved parents, (including LGBTQIA+ and neurodivergent parents).

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Link to the ethnic minority parents Padlet

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Link to the ethnic minority parents Padlet

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This padlet is for parents from ethnic minority backgrounds - we hope this padlet feels inclusive and supportive for you as parents.

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Below are some bonding graphics created by TwB to support birthing, non-birthing and neurodivergent parents, both before and after birth, to build relationships with baby. We hope you will find these useful and please use them as a guide - there is no pressure to be doing all of these things.

Baby just needs you to be 'good enough', not perfect.

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Neurodivergent Birthing Parents - pregnancy

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Neurodivergent Birthing Parents - pregnancy

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Neurodivergent Birthing Parents - postnatal

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Neurodivergent Birthing Parents - postnatal

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25 Things Every Baby would want you to know (1)

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Parent Talk Free online Parenting courses

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Parent Talk Free online Parenting courses

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This free course is run by experienced parenting coaches, and includes modules on early parenthood, finding your parenting style, supporting your child's emotional development, understanding big emotions, tantrums and meltdowns, building confidence and self-esteem, developing communication skills, and the magic of play and connection.

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Support for Parents from Action For Children

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Parenting courses - free online courses by parenting coaches

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Our free online parenting courses have been designed by our experienced parenting courses, to help you build confidence in your parenting skills.

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Understanding pregnancy, labour, birth and your baby

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Understanding pregnancy, labour, birth and your baby

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"The important relationships in your baby’s life help shape their emotional wellbeing.

We’ll help you prepare all the practical things for a safe labour and birth.

We will also share ideas to help build a healthy relationship for your baby to thrive.

Along this pathway you will find lots of practical information about:

Preparing for labour and birth – understanding your options, pain management, and hypnobirthing

Postnatal care and recovery – taking care of yourself or partner after birth

Feeding, soothing, and keeping your baby safe – tips for nurturing your newborn

Breathing and relaxation techniques – to support both birth and emotional well-being

You will also learn about early brain development, emotional health for babies and how to care for your own wellbeing."

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Understanding pregnancy, labour, birth and your baby - Togetherness

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Pathway for parents or carers who are expecting Your journey of preparation for birth and life. Pathway stages Bitesize stages for daily steps towards confident parenting and connected relationships About this pathway This antenatal pathway helps you prepare for your new baby’s arrival with confidence. Join this pathway to learn about labour, birth and connecting […]

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Baby Friendly Initiative - Relationship Building Resources

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Baby Friendly Initiative - Relationship Building Resources

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This webpage by Unicef has useful information on helping baby be happy, responsive feeding, myth busting, meeting baby, breastfeeding & early bonding, skin to skin and so much more!

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Relationship building resources - Baby Friendly Initiative

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These resources cover a range of issues around supporting close and loving relationships between parents and babies.

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#Download | The free 24 Magic Months app offers support for parents and carers with the first two years of a child’s life – a crucial time for growing, learning and development.

🍎 App Store: https://apple.co/3hDCsQk 
▶️ Google Play: https://bit.ly/2VMmH1y 

#24MagicMonths | Liverpool City Council

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#Download | The free 24 Magic Months app offers support for parents and carers with the first two years of a child’s life – a crucial time for growing, learning and development.

🍎 App Store:...