# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Childcare.co.uk is an award winning online social networking platform for parents, childcare providers and private tutors with over 1,800,000 members. Start your childcare search or childcare job search today.

Why choose Childcare.co.uk?

We're the UK's largest childcare website. Over 1,800,000 people have used our website to find childcare or childcare work since we launched in 2009. You won't find a larger choice of babysitters, nannies, registered childminders or private tutors anywhere else!

Sign up in one minute, no payment details required.

Thank you, I have found a nanny job with a lovely family.

It's a fantastic site and I couldn't have found childcare without it.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Childcare.co.uk - The easy way to find local childcare

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Childcare.co.uk is an award winning online social networking platform for parents, childcare providers and private tutors with over 1,800,000 members. Start your childcare search or childcare job search today. We're the UK's largest childcare website. Over 1,800,000 people have used our website to find childcare or childcare work since we launched in 2009.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
St John Ambulance The Chokeables advert: save a choking baby - Extended version

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Today I wanted to speak out to all those new mums who at this moment are feeling tearful, lonely, beyond exhausted and perhaps slightly scared that they're going to get post-natal depression and I wanted to reassure you that what you're feeling is normal and that it will pass.

When you're pregnant you spend all this time anticipating the arrival of your baby. You feel so excited and can't wait to hold him/her in your arms. Everyone tells you about this incredible bond that you'll feel once the baby is born and it all sounds so perfect and in so many ways it is. However, no one can really prepare you for the huge spectrum of emotions that you'll feel in the early weeks and some of them can take you by surprise and be quite hard to deal with.

In my own case, I experienced:

1. Exhaustion: After a long and complicated labour I just wanted shut myself away to sleep and recuperate and found it very hard to deal with having a tiny baby to look after when I felt so utterly crap. I felt selfish and guilty for having these feelings but nevertheless, I did have them.

2. Fear of my baby: In many ways I was petrified of Poppy in the first few weeks. She was poorly when she was born and I was scared of how tiny and vulnerable she was and that something bad would happen to her. It seemed crazy to be scared of a tiny, helpless baby but I was.

3. Loneliness: When Mr UFM went back to work I felt intense loneliness to begin with. I couldn't wait for him to get home each night and counted down the hours. Things improved as I got the confidence to go out and meet up with NCT friends and eventually started to fill our days with little adventures. Getting out of the house is so important!

4. Fear of Post Natal Depression: The heady mixture of hormones and exhaustion can make you feel very down and teary. My experience of 'the baby blues' made me fear that I was getting post natal depression. It turned out that I didn't get it and that many of my fellow new mamas were experiencing exactly the same anxieties about PND. (I must add that if you do think that you've got PND there is SO much help and support out there. Don't suffer in silence...tell your GP/partner/health visitor and they will help you get through it. There's nothing to be scared of).

5. Bonding doubts: I was obsessed with the thought that I wasn't bonding properly with Poppy. So many people had told me about this instant and magical rush of intense love that I would feel and even though I instantly loved her with all my heart, it took time for me to really feel the bond that I had so much anticipated when I was pregnant. It was only when the Health Visitor assured me that I had bonded with Poppy that I began to relax about it and feel it.

6. Doubts in my ability as a mother: It took a month at least to have the confidence to believe in myself as a mother. After being successful in my career I was now doing the most important job of my life and felt like I had gone into an exam without doing any revision. I soon realised that this was something that I would need to learn on the job. Being a new mum was the biggest learning curve of my life but I eventually got the hang of it :0)

I haven't written this piece to paint a negative picture of being a new mum but in fact to reassure you. The thing is that all of the above emotions passed. They were overwhelming at the time but as the days went on everything became easier and more manageable. I also must stress that amongst the fear and exhaustion were some of the most beautiful and wonderful moments of my life.

So, if you're a new Mama and everything is feeling quite frankly a little bit shit right now, remember:

1. What you're feeling is totally normal.

2. Go easy on yourself and don't put pressure on bonding...it will come in it's own time

3. Everything will get easier soon. You'll soon be an expert in this mummy business

4. This difficult stage really does fly by. In fact, in a matter of months you probably won't remember much of it.

5. When you're ready, try and force yourself to go on little adventures with your new baby. Meet up with NCT friends, join a class, go to your local Children's Centre. Some cinemas even do special mother and baby screenings. It really helps if you're feeling a bit lonely.

6. Don't fear post natal depression. If you do think that you're getting it, ask for help. It CAN be sorted.

7. In a few months you'll start feeling a bit more like 'you' and less overwhelmed.

8. You're doing a great job...even if you sometimes don't feel like it!

9. This time next year the tiny creature you're holding in your arms will be toddling around and making you giggle with his/her clowning around.

Upfront Mama
This post is from UpfrontMama.com. If you like it and fancy regular updates then why not give the Facebook Page a like.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Today I wanted to speak out to all those new mums who at this moment are feeling tearful, lonely, beyond exhausted and perhaps slightly scared that they're going to get post-natal depression and I wanted to reassure you that what you're feeling is normal and that it will pass.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The baby sleep
info source

For parents who wish to make informed
choices about infant sleep and night-time care.

About us

Welcome to Baby Sleep Info

This website presents research evidence about biologically normal sleep for human babies.

We discuss how infant sleep may vary due to cultural behaviours and expectations such as what babies are fed, where they sleep, and how we interpret their needs. This information is for:

parents who wish to make informed choices about infant sleep and night-time care

health practitioners who wish to share evidence-based information with parents about infant sleep.

Basis does not address clinical sleep problems or provide individual sleep advice and parents should contact a health practitioner with any concerns about their baby's health. For information about the organisations and funding that support Basis please see ' About Us '

Get the App

The Infant Sleep Info App provides key information from the Basis website in a handy format for mobile devices. Covering normal sleep development, sleep location and sleep safety the familiar info from the website is delivered in smaller chunks. Two features are exclusive to the app.

Get it Now

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Research-based information on baby sleep for parents and practitioners, covering normal infant sleep, sleep safety, where and how babies sleep, SIDS and SUDI, parental sleep and free resources.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Changes in your relationships leaflet 2012

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Your emotions after birth leaflet 2012[1]

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Your body after birth postnatal leaflet 2012[1]

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Play helps children learn about themselves and the world around them and is an important way to develop early communication and social skills. Regular play is a simple and easy way to benefit your baby, and for both of you to have fun together.
Babies are born to be sociable and love to interact. Play is a natural way of developing their communication and social skills. It is enjoyable for babies and adults and helps them to bond.

TIP As a parent, you are your baby's favourite playmate. Make time every day for regular play - in the bath, in the park or in the shops.

A newborn baby will show her enjoyment of play by gurgling, smiling or kicking. Her facial expression will tell you just how much she is enjoying herself.

TIP Blow on her face, tickle her tummy, sing her a song, tell her a story and add some actions.

Toddlers will initiate play themselves, often returning to their favourite game over and over. The simplest toys can give the greatest pleasure, and they help develop imagination, creativity and confidence.

TIP Make time for unstructured play. Save safe household items, such as cardboard boxes, pasta or sand, for play items. Allow him to play freely and join in his games.

Play is great for language development as it helps children learn the names of people and objects in context. It also helps them learn to listen.

TIP Talk about people and objects. Speak slowly and repeat the names.
Make sounds to go with what is happening, such as "brmm, brmm" for a car. Give her time to respond.

During play, children learn to make choices and to express their preferences and needs. This builds their awareness of themselves, others and the world around them.

TIP Present her with simple choices. Hold up two cuddly toys, or leave a variety of materials for her to choose from.

By playing with your baby, you are showing him how interested you are in him. This helps build his self-esteem.

TIP Listen to what he tells you during play, and respond. Praise and encourage him.

Toddlers love to play with adults and other children. Games are a great conversation starter and can help overcome shyness. By playing with others, children learn about turn-taking, sharing and social interaction.

TIP Encourage family members and friends to play too. Grandparents,
siblings, cousins and babysitters all make great playmates.

Sometimes children like to play quietly by themselves. Too much time alone is not advisable, but it is important that children learn independence. She may enjoy some quiet time with a favourite toy or book.

TIP Give her time to herself if she wants it. Try to limit time spent in front of the TV. Keep her favourite toys close by.

When play is fun, learning happens naturally. The fewer rules, the better.

TIP Don't set learning goals. Allow some disorganisation and mess. Take your lead from him, and follow where he wants to go.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Play helps children learn about themselves and the world around them and is an important way to develop early communication and social skills. Regular play is a simple and easy way to benefit your baby, and for both of you to have fun together. Babies are born to be sociable and love to interact.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
AiMH UK Association for Infant Mental Health

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Getting to Know Your Baby videos have been designed to help parents, caregivers and health professionals to know how to support the development of a baby's emotional wellbeing.

The videos help parents to observe their babies. Getting to Know Your Baby includes short videos of the six states of an infant's consciousness: deep sleep, light sleep, drowsy sleep, quite alert, unsettled and crying - to help parents identify their own baby's state, and think about what their feelings may be.

There is also information for AiMH members, to help parents identify how their baby likes to be soothed, and to recognise their subtle cues, likes and sensitivities. The videos get right to the heart of what parents can do to help their baby's emotional brain develop, and to set the thermostat for managing stress. It shows parents watching their baby's behaviour, wondering about their underlying feeling states, and responding with gentle voice, touch and gaze.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Getting to know your baby: videos | AiMH UK Association for Infant Mental Health

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Getting to Know Your Baby videos have been designed to help parents, caregivers and health professionals to know how to support the development of a baby's emotional wellbeing. The videos help parents to observe their babies.