The Healthy Babies Wellbeing Team

Supporting parents and carers from pregnancy to 2 years

The Healthy Babies Wellbeing Team works with any parents, carers and the infants in their care, aged between 20 weeks gestation through to the child’s 2nd birthday (1001 critical days).

The Healthy Babies Wellbeing Team focuses on supporting and strengthening the bond and attachment within the parent/infant relationship - the foundations of a child’s mental, physical, and emotional development and wellbeing.

The team helps parents and carers prepare for their baby's arrival and supports them to explore some of the normal and understandable challenges that can be part of getting to know their new baby and developing a nurturing relationship.
These challenges will be different for each parent but may include: - lacking confidence in their parenting, feelings of isolation, managing routines, feeling overwhelmed, worrying about their baby, navigating changes in their relationships, or finding it difficult to bond with their baby.

Aspects that we may be able to help with:

Talking about how parents are feeling in a safe and supportive space
Building confidence in the parent / carer role
Feel more enjoyment and connection in the parenting journey
Learn ways to cope with challenges of early parenting life
Understanding their baby better and recognise how they communicate

The Team work with both mothers and fathers, or carers, usually one to one, or in small groups, in the home and in Family Hubs. Support that is personalised to meet every families individual needs may include:

1:1 support and guidance with a practitioner who will listen and offer guidance
Evidence Based Programmes and Workshops designed to build confidence
Positive parenting strategies tailored to provide bespoke support for parents / carers
Baby massage to strengthen bonding and relaxation
Discovering, and supporting parents / carers to attend local activities, groups and services, with their baby, giving the opportunity to meet other parents and carers.

Exclusion criteria:

Parent is experiencing acute mental health crisis requiring Perinatal Mental Health team.
Infant has complex medical needs requiring specialist services – (please discuss individual needs with Healthy Babies Team prior to request).
The primary need is feeding management rather than relational support (unless relational concerns are primary).

If you are aware of a family that would benefit from contact with the Healthy Babies Wellbeing Team, please complete our Contact Us Form

Contact

Newport Family Hub
Furrlongs
Newport
PO30 2AX

01983 529208

Ryde Family Hub
George Street
Ryde
PO33 2JF

01983 617617

Sandown Family Hub
The Fairway
Sandown
PO36 9EQ

01983 408718

iowfamilycentres@barnardos.org.uk

Legal

Barnardo's Registered Charity Numbers: 216250 and SC037605