Getting support as a family: looking into a new study of couples’ experience of perinatal depression
A new study has analysed how often perinatal depression (depression during pregnancy and the first 12 months of being a parent) can be experienced by both parents. This study is an important reminder that it is not only mothers who can be affected by perinatal mental illness. Read on to find out more about the findings and for details about getting support.
Lots of the studies that are used to talk about and treat depression in new parents looks at one parent, often the mother, in isolation. The authors of the study ‘Prevalence of Perinatal Depression and Anxiety in Both Parents’[1] wanted to review existing data to see how often both parents were experiencing depression, as this might result in significant changes to what will support those families.
Tips for promoting conversations with your baby
You may feel like you don’t know what to talk about or say to your baby, or feel awkward chatting to someone who can’t reply just yet. Don't worry about what you’re saying, just know that your baby will love simply hearing your voice.
By talking to them in these early weeks and months, you are creating a strong foundation for your baby’s language skills. Here are our top tips for getting chatty with your baby.
Look at your baby while you’re chatting
Try to gain eye contact, even for short moments, as you talk. Engaging in eye contact helps your baby to know that they are involved – and they love to see your face.
Bye-bye! Why a wave goodbye is a moment to celebrate in your baby’s developmental journey
It might be copying a wave at the end of a video call, or waving goodbye as you leave them at nursery; whenever it happens, waving goodbye is a big step for your child!
At first, they will simply copy the gestures that you make, as they have done with other skills that they have mastered. But gradually they will realise the power of a wave or of blowing a kiss!
Every parent should read The Little Book of Calm for New Mums
The emotional load of being a new parent is high, and even though you’ve had time to really get to know your baby, it can feel like each new developmental step is a huge change to routine. It’s also a time when a lot of the support you were being offered as the parent of a newborn seems to fade away...
In these moments, having something on hand to reassure you that you’re not alone in your feelings can make all the difference.
The Little Book of Calm for New Mums: Grounding words for the highs, the lows and the moments in between by Anna Mathur is a brilliant book to have nearby and dip into when you need it.
Mirror, mirror on the wall: why it's great to look in the mirror with your baby
Your baby might be starting to notice their reflection in a mirror, looking at it intently, or pausing when they see themselves. Noticing their reflection is such an exciting development for you and your baby, plus it's another way to fill some time in a long day!
Here are some reasons why your baby noticing their reflection in the mirror should be celebrated:
Newborn reflexes are becoming a thing of the past – roll on controlled movements
As newborn reflexes start to disappear, you'll notice your baby moving their hands more deliberately. Why is this important and what does it mean?
When your baby was born, some of their first movements happened involuntarily, triggered by newborn (primitive) reflexes.[1] The lovely feeling of your baby closing their fingers tightly around yours is priceless.
Become an outdoor observer and explore your baby’s senses in nature
Being outside is extremely beneficial for you and your baby. You might have noticed how interested your baby is in the things around them now that their vision is becoming fully developed. Head outside to engage all their senses using the power of nature.
Your baby is now able to see more detail, and at longer distances, than ever before. They have truly opened their eyes to the world.
How to Keep House While Drowning – a brilliant book for every overwhelmed parent
How to Keep House While Drowning: A gentle approach to cleaning and organising by KC Davis is a book designed to help overwhelmed, overworked and under-resourced people keep on top of household, cleaning and life-admin routines.
Supportive and realistic, KC Davis reframes how to think about daily tasks to stop the cycle of judgement and overwhelm that can come when you feel like you’re not on top of chores.
Building balance and getting ready to make a move
Balance is important for all the movements we make in life – sitting, crawling, rolling, standing and walking. Find out more about how your baby is using their senses to develop their balance and move their growing body.
For your baby, this process of learning to control balance has been happening since they first began to lift their head and move their body.
