Baby Steps is a group-based programme designed to support expectant parents to be able to manage the emotional and physical transition into parenthood.
Better Start Bradford recognises that becoming a mum and dad can be really difficult for some expectant parents, for a variety of reasons. The support needed is not always available in preparing people to become parents. Baby Steps is there to offer this support and is highly interactive with group activities and focuses on being a parent, healthy relationships and the development of a positive parent-infant relationship. It helps get parents off to the best start, enabling them to build supportive relationships and care for their baby. The Baby Steps practitioners will support participants to enjoy the activities, learn new ideas and develop friendships.
What is it?
Baby Steps is a group-based educational programme designed to help support expectant parents to be able to manage the emotional and physical transition into parenthood. Baby Steps provides important opportunities for families to access care and information about key health issues including mental health and physical wellbeing. It has a strong emphasis on healthy relationships and social support.
How many sessions are there?
The programme starts from around the 26th to the 30th week of pregnancy. Initially there are two home visits prior to the course commencing to help build relationships between families and practitioners, then there are six weekly group sessions before the baby is born. After the baby is born there will be another home visit followed by three group sessions. Baby Steps sessions are facilitated by an Early Years Practitioner and a Health Practitioner (Midwife or Health Visitor).
Baby Steps supports parents to:
Who runs it?
The charity Action for Children employs Baby Steps Early Years Practitioners and Health Practitioners (Midwife or Health Visitor) to deliver the project. They are based within Barkerend Children’s Centre, but work across the Children’s Centres in the three Better Start Bradford Wards of Bowling and Barkerend, Bradford Moor and Little Horton.
How does it work?
Once expectant parents are registered for Baby Steps, the practitioners will visit the family home and discuss the programme content, encouraging parents to be able to explore their hopes and ideas about parenthood. The same practitioners will maintain contact with the family right from registration to completion of the post-natal sessions, providing parents with a consistent source of support.
How do I join? Please contact your Midwife, Health Visitor or Rachael Loftus, Baby Steps Service Co-ordinator: [email protected] / 07738 888173
You can also call Barkerend Children’s Centre on: 01274 662763.
Baby Steps is one of more than 20 projects being provided by Better Start Bradford for pregnant women and families with children under four in Little Horton, Bowling and Barkerend and Bradford Moor.