New support for parents of newborns

SUPPORT is available to parents who are struggling with the demands of babies and young children throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.

The campaign, composed of keymessages from health and social care teams, is encouraging parents to ask for help from loved ones and experts rather than struggling alone.

Topics covered by the campaign include coping with crying babies and difficult toddlers, seeking medical help and dealing with overwhelming feelings such as stress and anxiety.

The worry is that lockdown may be causing mums and dads to struggle alone and could lead to issues such as mental health, isolation and in extreme cases, harm to babies and children.

Head of Safeguarding Children for BerkshireWest Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) Liz Stead said: “It’s hard enough at the best of times to be at home looking after a baby or small child.

“While it can be a very rewarding time, young children can be quite demanding meaning mums and dads are often sleep-deprived and worried they’re not doing things right.

“Add to this the anxietymany people have about their health and that of their loved ones, concerns about jobs, finances, bills etc and it makes it a very stressful time.”

Since launching, the NHS campaign has been published on social media to reassure parents that they are not alone in their struggles and to inform others that they can go to the aid of a family if they are concerned and it is safe to do so.

Ms Stead added: “Our message is that the safety and wellbeing of babies and young children is paramount and people must do all they can to step in and help.

“The guidelines on social distancing are quite clear on this – if someone is at risk of abuse, violence or neglect they must seek help. And if someone is worried they are still allowed to get involved.”

“Often there’s a network of support from family, friends and neighbours – people who can come in and give the parents a bit of rest and respite. But of course, lockdown and social distancing has put a stop to all that.

“Added to this, many of the professionals whose job it is to spot struggling families are having to work in different ways and that personal, face to face contact is often not possible. But it is this sort of interaction which is so valuable in keeping an eye on both parents and children.”