Who Can Join Our Groups?

Many new parents may feel uncertain, overwhelmed, or unready for the demands of caring for a baby. This can lead to anxiety, self-doubt, and difficulty settling into their new role.

Single parents often face unique challenges, including managing the demands of parenting without a partner’s support. This can increase stress, isolation, and fatigue, which may impact emotional wellbeing and the parent-infant relationship.

Financial stress from unemployment or the rising cost of living can significantly impact a family’s wellbeing. Parents under economic pressure may experience increased anxiety, reduced access to resources, and difficulty focusing on bonding with their baby.

A family in crisis may be facing multiple, urgent challenges such as relationship breakdown, housing instability, financial hardship, or health emergencies. These stressors can overwhelm parents and affect their capacity to provide consistent care and emotional connection to their baby.

Living in temporary, unstable, or unsuitable housing can create significant stress and insecurity for families. Such conditions may impact parents’ ability to provide a safe and comfortable environment for their baby, affecting their wellbeing and bonding.

Parents who feel isolated may lack social support, connection, or opportunities to engage with others, which can lead to loneliness and impact their emotional wellbeing. Isolation can make parenting feel overwhelming and affect the parent-infant bond.

Many parents experience high levels of stress due to the demands of daily life, balancing parenting with other responsibilities. Persistent stress can affect emotional wellbeing and reduce the capacity to respond sensitively to a baby’s needs.

Having a baby born prematurely or spending time in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) can be an intense and overwhelming experience for parents. It may bring feelings of anxiety, fear, and uncertainty, and can disrupt early bonding and parent-infant interaction.

Families involved with Children’s Social Care or Team Around the Family may be experiencing complex challenges that impact parenting and family stability. Such involvement can sometimes create additional stress or feelings of scrutiny for parents, affecting their confidence and relationship with their baby.

Providing non-judgemental, supportive engagement helps build trust and promotes positive outcomes for both parents and children.

Difficulties with feeding—whether breastfeeding, bottle feeding, or introducing solids—can be a source of stress and anxiety for parents. Challenges may include latching problems, low milk supply, reflux, or baby’s refusal to feed, which can impact parental confidence and the parent-infant bond.

When a baby is unsettled or crying for extended periods, it can be distressing and exhausting for parents. This may be due to reasons like colic, discomfort, or developmental phases. Prolonged unsettledness can impact parental wellbeing and the early bonding process.

When a baby has a disability, parents may face additional challenges related to caregiving, accessing services, and managing emotional adjustment. This can affect family dynamics and the early parent-infant relationship.

An unplanned pregnancy can bring a mix of emotions, including uncertainty, anxiety, or stress. Parents may feel unprepared or conflicted, which can affect their confidence and early bonding with their baby.

Families who are refugees, asylum seekers, or have no recourse to public funds often face significant challenges, including uncertainty about their status, limited access to healthcare and social services, and financial hardship. These pressures can affect parental wellbeing and the ability to provide a stable, nurturing environment for their baby.

Experiencing a recent loss, whether of a loved one, partner, or close family member, can deeply affect a parent’s emotional wellbeing. Grief may impact their ability to cope with parenting demands and form a secure bond with their baby.

Many parents experience feelings of anxiety, sadness, or overwhelm, especially during pregnancy and early parenthood. These emotions can affect their wellbeing and ability to respond sensitively to their baby’s needs.

Tensions or disconnect in a parental relationship can increase stress and reduce the emotional support available to both parents. This may affect parents’ wellbeing and their ability to nurture a positive environment for their baby.