Who Can Join Our Groups?
Supporting early relationships through connection, care, and community.
Infant Massage Courses
A calm, supportive space to bond with baby through nurturing touch.
Parents or carers with babies who are not yet crawling or walking.
Babies are welcome from 4 weeks old.
Maximum class size of 8 to ensure a safe and nurturing experience.
Course duration: 5 or 6 weeks twice a term
IAIM qualified and experienced facilitator led
Who is it for?
Little PIP’s Groups
A playful, supportive group for parents and little ones, growing together.
Parents with children from birth to age 2.
Many join after completing Infant Massage, but it’s not essential.
Families are welcome to attend more than once.
Maximum class size of 8 to ensure a safe and nurturing space.
Health Visitor or Early Years worker led
Course duration: Drop in though families are encouraged to attend weekly
Who is it for?
Parent infant psychotherapy and counselling are also available, please contact us by emailing referrals@dorpip.org.uk for a case consultation if you have a family who you feel would benefit from additional support.
Our groups are free to attend; priority is given to families who may be experiencing challenges in the parent-infant relationship. Each family must meet at least:
1 Red Factor or 3 Amber Factors
Eligibility Criteria
Red Factors
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Some parents may feel disconnected from their baby in the early days, which can be confusing or upsetting. This may be linked to birth experiences, mental health challenges, or simply the pressure of adjusting to parenthood.
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Experiencing the loss of a baby through miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal death, or sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) can have profound and lasting emotional impacts. For parents, this grief may affect subsequent pregnancies and early parenting in complex ways.
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A traumatic birth experience can involve physical or emotional distress during labour and delivery that leaves a lasting impact on the parent. This may include emergency interventions, feelings of loss of control, fear for the baby’s or parent’s life, or a lack of support and communication during birth.
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Mental health difficulties during pregnancy or the postnatal period can affect a parent’s wellbeing and their early relationship with their baby. Conditions such as anxiety, depression, or more severe illnesses may impact mood, energy, and the ability to respond to a baby’s needs.
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A history of substance misuse can affect a parent’s physical and mental health, as well as their ability to provide consistent care and emotional availability for their baby. It may contribute to challenges in bonding and parenting, especially during pregnancy and early infancy.
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Parents who have experienced domestic abuse, neglect, or sexual abuse—whether recently or in the past—may face ongoing emotional and psychological challenges. These experiences can impact their sense of safety, trust, and self-worth, which in turn can affect their capacity to bond with and care for their baby.
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Parents who were adopted or spent time in foster care may carry unique experiences that influence their approach to parenting. They might face challenges around attachment, trust, or understanding their own early childhood experiences, which can affect their relationship with their baby.
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Parents with physical, sensory, or learning disabilities may experience additional challenges in parenting, including accessing support and adapting caregiving activities. Disability can affect how parents engage with their baby, but it does not diminish their capacity to provide love and nurture.
Amber Factors
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Because this service is free for families, we ask them to complete pre- and post-course questionnaires to help us show our funders the impact our services have on the lives of babies and their carers. We know the form is long, but it helps us keep this vital support going!
Let us know if a family needs help completing it by emailing referrals@dorpip.org.uk. We are happy to support them in completing it.