Supporting You

As a new parent, you're bound to have questions on everything from getting started with breastfeeding to washing and bathing your baby and changing their nappy.

NHS have provided a quick guide to everything you need to know about caring for your new baby during those exhausting but wonderful early weeks.

Explains how to cope as parent with a mental health problem, giving practical suggestions for what you can do and where you can go for support.

Parenting isn't always easy. Although it's often amazing and rewarding to watch your children grow, and to help them learn to be independent, it can also be really hard work.

Young Minds has provided a useful guide on helping your child, as well as looking after yourself as a parent.

Family Lives provides targeted early intervention and crisis support to families. If you need to talk, they are here to listen.

Every Mind Matters website includes expert advice and practical tips to help you look after your mental health and wellbeing, as well as further guidance on children and young people's mental health.

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board have developed this website with partners to look after the mental wellbeing of people living and working in Gwent.

Here you will find courses, apps, videos, audio, books and websites to further support. All resources are free and in Welsh where available. The resources will help you develop new skills that will support you when life is difficult.

This free course is designed to help you improve your mental health and wellbeing. Feeling worried or anxious can have a big impact on your health and for some people life can be particularly difficult.

There are four videos each lasting around 40 minutes. You can pause at any time and come back to them if you need to take a break. It is recommended to have a few days break between each video so that you can practice the learning. For each of the videos there is a guide you can download, print or take notes on, and also some audio exercises that you can listen to

Colic

Colic and breastfeeding

Colic usually starts when a baby is a few weeks old – and stops when they're around 4 to 6 months of age.

If your otherwise healthy baby cries inconsolably for 3 or more hours a day, at least 3 days per week (and it's been happening for 3 weeks or more) – it could be caused by colic.

It's a common problem that should get better on its own. But call NHS 111 or see a GP if you're worried.

Cry-sis

0800 448 0737

Support for parents with crying and sleepless babies

In 1981 a small group of parents, who were experiencing problems with their crying and sleepless babies, set up a support group. They discovered how important support is and how reassuring it can be to talk to someone. Today that support group has become Cry-sis, the only UK charity offering help and support to parents with babies who cry excessively or have sleeping problems.

From modest beginnings Cry-sis has become a well-respected national charity which:

• Provides a telephone helpline available 7 days a week (9am-10pm)
• Offer advice and information on how to cope with a crying and/or sleepless baby
• Increases public awareness and conducts research.

Action for Happiness brings people together and provides practical resources. We help each other learn evidence-based skills for happier living, feel a sense of belonging and commit to personal action to create more happiness, for ourselves and others.
 

Helping your child to understand and name their feelings is a great way of helping them deal and cope with their emotions.

See the lovely new book written in rhyme called the Little Book of Feelings. It was written by two Parenting Experts from Cardiff Parenting, for you to read to your child and enjoy together.

The parent health information resources on this page have been designed to provide parents with all the essential and important information they need to make the best decisions about their own health and that of their children.