Free practical tips and expert advice from Welsh Government for all your parenting challenges:
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.
Tips for new parents: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/support-and-services/tips-for-new-parents/
Every parent needs a little support from time to time. From bonding with your baby to potty training, behaviour and mental health - Action for Children are here to help you navigate the everyday.
Parenting support: https://www.actionforchildren.org.uk/how-we-can-help/get-parenting-support/
Parent Talk offers free, down-to-earth advice for parents of children aged 0-19. All content is written or curated by Action for Children’s parenting coaches. It’s based on their experiences working with children, young people and their families.
Parent talk: https://parents.actionforchildren.org.uk/
Living with a mental health problem can often have an impact on day to day life, making things that others might not think about a bit more difficult.
Mind have put together these tips and guides to help you cope with everyday things like money, work, university and more.
Tips for everyday life: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/tips-for-everyday-living/
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.
Young Minds parents survival guide: https://youngminds.org.uk/find-help/for-parents/parents-survival-guide/
Family Lives offers a confidential and free* helpline service for families in Wales providing emotional support, information, advice and guidance on any aspect of parenting and family life.
For more information on accessing this in Welsh or English, visit: https://www.familylives.org.uk/how-we-can-help/welsh-language-helpline/
* Free from landlines and most mobiles
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 these areas; Torfaen, Newport, Monmouthshire, Caerphilly, Blaenau Gwent.
Taking care of our own mental wellbeing, and that of our loved ones has never been more important. That’s why melo is here to help you to develop new skills that will support you when life is difficult:
Free SilverCloud Cognitive Behaviour Therapy programme for adults 16+ registered with a GP in Wales and with mild – moderate levels of depression, anxiety or stress
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:
https://phw.nhs.wales/services-and-teams/activate-your-life/
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.
Further support on colic:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/colic/
https://www.nhs.uk/start4life/baby/feeding-your-baby/breastfeeding/breastfeeding-challenges/colic/
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.
Cry-sis Helpline: 08451 228 669