Oldham

A happy mum tells how joining a Baby Bonding course with her newborn changed their lives for the better

Mum Emma Peake (left) a year on after the Baby Bonding course with daughter Matilda

Emma Peake has spoken out a year after taking part in the course through Oldham Family Hubs.

A mum has told of the invaluable support she has received through completing a Baby Bonding course through Oldham Council Family Hubs.

Emma Peake took part in the six-week course with her newborn daughter Matilda a year ago, and the benefits have been long-standing.

Not only did Emma form close bonds on her course, which was held in her hometown Failsworth, the support network has continued after the sessions ended.

Three of the mums still message each other and regularly meet up for play dates and for coffee to swap help and advice, and they go on nights out together.    

Emma and baby Matilda at the Baby Bonding course

Emma and baby Matilda at the Baby Bonding course

The free six-week course is for parents of babies from 28 weeks conception to up to one year, for babies who are non-mobile. It supports in developing a strong bond and building a relationship with their little one from even before they are born and through the early stages of their life.

The course is held in group sessions at different venues throughout the borough, teaching parents about their baby’s brain development and ways to understand and communicate with their baby through fun activities – and it’s particularly helpful if parents are feeling anxious or worried about welcoming a new baby.

“Not only did the sessions provide support, it’s the long-standing contacts and friendships we’ve made from it,” said Emma, whose daughter is now 16 months old.

“We still meet up to do things with our kids and we socialise on a night out.

“We swap advice, asking each other ‘have you encountered this?’ and ‘how are you coping with this?’

“Our kids will hopefully carry on being good friends too.”

Emma and her daughter Matilda

Emma and her daughter Matilda have made good friendships through the Baby Bonding course

Tips and activities learned during the course have become a staple for at-home play and learning, including a ‘hello’ greeting song which the mums used to sing to their babies at the group. Emma says the song still helps to soothe her little girl.

Emma, who is originally from Barnsley and moved to the area eight years ago, said about the course: “We joined when Matilda was three months old because one of the things I was always worried about was about being isolated.

“I’m not from around here and we had just had Covid. But we have now got these friendships.”

Emma was delighted when, by chance, she and another mum from the Failsworth group recently bumped into Carli Keane, who ran the course with fellow parenting officer Michele Buckley, while they were out for breakfast.

“She still remembered us, and she still remembered our babies’ names,” said Emma. “And we had a little catch-up.”

“It was so lovely to see them and to hear about everything the group has given them,” said Carli. 

“And I almost shed a little tear when they gave me a hug.

“This is a real success story for our Baby Bonding sessions. It’s fantastic that the help and advice and friendships they have made during the course have made such an impact.”

Oldham Family Hubs offer a wide-range of support for families of children and young people aged 0-19 and 25 with SEND.  

Cllr Shaid Mushtaq, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: “Baby Bonding is one of the courses from our Family Hubs offer making a positive difference for the people of Oldham.

“It also shows the lasting impact from our parenting programmes on community resilience.

“It is great to hear that, not only are these group sessions helping parents to develop strong bonds with their babies and giving them the best start to life, they are forming important friendships and support networks.”

To find more information about Oldham Family Hubs and the support available to you visit familyhubs.oldham.gov.uk

And you can keep updated on all the latest Family Hubs news and information by following facebook.com/OldhamFamilyHubs and instagram.com/oldhamfamilyhubs

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