Mum says Baby Bonding class helped her to feel confident again after welcoming her first baby a month early

Abbie had just become a first-time mum to daughter Ada, who arrived into the world a month early, and joining one of the free Baby Bonding courses through the Oldham Council Family Hubs offer built up her confidence and an important support network.

A year on, she says attending the group has also helped Ada to become the sociable little girl she is today.

Abbie explained: “I attended the Propps Hall Children’s Centre group when my daughter Ada was about eight weeks old. “She was born a month early and is my first, so I was just getting to grips with feeling confident enough to get out of the house with her on my own.

“I moved to the area from Stoke-on-Trent six years ago, so don’t have family nearby to lean on.

“The group gave me a reason to push myself out of my comfort zone, and I made friends and got invaluable advice from our six weeks in the classes from Carli, Michele and the other mums too.”

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.

Abbie and Ada (top right) on the Baby Bonding course run by Carli Keane and Michele Buckley

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.

Abbie says it helped to hear everyone’s else’s experiences with sleep, feeding and remembering to look after themselves too.

“The group really focused on making sure that we had the tools to be the best mums for our babies including breathing exercises, ways of coping with stressful situations and most importantly a solid support network,” she said.

Abbie is still in a WhatsApp group with mums she met on the course, including Emma Peake who recently told of the invaluable support she has received through the Baby Bonding course,

“We share things like baby groups in the area and recommendations,” said Abbie.

“It helps that all of our babies are similar age. I made close friends with two of the girls and see them regularly for coffee, play dates and nights out. Our babies are growing up together and it’s so lovely to watch.”

Abbie and Emma recently bumped into Carli Keane, who ran the course with fellow parenting officer Michele Buckley, while they were out for breakfast.

“It was so nice to catch up with Carli a few weeks ago. It really took me back to those first couple of months being so anxious and realising how much we’ve all grown in the past year. My little girl is so sociable now and I think going to groups so early on has definitely played a part in this,” she said.

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: “It’s great to hear how the Baby Bonding  course is making such a positive difference for these mums and their babies.

“This is just one of the courses available through our Family Hubs to helps parents and carers develop strong bonds with their children and give them the best start to life while building invaluable support networks.”

New Baby Bonding courses will be held from 1.30-2.30pm on Tuesday 22 April to Tuesday 20 May at St Thomas Church, Glebe Lane, Moorside, OL14SJ  and from 1.30-2.30p, on Wednesday 23 April to Thursday 21 May at St Thomas Church, St Thomas Street, Werneth, OL81DF.

To register email parentsupporthib@oldham.gov.uk.

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