Next week is Infant Mental Health Awareness Week and Hull City Council’s Early Help teams have put on a series of free events for parents and children.
Infant Mental Health Awareness Week takes place from 9 – 15 June and this year’s theme is ‘Who is holding the baby’.
Infant mental health is an often overlooked and misunderstood subject – people may wonder how mental health issues can affect those so young. Infant mental health describes the social and emotional wellbeing and development of children in the earliest years of life. This includes their ability to form close relationships, recognise and express emotions and explore and learn about their environment.
Research shows that the experiences and relationships babies have in the earliest years of life influence their development. Having a positive start in life brings benefits that can be seen in a child’s later life.
Infant Mental Health Awareness Week provides the opportunity to discuss the importance of supporting babies’ mental health and wellbeing.
Infant Mental Health Awareness Week is co-ordinated each year by the Parent-Infant Foundation.
Pauline Turner, the Director of Children and Family Services at Hull City Council, said: “I hope families in Hull will consider coming along to a session at one of the many Family Hubs across the city. The sessions promote baby development, as well as nurture the bond between parent and child.”
See details about the sessions below:
| Date | Family Hub | Session |
| Monday 9 June 9.30 – 10.30am | Priory Family Hub, Priory Road | Sensory Session – sensory play and promoting discussions of parent – infant relationships in a safe space |
| Monday 9June 1.30 – 2.30pm | Octagon Family Hub, Walker Street | Baby Time – sensory play session including singing and music |
| Tuesday 10 June 1.30 – 2.30pm | Rainbow Family Hub, Wheeler Street | Rainbows and Sprinkles – a play session which includes sensory play, messy or physical themed activities – suitable for 0-24 months. |
| Tuesday 10 June 10.30 – 11.30am Tuesday 10 June 1.00 – 2.30pm | Lemon Tree Family Hub, Lothian Way, Bransholme Marfleet Family Hub, Preston Road | Baby and Me – includes sensory sessions, where babies explore their senses through lights and sound. GroBrain which focuses on bonding, attachment and a baby’s brain development and infant massage to promote bonding and learning the health benefits of massage |
| Wednesday 11June 10 – 10.45am | Lemon Tree Family Hub, Lothian Way, Bransholme | Baby Sing and Play – play session for babies including sensory play, singing and movement to music. 0-1 years |
| Thursday 12 June 10 – 11.15am | Parks Family Hub, Courtway Road | Tiny Explorers – sensory activities, messy play, treasure baskets, singing and parachute. For children aged 0-2 years |
| Friday 13 June 10 – 11am | Little Stars Family Hub, Preston Road | Messy Stars – session encourages sensory play to support relationship building and brain development |
| Friday 13 June 10 – 11am | Acorns Family Hub, Nestor Grove | Discover and Play – a range of messy and sensory play where babies can explore the environment. A great session to bond with your baby whilst making memories |
The 0-19 Health Visiting team are available for any families who are worried about their baby’s development, or their relationship with their baby. They have child health clinics across the city during Infant Mental Health Awareness Week and beyond. Families can contact their named health visitor or call the service on (01482) 259600.
Visit Hull’s Family Hubs website for more information about the wide range of support they offer during pregnancy and throughout the first 1001 days of a child’s life: www.familyhubshull.org.uk.