Help and support for new parents in the East Riding

East Riding Safeguarding Children Partnership is reassuring new parents that there is plenty of help available during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Manager, Margaret Wood, said: “If you are finding being a mum or dad overwhelming, please ask for help.

“Coping with a crying baby or young child can be incredibly hard and tiring, especially if you are on your own or you have other children to care for.

“If you need support from someone close to you that you would usually ask for help, then go ahead and ask for it. If the person you would normally turn to is unavailable, your GP, health visitor, midwife and children’s centre team are all there to support you.

“If you are relative, friend or neighbour and think someone needs help – reach out with support.

“There are organisations in your community and online available to you. Please seek support, help is there for you and your baby.”

Although the current restrictions mean that some of the usual face-to-face support and groups in the East Riding are not running at the moment, there are plenty of resources available online to help parents.

These are:

• For help with Coping with Crying, visit www.iconcope.org/parentsadvice

• The East Riding Health and Wellbeing website has a range of advice and links to other resources www.eastridinghealthandwellbeing.co.uk

• East Riding Children’s Centres regularly post updates on Facebook @erchildrenscentres or you can visit the website at www.eastriding.gov.uk/living/children-and-families/childrens-centres/whats-on-childrens-centres/

• The Humber Integrated Specialist Public Health Nursing (ISPHN) Service website can be found at www.humberisphn.nhs.uk

• Another NHS site which has information for new parents is www.humbercoastandvalematernity.org.uk/after-the-birth/

• Every Mum Matters offers mental health support to new and expectant mums at www.everymummatters.com/