Throughout history, families and community have provided the help and care new mothers needed.   Experienced mothers, grandmothers, aunts, sisters, friends and neighbours all made the time with a new baby easier. Often we no longer have extended families nearby and without help and experience it can leave new parents feeling isolated and in need of support.

The transition to motherhood, whether a first time mother or second, third or fourth time round the block, is usually a learning curve - learning how this beautiful new being fits in with the family and what their needs are, processing the experience of birth as well as keeping the household running and meals on the table.  New mothers need nurturing and companionship in those early weeks and months and at Birth Circle we provide nurturing mother centred support.

We offer postnatal support to mothers and their families on a flexible, as needed basis. We work with mothers who are just recently home from hospital and also mothers with slightly older babies as sometimes it is not until later that the need for support becomes apparent or desirable.  Postnatal support has been shown to increase breastfeeding duration rates and also reduces the incidence of post natal depression.( 'Mothering the Mother', Klaus,Kennell and Klaus,1993)

We offer both practical and emotional support which allows the parents to have the time, space and confidence to adapt to life with the newest member of the family. The focus of support is on the mother, listening to her and enabling her to find her own way of mothering.

Post natal support may include:

- debriefing the birth experience

- breastfeeding support

- support with any post natal issues

- practical support with your baby, (bathing, dressing, nappys, nappy free, baby massage tips)

- holding the baby while you have time to rest, shower or sleep

- help with other children

- shopping and cooking nutritious, tasty meals

- organising a meal tree with your friends and family to provide meals

- doing the laundry and light household tasks

- help sourcing information or equipment

And as always, our knowledge and experience with massage and natural therapies is available.

 

'Becoming a mother and sharing the experiences of friends and cl ients has shown how important support is during the post-natal period. The support we offer can help maximise a new mum's enjoyment of early motherhood and take a load off partners and allow them to enjoy these precious early weeks'  Heidi

'It's been great to have an extra pair of experienced hands, someone who we can bounce ideas off and who understands our approach to parenting'  Dylan