We expect ourselves to mother
Without stumbling
To fall in love instantly
To instinctively know
What our babies need.
But the truth is our babies are
Little strangers
From the off
Never the ideal babies
We have carried in our minds
And hearts.
And to mother
We must allow ourselves to learn
To fail
To grieve
To meet our babies
Where we least know or understand
Them
Or ourselves.
Staying close
Love-laden efforting
To understand
And put words to
The earliest vocalisations
Ensures the warp and weft
Of neural pathways
Are laid down
To mother is
To become familiar with
And less fearful
Of this not-knowing
So that in gentle repetition
Of our sometimes synchronous dance
We are strangers no more.
Julianne Boutaleb
Consultant Perinatal PsychologistDirector of Parenthood In Mind Consultancy
London Hub Lead to December 2022
Other News
New Online Course: Babies in Mind – Why the Parent’s Mind Matters
AiMH UK, in collaboration with the University of Oxford, invites you to join this premium online course featured on the FutureLearn Website
The Fatherhood Institute – ‘Looking out for Dad’ Campaign
The Fatherhood Institute has launched an important new campaign, ‘Looking Out for Dad’, calling on the UK government to prioritise fathers’ health and well-being. Add your name to their letter addressed to the Secretary of State for Health, Wes Streeting.
TODAYS THE DAY!
Announcing the AiMH UK Awards Winners!
A huge congratulations to all the winners!
Your dedication and invaluable contributions are making a profound impact on infant mental health and positively transforming the lives of families across the UK!
President Jane Barlow re-elected onto the 1001 Days Steering Group
The 1001 days movement is a group of organisations and professionals working together to campaign about the importance of the emotional wellbeing of babies.
Congratulations on your re-election - from All at AiMH UK
New Best Practice Factsheet on Infant Sleep
Now available to view and download for Members.
This BPG Factsheet considers infant sleep through the lens of infant mental health. It examines the current state of evidence with regard to infant sleep, and draws on a multi-disciplinary literature intended to help practitioners promote Neuroprotective Developmental Care when supporting infants and parents.
AiMH UK AGM, Awards Ceremony & Presentation
Join us in celebrating the AiMH UK Awards, a tribute to excellence in infant mental health and hear from Professor Jane Barlow, focusing on safeguarding babies and promoting their emotional well-being for our latest Best Practice Factsheet
Victory for the Neonatal Leave Campaign! · Change.org
Some Lovely news! 🙂
t’s inspiring to see positive change happen for such an important cause. Neonatal leave can make a real difference for families dealing with premature births, offering them the time and support they truly need during those critical early moments. This victory will no doubt bring relief and hope to many parents and caregivers. 🌟
Read the article here: https://www.change.org/p/extend-parental-leave-for-parents-of-premature-babies/u/33187309
AiMH UK Events Coming in 2025 – Save the Dates!
We are delighted to share our lineup of events for 2025.
Whether you’re new to AiMH UK or a long-standing member, these events provide valuable opportunities to learn, engage, and collaborate with others passionate about infant mental health.
🌟 What a Year! AiMH UK in 2024 🌟
As 2024 comes to a close, we’re taking a moment to reflect on an incredible year of connection, growth, and impact. Here are just a few highlights:
AiMH UK Christmas Newsletter
Discover the latest updates in our Christmas Edition. As always, thank you for being an essential part of the AiMH UK family. and wishing all our supporters a happy and peaceful Christmas.
AiMH UK Autumn Newsletter
Discover the latest updates in the AiMH UK Autumn Newsletter! Packed with news, upcoming events, and resources to support infant mental health professionals, this edition is a must-read. Stay informed and connected with the AiMH community!
Baby Room and Early Years Professionals Update
We are thrilled to announce that the the places for the Work Discussion group for Baby Room and Early Years workers have now been taken up.
Thank you to those of you who shared this opportunity and we look forward to hearing about the progress of the group.
Become amember
Join AiMH UK and your local hub to develop your knowledge, skills, and confidence, and access a wealth of specialist information on the AiMH UK website.
Sharing expertise on how we work with infants and their families increases the effectiveness of our work.
Membership Packages – Tailored for Organisations and Teams
Elevate your team’s commitment to infant mental health with our new range of discounted Membership packages designed for organisations and teams from the Basic Package to the all-inclusive Bespoke IMH CPD Programme, featuring complimentary tickets to AiMH UK Conferences.
Contact us here to find the perfect package for your team and make a greater impact together!
AIMH UKDonations
We’re using JustGiving, for donations to AiMH UK. Your donation enables us to continue our work, promoting the importance of infant mental health and making a real difference to improve outcomes for parents, babies and toddlers. Thank you for making a difference!