We focus on supporting the connection between infants and their parents/carers, encouraging the development of a strong, loving relationship.
We understand that such things as difficulties in pregnancy, a traumatic birth, past parenting experiences, loss or bereavement, low mood or anxiety can all affect your relationship with your child.
We offer support to understand and strengthen this relationship. At times we do this by working with colleagues in our wider NHS specialist services. Here are a couple of videos from a simarlar service in Blackpool that describes the work of teams like ours:
Videos
Here are some of the interventions the NHS Lothian PAIRS team offer:
Reflective Parenting
PAIRS clinicians are trained in Reflective Parenting, an approach to parenting that aims to reduce conflict and strengthen parent-infant relationships. Parents are supported to develop a better understanding of their infant’s emotions and behaviours, helping the child feel validated and understood. Reflective Parenting has a theoretical basis in Mentalization – the ability of a parent to understand the thoughts, feelings and intention behind their child’s, and their own, behaviours. Research shows that this can lead to better emotion regulation in children, as well as improved relationships and enhanced understanding of self and others.
Child Parent Psychotherapy
Child Parent Psychotherapy (CPP) is a trauma informed therapeutic approach for children ages 0-5 and their caregivers. It works by strengthening relationships between parent / carers and infants, and helping families heal and grow after stressful and traumatic events. When difficult life events happen, families sometimes need support to make sense of these experiences, know what they can expect in the future, and manage difficult emotions for both parent/carer and child. CPP is a lengthy intervention that works with both caregiver and child.
Video Interactive Guidance
Video Interactive Guidance, or VIG, uses video clips of interactions between a parent and infant to strengthen their relationship. The practitioner takes a short video of a parent and infant and finds moments of positive connection and enjoyment with each other. These moments are shared with the parent, boosting their confidence in recognising and responding to their infant’s needs.
Usually a course of 3 -4 video based sessions are offered and can be undertaken at home or in a clinic.
Video interactive guidance website
Newborn Behavioural Observation
The Newborn Behavioural Observation or NBO is designed to strengthen the relationship between infants and parents, by supporting parents to read their baby’s cues. It is used with infants from birth to 3 months of age.
The observations are done with the parent/carer, to support them to understand their infant’s unique strengths and areas they need support. This in turn increases parents’ skills and confidence in getting to know and care for their infant and feel closer to them.
Groups
Circle of Security Parenting
The Circle of Security Parenting program is a non-judgmental space for parents to reflect on their own attachment experiences and then think differently around their child’s behaviour. Parents are then better able to provide a “secure base” for their child and improve their child’s attachment.
The program runs weekly over 8 sessions of approximately 60 to 90 minutes each. Each session involves video footage, handouts, practical tasks, and discussion.
Week 1: The concept of the Circle
Week 2: Exploring our children’s needs all the way around the Circle
Week 3: “Being with” – helping our children manage their emotions
Week 4: “Being with” infants on the Circle
Week 5: The path to security
Week 6: Exploring our own struggles
Week 7: Rupture and repair
Week 8: Summary and our own celebration
Resources for Parents – Circle of Security International
Baby Bonding
Baby Bonding sessions creates a space that is welcoming, relaxed, and accepting of how you and baby are feeling on that particular day!
The sessions consist of; a hello song, some lovely activities for you and your bump or baby such as massage, baby watching, mindfulness, information on babies’ communication and brain development.
Each week finishes with a small “gift” for parents and carers which might be things like massage oil for baby strokes, information about your baby’s development, a self-made toy for you and your little one to enjoy together and a short relaxation exercise to help create a moment of stillness and calm in all the chaos parenthood can bring!
Supporting and Training Professionals
We also offer support and training for professionals working with infants and their families.
