Our baby group is a fun-filled session for parents and seriously ill babies to do everything you would expect of a baby group, but with added support and understanding.
The shaking of maracas, bean filled trays, the sound of babies babbling and nursey rhymes being sung might not be exactly what people expect to happen at a hospice, but this is exactly what happens twice a month at the Claire House baby group.
Baby group is a relaxed stay and play session for parents and seriously ill babies up to the age of 18 months old.
The group’s main aim is parental peer support. There is opportunity for parents to join in the activities but just as importantly, they can have a chat over a coffee with other parents.
The group is run by Health Care Support Worker, Lucy, who is on hand as a source of information and advice for parents.
“For the parents of a seriously ill baby, attending a baby group can be difficult. Their child might not be meeting developmental milestones and they can have equipment and medications, so attending a group where others don’t understand is hard.”
“For many parents it is reassuring to chat with others who understand the things that affect them such as tube-feeding, how to deal with seizures or the pressures of caring for a child with a serious illness,” says Lucy.
Mum Camila and dad Ben have been attending the group with their son Nathan for five months.
Nathan is 10 months old and has a condition which means his kidneys do not function as they should.
“At Claire House baby group there is no judgement; we can just turn up and have fun. Sometimes it can be hard going to other groups, we feel like we have to explain Nathan’s condition. Here there is no explaining and no comparing. It’s nice to see other babies with tubes and it makes us feel like we’re not alone,” says Ben.
“We find the group is an outlet for us to talk to others, who have similar experiences to ourselves. The group has been a big support, we’ve made friends and have a group chat so we can keep in touch. If one of us is in hospital or needs advice, we’re all there to support each other,” shares Camila.
During each session Play Specialists make sure everyone has fun with lots of activities and sensory play for the babies to get involved in.
“There’s lots of baby massage, stories, music, and every baby will take away something from the group. Whether it be a hand and footprint painting or a cotton wool sheep, there’s always arts and crafts that they take home and stick on the fridge just like for any other baby,” explains Lucy.
“We try to make things as the parents would expect them to be. We know that so much of their journeys have been different, so we try to make things as they would find them at any other group.”
Mum Vicky and 16-month-old Luca also attend the group.
“Luca loves coming along to the group. He loves socialising, so it’s lovely to see him playing with the other babies. He also likes music and dancing but his heart condition means he can become tired and breathless quickly, at Claire House baby group people understand. At other groups I’ve been asked questions like ‘why is he tired, he hasn’t been up for long?’ or ‘Is he better now?’. But here I don’t have to explain, they just understand.
“I get to chat with other parents who have shared experiences. It’s nice to be able to get out the house, have a cup of tea and be able to relax surrounded by others who just get it,” says Vicky.
It is thanks to you, that parents like Camila, Ben and Vicky have a supportive and safe environment to come together, share experiences and have fun with their babies.
