Support for Expectant & New Families in Portsmouth
Partly funded by Portsmouth City Council
Some of our Bump & Baby Sessions are funded by Portsmouth City Council as part of the Start for Life Funding.
About Us
Birth Preparation Workshops
Birth Preparation Workshops
Birth Preparation Workshops
Informative workshops to help you prepare for labour and birth.
Baby Massage Sessions
Birth Preparation Workshops
Birth Preparation Workshops
Relaxed sessions to help you bond with your baby, and learn baby massage techniques.
Starting Solids Workshops
Birth Preparation Workshops
Starting Solids Workshops
Informal workshops to help you prepare for the next stage in your parenting journey.
Birth Preparation Workshops
When you first find out you are pregnant, birth is often the last thing you’re thinking about - it seems such a long way away. However, as the end of your pregnancy approaches, you may start to think about how your baby will be born, what your options are, and things you might need to consider.
About the workshop
Suitable from 30 weeks, our evidence-based antenatal workshops are designed to help you prepare for your labour and birth in a simple way. All the information you need, packed into a 3 hour workshop. During the workshop we will aim to cover;
- Place of birth/birth plans
- What happens to the body during labour
- Stages of labour
- How breathing can help
- Pain relief options
- Interventions
- Role of the birth partner
- Hospital Bags
- The 4th Trimester
Each booking is for up to 2 adults, and you will receive handouts to take away with you to look back at after the session. Refreshments will be provided.
Course Locations & Times
Sessions take place once a month at Somerstown Family Hub, 12-3pm.
Booking is essential.
Testimonial
" The antenatal workshop was fantastic. It had a very friendly atmosphere and Sarah was very knowledgeable! No questions were frowned upon and my husband enjoyed the session too! "
Baby Massage
We know that many partners return to work soon after the birth of their baby, and are unable to access Monday to Friday groups that are available, or that groups only allow for 1 adult to attend. Our sessions allow two adults to attend with each baby, giving both parents the opportunity to learn these skills together.
About the sessions
We offer our baby massage classes as one-off sessions, on alternate Saturday mornings, or as 4 week courses on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons.
Capacity for each session is 8 families, with a maximum of 2 adults per baby.
These sessions are not suitable for older siblings, however, the Saturday sessions run alongside our Families group, where older children can attend with an adult.
Course Locations & Times
Alternate Saturdays, 9.30-11am, Somerstown Family Hub
Tuesdays, 1.30-2.30pm, Northern Parade Family Hub
Wednesdays, 1.30-2.30pm, Milton Park Family Hub
Booking is essential.
Testimonial
"The baby massage session was fantastic, the knowledge Sarah shared with us all is so useful and the massages have now become part of our bedtime routine. Highly recommended especially as both parents can attend."
Starting Solids Workshops
The idea of introducing food to your baby, when all they have had until this point has been milk, can be really daunting. With so much information available, and conflicting advice from well-meaning friends and family, it can be hard to know where to start.
About the sessions
This 2 hour workshop will give you the latest evidence-based information (in line with NHS guidance) so you can make the best informed choices for you and your baby. The session is really relaxed and informal, with plenty of opportunity to ask questions.
WHAT WILL WE COVER?
During the course of the workshop we will cover;
- Signs of readiness
- Baby-led weaning
- Spoon/puree feeding
- Combining approaches
- Drinks/milk
- Snacks
- Meal ideas
Each booking is for up to 2 adults, and you are welcome to bring your baby with you. After attending the session, you’ll receive a digital copy of the Chilled Mama’s Starting Solids Guide.
Course Locations & Times
Sessions are one per month at both:
Paulsgrove Family Hub- Monday 9:30-11:30am
Milton Park Family Hub- Thursday 9:30-11:30am
Booking is essential.
Testimonial
"A valuable workshop to gain a good insight into starting solids. Helped me feel more relaxed and look forward to starting weaning."
About Sarah
About Sarah
Sarah is mum to two boys, and is passionate about the perinatal period, and supporting parents and families at this time in their lives. Following 10 years as a qualified primary school teacher, Sarah retrained to deliver antenatal and baby classes with The Daisy Foundation. 11 years on, she is excited to be able to share her knowledge and expertise through The Parenting Network, delivering antenatal workshops, baby massage classes, and starting solids workshops. If you’d like to know more about what we do, please pop Sarah an email at sarah@theparentingnetwork.co.uk