New government campaign aims to support parents to nurture bonds with their baby

Start for Life: ‘if they could tell you’ is a new government campaign that aims to highlight that babies’ expressions, reactions, noises and cries are the way they communicate their needs and feelings to parents, which can be an indication of their mental wellbeing.

The government wants to help parents and carers learn how to interpret these cues so they can find the best way to meet their baby’s needs, as new research highlights many parents are unaware of the link between their baby’s good mental health and early childhood development.

Minister for Public Health, Start for Life and Primary Care, Dame Andrea Leadsom, says: “We are committed to giving every baby the best start in life, and promoting that vital secure attachment between babies and their parents in the 1,001 critical days from pregnancy to two years old is crucial for their future wellbeing.

“Speaking with parents across the country, I’ve heard first-hand that they need more support around how to better build those connections. Parents can access a range of support and advice, in person via family hubs and on the Start for Life website. We are also launching new guidance for frontline practitioners, aimed at helping them to start conversations with parents about building their relationship with their baby.”

For further information visit: www.gov.uk/government/news/start-for-life-campaign-if-they-could-tell-you?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications-topic&utm_source=d03e3d33-4978-4b21-808a-91810cfe11c9&utm_content=daily