BABY AWARE RESOURCE MANUAL FOR

INVERCLYDE

Kilmacolm Port Glasgow Greenock Gourock Inverkip Wemyss Bay

Baby Aware Resource Manual for Inverclyde

INDEX Activities Page

Financial Advice and Support Page

Foodbank Page

Employment Support Page

Health and Fitness Page

Infant Feeding Support Page

Including Breast/Bottle feeding Support Page

Nutrition and Starting Solid Foods Page

Minor Ailment Scheme (MAS) Page

NHS24 Scotland Page

Online Resources Page

Oral Health Page

Parenting Support Page

Speech and Language Therapy Page

Help to Stop Smoking Page

Stress/Post-Natal Support Page

Toddler Groups Page

ACTIVITIES Inverclyde Bookbug Sessions Bookbug Sessions are free, fun and friendly events for babies, toddlers, pre-schoolers and their families to enjoy together, lasting around 30 minutes. They include songs, stories and rhymes and are a chance to spend some quality time with your little one and meet with other parents in your local area. Sessions help to build up your child’s confidence and social skills, giving their speech and language development a real boost. There is no need to book. Sessions take place in the following Libraries and Early Years & Community Establishments Library Telephone No. Central Library 01475 712323 Gourock Library 01475 712340 Inverkip & Wemyss Bay Library 01475 715676 Kilmacolm Library 01475 715621 Port Glasgow Library 01475 715629 South West Library 01475 715667 Early Years & Community Establishments Telephone No. Auchmountain Halls* 01475 714987 Bluebird Family Centre 01475 715722 Glenbrae Children's Centre 01475 714987 Rainbow Family Centre 01475 715724 Upper Larkfield Tenants' Hall** 01475 715759 *In conjunction with Glenbrae Children's Centre **In conjunction with Larkfield Children's Centre Baby Massage Baby massage is suitable for all growing children, especially young babies. Loving touch and skin contact help your baby to thrive and helps new parents to gain confidence in handling their baby as well as helping both the parents and baby to relax. In baby massage, your baby is learning to enjoy the

sensation of being handled and stroked. Touch is important for your babies’ physical and emotional wellbeing and helps develop the baby’s body awareness. It also helps babies with colic by breaking the anxiety-pain cycle and improving digestion and will improve the babies sleeping pattern and settling problems. As well as doing it home, you can attend free baby massage classes at the Rainbow family Centre. For more information contact: Rainbow Family Centre t| 01475 715724

FINANCIAL ADVICE & SUPPORT Advice Services Team For money and debt advice including budgeting, free debt arrangement and bankruptcy support and advice, contact money advisers at: Newark house Scarlow Street Port Glasgow PA14 5EY t| 01475 715965 For benefit and tax credit advice, including help with the Scottish Welfare Fund and the under-occupancy restriction (bedroom tax/spare room supplement) and help to appeal, or to access social work services such as homecare, make an appointment to see an Information Worker at – Darlymple House Newark House 195 Darlymple St. Scarlow Street Greenock Port Glasgow PA15 1UN PA14 5EY t| 01475 714100 t| 01475 714 900 Benefit and tax credit appeals and training A team of welfare rights officers provide representation at social security and tax credit appeals, on referral. Please note this service is not directly accessible

by the public – if you want representation and are not already in contact with the welfare rights unit, see an information worker who will make a referral. The team also provides training on benefits and tax credits to community and third sector groups and other organisations. Taill O’ The Bank credit Union Limited 14 Kilblain Street, Greenock PA15 1ST t| 01475 734655 Port Glasgow Credit Union 1 John Wood Street, Port Glasgow PA14 5HU t| 01475 744810 Scotwest Credit Union www.scotwest.co.uk Grand Central Savings www.grandcentralsavings.org.uk/Greenock.htm Legal Service Agency www.lsa.org.uk

FOODBANK Today in Inverclyde there are families struggling to put food on the table. For people on low incomes, a sudden crisis - redundancy, benefit delay or even an unexpected bill - can mean going hungry. Every day parents skip meals to feed their children and people are forced to choose between paying the rent and eating. Inverclyde foodbank provides emergency food and support to local people in crisis. Foodbanks help to prevent family breakdown, housing loss, crime and mental health problems. We also take time to listen and signpost people to further support. Inverclyde foodbank is part of The Trussell Trust’s UK-wide foodbank network. This helps local churches and communities to open foodbanks, providing emergency food to thousands of people nationwide every year.

Contact Us Inverlcyde foodbank, 64-66 West Blackhall Street, Greenock PA15 1XG t| 01475 787177 m| 07788 980331 e| inverclydefoodbank@thei58project.com

EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT Trust Employability Services Offer a range of support and training services to people who are unemployed or in a low paid job - preparing individuals to secure and sustain employment or to help improve their position whilst in work. Advice on application forms, C.V's and general advice are available at any of our offices in Greenock, John Wood Street and Port Glasgow Business and Training Centre. The Trust Westburn Centre, 175 Dalrymple Street, Greenock PA15 1JZ t| 01475 553300 f| 01475 730061 Trust Employability Ground Floor Westburn Centre, 175 Dalrymple Street, Greenock PA15 1JZ t| 01475 553349 Volunteer Centre First Floor, Westburn Centre, 175 Dalrymple Street, Greenock PA15 1JZ t| 01475 553334 Inverclyde Advice & Employment Rights Centre 16 Nicolson Street, Greenock PA15 1JU t| 01475 888039

HEALTH AND FITNESS Inverclyde Leisure Pre School Swimming Programme Waterfront Complex Tadpoles 6-15 months Frogs 16-24 months Ducklings 2-3 years Pre-School 3-5 years t| 01475 797979 for details Port Glasgow Pool Pre-School t| 01475 797979 for details

INFANT FEEDING SUPPORT Breastfeeding NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde believes that breastfeeding is the healthiest way for a woman to feed her baby and recognises the important health benefits now known to exist for both the mother and her child. Skin to skin contact This special sensitive time plays an important role in strengthening bonding between mother and baby. It helps to keep the baby warm, helps to raise the baby’s blood sugar, calms the mother and gets breastfeeding off to a good start. Rooming-in Keeping the mother and baby in close or direct contact helps the hormones that establish lactation. It also enables the mother to recognise feeding cues and therefore facilitates demand feeding.

For more information about breastfeeding, please contact your Midwife or Health Visitor, or you can attend one of the breastfeeding support groups in Inverclyde listed below. Antenatal workshop First Tuesday of the month Level F, Inverclyde Royal Hospital, Greenock t| 01475 504698 Antenatal women welcome Wednesday The Baby café, Rainbow Family Centre, Oronsay Avenue, Port Glasgow Antenatal women welcome Wednesday Antenatal women welcome Thursday Duchal Nursery, Park Cottage Broomknowe Road, Kilmacolm t| 01475 701058

For further information, please see contacts below.

Email Inverclyde Breastfeeding Mothers ibfmums@googlemail.com Facebook Join Inverclyde Breastfeeding mums on Facebook. Their aim is “to help increase the number of local women choosing to breastfeed, provide help and information to mums as they establish feeding and give ongoing support”.

Text A Texting service is also available for those ‘Thinking about breastfeeding’. Text Inverclyde Breast Friends on t| 07770 902 082 Telephone The Breastfeeding Network t| 0300 100 0210 National Breastfeeding Helpline t| 0300 100 0212 National Childbirth Trust t| 0300 330 0771 (breastfeeding) Web Pages www.feedgoodfactor.org.uk www.babyfriendly.org.uk www.readysteadybaby.org.uk Weaning Weaning fayres are held once a month in various venues across Inverclyde with information from a Community Nutritionist, Health Visitor, Oral Health Educator and a Speech and Language Technical Instructor, as well as a demonstration from the Red Cross. Contact your health visitor for details or look out for information in local community venues and doctors' surgeries. Healthy Start Vitamins Although most of the vitamins you need should come from healthy foods you eat, young children, pregnant and breastfeeding mums may need vitamin supplements. You can get free vitamin supplements (if on certain benefits) with Healthy Start, as well as vouchers to buy (infant or cows) milk, fresh and frozen fruit and vegetables from participating pharmacies and shops. Application forms are available at www.healthystart.nhs.uk or through your Health Visitor or Midwife. The vitamin supplements are free for pregnant women and for children from 6

months until their 4th birthday (if in receipt of Healthy Start benefit). The vitamins can also be bought from participating pharmacies for those not entitled to free vitamins. Starting Solid Foods When is the best time to start your baby on solid foods? Introducing your baby to solid foods (weaning), should start when your baby is around 6 months old. This gives your baby the best chance for good health throughout their life according to recent research supported by the World Health Organisation and Scottish Government. Until 6 months of age, your baby’s digestive system and kidneys are still developing and breast milk (or infant formula) will provide all your baby’s needs. After 6 months your baby will need more nutrients than milk alone can provide, for example, iron. Why it pays to wait until your baby is ready If you are breastfeeding, feeding only breast milk up to around 6 months will give them extra protection against infection, and will continue to protect them for as long as you carry on. Weaning too soon may increase the risk of asthma, eczema, digestive problems, allergies and obesity in later life. Whether your baby has breast milk or infant formula, waiting until your baby is ready for food will save a lot of time too, as: Your baby will quickly be able to feed themselves with less mess Your baby will be able to swallow properly there is no need to sterilise bowls or spoons there may no need to puree, but finger foods or mashed food can be given. How to start your baby on solid foods You should continue with breast or formula milk while gradually introducing solid foods. Solid food should be offered to your baby after his/her usual milk feeds. Babies don’t need three meals a day to start with, so you can start by offering foods at a time that suits you both. Gradually you’ll be able to increase the amount and variety of food your baby eats until they can eventually eat the same as the rest of the family, in smaller portions. The booklet ‘Fun First Foods: An easy guide to introducing solid foods’ has the most up-to-date, helpful advice, tips and recipes on the different stages of weaning for your baby. How do I get a copy of ‘Fun First Foods’? Come to a Starting Solids Health Event (see below) where you can pick one up (Ask your Health Visitor for more details about these events).

If you have internet access (free at Renfrewshire libraries), you can find this leaflet in English and other languages at: www.healthscotland.com/documents/303.aspx A short film on weaning your baby onto solids and cooking first foods can be viewed at:

www.chps.org.uk/content/default.asp?page=s448_13_14 Food Standards Agency www.eatwell.gov.uk contains independent and up-to-date information on a variety of food and diet related topics. These include healthy diet for all ages, keeping food safe, recipes, advice for vegetarians and vegans, links on approved E numbers, etc. ‘Starting Solids’ Health Event Knowing where to start when your child is ready for solids can be a worry for new parents. At Weaning events you can get tips and advice on everything for your baby and watch a live demonstration on weaning and food preparation for babies. Weaning Packs are also available at discounted prices (including a food blender and much more) and at the end you can take home a free goody bag including recipe ideas. Mums, Dads, Grannies, Grandpas and babies welcome!

MINOR AILMENT SCHEME (MAS) What is the Minor Ailment Scheme? Eligible patients (registered with a GP in Scotland) who have a minor ailment, can make use of the minor ailment Service (MAS) offered free of charge in pharmacies (with the exception of people who are resident in a care home, temporary residents). The service provides your local Community Pharmacy as the first port of call for minor ailments where patients can obtain advice and treatment for a wide range of common conditions including pain relief, cough and cold treatments along with baby’s teething, hay fever and head lice treatment.

How does it work? You register for the service with the community pharmacy of your choice. No need to make an appointment, come whenever suits you best. You will have a consultation in the pharmacy with a trained member of staff. If your pharmacist thinks that you need a medicine or product to treat your symptoms, it will be provided. You may receive advice only or referral to your GP if this is more appropriate. How do I register? You can register for MAS at any community pharmacy at any time. Your pharmacist will ask you some details - name, date of birth, gender, GP and postcode. He or she will also check whether you previously paid for your prescriptions. Your pharmacist completes a form which you must sign to register for the service. You will be asked to mark the reason why you didn’t pay for your prescriptions on the form. Your pharmacist will ask you for proof of your exemption, for example your maternity or medical exemption certificate or HC2 certificate. It is important to bring this information with you. Your pharmacist will then print a separate form for every eligible member of your family who is registering for the service. You will still need to go to your GP if you need a medicine that you can only get on prescription from your GP or if your symptoms are more serious than a simple condition. If unsure, check with your pharmacist. What does the service offer? You will be able to get advice and free treatment from your community pharmacist for minor illnesses and ailments such as: Acne, athlete's foot, back ache, cold sores, constipation, cough, diarrhoea, ear ache, eczema and allergies, haemorrhoids (piles), hay fever, headache, head lice, indigestion, mouth ulcers, nasal congestion, pain, period pain, thrush, sore throat, threadworms, warts and verruca. If your pharmacist feels that it is better for you to see your GP then they may refer you directly or ask you to make an appointment with your GP.

Can I still go to my GP? Yes. You can still make an appointment with your GP if you feel this is more suitable. Can I still use other pharmacies? Yes. You can still use other pharmacies to buy medicines or to pick up your prescriptions. However, you can only register for MAS with one pharmacy so register with the pharmacy which is most convenient for you. You can change your registration to another pharmacy if it is more suitable

NHS24 SCOTLAND For 24 hour access to self-help guides in advance for basic health problems, and help in deciding whether to contact NHS24 or see an Out of Hours Doctor Telephone: 111 Or visit: www.nhs24.com

ONLINE RESOURCES Contraception For information on all sexual health services www.sandyford.org Domestic Abuse Helpline This helpline, run in partnership with Scottish Woman’s Aid, is a national service for women experiencing domestic violence, their family, friends, colleagues and others calling on their behalf. Call for confidential support and information. Free phone | 0800 027 1234 (24 Hour Helpline) Domestic Abuse Helpline for Men t| 0808 801 0327 Women and Children First

The project provides a range of support services to women and children who have experienced rape, sexual assault, physical abuse, harassment and/or child sexual abuse, whether in the home or in the wider community. t| 0300 300 0345 Netmums Netmums offers online help and forums for nationwide and local budget friendly family activities. It also provides budgeting advice, guidance on returning to work and local support groups including mother and toddler groups, breastfeeding support etc. It offers an online, drop-in clinic where any question about babies, children and parenting can be asked. Trained Parent Supporters and Health Visitors are available 9:00am and 3:00pm Monday to Friday and 7:30pm to 9.30pm every evening. www.netmums.com Other websites of interest: www.immunisationscotland.org.uk Information on why immunisations are important, vaccines available, when to immunise, including latest recommendations on whooping cough immunisation. www.playtalkread.org Scottish Government resource with fun, interactive activities, ideas and advice for your baby and support contact details for parents or carers. www.readysteadytoddler.org.uk NHS hands-on guide to help you through the challenges and rewards of the toddler years.

ORAL HEALTH Childsmile - improving the oral health of children in Scotland Good oral health in childhood means healthy teeth and gums throughout life. Your Health Visitor/Public Health Nurse or Childsmile Dental Health Support Worker will introduce you to Childsmile. They will give you oral health advice and provide you with a free toothbrush

and 1000ppm fluoride toothpaste. They can also help you find a dental practice in your area. Aim to register your baby with a dentist soon after birth or at least as soon as the first tooth appears. Taking your baby to the dental practice as early as possible helps your child get used to the sights, sounds and smells of a dental practice. At the dental practice, you will be given advice and support from the dental team, who will show you how you can stop your child from suffering from tooth decay in the future. From the age of two, the dental practice team can provide additional preventive care, such as fluoride varnish. For more information, ask your Health Visitor or visit www.child-smile.org.uk The Oral Health Action Team (OHAT) can be contacted on t| 01475 502515 Remember! Brush teeth twice a day using fluoride toothpaste (1000ppm) Register with a dentist and visit regularly Keep sugary foods and drinks to mealtimes only

PARENTING SUPPORT Kids don’t come with an instruction manual so when it comes to parenting, how do you know what’s best and what works? Barnardo’s Inverclyde co-ordinate the parenting programmes within the area and provide a wide range of support services for families with special needs infants/children, Befriending and Carer’s Support Groups. For further information contact Triple P - Positive Parenting Program® Information and support is available in your area, at the level you need it. Every parent can benefit from the right kind of information or support at the right time. Parents can choose from a variety of options, whether you just want some handy hints and tips from a Seminar in your local school or Nursery, or you feel you need the focus of meeting one to one with a trained Triple P Specialist for a particular behaviour, or maybe the support of meeting with other parents like

you in a group, Triple P has something to offer you. For further details contact telephone: Mellow Parenting Mellow Parenting is a group which runs for 14 week, one day a week. It is designed to support families who have relationship problems with their infants or young children. Nurturing Inverclyde Parents This is a new group programme developed by Barnardo’s for families within Inverclyde. This programme aims to support parents in preparing and caring for their new baby, despite experiencing additional difficulties in life, such as leaving care or having a drug or alcohol dependency. EarlyBird and EarlyBird Plus EarlyBird and EarlyBird Plus programmes are three-month programmes for parents of children who have received a diagnosis of an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) up to age 9 years. Cygnet Programme The Cygnet Programme is a six week programme for the parents of children over the age of 9 years who have received a diagnosis of an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The programme is designed to empower parents through education about ASD’s. Handling Teenage Behaviour Handling teenage behaviour is a 10 week group programme for the parents of teenagers. It seeks to help parents or carers to improve their confidence in managing their children’s behaviour. Barnardo’s Provides a wide range of support services for families with special needs infants/children, including Home Care (respite), befriending and Carer’s Support Groups. Barnardos 9 Terrace Road, Greenock PA15 1DJ t| 01475 728493

Parentline Scotland This is a free helpline and email service for anyone with a concern (no matter how big or small) about a child. t| 0800 028 2233 e| parentlinescotland@children1st.org.uk

SPEECH AND LANGUAGE THERAPY What is speech and language therapy? Speech & Language Therapists (SLTs) help babies and children who have speech, language, communication, or feeding difficulties. We offer a service to babies and children 0-18 years and we work across a variety of settings including homes, nurseries, schools, and clinics. We aim to work alongside parents/carers and professionals in order to support and develop children’s speech, language, and communication skills. We offer advice, training, support, and intervention depending on the needs of the child and the impact their difficulty is having on their lives. Who can it help? Speech and Language Therapy can offer advice, support and intervention for babies and children who:

Have difficulties understanding instructions/information.

Have delayed expressive language skills e.g. difficulty using words or forming sentences.

Have unclear speech.

Have a stammer/stutter.

Are frustrated at not being understood or being unable to communicate their needs.

Have difficulty eating and drinking and/or have swallowing problems. Need more information? Please contact our department for information, advice, or to discuss a referral for your child. Our department has an open referral system enabling a parents/carer or professional to make a referral.

Contact information: SLT Dept, Port Glasgow Health Centre, 2 Bay St, Port Glasgow t| 01475 506005 The following websites offer practical advice and guidance: www.talkingpoint.co.uk www.stammering.org www.nhs.uk/Conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/Pages/solid-foods-weaning

HELP TO STOP SMOKING Babies and children exposed to second-hand smoke are at a particular risk of developing serious illness. Exposure to second-hand smoke is strongly linked to such risks as: Lung disease – babies have delicate lungs and tobacco smoke can cause severe breathing problems and reduce lung growth. Coughs, phlegm, wheezing, bronchitis and pneumonia are more common in children living with smokers. More than 17,000 children under 5 are hospitalised every year for chest infections caused by second-hand smoke. Asthma – Asthma is more common and asthma attacks are more frequent and severe for children exposed to tobacco smoke. Ear Problems – Glue ear and recurrent ear infections are caused by passive smoking. Cot death – Breathing in tobacco smoke increases the risk of cot death. Unborn Babies - Even babies that are still in the mother’s womb are affected by second-hand smoke. If the mother breathes in second hand smoke, the chemicals in the smoke make their way to her unborn baby – and that’s more likely to cause harm such as low birth weight and increased risks associated with it.

Local Stop Smoking Service Weekday and evening Stop Smoking Support Sessions are run in local venues throughout the area. Some of these venues include:

Gourock Health Centre

Greenock Health Centre

John Wood Street - Port Glasgow Stop Smoking Support Sessions are relaxed, informal and fun. They last for 7 weeks in total, with each session lasting about an hour. Quitting smoking with a support session is one of the best ways to stop successfully. We can also offer one-to-one support in exceptional circumstances or telephone support if you are housebound. If you are interested in attending a support session or would like additional information on the services available in the Inverclyde area, please contact us on 01475 501 226. Smokefree Pregnancy Service If you are pregnant and want to stop smoking the Smokefree Pregnancy Service have specially trained stop smoking advisors to help you. We can give you free support, encouragement, advice and information. We will also arrange free nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) if required. t| 0141 201 2335 Smokefree Pharmacy Service Within Greater Glasgow and Clyde, all community pharmacies are offering one-to-one support to smokers who want to stop. The pharmacies also directly supply Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) which means you don't need to go to your GP for a prescription. Pharmacies also offer one-to-one support to patients prescribed Champix® by their GP. Using NRT or Champix® together with one-to-one support increases your chance of stopping smoking. You'll visit your chosen pharmacy for 5-10 minutes, once a week for up to 12 weeks, at a time that suits both you and the pharmacist. During this time you will be provided with lots of practical advice and support to help you stop smoking. Why not act now and pop in to your local pharmacy (near home or work) and get started stopping?

Smokeline Smokeline is Scotland’s national stop smoking helpline and is available from 8:00am – 10:00pm (all year round). t| 0800 84 84 84 For help via your mobile phone, text “QUIT” to 83434. You can also check out the following websites:

Healthier Scotland www.cantstopsmoking.com

NHS GGC Smokefree Service www.nhsggcsmokefree.org.uk

STRESS/POST-NATAL SUPPORT We understand that from time to time that the emotional issues of being a mum and/or a parent can arise and these can be discussed with either, your midwife, health visitor or GP. It may be that you can be referred to the local Special Needs in Pregnancy Service or signposted to other appropriate support services. If you have a social worker, they can also provide you with some assistance. Other local post-natal support services are provided by Barnardo's Nurture Service on 01475 728493 and they can also help with family and parenting support. Support is also accessible online at www.chooselife.net/ask and www.stepsforstress.org. Breathing Space Confidential phone line to call if you’re feeling down. t| 0800 83 85 87 Lines are open:

6pm – 2am, Monday – Thursday

6pm Friday – 6am Monday (24hrs) Samaritans Available 24 hours a day to provide confidential emotional support for those experiencing feelings of distress, despair or suicidal thoughts. t| 08457 90 90 90

TODDLER GROUPS Details are correct at time of printing December 2013. Please note that many groups only meet during term-time (best to check using contact details). Legislation is in place that should ensure all groups that have any adult caring for children unsupervised have had an Enhanced Disclosure check or have Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme membership. As it was not possible for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to verify each check to date, we would advise you check with each group yourself. Kilmacolm Port Glasgow Greenock Gourock Inverkip Wemyss Bay

www.inverclyde.gov.uk/community-life.../children-young-people www.netmums.com/west-scotland/local/index/baby-toddler/parent-toddler-groups/Inverclyde To find out the specific toddler groups in your area, visit the websites above

and enter your postcode. Your nearest facilities will be displayed. Free phone 0800 052 9126 or 712894 (Inverclyde Council early years) for info on all childcare, childminders, nurseries, afterschool care and toddler groups.