Mum’s the word in baby news success
Nov 19 2007 by Audrey Barton, The Journal
A NORTH-East project that gives advice to new mums and dads could be rolled out nationally after its success with families in the region.
More than 200 mothers in North Tyneside have taken part in the Baby Express project funded and organised by The Children’s Foundation which sends them a newsletter each month giving advice and tips on their child’s development.
The Baby, Toddler and Kids Express contains useful information in an attractive and easy to read magazine style.
Joanne Cartwright of West Allotment, Newcastle, has been involved since she gave birth to her daughter Ellie, now aged five. The working mum and her husband Joe, both 35, have received all the newsletters over the years. She said: “I learned so much from it. It was all about what your baby could be doing rather than should be. We could get excited about things and it gave us more confidence. It was presented really well and I could read it from cover to cover in 20 minutes with a coffee.”
The mother-of-one, a purchasing executive, supports the idea of the newsletter being made available to parents across the country.
She added: “We got so much from it. I think parents who might not have had such a strong family environment in their upbringing could really benefit from the information which just comes through the door at no charge. It could be a great help to younger mums.”
Consultant paediatrician and senior lecturer in child health at Newcastle University, Dr Tony Waterston started the project six years ago after seeing a similar product in the USA. He said: “The response has been very positive from both mothers and fathers. It is a really attractive newsletter and everyone who sees it seems to love it. It was great fun doing it, getting into the children’s issues and looking at what the parents are concerned about.”
Dr Waterston is in talks with the Department of Health to roll the project out nationally from next year. He said: “We are looking at joining a scheme supporting pregnant teenagers and integrating Baby Express. It would start with 100 mothers in Darlington and if that went well we could offer it across the country.
“We are very keen on rolling the whole series out nationally and we are looking for support to do that at the moment. There is a lot of discussion on television and in the media about bringing up children and people are anxious that what they are doing is right. We have the right level of information which is consistent and easy to digest.”
He wished to thank the North Tyneside mothers who have helped with research.
