North project to help mums

Jan 15 2008 by Audrey Barton, The Journal

TEENAGE mothers across the country are set to benefit from a North-East project giving advice to new mums and dads after its success across the region.

Baby Express is a monthly newsletter giving advice and tips on a child’s development and is followed up with Toddler Express.

Dr Tony Waterston, consultant paediatrician and senior lecturer in child health at Newcastle University, started the project six years ago. It has been trialled on 200 Tyneside mothers and organised and funded by the Children’s Foundation.

Now Dr Waterston is expecting the green light any day from the Department of Health which wants to roll out the project nationally as part of a programme offering support to teenage mothers.

Dr Waterston said: “We are awaiting a decision after formal discussions. I am very hopeful really that this will go national as it was always the intention.

“We did the research in Tyneside as it seems a very good idea and we wanted to see if it worked.

“The first two years are so important in a child’s development and teenage mothers often haven’t finished their education and aren’t mature emotionally. The Baby Express will help offer support and guidance within the programme.”