Growing joy in early life!

When we have a baby, it’s normal to find ourselves having to manage a lot of difficult thoughts and feelings. These videos offer you a set of simple strategies for taking care of your mental health in the perinatal period, from a new scientifically proven psychology known as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT.
 

Part 1

Why ACT when we are caring for a baby

The human brain is a problem-solving machine, and it gets even busier when we’ve had a baby!

Everything worthwhile in a human life brings both joy and pain

Part 2

What practical problems need to be addressed first up?

1. Find effective, evidence-based support for breastfeeding problems, bottle-feeding problems, and unsettled baby behaviour
2. Keep the parenting team as strong as possible
3. Think about how best to care for your own needs in the midst of it all
4. Babies need us to respond as best we can to their crying
5. Find groups of like-minded parents

Part 3

Getting your bearings: your values are your compass when life with baby is tough

Part 4

Are you ready to turn off the struggle switch?

Part 5

Noticing and naming what’s happening in your mind and body, then trying out some strategies

Dropping an anchor into the present moment

Making room for unpleasant or painful feelings

Part 6

Doing what matters to you (even when you don’t feel like it)

Part 7

Hand over heart: the power of self-compassion

Click here for a pdf with links to other free ACT resources, which expand upon our videos.

The video resource 'ACT for parents with babies' is supported by Brisbane South PHN with funding from the Australian Government.