Community HUGS
HUGS stands for "Happiness, Understanding, Giving and Sharing"
The Aim of the Research
This therapeutic playgroup was developed in recognition of the fact that the transition to parenthood can be difficult and that problems experienced during this transition, including post-natal depression, can take their toll on a variety of areas, including the opportunity for mothers and their babies to experience "hugs" and have fun together.
Playgroups
The playgroup consists of 10 structured sessions. Each session lasts for 1.5 hours and focuses on enhancing the mother-baby relationship through:
- Exploring new ways of managing infants, while encouraging mothers to look after their own needs
- Facilitating positive interactions between mothers and infants
- Sharing observations and anxieties, in a supportive setting
- Experiencing fun, laughter and a positive, accepting atmosphere.
Session content includes:
- Play and physical contact
- Baby massage
- Learning about babies' personalities and preferred styles of relating, through observing and increasing parents' understanding of their baby's cues
- Examining mothers' feelings and responses to their baby's cues
Previous research has found that the HUGS Playgroup has a number of benefits for mothers and babies. However, so far the HUGS Playgroup has only been delivered in a clinical setting. The aim of the research is to see how this Playgroup works in a community based setting.