Young Parents

Help for Young Parents

Being a young parent can be difficult due to stigma, juggling parenthood with education or a job, and the inevitable social challenges. You may feel nervous, scared or unprepared for the demands of being a parent.

Most parents need help, especially when it comes to help with running errands, getting clothes and baby supplies, babysitting, and just having someone to talk with.

This page offers support to anyone under 20 in Trafford who is pregnant, parenting or raising children. We’ve listed free telephone and email helplines, parenting groups and other resources useful for local young parents. You might want to start with the NHS’ young parents guide

Mental Health:

It’s common to feel flustered, frustrated and helpless at times. Talking to other parents can provide relief and reassurance. You may want to join a support group in your community – see potential groups around Trafford below – or chat to other young mums online (try www.mumsnet.com or www.netmums.com).

If some of your feelings are especially difficult to deal with, you may want to seek support from your doctor or a mental health professional (a counsellor, psychologist, psychiatrist or social worker). If you ever feel overwhelmed and unable to care for your child, even temporarily, talk to your doctor or contact child protection services.

Physical Health During Pregnancy:

If you have been experiencing any worrying symptoms, call your midwife, doctor, or maternity unit straight away, as it may be dangerous for the baby. Listed below are a few common symptoms and issues.

Signs of Pre-eclampsia:

  • Pain on either side, or both sides of lower belly
  • Visual disturbances (blurring, double vision etc.)
  • Headache
  • Swelling in hands, face and eyes

Vaginal bleeding may indicate a serious complication if it is:

  • Bleeding that’s different from your normal period, so lighter in flow or darker in colour than usual. This, with severe, persistent, one-sided pain in your tummy, may be a sign of an ectopic pregnancy.
  • Heavy bleeding combined with persistent back pain or abdominal pain. This may be a sign of miscarriage.
  • Sudden, painless bleeding. This may happen if you have a low-lying placenta, which will have been seen at your 20-week scan.
  • Fresh or dark bleeding with or without clots in later pregnancy could mean you have placental abruption.
  • Heavy bleeding may mean you’re going into premature labour, if you’re less than 37 weeks pregnant.

If you have noticed that your baby is moving about less than usual, contact your midwife or hospital, as it may mean he’s in distress. If you’re over 28 weeks do this immediately.

To read about other symptoms and dangers, go to the baby centre’s website.

What would raising a baby by myself mean for my future goals and plans?

If you are a pregnant or parenting teenager, you are still entitled to the same training and education as other students. While continuing education can be challenging in your situation, it is possible if you know your options and a way forward. Continuing some form of education until 18 years old is compulsory, however, legally, schools must provide support to help young parents and pregnant teenagers complete their studies. Schools may have to adapt the way they teach you, the way they assess you, any uniform or dress codes and even the hours you need to attend to make sure you are able to continue your education.

Continuing education can enable young parents to gain more qualifications in order to get a stable, well-paying job for the future, which can in turn improve financial stability which become more important during pregnancy and while taking care of a child. As young parents are likely to be in some form of education, Trafford has many resources to help with living situations, baby equipment, and childcare.

Support:

Both single parents and partnered parents need to provide the non-stop care and attention that a child needs. Having a partner and/or family members to share the work makes the job a lot easier, but it can cause stress and arguments on even the strongest relationships. Raising a child on your own has unique benefits and challenges. Either way, being realistic about your day-to-day life and the support you’ll need is important when
you’re thinking about raising a child.

Many people find themselves parenting on their own, or they choose to become single parents. Being a single parent can be tough, but it’s definitely not impossible. Plenty of people do it, and many single-parent families are healthy and happy. Parenting on your own has unique advantages, too. You won’t have to make compromises with a partner and you can raise your child with your own values

For most people, raising a child on their own is also super challenging. The responsibility for your child is 100% on you, and you may have to make a lot of sacrifices that you don’t expect.

If you’re thinking about parenting on your own, talk with your family and friends about the help you’ll need. Be realistic about how much time, energy, and money the people in your life can give to you and your baby. And get support from the groups and organisations we’ve listed below; you’re not alone!


Where can you get help?

  • Butterflies Young Parents Groups – The Butterflies groups are especially for parents under the age of 20. You can get new info and tips plus the chance to talk to people who understand what you’re going through. They offer lots of activities and a safe place for your little ones to play. If you want to attend Butterflies, contact the Young Parents Co-ordinator at Talkshop Trafford on 0161 912 2497. Timings and Venues are: Tuesday 11-2: Lostock Youth Centre, Selby Road, Stretford, M23 9PL and Wednesday 11-2: Talkshop, Tatton Road, Sale Waterside, Sale, M33 7ZF

Used this service? Tell Healthwatch Trafford about it here.

  • Young Bumps – Young Bumps is a friendly group for pregnant young mums under the age of 20. You can meet new friends, celebrate your pregnancy, get advice, information and support while having fun.
    The aim is to deliver a good level of antenatal care and to provide pregnant teenagers across Trafford with knowledge and information to help them with their pregnancy, labour and the few first weeks of being a mum. This takes place every Friday 11am to 2pm (Transport Provided). For more information, call 01619122453 for the Young Parents Practitioner or visit the Talkshop, Tatton Road, Sale Waterside, M33 7ZF.

Used this service? Tell Healthwatch Trafford about it here.

  • Trafford Little Bundles – Trafford Little Bundles provides equipment and clothing for babies under a year old, for families who are experiencing significant financial difficulties. Items they can provide include moses baskets, prams, washing and changing equipment, toys and books. A referral is required. For more information, email traffordlittlebundles@gmail.com.
  • Home-Start Trafford, Salford and Wigan – As a parent you might ask for Home-Start’s help for all sorts of reasons – for instance if you feel isolated in your community, have no family nearby and be struggling to make friends. They support any family living in Trafford with a child of any age and who maybe finding it hard to cope. After asking for our support you will meet with one of our local co-ordinators
    who will carefully match you with one of our volunteers. Our volunteers, who all have parenting experience and have been safely recruited, will visit you for a couple of hours a week and give you both emotional and practical help. For more information, call 0161 865 4222, email admin@hsts.org.uk, go to hsts.org.uk/get-help/ or visit their office at Stretford Children’s Centre, 9 Poplar Road, Stretford, M32 9AN.

Used this service? Tell Healthwatch Trafford about it here.


Urgent Help

Speak to:

  • your midwife
    Wythenshaw hospital: 0161 291 2950,
    St Mary’s hospital: 0161 276 6246 or
    Trafford General: 0161 746 2026
  • your health visitor
    Trafford Health Visiting Team tel 0161 912 5016
  • your own GP

Or you can call the NHS on 111 if you’re not sure what to do (open 24 hours – free calls)