Happy Baby Corner: introducing solid foods

As part of our Happy Baby Corner series, we’re sharing some top tips for successful weaning.

Introducing solid foods is an important step in your baby’s development. It can be an exciting milestone but for many mums it also brings with it some anxieties and worries - am I giving him the correct foods? Will she choke? What if he won’t eat? Is she eating too much? Should I still give him milk?

Happy Baby Corner: concerns of a breastfeeding mum

Starting to breastfeed can be a difficult time. You’re tired and emotional and then your new baby decides it’s time to feed, feed…and feed again!

As part of our new Happy Baby Corner series, Alison Jee, Infant Feeding Lead for the Trust, shares some of the most common concerns of a new breastfeeding mum and some tips for overcoming them.

How to boost your mood

Low mood can strike at any time of year, but many of us find the winter months – and January in particular – more difficult. 

January is a month of cold weather and dark nights. For many of us, it feels like there isn’t much to look forward to. Worries about our health or finances – especially if we made resolutions we couldn’t stick to – could all be affecting us. So what can you do if you need a mood boost?

Five steps to mental wellbeing

NHS Choices talks about the five steps to mental wellbeing. These are scientifically proven ways to improve your mood, and are excellent advice at any time of year. The five steps are:

·         Connect

·         Be active

·         Keep learning

·         Give to others

·         Be Mindful – or take notice

Things to try

A new hobby can help you tick off a few of the steps in one go. If you take up a new class at the gym, you could be learning, meeting people and being active all at the same time. Crafts are also a great way to learn a new skill, as well as being mindful activities (meaning you’re in the moment while you’re doing them).

You might think you’re not the type of person who goes to the gym or does a craft – but the beauty of trying something new is that you might just surprise yourself. Some ideas are:

·         Cooking

·         Running

·         Crochet or knitting

·         Walking

·         Adult colouring

·         Yoga

·         Volunteering

Small things

A good night’s sleep can do us the world of good, so make sure you’re getting your rest. If you’re having trouble sleeping, NHS Choices have some great tips for better sleep.

Having something to look forward to can also improve our mood. In a way this is the opposite of being mindful, so be happy to know these things are coming up, rather than counting down the days! But something as simple as having a date in the diary to catch up with a friend can help.

What are your top tips for lifting your mood? Let us know in the comments!

If you are struggling with your mental health, make sure you speak to your GP. You can also speak to the Samaritans 24 hours a day, for free, on 116 123 in the UK.

“Thinking differently about difficulties and feeling understood”

Our Let’s Talk – Wellbeing service is helping to reduce anxiety and depression in patients diagnosed with dementia. Read about Andrew’s experience here.

As well as the service featured in our blog post from David, Let’s Talk – Wellbeing also offers support to people in Broxtowe with respiratory, cardiac, memory problems and those at risk of admission to hospital as part of its main service. 

The service uses talking therapies to reduce the emotional distress caused by a person’s physical ill health, whilst helping them to better cope with their condition and manage symptoms. 

Here Richard Alvey, Cognitive Behavioural Therapist, shares the experience of a recent patient Andrew (real name changed):

“Andrew started to become depressed following a diagnosis of dementia. He started to feel anxious in social situations in case his memory would let him down. He felt less motivated to do things and this concerned him as it was out of character.

“This experience has improved my life”

A talking therapies service ran by Let’s Talk – Wellbeing in the Trust is making a difference to the lives of people diagnosed with a long term condition in Broxtowe. 

The service focuses on physical health conditions such as diabetes and dermatological issues, and the psychological effects these can have such as anxiety or depression. The service uses a range of talking therapies to reduce the emotional distress caused by a person’s physical ill health, whilst helping them to better cope with their condition and manage symptoms. 

Here we share David’s story who was recently seen by Kelly McGrory, Cognitive Behavioural Therapist.

“This has been such a positive experience. I encourage anyone who gets the opportunity to make the most of it.

Stopping smoking: Irene's story

Irene Healy is a volunteer at our Involvement Centre. She agreed to give up smoking for a month and to tell us about her experiences. We're sharing Irene's story as part of World COPD Day.

Why I wanted to give up

I wanted to stop smoking for a number of reasons, but mainly for my health. I believe it will give me another ten years’ life and that means I would be able to spend ten more years with my kids and grandkids. I’m ready to change my habit.

Let's talk about suicide

We asked Holly Wilson to help us start a conversation about suicide. Here are her thoughts.

Suicide doesn’t end the chances of life getting worse; it eliminates the possibility of it ever getting any better.

Suicide is one of those words that can silence a room of the loudest speakers. A concept that creates irrational feelings and stigmatic comments. A killer that is ignored by the masses. But why? Fear? Ignorance? Denial?

But not talking about suicide, not talking about suicidal thoughts and feelings, ignoring it exists or not caring that it does, does not mean it won’t happen. In fact, it increases the likelihood that it will.