BabyMinds
For children aged 0 to 4 and their families.
Counseling & Support
BabyMinds offers specialist support for young children (0–4 years) and their families following a medical or difficult start. The focus is on medical preverbal trauma: early physical experiences that become visible in a child’s behaviour, regulation, and the parent-child relationship.
Babies and toddlers have no words yet for what they have been through. But their nervous system remembers. Being hard to settle, tense responses to touch or feeding, difficulty resting: these are signals that can be understood and addressed.
BabyMinds works from the Infant Mental Health (IMH) perspective: an internationally recognised approach in which the bond between parent and child is central, and the child is always present in sessions.
Who is this for?
BabyMinds is for parents of a young child (0–4 years) where a medical or difficult start plays a role.
Prenatal
Sometimes concerns begin before birth. A high-risk pregnancy, a prenatal diagnosis, previous pregnancy loss, or a previous child with a difficult start – all of this can mean you experience this pregnancy differently. BabyMinds offers space for that too: to acknowledge what is happening, and to begin building a connection with your child.
Moreover, we are here to support parents of children who have:
The aim is for your child to keep developing well, despite illness or symptoms – and for distress and unsettledness to ease.
What can I expect?
Our sessions are built around close attention to what your child is communicating. This is how we work:
Initial consultation
During the intake, we take time to discuss your concerns and your child’s presenting difficulties. Together, we draw up a treatment proposal: a programme of blocks of five sessions, with regular moments to review how things are going.
Your child is always present
However small – your child attends the appointments. With a baby, we sit on a thick mat on the floor. With a toddler, at a low table while your child can move around or play. We learn to read your child’s signals together.
Comfortable (title can stay)
We create a calm, safe environment where both you and your child can feel at ease. Wear comfortable clothing – sessions often take place on the floor.
Video Recording (Optional)
We will ask you in advance whether we may record sessions on video. Recordings are used for joint review within sessions. With your consent, they may also be used for training purposes.
NB Objecting to video recordings and/or completing questionnaires has no bearing on the treatment.
At BabyMinds, the wellbeing of your child and your family comes first.
We work in a way that is evidence-based, warm, and unhurried.
Mindful Parenting for Babies and Toddlers
This training helps parents of 0-36-month-olds find balance and mindfulness amid the parenting journey. You’ll learn to:
Designed by Eva Potharst from UvA Minds, this program is rooted in research that shows it can ease parenting stress and improve family dynamics. Join us to cultivate mindfulness, reduce stress, and enhance your family’s well-being.
Here’s a streamlined summary of the "Mindful with Your Baby/Toddler" training:
Training Overview
Duration
8 weekly sessions, 2 hours each, for a consistent learning curve.
Active Learning:
Direct child involvement in sessions for real-time skill application and bonding.
Professional Insight
Guidance from a mindfulness trainer and an IMH specialist to address parental concerns and child interaction.
Diverse Techniques
Exercises include meditations, observation tasks, and stress management strategies to deepen the parent-child connection.
Community Support
Group discussions for a shared learning experience with other parents.
Home Practice
Homework to integrate mindfulness into daily routines.
This program offers an all-encompassing approach, combining expert-led guidance with practical exercises and community support, fostering mindfulness in parenting.
Mindful With Your Baby or Toddler Training: Nurturing Connection from the Start
Bringing mindfulness to parenthood means forming a stronger connection with your child, taking things at a comfortable pace, understanding non-verbal cues, and recognizing and expressing your own boundaries as a parent. Join the ‘Mindful with Your Baby or Toddler’ training—a practical and accessible approach tailored to address the challenges faced by parents of young children. It’s a down-to-earth journey, suitable for any parent looking to navigate the joys and trials of raising a little one.
