Mellow Bumps and Dads-to-Be

We want every child, wherever they are in the world to be part of a safe and nurturing family that will allow them and future generations the best possible start in life

Pregnancy is a highly sensitive developmental period for both parent and baby. Many expectant parents face additional
challenges including:

• Stress, anxiety, or low mood
• Trauma histories or ACEs
• Limited support networks
• Difficult relationships or instability
• Low confidence or fear about becoming a parent
• Poor understanding of infant needs and early bonding
• Social isolation or stigma

Without effective antenatal support, stress and anxiety can negatively affect a parent’s mental health and wellbeing, which
in turn can impact the babys development. These difficulties often carry into the postnatal period, where new parents may
struggle to bond with their baby, find birth and early caregiving overwhelming, and face an increased risk of postnatal
depression and early relational difficulties.

Mellow Bumps and Dads to Be supports expectant parents, particularly those with additional health or social care needs by
improving emotional wellbeing, strengthening the early parent–baby relationship, and building confidence in their ability to
nurture their child.

The programme aims to reduce antenatal stress, improve maternal and paternal wellbeing, and promote early bonding by offering a calm, therapeutic group environment. It provides parents with time and space to reflect, feel supported, and begin forming a positive, nurturing connection with their baby before birth.

• Expectant mums and/or dads during the second trimester (20 – 30 weeks)
  Parents experiencing emotional, social, or practical challenges
  Parents who may benefit from stress reduction, confidence building, and early bonding support
  Parents who need a safe, relationship-based space to reflect on their transition into parenthood

• Reducing stress in pregnancy supports healthier baby development and improves postnatal bonding.
• Parental wellbeing before birth impacts ability to provide attuned and sensitive early caregiving.
• Reflective capacity supports parents to understand their baby’s emotional world and their own.
• Calm, supportive group environments promote emotional containment and reduce isolation.
• Peer support strengthens confidence and normalises shared challenges.
• Early routines and realistic expectations reduce anxiety about caring for a newborn.

These are aligned with the Mellow Parenting Evaluation
Framework domains:

• Parental wellbeing
• Parent–infant relationship (antenatal bonding)
• Parental reflective functioning
• Parental support network

• 7 weekly 2-hour antenatal group sessions for mums to be ordads to be
• Therapeutic group discussion focusing on stress, relationships, worries, and emotional well-being
• Relaxation techniques and strategies to promote calmness in pregnancy
• Non didactic activities that help parents to understand newborn behaviour, brain development,
• Support around bonding and connecting with their unborn baby
• Preparing for birth, routines, and early caregiving
• Peer support and group bonding
• Optional 1:1 support or check-ins

• Parents attend weekly sessions
• Parents experience reduced stress and increased calmness
• Parents begin to think about their baby as an individual
• Improved emotional literacy and space to reflect
• Increased peer connection and reduced isolation
• Practitioners observe improved antenatal bonding behaviours (talking to baby, imagining baby, expressing
  hopes and feelings)
  
  

Mapped to Mellow Evaluation Framework

Parental Wellbeing

• Reduced stress and anxiety in pregnancy
• Improved emotional wellbeing and confidence approaching birth

Parent–Baby Relationship

• Stronger antenatal bonding
• More warmth, attunement, and positive expectations for the relationship

Reflective Capacity

• Parents better understand newborn cues, needs, and emotional states
• Increased ability to pause, reflect, and regulate their own emotions

Infant Social–Emotional Development

• Smoother early bonding post-birth
• Increased likelihood of secure attachment behaviours
  emerging

Mapped to Mellow Evaluation Framework
Parental Wellbeing

• Greater resilience and reduced likelihood of postnatal depression
• Parents cope more confidently with challenges

Parent–Child Relationship

• Consistent responsive caregiving
• Strong, secure early attachment patterns

Reflective Capacity

• Continued ability to understand and respond to baby’s social and emotional needs

Infant Social–Emotional Development

• More settled infant behaviour
• Improved early regulation and communication

Mapped to Mellow Evaluation Framework

Child Development

• Healthier social, emotional, and cognitive development
• Stronger base for early learning, nursery readiness, and future resilience.

Family Functioning

• More nurturing, predictable home environments
• Strong parent–child bonds that buffer adversity

System-Level Benefits

• Reduced need for crisis interventions
• Stronger early intervention pathway supporting community wellbeing

Mellow Bumps’ and Dads to be relationship-based, therapeutic antenatal support:

• Reduces stress and improves parental emotional well-being
• Builds reflective capacity and connection with the unborn baby
• Strengthens early bonding and lays the groundwork for secure attachment
• Leads to healthier postnatal development, improved family resilience, and long-term positive outcomes.