Organisers: Dr Catherine Preston, University of York (catherine.preston@york.ac.uk) and Dr Elizabeth Kirk, Anglia Ruskin University (elizabeth.kirk@aru.ac.uk )

Dates:

• Session one Thursday 26th November 1-2pm
• Session two Wednesday 2nd December 1-2pm
• Session three Thursday 10th December 1-2pm
• Session four Wednesday 16th December 1 -2pm

Thursday 26th November, 1 - 2pm (GMT)

Theme: Bonding with Baby

Research shows that there is much variation in the strength and nature of bond within the normal parent-baby relationships, especially in pregnancy and the early weeks and months following birth. These talks discuss factors that may influence and facilitate this bond.

Speakers:

• Professor Liz Meins (University of York) - Mind-reading for Beginners: Intervening to Facilitate Parents' Mind-mindedness.
• Dr Elizabeth Kirk (Anglia Ruskin University) and Dr Catherine Preston (University of York) - Bonding with Bump: Body experience in pregnancy and antenatal attachment.

Wednesday 2nd December 1 - 2pm (GMT)

Theme: Postnatal Support

Being a new parent is an emotional time especially for women who suffer from mental health conditions, are recovering from a long or traumatic birth, or those finding it difficult to establish breastfeeding. These talks consider research that addresses how postnatal women and their families can be supported.

Speakers:

• Professor Amy Brown (Swansea University) - How can we better support mothers who haven't met their breastfeeding goals?
• Dr Andrew Mayers (Bournemouth University) - Supporting perinatal mental health: mothers, fathers and babies

Thursday 10th December 1 - 2pm (GMT)

Theme: Self, Social and Cultural Influences

Many factors can affect psychological experience during the perinatal period including thoughts and feelings towards our self as well as about our culture and beliefs. These talks discuss how experience of the body and that of religion and faith can influence maternal wellbeing and caregiving behaviours.

Speakers:

• Dr Shuby Puthussery (University of Bedfordshire) Role of Faith and Religion in Pregnancy and Childbirth.
• Rosie Drysdale (Royal Holloway, University of London) When Sensing One’s Self is Caring for Others: Exploring relationships between maternal body awareness and mother-infant caregiving.

Wednesday 16th December 1-2pm (GMT)

Theme: Postnatal Bodies

The postnatal period can be a challenging time adjusting to parenthood and recovering from the physical effects of pregnancy and birth. These talks examine themes about the postpartum bodily experience as well as expectations about physical and emotional benefits of parent and baby yoga.

Speakers:

• Nicola Spark (York Hospital NHS Foundation Trust) – Parent and Baby Yoga and Maternal Mental Health.
• Dr Catherine Preston (University of York) and Dr Elizabeth Kirk (Anglia Ruskin University) - Postnatal Mind and Body.