Devon Perinatal Mental Health Team

17/03/2026

15/03/2026

Mother’s Day can be a joyful celebration for, but for many it can also bring complex or painful feelings.

Today we want to acknowledge everyone for whom this day may feel difficult.

💐 To those who have lost a child or their own mother – we hold you in our thoughts.
💐 To those experiencing infertility or pregnancy loss – we see your struggle.
💐 To those navigating strained relationships with mothers or children – we recognise how hard that can be.
💐 To foster mums, adoptive mums, step-parents and mother figures – thank you for the care and love you give.
💐 To single parents – we see the strength it takes every day.
💐 To those experiencing postnatal mental health difficulties – you are not alone.
💐 To those working to break cycles of trauma and create something different for their children – we see your courage.

If Mother’s Day brings difficult emotions, you might consider:

🌼 Giving yourself permission to feel whatever comes up – there is no “right” way to feel.
🌼 Taking a moment to appreciate the supportive people in your life.
🌼 Choosing how you spend the day – whether that means celebrating, keeping things quiet, or stepping away from social media.

However this day feels for you, your feelings are valid and you deserve compassion.

12/03/2026

“There’s no guarantee that just because a product is being sold, that it is suitable to use for baby sleep.”

Amy is a 24 year-old mum from Land’s End. She spoke to us about the confusing and relentless advertising of baby sleep products on social media.

“On Instagram and TikTok, I kept seeing people using pods – I thought ‘everyone has a pod’, because they were all I was seeing. I was in an echo chamber. So I placed an order for a pod.”

“When I then spoke to my partner about it, he reminded me that pods don’t follow safer sleep advice. I felt so stupid in that moment. As a teacher, I’ve even taught PSHE lessons about not buying into all the ads you see online! I cancelled my order in the end before it was delivered.”

And her tips for other new parents?

“I find it helpful to take a screenshot of a product I’m interested in, and come back to it another time. It gives me time to think things through and work out if they are a safer option or not.”

“There’s a lot of contrasting advice and it can be really overwhelming. To counter this, I look at The Lullaby Trust. They get my questions answered, but also provide me with other bits of guidance I hadn’t even thought of.”

The Lullaby Trust's advice 👉 https://bit.ly/4rZgcSS

09/03/2026

It's so exciting that more of our clinicians have been trained to deliver the Parents Comfort Zone Programme....read more about it below....

No mum should feel alone during pregnancy.

Thanks to support from Open Up’s Little Something Fund, four additional clinicians in the Devon Perinatal Mental Health Team have been trained to deliver the Parents Comfort Zone programme across Devon.

This eight week programme helps antenatal mums manage anxiety, build confidence and connect with other women who understand how they are feeling.

By expanding the programme, up to 84 women each year can now access this support before their baby arrives.

Read the full story in the comments below.

Devon Partnership NHS Trust

09/03/2026

This week is Safer Sleep Week.
We will be sharing information on this years theme 'Keep it simple to keep it safe' from the page The Lullaby Trust Why not follow them for more information on keeping your baby as safe as you can.

05/03/2026

Today is WORLD BOOK DAY!
We thought we would take the opportunity to share why it is so important to read to our baby's. Give it a go... 😀

05/03/2026

🌿 Exmouth Forest School – This Friday! 🌿
For mums under the Perinatal Mental Health Team
Friday 6th March | 11am–2pm
📍 The Forest School, Exmouth, Leeford Woods, Knowle Hill, EX9 7AL
🔎 What3Words: octagon.proposals.proven

Mums, babies, and your extended families… you’re all warmly invited to join us in the woods this Friday 💚✨
There’s no need to arrive on time—come and go whenever suits you and your little one.

As early Spring begins to wake the forest from its winter sleep, it’s the perfect moment to spend time outdoors. Fresh air, birdsong, movement, connection… being in nature can be incredibly calming and grounding for us all. 🌱🕊️

🔥 This week we’ll be making Welsh cakes over the fire and enjoying a gentle woodland craft activity.

We’d love to see you there. 💛
Wrap up warm and wander in whenever you’re ready.

05/03/2026

🌿 Exmouth Forest School – This Friday! 🌿
For mums under the Devon Perinatal Mental Health Team
Friday 6th March | 11am–2pm
📍 The Forest School, Exmouth, Leeford Woods, Knowle Hill, EX9 7AL
🔎 What3Words: octagon.proposals.proven

Mums, babies, and your extended families… you’re all warmly invited to join us in the woods this Friday 💚✨
There’s no need to arrive on time—come and go whenever suits you and your little one.

As early Spring begins to wake the forest from its winter sleep, it’s the perfect moment to spend time outdoors. Fresh air, birdsong, movement, connection… being in nature can be incredibly calming and grounding for us all. 🌱🕊️

🔥 This week we’ll be making Welsh cakes over the fire and enjoying a gentle woodland craft activity.

We’d love to see you there. 💛
Wrap up warm and wander in whenever you’re ready.

11/02/2026

Small things can make a big difference 💛

Families supported by the Community Perinatal Mental Health Service are often seen in settings that are not always baby friendly. Thanks to funding from Open Up's Little Something Fund, clinicians now have access to dedicated toy trolleys they can take with them to appointments across Exeter, North Devon, West Devon and Torbay.

Each trolley includes a soft wipeable mat for safe floor time, along with simple toys and books to help babies feel settled while parents receive support.

This is a practical and thoughtful way of improving the experience for families during what can be a challenging time and we are hoping to add even more to these trolleys as time goes on.

You can read more about this and other projects made possible by Open Up on our Impact page 👉 https://www.openup.org.uk/our-impact

Thank you for helping us create calmer and more supportive spaces for families 💙

Devon Partnership NHS Trust
Devon Perinatal Mental Health Team

09/02/2026

Did you know 1 in 5 children face mental health challenges? Let’s make a difference together during ! You can find out more and make a donation at www.childrensmentalhealthweek.org.uk
Every donation helps