Calm and NCT partner to give new mothers the gift of time and peace of mind
In an effort to support maternal mental health, Calm is partnering with the National Childbirth Trust, the UK’s leading charity for new parents, specializing in pregnancy, childbirth and new parenthood.
This Giving Tuesday, Calm and the UK’s National Childbirth Trust (NCT) are partnering to offer new mothers in the UK the precious gift of emotional support and, importantly, time.
In a two-part donation totaling £10k, Calm is gifting wholesome meals to new mothers while also supporting the NCT’s Infant Feeding Line, giving new parents the time and space to focus on their own mental and physical wellbeing during the demanding early days of parenthood.
“As new mothers, we often put our own wellbeing last”, says Blake Beers, VP of Brand Marketing at Calm. “This partnership with NCT emphasizes the importance of prioritizing mothers' health so we're better equipped to care for our children. Calm’s donation supports both mother and baby, giving mothers a little something for themselves. We're proud to contribute to the conversation around postpartum mental health and grateful to support those who turn to NCT for care and guidance.”
How Calm and NCT are partnering to support new mothers
Calm’s split donation totaling £10k is intended to provide nutritional as well as wellbeing support for mothers, new parents and babies this winter in the following ways.
Meal donations
Food is a basic necessity that some parents struggle to afford. To reduce stress and financial strain during a critical time in the lives of new parents, Calm is donating 1,000 nutritious meals from COOK, to be distributed amongst NCT’s personalized Baby Bundles to parents who are dealing with challenging circumstances, from unemployment to mental health issues. The aim is to give families not only the meals, but the time back to spend on themselves or their babies.
Free access to Calm
Calm is also gifting free vouchers for recipients where they’ll be able to explore content designed to support new mothers through this tender, powerful time, including Lullabies and Soundscapes to soothe little ones.
Support for NCT’s Infant Feeding Line
Calm will also be supporting the NCT deliver their Infant Feeding Line - a 24/7 service that provides support for new parents and families with feeding their babies, which is open throughout the Christmas period to all those who may need it.
The Infant Feeding Line is a critical resource for new mothers, particularly in the first few weeks after birth. The NCT reports that over 50% of its callers contact the Line with a baby under 2 weeks-old. Here, NCT’s experienced breastfeeding and infant feeding counsellors provide non-judgement, practical support that also benefits parents’ mental health and alleviates feelings of stress and anxiety.
The impact is significant with 94% of those reporting feeling less isolated* upon speaking to a counsellor, 88% agreeing their mental wellbeing had improved, and 87% feeling more confident about feeding their baby.
On the partnership, CEO of NCT, Angela McConville, says: “Becoming a parent is a profound life transition and can be accompanied by uncertainty, stress and anxiety. We’re grateful to Calm for recognising these challenges and partnering with NCT to offer essential support to new parents over the winter months. By ensuring access to support and practical help, we can reduce the sometimes overwhelming pressures of life with a new baby and help parents feel confident, connected, and safe during this transformative time.”
Newly updated Postpartum Healing series on Calm
Calm has also updated their Postpartum Healing series, making it free to access for all new mothers within the UK through the month of December. Practices range from ‘Breathwork for Postpartum Anxiety’, ‘Feeding Baby, Nourishing Yourself’ and more.
Postpartum recovery is a period of physical and emotional adjustment and healing that starts right after the birth. This recovery takes time and every mother's postpartum experience is unique.
It’s important to listen to your body, take things at your own pace, and seek support when needed. For tips on how to navigate postpartum recovery with more ease, Calm’s Chief Clinical Officer, Dr. Chris Mosunic, shares 10 mindful self-care techniques.
