Neonatal babies are naturally drawn to bold black-and-white images, which are easier for their developing eyes to focus on and help stimulate early visual and brain development while supporting positive interactions with parents and caregivers. It is never too early to begin laying the foundations for a lifelong love of reading.
The Family and Baby Project
The Family and Baby (FAB) Project, funded through the Family Hubs Programme, supports families with babies receiving neonatal care across Lincolnshire. Operating from Lincoln and Boston Neonatal Units, the FAB team provides early, non‑clinical, relationship‑based support, grounded in evidence‑based parenting programmes, to help strengthen parent‑infant attachment, promote infant development, and support parental wellbeing.
With a strong focus on perinatal mental health and parent‑infant relationships, the project ensures families are connected to appropriate local services and supported through universal or enhanced pathways as part of the Best Start in Life offer.
Journey After Neonates
Journey After Neonates is a supportive group for families transitioning from neonatal care back into their local community with their baby. Delivered by the FAB team at Family Hubs and Children’s Centres across Lincolnshire, sessions are led by practitioners familiar with families’ neonatal journey.
These groups provide a welcoming and supportive space for parents to meet others who have had similar experiences, helping to build connections and confidence. Sessions are attended by Early Years Practitioners and Educators, allowing families to become familiar with staff they may see again in thr Children’s Centres.
During these sessions, FAB practitioners support families to explore the services and groups available to them through the local Family Hubs and Children’s Centres, helping them feel informed and confident in accessing support.
If you know your baby is likely to need a stay on a neonatal unit and feel this support could be helpful, you are very welcome to contact the FAB team by emailing FAB@lincolnshire.gov.uk.
You can also speak with your midwife, who can provide more information and help you access this support.
- “The VIG experience had just been beautiful. I’ll treasure it always.”
- “All this new information blew my mind. I wish we’d known this with our other children.”
- “We looked forward to the check-ins. It was vital to have someone to talk to about our worries.”
- “It helped so much to have someone non-clinical to talk to. We didn’t feel judged.”