It’s never too early to start getting to know your baby. The ‘Hello in there wee one’ book is going out to all parents-to-be across Dundee to encourage them to start bonding and thinking about their baby, before they arrive.This project was funded by the United Nations Children’s Rights Commission through CORRA. It brought together a collaboration of partners from NHS Tayside, Dundee City Council, Dundee Contemporary Arts and University of Dundee. We all wanted to support children’s voice from the very beginning by encouraging pre-birth communication where parents-to-be can get to know their bumps and start feeling connected to their baby.Families across Dundee worked with local artist Louise Kirby and art therapist Vicky Armstrong to create images and share their views on what would support them to talk to their bumps. We really appreciate all the families who worked with us from Dundee International Women’s Centre, Homestart Dundee, and Coldside family group.We also drew on the experience and advice of professionals across Midwifery, Health Visiting, Family Nurse Practitioners, Infant Mental Health, Speech and Language Therapists, and Social Work teams.Louise then developed illustrations from the families’ ideas, and we worked with children’s author and illustrator Natalie Russell to advise us on the visuals and develop the story. Gavin Reid, our graphic designer brought it together as a book.Books are going to every expectant parent in Dundee at their 16 week midwife appointment
