If you're expecting a baby, or if you're the parent of a new born, a new parenting programme might be just up your street.

The Triple P programme has just launched in Shepton Mallet, offering a new online course to help you all get through those blurry, early years.

The Positive Parenting Programme - or Triple P - provides a suite of strategies and resources designed to help parents develop a strong parent-infant relationship and to learn about their babies' physical and emotional development. 

It can help parents and carers to:

• create the best environment for their baby's development 
• learn a variety of strategies to cope with crying 
• understand baby sleep patterns and healthy sleep habits 
• promote their baby's social and cognitive development 
• take care of their own emotional and mental health
• improve their relationship with their partner and other family members 
• review and maintain progress, and feel comfortable seeking further support as needed
• enjoy life as a new parent a lot more. 

Somerset County Council funds the programme as part of their efforts to launch new Family Hubs to provide a support network for parents. 

The first 12 months of a child's life are crucial to their emotional and physical development, yet many parents find this time and the transition to parenthood overwhelming. Recent research by Triple P found that three-quarters of parents feel that there is a stigma attached to asking for help and consequently, many don't get the support they need. 

Matt Buttery, CEO of Triple P UK and Ireland said: 'We are really excited about launching this programme. The transition to parenthood and the first year of a child's life is so important, something the Government has recognised with its Start for Life and Family Hubs programme.

"At a time when parents are already struggling with stresses around the cost of living, we need to expand the support available to them. Parenting courses such as Triple P are already proven to help increase parental confidence and family relationships. This new course for parents of babies will go so far in making parenting programmes the norm. 

"We would encourage parents who are expecting, or in their first year of parenthood, to check out the programme to get non-judgmental, evidence-based parenting advice. We are also speaking to local authorities to promote the benefits of Triple P for Baby as a key service within new Family Hubs."

Triple P for Baby can be accessed online or in-person, offering flexibility to busy parents, and adds to the existing 25+ evidence-based programmes in the Triple P system.

The interactive sessions emphasise a positive parenting approach that teaches parents strategies to help build happy, healthy, and confident children.

For more information, click here.