Isolation and postnatal depression are two of the many things which can be overwhelming for new mums. But a facility in Hampshire is helping women overcome these feelings. EMMA JOSEPH finds out about the Toddler Caf...

FROM changing nappies to breastfeeding, weaning to teething, there are 101 things to learn when you have a new baby.

But help is at hand for mums in Eastleigh and Chandler's Ford, in the form of the Toddler Cafe.

Funded by Eastleigh and Test Valley South Primary Care Trust, the group exists primarily to reduce the feeling of isolation many mums get when they are at home with a baby all day, and to help prevent post-natal depression.

The cafe, which meets at Knightwood Leisure Centre in Chandler's Ford every Friday afternoon, is run by two health visitors and a nursery nurse and regularly invites guest speakers to talk to mums about sun awareness, speech therapy and other relevant topics.

Nursery nurse Julia Hood said: "The mums just sit around and chat and the children can play with the toys and then, towards the end of the session, we have a story and a music session.

"We make sure that nobody feels on their own or is isolated - we always make sure we introduce new mums to someone they can talk to."

The cafe, which started in January, meets every week during term time and has now become self-funding because it is so popular with mums in the area.

One regular attender is Louise Mainprize, from Blencoe Drive in Chandler's Ford, who takes her son Jake, seven months, along to the group.

She said: "It's nice to meet other mums and for Jake to meet other kids of his own age group.

"I've been coming since he was about four weeks and he loves it.

"It's also a relief for me from being on my own at home.

"You can listen to other people and it means you realise that you're all going through the same problems - you share the good bits and bad bits."

Social worker Joanne James, 32, is also a regular at the cafe with her daughter, Isabelle, who is nearly five months.

"I come for Isabelle to be able to socialise," she said.

"It's important for them to see other babies and she finds it really interesting to be able to watch the other babies.

"But I also come to socialise myself and to meet other mums.

"It's a chance to get out and about because it can be isolating if you're at home on your own a lot."

Claire Bond, 27, and baby Louisa, who is five months, are new to the group.

Claire, from Westmorland Way in Chandler's Ford, said: "The health visitor told me about it and I wanted Louisa to interact with other children and get used to a lot of faces.

"It's nice for her to be able to play - she can't do a lot because she's only young, but she can watch."

The cafe always welcomes new mums to the group, which meets every Friday from 1.30pm to 3pm at Knightwood Leisure Centre in Chandler's Ford.

A buddy will be assigned to new members.

Call Amanda Brooks on 023 8025 4855 for details.