Table 1 Themes and practices of the Mindful with your Baby training per session
Title of the session | Themes | Practices | Home practices | Readings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1. Becoming aware of the automatic pilot (session for mothers only) | Introduction to mindfulness and mindful parenting Automatic pilot Automatic stress responses | Intention meditation Raison practice Visualization on a stressful situation | Formal: bodyscan Informal: Mindful routine activity, Mindful eating Mindful parenting: Feeding the baby mindfully | The transition of becoming a parent Attention, mindfulness, and awareness |
2. Mindfully observing your baby (session for mothers and babies together) | Beginner’s mind Friendliness | Breathing meditation Visualization on attitude towards yourself as a parent in stressful moments Watching meditation with attention for the baby | Formal: Bodyscan / breathing meditation Informal: Mindfulness diary for pleasant experiences Mindful parenting: Mindful routine activity with baby | Signals form your baby The seven attitudinal qualities |
3. Creating space for yourself (session for mothers and babies together) | Becoming aware of own needs Becoming aware of what gives energy The role of bodily sensations | Meditation with attention for breath and body 3-min breathing space Practice ‘What do I need?’ Watching meditation with attention for the baby | Formal: Meditation with attention for breath and body Informal: 3-min breathing space Mindful parenting: Mindfulness diary for stressful experiences | Supporting your baby’s autonomy Being at home in your body |
4. Responding sensitively to your baby (session for mothers and babies together) | Sensitive responsivity Parental overreactivity Regulation | Meditation with attention for breath and sounds Parent–child breathing space Watching meditation with attention for the baby | Formal: Meditation with attention for breath and sounds Informal: text messages in group to remind each other of taking a breathing space Mindful parenting: Parent–child breathing space in stressful moments | Regulation Stress and empathy |
5. Taking care of yourself in difficult moments (session for mothers only) | The effect of thoughts Self-compassion | Meditation with attention for breath and thoughts Walking meditation Zen Koan Self-compassion meditation | Formal: Meditation with attention for breath and thoughts, Walking meditation Informal: Self-compassion meditation Mindful parenting: Parent–child breathing space in specific recurring stressful moment | Comforting your crying baby Thoughts |
6. Closeness and distance (session for mothers and babies together) | Feelings of closeness and distance Repair after moments of distance | Metta meditation Visualization on dealing with feelings of distance Watching meditation with attention for the baby | Formal: Metta meditation Informal: Mindful walking Mindful parenting: Becoming aware of moments of closeness and distance, and consciously repairing the contact after moments of distance | The Circle of Security Feeling heard and seen |
7. Dealing with expectations (session for mothers and babies together) | Expectations Finding your way in parenting Boundaries | Meditation with open attention Mindful movement Visualization on boundaries Watching meditation with attention for the baby | Formal: Meditation with open attention, Mindful movement Informal: Reflection on mindfulness in daily life and learning process Mindful parenting: Becoming aware of expectations and boundaries | Boundaries Dealing with unpredictability |
8. Mindful parenting: trial and error (session for mothers and babies together) | Learning process Inspiration and support on mindfulness path | Sitting with a difficulty Practice looking back and ahead Gratitude exercise | Following own meditation plan | |
Follow-up session (session for mothers and babies together) | Catching up on the 8 main themes of the training | Mountain meditation Evaluation of meditation plan Practice on experience of the baby A wish for yourself and your baby | Following adjusted meditation plan |