Can I take baby to mental health appointment?

[NoDanger]

Hi all,

I’ve got an appointment in a couple of hours to see a mental health nurse but my childcare arrangements have fallen through and I have no other options, would I be alright to take my 7 month old with me or should I cancel?

The appointment itself is supposedly CBT but this is the second appt and at the first all she did was ask questions about the baby and why she doesn’t sleep at night & give advice that I’d have thought was more the health visitor’s remit so I’m not really sure how to characterise the appointment. That said, I’d like to give it a chance and don’t want to mess anyone around but the woman was a touch snippy the first time so I don’t want to give her a reason to be annoyed at me if I’m not supposed to bring baby

Thank you in advance for any advice, this truly is such a wonderful resource and community x

I would take your baby - no need for an explanation even! Hope it goes okay x

Maybe phone to check first? I did and now my ds comes to all of my counselling sessions with me, there's lots of toys there to keep him entertained!

Take your baby, they should be understanding of your situation and missing an appointment early on in your therapy could have a big impact on how you feel about going back (in my experience anyway).

Also a good mental health practitioner should see it as an opportunity to understand more about your bond and relationship with baby.

Services for families in the perinatal period are supposed to be family friendly. Good luck with it.

It’s not ideal but that’s just life, you won’t be the first and I think it’s important you go.

I’d go, explain what’s happened, and take every toy/snack/drink distraction you can think of.

Hope it goes well and is helpful :)

I had to take a baby and a toddler. Luckily they didn't understand what we were talking. Now I would have to cancel appointment if no help because as a primary kids they would understand.

How did it go @NoDanger ?