Bringing a new baby home can come with plenty of questions.
Is my baby feeding enough? Is this sleep pattern normal? Where can I meet other parents? And who can I talk to when I’m simply not sure what I’m doing?
While friends and family can be an important source of support, Canberra parents also have access to a range of free services offering everything from child health advice and parenting support to playgroups, counselling and opportunities to connect with other families.
Whether you’re preparing for your first baby or finding your feet in those early months of parenthood, here are some places to start.
When you have questions about your baby
Canberra Health Services’ Maternal, Child and Family Health (MACH) service supports ACT families from the arrival of a new baby and throughout the early childhood years.
For many families, the first contact with MACH happens soon after bringing their baby home. Families living in the ACT are offered a first home visit with a MACH nurse or midwife, usually following a referral from their maternity service.
The visit includes a health and development check for the baby and gives parents an opportunity to ask questions about feeding, sleeping, development and their own wellbeing.
Parents can continue accessing MACH through child health checks and other parenting support as their baby grows.
For questions that don’t necessarily require an appointment, the Early Parenting Support Line connects parents and carers with a MACH nurse or midwife. The service can provide advice about breastfeeding, child health and development, parenting concerns and emotional wellbeing. Parents can call (02) 5124 1775 at any time and leave a message, and a nurse or midwife will call them back.
When you want to meet other new parents
Finding other people going through the same stage of life can make a big difference, particularly during those early months when days can sometimes feel long and life suddenly looks very different.
MACH First Time Parent Groups are available for first-time parents with babies aged from six weeks to under four months.
Run over four weeks, the groups cover topics including adjusting to parenthood, caring for yourself and your baby, child safety, introducing solids, play and development. They also give parents the chance to meet others with babies of a similar age.
For ongoing social connection, ACT Playgroups supports playgroups across Canberra, including options specifically for babies and new parents.
When adjusting to parenthood feels harder than expected
There’s a lot to adjust to when a baby arrives, and not every challenge fits neatly into a question about feeding or sleep.
Sometimes you might simply know that things at home are feeling harder than you expected, without being sure what kind of support would help.
ACT Child and Family Centres provide free support for families through centres in Gungahlin, West Belconnen and Tuggeranong.
For new parents, that might mean support with adjusting to parenthood, early child development, relationships or other challenges affecting family life. Support can include parenting programs, supported playgroups, help from a Child and Family Practitioner and connections with other health and community services.
Families don’t need an appointment to initially speak with someone and can drop into or call a centre between 9am and 5pm on weekdays.
Expectant and first-time parents may also be able to access Parents as Teachers, a home-visiting program where a trained parent educator provides practical information and support around their child’s early learning and development.
When you’re struggling yourself
There can be a lot of focus on how the baby is doing during those early months, while a parent’s own wellbeing can be easier to overlook.
Canberra’s Perinatal Wellbeing Centre provides free support for people experiencing mental health difficulties during pregnancy and after having a baby.
No diagnosis or referral is needed to contact the service, which offers individual support, phone support and groups where parents can connect with others experiencing similar challenges. Parents can access the service during pregnancy and until their youngest child turns two.
For parents who simply need someone to talk things through with, Parentline ACT provides free and confidential support from trained counsellors.
New and expectant parents can contact the service for support with parenting stress and worries, practical strategies or help connecting with other services.
You don’t have to have all the answers
Parenthood doesn’t come with a handbook, and seeking support doesn’t have to mean waiting until something has gone wrong.
Whether you have a question about feeding, want to meet other parents, are finding the adjustment to parenthood difficult or simply need someone to talk to, support is available.
The village might look a little different for every family, but new parents in Canberra don’t have to find their way through those early months alone.
Useful links
Maternal, Child and Family Health (MACH)
https://www.canberrahealthservices.act.gov.au/services-and-clinics/pregnancy,-birth-and-early-childhood-services
MACH First Time Parent Groups
https://www.canberrahealthservices.act.gov.au/services-and-clinics/services/new-parent-groups-mach
Early Parenting Support Line
https://www.canberrahealthservices.act.gov.au/services-and-clinics/services/early-pregnancy-and-parenting-support-line-mach
ACT Playgroups
https://playgroupact.org.au/
ACT Child and Family Centres
https://www.act.gov.au/community/families/child-and-family-centres
Parents as Teachers and parenting support
https://www.act.gov.au/community/families/get-parenting-advice-and-support
Perinatal Wellbeing Centre
https://www.perinatalwellbeingcentre.org.au/
Parentline ACT
https://parentlineact.org.au/
If you need to talk to someone now, PANDA’s National Perinatal Mental Health Helpline is on 1300 726 306, or Lifeline is available 24/7 on 13 11 14.
