You’ve just brought your beautiful newborn home, and now you need to put everything you’ve learnt into practice. But caring for a baby can feel very different to practising on a well-behaved doll!
You’ll no doubt have many questions along the way. Even if it’s not your first child, it can be hard to remember what you did the first time around, or your subsequent babies may have different issues.
Make sure you reach out for help – no question is silly. Your GP is a good place to start. You can also seek help from these sources.
➡️ Maternal Child Health (MCH) nurse
You will have an MCH nurse who you will see you and your baby for ten free visits up until your child is three and a half. The first is a home visit and takes place within 2 weeks of birth. Your MCH nurse can help with things like feeding and settling. They will also check your child’s growth and development, as well as your recovery. Make sure you write down any questions before a visit (a tired, new-mum brain can make you forgetful!).
➡️ Maternal Child Health hotline – 13 22 29
The MCH Hotline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
➡️ Frances Perry House Maternity Care Centre
Provides care to women with a maternity booking at Frances Perry House. The postnatal program includes:
• Breastfeeding Support – help for breastfeeding and lactation concerns up to six weeks after giving birth; and
• Gidget Foundation Australia services – support for emotional wellbeing during pregnancy and early parenting.
➡️ Helpful websites
@rchmelbourne https://www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/
@raisingchildren.net.au https://raisingchildren.net.au/
Australian Breastfeeding Association
https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/
