Support for Parents and New Mums and Dads
Adjusting to life with a new baby can be both deeply meaningful and unexpectedly challenging. Recovery from birth, sleep disruption, and the emotional demands of caring for a tiny human often arrive alongside the awareness of the many years of parenting ahead.
It can be hard to find space to care for yourself while caring for your child, to develop new ways of regulating your emotions, and to parent in line with your values—especially when your own difficult memories or past adversities are stirred by the parenting journey. You may also be navigating your own childs health or mental health difficulties, magnifying the load you carry. You don’t have to navigate this alone, and support can help you feel more grounded, confident, and connected as a parent.
❋ Perinatal Anxiety and Depression for Expectant or New Mums and Dads
Compassionate support for mums and dads experiencing perinatal anxiety and depression, helping parents feel understood, supported, and more confident during this significant transition.
❋ Birth Trauma or Grief
A safe, supportive space to process birth trauma or grief following unexpected or unwanted birth experiences, including when birth unfolds differently from what was hoped or planned.
❋ Parenting Support & Skills
Support to build practical, values-based parenting skills and navigate the emotional and developmental challenges across the years of childhood with greater confidence and connection.
❋ Birth Preparation
I offer prenatal birth preparation to support managing stress and worry about birth, building a personalised mental health plan, developing psychological flexibility around birth plans, processing past experiences that may surface as trauma, and supporting advocacy or consultation with your birth team.
Parenting Services and Resources
Maternal Child Health Service Line 13 22 29.
24/7 Healthline staffed by qualified maternal and child health nurses who provide confidential information and advice on a range of issues related to health, mental health and breastfeeding
PANDA 1300 726 306
Mental health support for mums and dads, including for postnatal depression and anxiety with free brief counselling and advice
https://www.panda.org.au/get-support/support-new-parents
SMS4DADS
Free text messages, support, information and tips, designed for expecting and new dads.
https://www.panda.org.au/articles/sms-for-dads
Breastfeeding Association https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/
Yarra Valley Womens Health - Breastfeeding Support Drop in Sessions https://www.yarravalleywomenshealth.com.au/
Support for LGBTIQ Parents
https://www.panda.org.au/lgbtiqa-parents
Infant Sleep Australia
Evidence based sleep support from home https://www.infantsleep.com.au/little-babies
Benwerren in Yarra Junction.
Local respite stays for women with or without children who need a break. Stays can be from 1 day to 5 days.