Below are some useful resources that will help you on your pregnancy journey
Australian Breastfeeding Association
The Australian Breastfeeding Association is a community based organisation providing mothers with practical mother-to-mother support and information enabling them to establish and continue breastfeeding. ABA is Australia’s leading authority on breastfeeding, with support, education and advocacy for a breastfeeding inclusive society. For more information click here
Breastfeeding Solutions APP
Breastfeeding Solutions is an interactive problem solving smartphone APP with fast and reliable answers to breastfeeding questions. Breastfeeding Solutions does not track feedings or nappies, like most other breastfeeding apps. It helps mothers meet their personal breastfeeding goals by providing straightforward solutions to the most common breastfeeding problems. The app covers every stage of breastfeeding, from birth to weaning. For more information click here
Breastfeeding your baby
This booklet provides practical advice on common questions and concerns about breastfeeding including why, how long, what to expect, overcoming problems, expressing breastmilk and returning to work. For more information click here
Child Restraints
Whenever children are passengers in a vehicle they should be seated in the most appropriate child restraint for their age and size. When fitting a child restraint it is important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions as a restraint which is not fitted or used correctly significantly reduces the safety protection provided by the restraint. For more information click here
Continence Foundation of Australia
When you are pregnant you get a lot of advice from people, but something few people talk about are bladder and bowel control problems in pregnancy and after the birth. The Continence Foundation of Australia provides information about pelvic floor exercises, good bladder and bowel habits and instructions on how to download `The Pregnancy Pelvic Floor Plan’ smart phone app. For more information click here
Emotional health during pregnancy and early parenthood
Pregnancy, birth and early parenthood can be a very positive experience. However, it may not be exactly what you expected. This will be a time of change for you and it may be difficult to adjust. The beyond blue foundation has resources and support information should you need it. For more information click here
Hepatitis B Immunisation
Hepatitis B is a virus that can cause either acute (short-lived illness) or chronic (long term) infection of the liver. It is recommended that your baby commences their Hepatitis B immunisation following birth. For more information click here
Immunisation Information
Immunisation protects people against harmful infections before they come into contact with them. Immunisation uses the body’s natural defenses to build resistance to specific infections and helps pregnant women and children to stay healthy by preventing serious infections. There are a number of useful information fact sheets from NSW health. For more information click here
Important information for Rh (D) Negative Women
Your baby’s blood type is jointly inherited from you and your baby’s father. For this reason, you and your baby may have different blood types. This is normal and usually not a problem. However, in some cases, these differences can be very important. The link below explains how Rh (D) immunoglobulin, a special antibody injection, can avoid this potential harm in pregnancy. For more information click here
Incontinence Issues
Incontinence is a complex issue. It can range from light leakage that requires wearing a simple liner to an extreme condition marked by a total loss of control. Understanding the causes of incontinence and being aware of the wide range of products available that offer protection and can rebuild confidence are keys to improving quality of life. For more information click here
Johnson’s Baby Australia
This useful website offers information for both yourself and your baby’s care. For more information click here
Karitane
Becoming a parent is an exciting and challenging time and Karitane have been the leaders in parenting services since 1923. Karitane provide education and support on the unique challenges of parenting to mums and dads with children from birth to 5 years of age. Karitane supports new parents around sleep and settling, establishing routines, feeding and nutrition, toddler behaviour and pre and post-natal anxiety and depression. For more information click here
New Baby 101 APP
The New Baby 101 smartphone App is a valuable resource for new parents seeking to have their most frequently asked questions answered instantly. The New Baby 101 App has been written by a midwife with information that is reliable and based on up-to-date research. For more information click here
Newborn Bloodspot Screening Test (NBST)
Blood testing of newborn babies to detect a number of rare disorders are undertaken between 48 and 72 hours after birth. A few drops of blood are taken from a baby’s heel and collected onto special absorbent paper. Early diagnosis means that treatment can be started quickly, before the baby becomes sick. For more information click here
Perinatal anxiety and depression
Pregnancy and the first year of parenthood (the perinatal period) is a special time. It is a time of great adjustment and the impact is often underestimated in our society. All expectant and new mums have their good days and bad days, their ups and downs. But when a woman's bad days start to seriously outnumber the good she may be at risk of perinatal anxiety and depression. The GIDGET Foundation is a not-for-profit support organisation for women and families suffering perinatal anxiety and depression. The good news is that perinatal anxiety and depression can be treated and parents do recover. For more information click here
Raising Children Network
The Raising Children Network website is based on the philosophy that all children and families are individual and different. We provide scientifically validated information, translated into everyday language, to help parents and carers make decisions that work for them in their individual family circumstances. For more information click here
Responsive Settling 0 – 12 Months
Learning how to go to sleep is a skill babies usually develop during the first year of life with help from their parent/s. Like most skills, it takes time and varies for each baby. Responsive settling is recognising that your baby needs help and sensitively responding. For more information click here
SIDS and KIDS safe sleeping
Babies spend a lot of their time sleeping. Some sleeping arrangements are not safe. They can increase the risk of SIDS or cause serious sleeping accidents.
For more information click here
SMS4dads
The birth of a new baby can be the happiest time in a dads life. But getting ready for the new arrival can be difficult. All of the changes after the birth can also be hard to manage. This is a time when dads are usually very busy and they may not have support available. When stress builds up dads may not know where to go or who to ask. Even with the internet there are so many options that it is not easy to find the right information.
SMS4dads is a project to keep in touch with dads before and after the birth through their mobile phones. The idea is to send text messages with tips, information and links to other services for new dads. The tips in the texts will help a dad connect with his baby but they will also help him be a support for his partner, the mum. Some texts will remind dad to take care of himself.
This project is run by the Faculty of Health and Medicine at the University of Newcastle.
For more information click here
Taking care of your gums and teeth during pregnancy
Pregnancy hormones, morning sickness and some food cravings can increase your risk of having dental problems. If you have poor dental health your baby is more likely to have dental problems after birth. For more information click here
Vitamin K for newborn babies
Vitamin K helps blood to clot. It is essential to prevent serious bleeding. Babies do not get enough vitamin K from their mothers during pregnancy, or when they are breastfeeding. Without vitamin K, they are at risk of getting a rare disorder called Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding. For more information click here
We are Family
This useful guide has been developed by local government authorities to help you nurture child and pet relationships from pregnancy to preschool. This is a must read if you have pets in the family unit. For more information click here