In serious and life threatening emergencies, call 000 for an ambulance
For urgent problems, go to your nearest emergency department
If it is less urgent, contact your doctor or local medical centre. You can also call Healthdirect on 1800 022 222 for free health advice, 24 hours a day.
Baby safe sleep and settling
You can reduce the risk of sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI) by following safe sleeping recommendations every time you place your baby to sleep. See below for resources on safe sleeping practices, as well as resources and support to help you and your family if your baby isn’t sleeping.
- Child and family health services offer free information and support on sleeping and settling your baby – NSW Health
- Karitane call 1300 227 464, 8am to 9pm Monday to Thursday, 8am to 4.30pm Friday, 9am to 3.30pm Saturday
Safe Sleep Advice for Parents and Carers call 1300 998 698 between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday (AEST) – Red Nose Australia
Speak to a maternal child health nurse on 1800 882 436 or video call. Available 7am to midnight (AET), 7 days a week – Pregnancy, Birth & Baby
Tresillian call 1300 272 736, 7am to 11pm, every day
- Babies sleep teaches you about baby sleep needs, routines, sleep safety and more – Raising Children Network
Safe sleeping recommendations include placing your baby on their back to sleep, dressing your baby correctly, sleeping in the same room as them, and making sure your baby’s cot is in line with Australian safety standards – NSW Health
Settling top tips & videos to help you understand your baby’s sleep needs – Tresillian
Sleep and settling your baby provides information on safe sleep for babies and tips on getting your baby to sleep – Pregnancy, Birth & Baby
Feeding your baby
From 6 months, you can start to introduce solid foods and cooled boiled water in a cup. Continue to breastfeed or offer formula to your baby until they are 12 months. Breastfeeding can continue beyond 12 months, or as long as mother and baby desire.
There are resources to help you wherever you are on your feeding journey.
- Australian Breastfeeding Association Breastfeeding Helpline provides help and support for breastfeeding 24/7 call 1800 686 268 . You can also use the mum2mum app.
- Breastfeeding services can help you with breastfeeding your baby – NSW Health
- Child and family health services offer free health and development checks, support, information and referrals – NSW Health
- Karitane Careline call 1300 227 464, 8am to 9pm Monday to Thursday, 8am to 4.30pm Friday, 9am to 3.30pm Saturday
- Mothersafe call 1800 647 848 for concerns about exposures (e.g. medications, radiation) while breastfeeding
- Pregnancy, Birth & Baby hotline call 1800 882 436 – Pregnancy, Birth & Baby
- Tresillian Parents Help Line call 1300 272 736, 7am to 11pm, every day
Babies: breastfeeding, bottle-feeding and solids provides information on feeding your baby – Raising Children Network
Breastfeeding your baby helps give them the best start in life – NSW Health
Introducing allergy foods early can reduce the risk of your child developing food allergy – Pregnancy, Birth & Baby
Introducing solids with milk feeds at around 6 months ensures baby is getting enough nutrients for growth and development – Pregnancy, Birth & Baby
Resources for Rainbow Families provides information on feeding for LGBTQ+ parents – Rainbow Families
- Starting family foods is a guide to introducing your baby to solids – NSW Government
Health and development
It’s important to take your baby for their health and development checks when they are 6 and 12 months. Your baby’s doctor or child and family health nurse can do these checks. Speak to them if you have any concerns on how your child is growing, developing or behaving. You don’t need to wait until your baby’s next check.
On time vaccinations are also very important. They are the best way to keep your baby protected from serious vaccine preventable diseases.
13QUIT (13 78 48) provides information, tools and helpful hints on how to quit smoking and/or vaping. Quitting smoking and or/vaping reduces your baby’s risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) – NSW Government
Aboriginal Maternal and Infant Health Services (AMIHS) provide culturally safe services for pregnant women and babies and children – NSW Health
Child and family health services offer free health and development checks, support, information and referrals for NSW parents and carers of children aged 0-5. The Blue Book has valuable information about a child’s health and development – NSW Health
Healthdirect provides free health advice 24/7. Call 1800 022 222 – Australian Government
National Health Services Directory is a tool to find a health service provider near you – Australian Government
- Parenting support services has information on types of help available to NSW parents – NSW Health
Pregnancy, Birth and Baby call 1800 882 436 to speak to a maternal child health nurse 24/7 or video call available 7am to midnight (AET), 7 days a week – Australian Government
- Building brains and bodies are short videos that show you simple things you can do in your child’s early years to help them grow and thrive. Available in 4 community languages – NSW Health
- Child health and development shows how easy it is for you to give your child the best start in life – NSW Health (First five years)
- Child safetyto prevent childhood injuries and accidents – NSW Health
- Free online CPR training for parents and carers – Sydney Children Hospital Network
- Kidsafe NSW provides education, advocacy and research to prevent unintentional serious injury and death of children
- Learn the Signs. Act Early are milestone monitoring tools that are in the Blue Book and help track your child’s development – NSW Health (First five years)
- Love Talk Sing Read Play provides ideas and tips to help you engage with your child – Families NSW
- Monitoring your baby’s development to help track your baby’s key milestones – NSW Government
- Movement and play ideas for babies – Raising Children Network
- On time childhood vaccination is the best way to protect your children against serious preventable diseases – NSW Health
- Screen time: babies and toddlers – Raising Children Network
- Small Bites for Big Steps: Families and carers – Nursery provides small bites of practical health and wellbeing information for families and carers of children aged 0 to 18 months – NSW Health
- The Blue Book records your child’s health, illnesses, injuries, and growth and development, and contains valuable health information that you and your child will need throughout their life – NSW Health
- Tummy time to help improve your baby’s strength – Pregnancy, Birth & Baby
Learning and education
There are many learning and development milestones as your baby explores the world around them, and support is available to make sure your baby is on track. Quality early childhood education and care supports and enriches your child’s development. Find out the different options available to help you decide what’s best for your family.
- Aboriginal child and family centres provide culturally safe services for families with Aboriginal children about education, maternal and child health, and family support – NSW Communities and Justice
- Child Care Subsidy can help you with the cost of child care – Services Australia
- Dolly Parton's Imagination Library provides eligible children with a free book once a month – NSW Government
- Find a playgroup in your area by using this helpful tool – Playgroup NSW
- Find early childhood education and care providers by using this helpful tool – Starting Blocks
Building brains and bodies are short videos that show you simple things you can do in your child’s early years to help them grow and thrive. Available in 4 community languages – NSW Health
Child health and development shows how easy it is for you to give your child the best start in life – NSW Health
Choosing a quality service can help give your child the best start in life – NSW Department of Education
Early childhood education and care options will depend on your family’s needs but there are many different types available – NSW Government
Learn the Signs. Act Early provides tools to help monitor your baby’s development – NSW Health
Love Talk Sing Read Play provides ideas and tips to help you engage with your child – Families NSW
Monitoring your baby’s development involves tracking against key developmental milestones – NSW Government
Small Bites for Big Steps: Families and carers – Nursery provides small bites of practical health and wellbeing information for families and carers of children aged 0 to 18 months – NSW Health
Mental health and wellbeing
Having a baby is life changing. You might feel stressed or overwhelmed with becoming a new parent. It takes a village to raise a child, so lean onto your partner and loved ones. Children thrive when they are loved and cared for by many people.
Help is available. Speak with your child and family health nurse or doctor. Being honest with them can make a world of difference to you, your baby and family. There are also some helpful services and resources listed below for extra support as you need it.
- 13YARN call 13 92 76 (24/7) and talk with an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporter if you are feeling worried or no good
- Beyond Blue call 1300 224 636 for 24/7 mental health support and information
- ForWhen connects parents that may be struggling to navigate the complex experiences of pregnancy and new parenthood to the critical mental health services you might need most. Call 1300 24 23 22
- Gidget Foundation supports expectant and new parents experiencing perinatal depression and anxiety. Their range of clinical treatment programs include individual psychological consultations via face to face or telehealth, group treatment and early intervention screening. Call 1300 851 758
- Lifeline call 13 11 14 for 24/7 crisis support
- Mensline Australia call 1300 78 99 78 for 24/7 counselling and support for men for family and relationship issues
- Mental health help for parents and babies provides services, programs and resources for parents and parents expecting a baby who are experiencing mental health issues – NSW Health
- Mental Health Line call 1800 011 511 to access the free statewide phone service which links people with mental health services – NSW Health
- MumMoodBooster is an evidence-based online treatment to help new mothers experiencing postnatal depression or anxiety. Six interactive online sessions tailored to users plus SMS support. Accessible from home or on mobile devices
- Perinatal Anxiety & Depression (PANDA) Helpline call 1300 726 306 for information, services and programs to support parents and families during pregnancy and the first 12 months of a new baby – PANDA
- Pregnancy support counselling available from eligible GPs and other health professionals on referral from a GP. Claim Medicare rebates for up to 3 counselling services if you've been pregnant in the last 12 months – Australian Government
- QLife provides anonymous and free LGBTIQ+ peer support and referral. Call 1800 184 527 from 3pm to midnight, every day – Australian Government
- Red Nose Australia call 1300 308 307 for immediate 24/7 bereavement support. This service is for anyone affected by miscarriage, stillbirth, baby or child death
- SMS4dads provides new fathers with information and connections to online services through their mobile phones. The text messages with tips, information and links to other services help fathers understand and connect with their baby and support their partner
- Transcultural Mental Health Line call 1800 648 911 Monday to Friday between 9am and 4:30pm – NSW Health
- A guide for dads caring for family during perinatal mental illness available from pregnancy until your child turns 2 years old – NSW Health
- Child mental health and wellbeing resources for parents and carers – Raising Children
- Postnatal Depression in our community can impact the lives of LGBTQI+ parents – Rainbow Families
- WellMob provides social, emotional and cultural wellbeing resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People – WellMob
- Yarn Safe resources are for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people that may help you or somebody else, when going through a hard time – Headspace
Payments and rebates
There are financial supports you can access when you’ve had a baby, including family assistance payments, health care costs, living expenses and housing.
Family Assistance Payments – Services Australia
- Family Tax Benefit is a 2-part payment that helps with the cost of raising children
- Parenting Payment is an ongoing payment for the main carers of young children
Getting financial support when you’ve had a baby can include family assistance payments, savings on health care, early childhood education and living costs – NSW Government
Seeking support if you experience domestic violence
All children, from newborn babies to older children, who experience domestic and family violence in the home are impacted, whether or not they are directly targeted by the violence. Support services are available to assist with the safety of children experiencing domestic violence.
- 1800 RESPECT is available for free 24/7 to support people impacted by domestic, family or sexual violence. Call 1800 73 77 32 or contact via online chat. All calls are confidential – Australian Government
- Child Protection Helpline call 13 21 11 to report concerns about the safety and wellbeing of children and young people. It is available 24/7
Lifeline (13 11 14) is a national number which can assist to connect women experiencing domestic and family violence to crisis responses in NSW. It is available 24/7
Link2Home Homelessness call 1800 152 152 for state-wide homelessness information and referral telephone service. It is available 24/7
NSW Domestic Violence Line provides counselling and referrals to women experiencing domestic and family violence. Call 1800 656 463 24/7. All calls are confidential – NSW Government
NSW Sexual Violence Helpline call 1800 424 017 for telephone and online counselling for anyone who is or has experienced sexual violence. It is available 24/7
Victims Access Line call 1800 633 063 from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday
- Family violence: effects on parents & kids– Raising Children Network
Support for parents and carers with a disability
These services and resources will support parents and carers with a disability through the challenges that can come with having a baby.
- National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provides support for people with disability and their families including support services, home modifications and equipment – Australian Government
Parenting with a disability and the support services available to you – Pregnancy, Birth & Baby
Understanding the NDIS including getting started, service providers, and resources to support children and their families – NDIS
Supporting a baby with a disability
A disability can present from birth or develop after and can take time to identify and diagnose. Here’s some information on getting a diagnosis and support if your baby has a disability.
Carer Allowance provides payment if you care for someone who needs daily support – Services Australia
Carer Gateway provides emotional and practical services and support for carers. Call 1800 422 737 Monday to Friday between 8am and 5pm – Australian Government
Child Disability Assistance Payment provides financial support to carers with a child with disability or medical condition – Services Australia
National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provides support for people with disabilities, including children, and their families. Call 1800 800 110 – Australian Government
NDIS early childhood early intervention approach (NDIS) assists families and children with disability to get the right support. Call 1800 800 110 – Australian Government
Parent Line NSW counsellors provide confidential and non-judgmental advice and support for parents and carers of children with a disability. Call 1300 130 052 – NSW Government
Caring for a child with a disability can be challenging but there are support and payments available to help you – Services Australia
Childhood disability presents in many different ways, but your child has legal rights and there are resources to manage your emotions – Pregnancy, Birth & Baby
Early childhood education and care options that offer disability support – NSW Government
Getting NDIS support can be through a referral from your doctor, family nurse, paediatrician, or child care centre, and does not require a diagnosis for children under 6 – NSW Government
If your baby has a disability support is available for getting a diagnosis – NSW Government
Work and employment
These services and resources will help you balance the care of your baby with your employment.
Dad and Partner Pay is a payment for up to 2 weeks while you care for your new child born or adopted before 1 July 2023 – Services Australia
Parental Leave Pay is a payment to help families taking time off work to care for a newborn or newly adopted child – Services Australia
If you are going back to work consider your rights and responsibilities at work, flexible work arrangements and any support you may need – NSW Government
When working during and after pregnancy there are things you should know about your workplace rights, types of leave and flexible work arrangements – NSW Government
Important tools
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