In serious and life threatening emergencies, call 000 for an ambulance
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.
Feeding your baby
Feeding can be a learning curve for you and your baby. Breastfeeding is best for you and your baby, but it isn't always easy. There are support services and resources to help you, however you feed your baby.
Support services
- 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
- Tresillian Parents Help Line call 1300 272 736 7am to 11pm, every day
Resources
Breastfeeding your baby to help give them the best start in life – NSW Health
Newborns breastfeeding & bottle-feeding provides comprehensive information on how to breastfeed and bottle-feed your newborn – Raising Children Network
Resources for Rainbow families has information for LGBTQI+ parents to give their baby the best start in life – Rainbow Families
Health and development
Most of your child’s brain structure is developed before they turn 5 years old. Regular health and development checks can help track your baby’s growth, development and health. Your newborn has 3 scheduled checks at this stage: birth, 1-4 weeks and 6-8 weeks. These checks can also be an opportunity to discuss whatever you like about your or your newborn’s health and wellbeing.
It's also important to make sure your newborn receives their vaccinations on time. They are the best way to keep them protected from serious vaccine preventable diseases.
Support services
- 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
- 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 – NSW Health
- Healthdirect call 1800 022 222 for free health advice 24/7 – Australian Government
- National Health Services Directory has a comprehensive directory of healthcare professionals and services – Australian Government
- Parenting support services has information on types of help available to NSW parents – NSW Health
- Pregnancy, Birth & Baby call 1800 882 436 or video call to speak to a maternal child health nurse, available 7am to midnight (AEST), 7 days a week – Australian Government
Resources
- Baby Bundle bag is filled with baby products and information to support the health, development and wellbeing of your baby – NSW Health
- 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
- 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 parents track your child’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 to help track your baby’s key milestones – NSW Government
- On time childhood vaccination is the best way to protect your children against serious preventable diseases – NSW Health
- 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
- Your newborn’s first weeks and what to expect – Raising Children Network
Learning and education
From the moment they’re born, your newborn is growing, developing and learning. There are simple things you can do every day to support them. You may also want to start understanding the early childhood education and care options available in NSW.
Support services
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Aboriginal child and family centres are culturally safe services and support for families with Aboriginal children aged up to 8 years – NSW Communities and Justice
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Child Care Subsidy provides assistance to help you with childcare costs – Services Australia
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Dolly Parton's Imagination Library is a book gifting program that sends free books to eligible children from birth to 5
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Find a playgroup in your area to help find the perfect playgroup – Playgroup NSW
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Find early childhood education and care providers helps you find a provider near your home, workplace or other location – Service NSW
Resources
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
Early childhood education and care (ECEC) COVID-19 guidance for families – NSW Government
Learn the Signs. Act Early are milestone monitoring tools that are in the Blue Book and help parents 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
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 – 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 on 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.
Support services
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 experience 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
Resources
- 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 Network
- COPE: Centre of Perinatal Excellence provides support for the emotional challenges of becoming a parent - COPE
- Feelings, relationships and pregnancy and how it can impact relationships – Pregnancy, Birth & Baby
- Healthy relationships for pregnant couples means you’ll be better able to support each other through changes and emotions – Raising Children Network
- Loss of identity after having a baby is a normal feeling to have, but there is support – Pregnancy, Birth & Baby
- Mental health and emotional support is available for parents and children to deal with the emotional challenges of having a baby – NSW Government
- Mental wellbeing during pregnancy and learning how to look after your mental health and wellbeing during pregnancy – Pregnancy, Birth & Baby
- Postnatal Depression in our community can impact the lives of LGBTQI+ parents – Rainbow Families
- Pregnancy for partners contains information for birth partners on pregnancy, birth and beyond – Raising Children Network
- Pregnancy for partners/non-birth parents provides mental health support for non-birth parents and LGBTQI+ families – Gidget Foundation
- Resources for expectant and new parents and what to expect – Gidget Foundation
- The role of a birth support partner and what to expect – Pregnancy, Birth & Baby
- Wellbeing for you and your baby for expecting or new parents on how the health service can help you and your baby – NSW Health
- 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
Newborn safe sleeping 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 services and information on safe sleeping practices and settling your baby.
Support services
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
Resources
Babies sleep provides information on baby sleep needs, sleep safety and tips on getting your baby to sleep – Raising Children Network
Safe sleeping recommendations for every time you place your baby to sleep – NSW Health
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.
Support services
- Family Assistance Payments– Services Australia
- Family Tax Benefit a 2-part payment that helps with the cost of raising children
- Parenting Payment an ongoing payment for the main carers of young children
- Newborn Upfront Payment a lump sum payment per child
- Newborn Supplement up to 13 weeks per child
Resources
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Balancing your Family Assistance Payments to ensure you are paid the right amount – Services Australia
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Getting financial support to help with the cost of raising a family – NSW Government
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Getting NDIS support for children younger than 6 with developmental delay or children younger than 9 with disability can get NDIS support – NSW Government
Post birth recovery
The postpartum period is the time to get to know your baby, rest and recover. Find services and resources to help with the physical and emotional recovery after having a baby. Extra mental health support can be found above in Mental Health and Wellbeing.
Support services
- Get Healthy Service offers free telephone health coaching to help you reach your health lifestyle goals after pregnancy – NSW Government
- Parenting support services - Programs provides information on the range of support services available to parents – NSW Health
- Perinatal Anxiety & Depression (PANDA) Helpline Call 1300 726 306 Monday to Saturday
- 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
- Virtual Residential Parenting Service for 0 to 3-year-old children who need extra support – NSW Health
Resources
- Birthing mothers discusses what to expect from your body the first week after birth – Raising Children Network
- Loss of identity after having a baby is a normal feeling to have, but there is support – Pregnancy, Birth & Baby
- Mental health and emotional support is available for parents and children to deal with the emotional challenges of having a baby – NSW Government
- Pelvic floor exercises before, during and after pregnancy can help your pelvic floor return to normal after birth – Pregnancy, Birth & Baby
- Post birth recovery takes time and even longer if you’re had a caesarean – NSW Government
Premature and sick babies
Extra care and support are needed if your baby is born early and/or is sick. Find services and information if your baby is born early.
Support services
NurtureGroup is free play and support groups for families – Miracle Babies Foundation
NurtureLine call 1300 622 243 (1300 MBABIES) to access the free 24hr family support helpline for families of a premature or sick newborn – Miracle Babies Foundation
NurtureTime in-hospital support volunteer service offering support and guidance – Miracle Babies Foundation
Resources
Neonatal care for information on neonatal care and specialised care units – Miracle Babies Foundation
Pasteurised donor human milk program is for the smallest or sickest babies in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU)– NSW Health
Premature baby and its care – Pregnancy, Birth & Baby
Registering your newborn and other paper work
When your baby is born, you will need to register the birth and do other paperwork, such as enrolling your baby in Medicare.
Support services
Enrol your baby in Medicare only if you don’t wish to claim for a families payment. You’ll need to submit proof of birth to enrol your baby in Medicare – Services Australia
Registering your baby’s birth and other paperwork after your baby is born. You'll have to register the birth and complete other paperwork, such as enrolling your baby in Medicare – NSW Government
Proof or confirmation of Aboriginality and/or Torres Strait Islander heritage is not needed to identify as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander but may be required when applying for Aboriginal specific programs or services
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.
Support services
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) 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
Resources
Family violence: effects on parents & kids– Raising Children Network
Support for parents and carers with a disability
These resources and services support you to care for your baby when you have a disability.
Support services
- National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) for funding that includes support services, home modifications and equipment – Australian Government
Resources
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Parenting with a physical disability can be challenging and may require extra support.
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Understanding the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) to learn if you’re eligible and how to apply – Australian Government
Supporting a baby with a disability
A disability can present from birth or develop after and can take time to identify and diagnose. There are services and information on getting a diagnosis and support if your baby has a disability.
Support services
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Carer Allowance provides payment if you care for someone who needs daily support – Services Australia
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Carer Gateway provides emotional and practical services and support for carers. Call 1800 422 737 Monday to Friday between 8am and 5pm – Australian Government
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Child Disability Assistance Payment provides financial support to carers with a child with disability or medical condition – Services Australia
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NDIS early childhood early intervention approach (NDIS) assists families and children with disability to get the right support. Call 1800 800 110 – Australian Government
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Parent Line NSW counsellors provide confidential and non-judgmental advice and support for parents and carers of children with a disability. Call 1300 1300 52 – NSW Government
Resources
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Caring for a child with a disability can be challenging but there’s support and payments available to help you – Services Australia
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Early childhood education and care options that offer disability support – NSW Government
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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
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If your baby has a disability support is available for getting a diagnosis – NSW Government
Work and employment
It can be tricky to take care of your child while working. These links will help you balance work with your child’s care.
Support services
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Dad and Partner Pay provides payment for up to 2 weeks while you care for your new child born or adopted before 1 July 2023 – Services Australia
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Parental Leave Pay to help families taking time off work to care for a newborn or newly adopted child – Services Australia
Resources
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If you are going back to work it is important for parents returning from parental leave to know their workplace rights and responsibilities – NSW Government
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Working during and after pregnancy and your workplace rights, types of leave and flexible work arrangements – NSW Government
Important tools
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