Parents play a fundamental role in nurturing and developing their children in the first few years of their lives. Being a new parent can be both an exciting and challenging time.
Sometimes families have to manage complex issues and some struggle with the transition into the role as a parent. Research highlights the strong connection between the experience of positive early parenting and beneficial outcomes for children. Parents need to establish safe, secure and nurturing relationships as early as possible in the life of their new baby in order to promote healthy development and positive ongoing outcomes as their child grows. Long term benefits exist for families and for the community.
The Parent’s and Babies Service at Albury Wodonga Health, in partnership with the Tresllian Family Care Service provide parenting support services for families with infants aged 0-12 months. Referral can be by a health provider or by self referral.
Located next to the Maternity Unit the Parents and Babies Service provides valuable support in Albury/ Wodonga and surrounding areas. This service offers additional support to the centre based services provided by your child and family health (NSW) and maternal and child health (VIC) nurses and general practitioner. An initial nursing consultation can be up to one hour and longer consultations up to four hours. Group sessions run for two hours. All clients will be offered a follow-up contact.
The aim is for families to feel welcomed and relaxed in a friendly and pleasing environment. Our friendly experienced staff look forward to meeting families that visit the service and look forward to supporting them and working with them to meet their needs.
The Perinatal Mental Health Workers are available via referral to support mothers with perinatal mental health needs. The team of dedicated professionals at the AWH Parents and Babies Service aim to continue the good work of providing care to parents and babies in the community and support them as needed.
The Parents and Babies Service offers support in the following areas:
- sleep and settling
- breast feeding
- infant nutrition
- parent crafting
- infant care
- psychological health
- education and support programs