Baby
Makes 3
Baby Makes 3
“Well worth it. It helped us talk about
topics we were making assumptions
about.”
Baby Makes 3
“I think after I realised [what it’s like for new
mums] we got an understanding that she’s
not alone in this, we’re in it together.
I think that was the biggest thing for me.”
- Dad #3
Baby Makes 3
“We really found the program to be
beneficial and it has helped open
conversations and helped us start to
rebuild our relationship”
- Mum, feedback form 55
Baby Makes 3
“I’ve placed less expectations on myself.
I don’t feel that pressure any more that
was part of what I think brought on the
postnatal depression.”
- Mum #2
Baby Makes 3
“Sometimes you would leave and
you’d almost feel like a bit of
weight had been lifted off.”
- Mum #1
Baby Makes 3
“It’s changed my way of thinking so I hope
as a result of that it’s contributed to my
change of action. I think I was hands-on
to start with, but now I have an
understanding of why it’s important to
be hands-on and important to have a
balanced and well-rounded household.”
- Dad #5
Baby Makes 3
“I kept telling the guys at work,
‘guys, you should be doing this course’,
and they said ‘why?’
I said ‘just flipping do it because it will
open your eyes’.”
- Dad #7
Baby Makes 3
3-year pilot project
Funded by VicHealth
Partnership between:
Whitehorse Community Health Service
Whitehorse City Council, MCH Service
Baby Makes 3
AIM: To promote equal and respectful
relationships between men and women
during the transition to parenthood.
Baby Makes 3 Group Program
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3-week program for first-time parents
Sessions held in evening
Male and female facilitators
Groupwork approach
Structured discussions – societal
expectations, gender roles, healthy
relationships, conflict, communication
Primary Prevention
Addresses the key determinants of
violence against women:
• Power imbalances between men and
women
• Adherence to rigid gender stereotypes
‘Promising Practice’
Evaluation showed:
• Greater awareness and communication
about gender roles, gender equality,
societal expectations
• Shifts in attitudes
• Some changes in behaviour, leading to
greater equality
And… parents loved it!
Of 90 couples evaluated…
• 90% continued on sessions 2 & 3
• 96% ‘agreed’ or ‘strongly agreed’ that it
was enjoyable, relevant and helpful.
Vision: part of all MCH services
Ideally situated as a complement to the
First-Time Parent Group Program run
by Maternal and Child Health
Implementation
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Facilitator Training Program
Training DVD & Handbook
Implementation Guide
Capacity Building Workshops
Baby
Makes 3