Before
Birth
PREGNANCY – THE LAST MONTH
Preparing for parenthood
In this Pregnancy edition...
We wish you well for the Big Day
Look what I can do before I’m
even born!
You’ve been feeling your little baby growing inside your ever-expanding belly for 36
weeks now.
Some of you will have really enjoyed the experience. Some of you might have found it
really challenging. Or perhaps it was a series of ‘ups and downs’ as your body and its
functions changed each month.
How you might be changing and
feeling in the last month
Maybe you were starting to wonder if it was
ever going to end! Well there’s less than
a month to go – you’ll be a parent very
soon.
Your sleep may become more disturbed
and baby may begin to move into
position for birth.
As the day of your baby’s birth draws near,
we would like to provide you with some
information that will help prepare you for
the early days of parenthood.
Looking after you
The importance of rest, relaxation and
sleep. The signs of labour and when to
come in to the hospital.
This first edition of small talk may help to
answer a lot of your questions and make
this a positive parenting experience.
Labour and birth: what to expect
Photo by Kapa courtesy K McLean
You will receive your next edition of small
talk after your little one has been born, then
every month until your baby turns 1 year
old.
Good luck and happy parenting!
It’s nearly time for me to venture out into
the big wide world
I have been hearing and feeling your world
for the last eight to nine months and now I
am really looking forward to joining you in
the outside world – wondering what it will
be like to feel you hold me for the first time.
When I venture out into the big wide world
I will be alert and looking for you. Everything
will be new and I’ll need you to hold me
close and help me to feel safe and secure.
I’ll need lots of cuddles. I’ll love to feel your
skin against mine.
I’ll love to hear the sound of your voice. I’ll
How your baby has developed before
birth and the amazing things that he or
she can already do.
recognise your voice straight away because
I have been listening to it since I was 8
weeks old in your womb.
Talk to me softly and sweetly, read to
me, sing to me gently. I’ll be a
great listener.
I’ll need your love –
it will help me to
grow physically and
emotionally.
The stages of labour, expert help if
needed and after your baby arrives.
Me & you and You & me
The importance of bonding and building
a Circle of Security© for your baby.
Feeding me
What I will I eat when I’m born.
Parents are people too
What dads mean to babies and how
your relationship might change once
your baby is born.
At the end of
small talk we
provide a list
of important
and useful
contacts for you
as parents and
carers.
Gold Coast Health
Love,
Your Baby
Building a healthier community
1
Look what I can do!
Before I am even born I am an amazingly
clever little human being. I can do so many
things. Here are just a few:
My amazing brain,
senses and organs
My brain waves were detectable from when
I was 6 weeks old in your womb – this means
that my brain has been working almost the
whole time!
I can detect changes in the
taste of this fluid and I can tell
the difference between sweet
and sour.
This all prepares me for the
cultural diet of my family.
My sucking and swallowing
action became fully coordinated
somewhere between 32 and
34 weeks. I’m ready to start
feeding as soon as I get out!
Since I was around 28 weeks
old in your womb I have known
the difference between waking
and sleeping. I have also been
able to see, hear, taste and
touch (four out of five senses
– isn’t that amazing!).
From when I was 12 weeks old in your womb
I have had all the parts necessary to feel
pain, including nerves.
I have been able to relate to
your moods since I was 32 weeks old in
your womb.
I have been able to open and close my eyes
since I was about 28 weeks old in your
womb, and I can tell light and dark.
Since I was 17 weeks old in your womb I
have been able to dream – isn’t that
amazing?
My little muscles
My big muscles
I have been able to make a frown on my
face from when I was only 10 weeks old. I
have been able to hiccup since then too!
(Did you notice? I usually do this just when
you want to rest!)
Since I was 7 weeks old I have been kicking
and swimming around in your womb.
I have been able to hear since I was 8 weeks
old in your womb – and since I was 20 weeks
I have been able to recognise noises, like
your voices.
From about 30 weeks I was swallowing
amniotic fluid from your womb, which is
flavoured by the things you eat. Swallowing
this fluid helped me develop my sense of
smell, which then developed my taste buds.
I have been able to grasp things that came
into my hand – such as my umbilical cord –
since I was 11 weeks old in your womb.
I could suck my thumb from when I was 12
weeks.
Photo courtesy of M Hull
I could ‘breathe’ fluid from your womb at 11
weeks but have really been practising hard
at breathing since I was around 20 weeks.
My kidneys have been working since I was
11 weeks old and I have the ability to swallow
and also to pass urine.
I started to turn my head when I was 10
weeks old.
Since I was around 20 weeks old in your
womb I have been really kicking my legs –
did you notice? But now that I am bigger I
am more likely to be stretching and
squirming, simply because I am running out
of room in here!
How you might be changing and feeling in the last month
At 36-37 weeks
At 38-39 weeks
Baby’s head may begin to move down
or engage into your pelvis. You will find
that breathing is easier once this has
happened, as baby’s bottom will no
longer be pressing up against your lungs.
But you might start to feel some cramping
sensations and discomfort in your groin.
Baby is probably moving a lot less now.
Instead of moving their body, baby may
be rolling more gently and slowly and
probably just jabbing at you with their little
knees and feet. You might also feel a
sensation in your vagina as baby’s head
moves against your pelvic muscles. It can
feel quite strange – but it is perfectly
normal.
You’ll probably have that pregnancy
‘waddle’ happening now.
At 37-38 weeks
You may be experiencing disrupted sleep
(if you weren’t already) because you are
getting more and more uncomfortable
in bed. Try putting pillows between your
knees and under your belly when you
hop into bed – it might help you to be
more comfortable.
At 39-40 weeks
Your cervix will be softening now in
preparation for labour. You may
experience the ‘show’ – a jelly-like
substance that discharges from your
vagina. It may have streaks of blood in it
– nothing to worry about though.
You might also be experiencing quite
strong Braxton Hicks contractions across
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the front of your belly. These are ‘practise’
contractions and they can be quite
powerful.
At 40-42 weeks
A normal pregnancy can be anywhere
between 38 and 42 weeks in length. You
and your baby will be closely watched
in this period to ensure you both remain
in good health.
If you are 10 days past your estimated
due date (EDD), your midwife or doctor
will talk with you about options to induce
labour.
You may be feeling quite heavy and
weary by now. It is really important to try
to stay positive, remain active and eat
well. It won’t be long before you will get
to meet your baby. Any day now!
Looking after you
All of the advice about pregnancy, labour
and parenting can be a bit overwhelming.
The most important thing is that the advice
you choose to follow makes sense and feels
right for you and your family.
Courtesy Queensland Government image library
In the last month of
pregnancy…
Rest, relax, sleep
You may be getting very uncomfortable and
tired now. This is very normal for the last
month of pregnancy. The most important
thing is for you to continue to make healthy
food choices, include gentle exercise and
get lots of rest, relaxation and sleep.
Try taking a warm bath or shower, practise
relaxation with soothing music, and ask your
birth partner to practise massaging you.
These techniques are very good for the
labour period.
You may also like to try the free Mind the
Bump app to help you relax.
www.mindthebump.org.au
It is also important to maintain good posture
throughout your pregnancy. A mother’s
position and movement can influence the
way baby lays in the womb in the final weeks
of pregnancy.
Good posture and movement can help
position the baby for an easier birth for both
mother and baby.
When sitting, try to keep upright or leaning
forward slightly. These positions can also
help to minimise lower back pain. Avoid lying
on your back or slouching in a chair.
Preparing for parenting
There are many ways you may have been
preparing yourself for your new role as a
parent. These might include:
• attending pregnancy or birth classes
• borrowing parenting books and videos
from your local library
• attending breastfeeding classes or
discussion groups. This can help you better
understand what to expect with
breastfeeding when your baby is born.
Vaccinations for you
Vaccination is one of the best ways to protect
yourself and your baby from preventable
diseases. Vaccination with whooping cough
(pertussis) vaccine is effective in preventing
this disease in your new born baby.
A free whooping cough vaccination is offered
to all Queensland pregnant women (where
appropriate)in their third trimester (from 28
weeks gestation). Having a whooping cough
vaccine each pregnancy offers the best
protection to every infant.
Pregnant women (and women planning
pregnancy) are also recommended to be
immunised against influenza (flu). Influenza
vaccination is safe to have during any stage
of pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
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It is also normal to feel anxious and nervous
about giving birth. If you are experiencing
low moods, restless sleep, negative thoughts
and feelings, or if you are unhappy, please
talk to your partner, midwife, doctor or a
health professional. See the contacts pages
if you need help to find someone to talk to,
or visit www.havingababy.org.au for more
information to help you prepare.
It isn’t too late to prepare for parenthood!
small talk newsletters are here to help you
understand some of the things babies might
need and give you ideas and hints.
Who is your support person?
You should choose your support person(s)
very carefully. They should be a calm person
you feel comfortable with and you know will
play an active part in helping you during your
labour and birth. They may well have come
along with you to your hospital or doctors'
visits and birth/parenting classes. It is very
important that they understand your birth
plan preferences and can assist you
physically and mentally during labour. They
can really help you to have a positive birthing
experience.
Advice for the support person
• Find out which hospital entrances to
use day and night.
• Check you have correct phone numbers
and location of the birthing suite.
• Have money for parking.
• Ensure the car always has petrol
• Be easy to contact at all times.
How to access
each month
small talk has relevant information for
you and your baby for each month from
birth to 12 months. You can access each
edition via the small talk website:
www.health.qld.gov.au/smalltalk
You can also access small talk from your
local Gold Coast library.
Enjoy the next 12 months!
Labour and birth: what to expect
When to go into hospital
You may be in early labour and still be able
to remain at home. A phone call to the
hospital may reduce your anxiety and
prepares staff for your arrival if necessary.
They will help you decide if it is time to come
in. Phone Gold Coast University Hospital
on 5687 1424.
If your water breaks, you should call, even
if the contractions have not started. They
will advise you if they need to check and
monitor your baby. You may then be given
options about your pregnancy, labour and
birth. Allow plenty of time to get to hospital
and make your way to the birth suite.
Signs of true labour
There are three important signs that will tell
you when your labour has started:
• Regular contractions that get stronger
when you walk around. These will be felt
as low abdominal, groin and/or back pain,
radiating from the back to the front. Your
uterus will go hard when you have a
contraction.
• A constant minor backache.
• A ‘show’ of pink mucous discharge from
your vagina which may be streaked with
blood.
The baby’s on its way!
Every labour is unique so it’s hard to predict
exactly how yours will go. However, if
everything ‘goes normally’, you can expect
to experience three general stages of labour.
First Stage: The cervix eventually dilates
to the full 10cm. During this stage your baby
will move deeper down into your pelvis and
the head will gradually turn to face your back.
Courtesy Queensland Government image library
Call your midwife/obstetrician or birth suite:
• if you are unsure about what is happening
to you or if you think you are in labour;
• if your ‘waters’ break (membranes rupture);
• if you are experiencing any of these
complications:
- any vaginal bleeding,
- your baby is moving less than usual
(do not wait until the next day),
- uncontrollable vomiting or diarrhoea
- abdominal or back pain
- unusual headaches and /or blurred
vision
- fainting
- urinary problems
- fever
- constant itching
The last part of this stage, called transition,
will be the most difficult because you will
change from the ‘opening up’ phase to the
‘bearing down’ phase.
Contractions will be very long and close
together during this stage. You will probably
get quite irritable. You may also shiver, feel
nauseous and you might vomit. You will
probably feel a premature urge to push and
a lot of pressure in your bowel area.
happening, you or your labour support
person can ask the midwife, nurse or doctor
for information.
Second Stage begins when the cervix is
fully dilated and you begin to push, and ends
with the birth of your baby. This may take
up to 2 hours for your first birth.
Third Stage lasts from the birth of your baby
to the delivery of the placenta. Unless you
choose otherwise, you will be offered an
injection to assist with this process. A gentle
pull on the cord should be all that is needed
to help the placenta out.
Once your baby arrives they should be
placed skin-to-skin with you or dad if you
aren’t able to, as soon as soon as possible,
regardless of whether you had a vaginal or
caesarean delivery.
Unexpected outcomes
Most of the time, labour and childbirth goes
according to the three general stages and
babies are born without any intervention at
all. However, sometimes intervention is
required to help things along. Forceps or
vacuum extraction may be required to assist
the birth of the baby if the mother is fully
dilated but the baby is not coping.
A caesarean birth may be necessary if the
mother has a medical condition that makes
labour too risky, if the baby is not coping
with labour, or if labour is not progressing.
These interventions will only occur if
absolutely necessary. If you are concerned
or have any questions about what is
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Midwives have been assisting mothers for
hundreds of years – and there is no one
way to have a baby. Your safety and your
baby’s safety are the most important concern
for every health professional.
After the birth
You are the most important person to your
baby and they will want to be close to you.
It is important for everyone to let you get to
know each other and for you to feed your
baby for the first time. This may take some
time and unless your health or your baby’s
health is at risk, everything else can wait.
You will probably be on such an emotional
‘high’ once your baby arrives and want to
show your baby off to the world. It is really
important that you take time to rest.
Make sure your visitors come during set
visiting times and limit them to special friends
or close family. There will be plenty of time
to meet your baby after you go home.
You are your baby's favourite person and
they can sense if you are feeling tired. Your
baby may become quite unsettled, especially
if they are passed around to other people.
Enjoy being with your baby and don’t worry
about everyone else for now.
Me & you and You & me
How it could be
Bonding with me
Before I am born I need you to
understand that love, attention and touch
are the three things I will need more
from you than anything else in the world.
Of course my physical body needs to
be fed so that it grows, but I will need
you to feed me emotionally so that my
brain can ‘switch on’ to life. I am born
ready to learn.
The first five years last a lifetime.*
Our attachment relationship
Attachment is a word I need you to
remember – an idea I need you to
understand. It is the pattern of relationship
that I develop with the people who care
for me – especially my mum and my dad.
Imagine that we are floating in space and
that there is an invisible string that joins
me to you. This is our attachment. I need
to learn to trust that string and know that:
• it is strong enough to hold me as I
venture out into the universe to explore
After all – I can only be
brave if I feel safe first.
Build for me a
Circle of
Security©
A Circle of Security has
two halves. The first
half of this circle is
where I know you are
my secure base and I
can venture out from
you, knowing that you
are supporting me as
I explore, watching
over me, enjoying with
me and delighting in
me.
The second half of the
circle is where I know you are my safe
haven and I can come back to your
welcoming arms and you will protect,
comfort and delight in me.
Courtesy Queensland Government image library
When I am born I will need you to bond
with me. Build a secure attachment and
good relationship with me and provide
the things I need to grow physically and
emotionally. We will bond more quickly
when I am born if you understand that:
• Every single thing will be new to me
– even my own body. I won’t know
how to control it or how to make sense
of all the new feelings and sensations
I will have when I’m born.
• I will need you to be my safe place in
this strange new world. I will need you
to respond to me quickly when I cry.
This is the only way I will learn that I
can trust you. Please don’t leave me
to cry when I am a newborn.
• My brain and body will be able to grow
and develop properly if you give me
physical affection and emotional care.
I will need you to touch me gently and
cuddle me close. I will need you to
talk lovingly and sweetly to me.
• My senses (hearing, touch, taste, smell
and sight) will develop if you stimulate
them. Sing to me gently. Stroke my
skin softly. Hold me naked to your
bare skin so I can smell you and feel
you.
• it will never break that you will always
be there and you will
pull me back to you
if I am in danger.
• I can find my way
back to you along
this string if I
become frightened
or lost.
3. Hold me
By holding me lovingly and gently I will
soak up your affection and love through
my skin.
In our first month together there are five
things you can do to start building a Circle
of Security for me. Of course I won’t be
venturing anywhere physically, but I will
be on a new and strange journey. I will be
wondering what is going on and trying to
make sense of the world around me.
4. Make eye contact with me
Gaze into my eyes from the moment I am
born. Gaze into them often and wait for
me to look back. In the beginning I will
look only for a short time and then look
away so I do not get too stimulated.
1. Be my base
Nearly everything will be new to me –
except the sound of my family’s voices. I
will know them as soon as I hear them,
so talk to me as soon as I am born.
If you hold me close or put me to your
breast as soon as I am born I will
immediately know your smell and your
taste. I will know that you are my safe
base – my safe haven.
This is the start of me learning about and
understanding your (and my) feelings, and
how to communicate through your eyes.
2. Delight in me
Show me that I am special to you. The
name of the game here is delight. I will be
born ‘hardwired’ to experience joy. If you
show me that you delight in me being with
you and if I sense your joy – then my brain
will really ‘switch on’.
Be bigger, stronger, wiser
and kind
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5. Respond every time I cry
Don’t worry – you won’t spoil me. In fact,
you will be showing me that I can depend
on you. I will learn to trust you. I will learn
that you will meet my needs because I
am too little to meet them myself.
You will read these words a lot in small
talk. I will need to know that I can count
on you – from as soon as I am born
and for many years to come.
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Feeding
• It’s made just for
me! It’s filled with
the perfect natural
mix of nutrients that
I need in a form
especially designed
for my maturing
digestive system
and growing body.
• Breastmilk will help
to protect me
against illnesses,
allergies and
diseases now while
I am little and later
on in life.
All the goodness in
breastmilk is yet to be
discovered so it can’t
be replicated in infant
formula.
Photo by Michael Marston courtesy of Queensland Health Image Library
What will I eat when
I’m born?
Breastmilk – made especially
for me
There’s no doubt about it – breastmilk is
the very best thing you can feed me.
There’s nothing quite like it. Here are some
of the best things about breastmilk:
Breastfeeding –
our first feed
together
The first thing you
need to know is that
breastfeeding is
something we will
learn to do together.
Even though it’s the
most natural thing to
do, it’s not just a
matter of ‘popping me
on’ and off I go. We will need to work as
a team and be patient with one another
while we’re learning.
Don’t worry though – the midwives in the
hospital are experts at teaching new mums
and their babies to breastfeed. You will
have plenty of help and support in hospital
and then from your local child health
nurses once you are discharged.
• Breastmilk will give me the best start in
life. It’s so nutritious and economical –
it’s the only food I’ll need for around the
first 6 months of my life!
You will be encouraged to breastfeed me
as soon as I am born. We will be skin-toskin as soon as possible, even if you’ve
had a caesarean.
• Breastmilk straight from the breast is
always clean and fresh and served at
just the right temperature.
I will be placed on your chest where the
smell of the amniotic fluid will attract me
to your breasts. It is best if I have time to
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get used to you and am slowly encouraged
to feed. I also have a natural instinct to
slowly make my way to your breasts where
I will have my first feed.
This may take some time – but everything
else can wait until I have had my first feed.
At the moment your body is busy
producing my first milk called colostrum.
For the first feed, and for a few days after
I’m born, I will be feeding on this colostrum.
As you breastfeed, your breastmilk will
‘come in’, and as your breastmilk increases
the colostrum decreases. Your breasts
will feel very full, but this will settle down
in a day or two once I work out what I
need.
If you feel you may need assistance before
you put me on your breast, you can call
the midwife and they can help you with
my attachment.
If you are not able to
breastfeed me
You might not be able to breastfeed me
when I am born. Don’t worry too much –
if you use a bottle to feed me when I’m
born, we can be close and loving. Bottlefeeding me with infant formula can be a
wonderful bonding experience for us. We
can get comfy together.
If you make every bottle-feeding time a
special, loving and peaceful experience
for us, we’ll be just fine. You can hold me
really close and talk to me gently and
softly as I feed. We can spend this special
time looking into each others’ eyes.
The love you give me matters a lot. I can
share this bonding time with other special
people in my life too.
Be sure you hold me
when you bottle feed me
so we are close, and
never prop the bottle and
leave me on my own – I
may choke if you do this.
Keeping me safe and healthy
Keeping me healthy right
from the start
It is important to get me vaccinated on
time to protect me against disease.
Whooping cough (pertussis) can be
deadly, especially for babies less than 6
months of age. I can be protected if my
carers have a whooping cough booster
vaccine. Dad will need his before I am
born and Mum, you should already have
been vaccinated.
Photo by KaPa courtesy K McLean
Anyone else who lives with us or cares
for me (like my grandparents and child
care providers) should also be vaccinated
until I have had mine and become immune.
With your consent I will be given my first
dose of hepatitis B vaccine in hospital
soon after birth. I will then need three
more doses at 2, 4 and 6 months of age.
If I am infected with hepatitis B there is a
90% chance of me becoming a chronically
infected ‘carrier’, with a high risk of being
infectious to others. This may lead to
serious liver problems for me later in life.
Immunisations are available from your
doctor or free local immunisation clinics.
For information visit:
www.health.qld.gov.au/immuniseGC
Newborn hearing
When I am born I will be screened to make
sure I can hear. This is a simple and painfree process.
Here’s an important point to remember
though. Even if my hearing is fine when
I’m born, I could still develop ear infections
later on which could affect my hearing.
If my hearing is affected for a long period
of time, or repeatedly due to ear infections,
then my speech and language may not
develop as well as they should. If I get a
cold, or if I seem to be in pain, you should
ask the doctor to check my ears, just to
make sure they’re not infected or blocked.
Vitamin K
Vitamin K is very important for me because
it helps my blood to clot so that I don’t
have any serious bleeding. Some babies
don’t get enough Vitamin K from their
mothers during pregnancy or when they
are breastfeeding. These babies are at
risk of developing Vitamin K Deficiency
Bleeding (VKDB). This can cause bleeding
into the brain and may result in brain
damage or even death.
smoking and avoiding alcohol and caffeine
(coffee, cola, energy drinks) will help us
feel better and give me a great start to
life.
VKDB can be prevented by giving me
extra Vitamin K when I’m born. By the
time I’m 6 months old I will have built up
my own supply of Vitamin K.
Keep in mind while breastfeeding that
whatever goes into your body will also
end up in me. If you smoke, drink alcohol
or have excessive caffeine the supply and
quality of your breastmilk may be reduced.
I may struggle to feed, become irritable
and lose important vitamins that help to
build my immune system.
How is Vitamin K given?
The easiest and most reliable way to give
me Vitamin K is by injection. Most babies
born in Australia are given the Vitamin K
injection just after birth. Vitamin K can
also be given by mouth, but three doses
are needed over the first 4 weeks.
What about side effects?
Over the 20 years that Vitamin K has been
given to new babies in Australia, it seems
to have caused no problems.
Do I have to have it?
It is your choice whether I am given Vitamin
K or not. Just remember that giving me
Vitamin K is a simple and safe way to
protect me from a very serious and
preventable disease.
Smoking near me is ‘no go’!
Smoking around me is not good for me!
Please do not let anyone smoke around
me. It is illegal to smoke when I am in
the car.
Keeping me safe right from
the start
If you or others close to me continue
to smoke, please consider my health
and safety. I will be more likely to suffer
from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
(SIDS), have poor growth, breathing
problems, pneumonia, middle ear
infections and gastrointestinal problems
including vomiting.
You may have stopped smoking and
drinking whilst you were pregnant with
me. That’s great, but it is best for both of
us if you can continue to make healthy
choices. Eating nutritious foods, not
You can discuss quitting smoking with
a child health nurse, health professional
or doctor. Try Quitline 13 QUIT (13
7848) for free help and advice.
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Keeping me safe and healthy
Make sure my cot is safe. It should meet
the current Australian Standard AS2172
and have a firm, clean, flat mattress that
is the right size for the cot. Please don’t
include bedding like doonas, pillows, lambs
wool, bumpers or soft toys in my cot.
Make sure the room I will be sleeping in
is well ventilated, smoke-free, and that the
temperature remains fairly constant. If we
live in a really hot climate you can cool
me with a fan that does not directly face
me, but please don’t use an air conditioner.
Safe wrapping
Wrapping can calm and settle me for sleep.
Wrapping may help me stay asleep for
longer as it stops my ‘startle reflex’ from
waking me up. It helps me stay on my
back, decreasing the risk of SIDS.
Photo by KaPa courtesy K McLean
Preparing my sleeping place
It’s time to decide where I will sleep once
I’m home. Think about what will suit you
and the rest of the family best.
The safest place for me to sleep is in a
cot or bassinette next to your bed for the
first 6 to 12 months of my life. You will be
able to hear me waking and get to me
quickly. Always sleep me on my back and
make sure bedding or clothing cannot
cover my face or overheat me. This also
reduces the risk of Sudden Infant Death
Syndrome (SIDS) and sleeping accidents.
Safe sleeping
It is not the safest option for me to sleep
with you or anyone else as it increases
the risk of SIDS. I am also at risk of fatal
sleeping accidents if you smoke, drink
alcohol, take drugs or take any
medication that causes heavy sleep.
There is a real danger that I could
overheat, get trapped under pillows or
blankets and suffocate, or be harmed
or smothered if you accidentally roll onto
me. Do not wrap me if I am sleeping
with anyone.
Always use a lightweight wrap such as
cotton or muslin and wrap me firmly but
not too tightly, allowing for hip and chest
movement. Make sure you wrap me from
below the neck so my face and head are
exposed. I need to be dressed lightly
underneath the wrap.
Use only a singlet and nappy in warmer
weather, or a lightweight jumpsuit in cooler
weather.
Safety when changing me
Whenever you are changing me or my
nappy, make sure I am on a safe surface
and always follow the safety rule: ‘if your
eyes are off, your hands are on'.
Safe prams
When purchasing my pram or stroller,
please check that it meets Australian
Standards AS/NZS 2088:2000. My pram
or stroller should be strong, stable, lock
securely into place and have good brakes.
It is even better if you buy one with some
sort of sun and wind protector that attaches
to it to keep me sheltered.
Sun safety
My newborn skin is very sensitive and
can burn within a few minutes, so I
should never be exposed to direct
sunlight. Always make sure I am in the
shade and remember I can still burn
from reflected sunshine. Cover me as
much as possible in loose-fitting and
close-weave fabric to prevent UV from
penetrating through to my skin and to
keep me cool. Make sure I wear a soft
hat too!
Don’t forget my car restraint!
If I am leaving hospital with you in a car,
you will need to fit my car restraint (capsule
or car seat). Please make sure my capsule
or car seat is fitted correctly for safety for
our trip home. It is a legal requirement
that I am placed into an appropriate and
approved child restraint in any vehicle I
travel in. By law, my child car restraint
needs to comply with AS/NZS 1754.
It is especially important if you are
changing me on something up high like a
change table, kitchen table or bed to make
sure you have everything you will need
ready and within reach. Keep your hand
on me at all times. If I fall, I could end up
with a serious head injury. I am able to
roll off a change table even at this early
stage.
There are many child car restraints to
choose from so make sure you get one
that is right for my age and size.
Safe dummies
RACQ 1800 816 523
www.racq.com.au
If you choose to give me a dummy, try to
only give it to me at sleep time and remove
it once I am asleep. Be aware that it is a
potential hazard – poorly designed or
manufactured dummies can break into
small parts that can choke me. It is also
dangerous for a dummy to hang around
my neck on ribbon or string as it could
strangle me.
8
Check with Kidsafe Queensland, RACQ
or a local qualified child restraint service
for assistance with the purchase or hire
and correct fitting of your baby’s car
restraint.
Kidsafe Queensland (07) 3854 1829
www.kidsafeqld.com.au
Please contact qualified fitting services at
least four weeks prior to my expected birth
if you can, as there is often a waiting time
for this service. There may be a cost
incurred for some of the services offered.
Nifty and thrifty
To buy or not to buy....
It can come as a surprise to learn how much
money little babies can cost.
If you know your income will reduce for a
while once your baby is born, then buying
items you will need while you have more
money coming in is a smart idea.
There are so many baby products on the
market to buy that it can be very tempting
to think you need them all. Don’t forget that
family and friends often give gifts when you
are pregnant or once you have your baby.
It may be worth waiting to see what you are
given and then buying the things you need.
The items that are going to continually cost
the most money once your baby is born are
disposable nappies, wipes and infant formula,
if you’re not breastfeeding. Wait until they
are discounted or check for special offers
online.
Disposable nappies
If you are using disposable nappies, buy a
packet or box of nappies each time you do
a grocery shop this month, unless you are
expecting your baby will weigh more than
5kg. Most newborn nappies will fit a baby
until they are 5kg. Bigger babies can use
the next size.
If you use an average of six nappies per day
Australian
parenting
websites:
For more information,
log on to these websites:
• www.raisingchildren.net.au
• www.kidscount.com.au
• www.rch.org.au
Emergency
phone numbers
Make a list of emergency numbers
to keep near the telephone, or key
them into the phone:
• Fire/Ambulance/Police ....000
You may consider disposable nappies that
are absorbent and draw
wetness away from your
baby’s skin. This
way baby is kept
dryer for longer
and comfortable,
even with repeat wetting.
Cloth nappies
If you are going to use cloth nappies, the
news is good. Cloth nappies have come a
long way since terry nappies were the only
choice. A lot more parents are starting to
use cloth nappies these days.
You’re going to need more than you think
because you’ll end up using them for more
than keeping a little bottom clean.
They are really handy for all sorts of things.
You can use them as burping towels (they’re
great for catching milk that ‘comes back at
you’), changing mats, cot mattress protectors,
wriggle mats – the possibilities are endless!
Keep your ‘bottom’ nappies separate
from‘other purpose’ nappies for hygiene
reasons.
There are several varieties of cloth nappies
you can purchase. Some of the modern cloth
nappies are shaped to fit the baby’s individual
size and weight. They are made of different
materials such as cloth, terry and bamboo,
and some are environmentally friendly and
even waterproof. Some fit like a disposable
nappy where all you have to do is snap or
velcro to do it up (no folding or pinning).
You could find these different varieties by
searching online or looking in your local
shopping centre.
Payments: be thrifty
You may be eligible to receive some
government financial assistance after having
a baby. Each payment is different, depending
on the needs of each family.
To find out what is available, go online and
visit www.familyassist.gov.au
There’s a very good reason to be careful
and sensible with extra payments you may
receive. Your baby could cost you more than
you think.
Babies can cost up to and over $5,000 in
the first year alone (not including childcare).
It might be wise to assess what payments
and income you have coming in and budget
for what you need to purchase.
Nappy change helpful tips!
Wash your hands with warm, soapy water:
• before feeding
• after every nappy change
• after disposing of the nappy.
To clean baby’s change table,
wipe over all
surfaces
where baby’s
nappy is
changed
with
warm,
soapy
water.
• Poisons info .........13 11 26
9
© Julie Fairman
• From a mobile ..............112
(and you will probably use more with a
newborn), then you will have used at least
340 nappies by the time your baby is 2
months old.
Parents are people too!
What about your baby?
How to share your thoughts
All babies are born with their own personality
– you never know who you’re going to get!
Maybe your baby will:
• ‘take the world in their stride’ – eating and
sleeping well right from the start
Talk honestly with your partner about your
expectations and feelings – both positive
and negative. Talk about how you think you
might react in different situations and how
you could help each other if things don’t turn
out the way you thought they would.
• be difficult to care for. They might cry most
of the time, and sleep very little.
Here are some situations for you to share
your thoughts about:
How about you?
• What if you or your partner are expecting
and wanting to have a ‘natural’ birth and
you end up having a caesarean?
• be easy to care for
Photo by KaPa courtesy K McLean
How about Dad?
For those lucky men reading this
newsletter who are about to become dads
– this is a huge moment in your life too.
New fathers who have been part of the
birth process report a range of
experiences, thoughts and feelings. Some
say it is the greatest experience of their
life. Some say they felt horror at seeing
their partner in extreme pain. These
thoughts and feelings can be stronger if
the birth did not go as expected or there
were difficulties for the mother or baby.
Dads can go through strong emotions
during the first few months too. If this
happens to you, you may want to find
someone you can talk to about your
feelings. Pages 11 and 12 of this edition
provide some services that may be able
to assist you.
A kind, loving, fun and firm father is a
great gift for a little baby. Research now
clearly shows that fathers have a powerful
influence on the social, emotional and
intellectual development of their children.
Some research has shown there is a
more positive effect on brain development
at 1 year old for babies whose fathers
are closely involved in caring for them
than babies whose fathers aren’t very
involved in caring for them. As a dad you
matter – a lot!
How about your relationship?
Let’s not beat around the bush – a baby will
change your relationship with your partner.
There will soon be a very small person living
with you 24 hours a day who depends on
both of you for their very survival. Life isn’t
just about the two of you anymore.
You can’t predict exactly how you will react
and adjust to being a parent. Part of the way
you react in the early days may be about
the birth experience. Part of it may be about
the way you were raised by your parents.
Part of it may be about the expectations you
have built about the sort of parent you want
to be. If you don’t match up to those
expectations, you might react differently to
how you thought you would.
Domestic violence
Arguments in families are pretty common,
but sometimes they can get out of hand and
people get hurt. Domestic violence happens
in all sorts of families and plays a major part
in family breakdown. It is hard to talk about,
even with close friends or family. Sometimes
it’s easier to ignore or even deny it’s
happening.
Unfortunately, domestic violence hardly ever
goes away by itself. It usually gets worse
over time without help. If domestic violence
is happening in your home, you need to get
help. It is important to consider your safety
and the safety of your baby.
You can call DVConnect Womensline –
1800 811 811 (24 hours, 7 days a week in
Queensland). Alternative DV services can
be found on pages 11 and 12.
In an emergency, contact
000 (Triple zero)
Your partner?
You never know how your partner is going
to react to becoming a parent ‘for real’. Some
partners are surprised by how strongly they
feel the bond with their baby as soon as it
is born, especially if they didn’t feel a bond
during pregnancy.
Some partners are surprised by how little
they feel – especially if they thought they
would love parenthood straight away. You
won’t know until it happens.
10
• What if your baby cries a lot in the first
month and you can’t get enough sleep?
• What could you do to help each other
through this difficult time?
• What if you don’t get to spend any quality
time with each other for a while?
• What if your other children are feeling left
out?
Talk about what you can do now to prepare
yourself for these potential situations.
How things might change
When you focus more on the baby than
on each other, some tension may
develop between you and your partner.
This is natural and normal.
Your individual needs for sex may
increase or decrease. Be open about
this now – talk about what it would
mean to your relationship if you didn’t
have sex as often as you’re used to.
The changes in a mother’s body after
birth and while breastfeeding often
affect how she feels about herself and
her partner – agree to be open about
this once your baby is born.
Be prepared for the ‘baby blues’. It
might not happen – but if it does you
will need to know what to look out for.
This will be covered further in the next
edition of small talk.
You will probably have less money
coming in so this may put a bit more
pressure on you than before. Perhaps
you could work out a new budget based
on a reduced income to get an idea of
how you might manage. If you would
like further assistance, see the contacts
pages on pages 11 and 12 for services
that may assist you.
Important and useful contacts
All parents need support at different times and for different reasons.
Seeking out and using support is a vital part of parenting.
Child and family health
Childcare, playgroups
13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84)
Confidential, qualified and supportive advice 24/7
for all adult and children's health and wellbeing
enquiries.
Child Care Access Hotline
Telephone information hotline to help people
choose a child care service.
Ph: 1800 670 305 (M-F 8am-6pm)
Ph: 13 36 84
www.mychild.gov.au/childcare-information
Asthma Australia
Information and support for people with asthma
or caring for someone with asthma.
Ph: 1800 278462
www.asthmaaustralia.org.au
Australian Breastfeeding Association
Provides breastfeeding advice and support
services for expectant and new mothers and their
partners.
Ph: 1800 MUM 2 MUM (1800 686 268)
www.breastfeeding.asn.au
Child Health Fact Sheets
(Royal Children’s Hospital) Information on a range
of child health topics.
www.rch.org.au
Gold Coast Community Child Health Service
Offers a wide range of free health services to
families with children.
Ph: 5687 9183
www.health.qld.gov.au/goldcoasthealth/community_health.asp
Gold Coast University Hospital Maternity
Services
Antenatal Clinic Ph: 5687 1526
Birth Centre Ph: 5687 1437
Birth Suite Ph: 5687 1057,
Maternity Assessment & Triage Unit - MATU
Ph: 5687 1424
Interpreter Services Ph: 5580 7853
Immunise Australia Program
Ph: 1800 671 811 (8.30am-5pm AEST)
Free immunisation clinics
www.health.qld.gov.au/immuniseGC
Jean Hailes Foundation for Women’s Health
Health and wellbeing for women including
community and professional education and clinical
care.
Ph: 1800 532 642 (M-F 9am-5pm)
Medicine Line (National Prescribing Service)
Telephone service providing information on
prescription, over-the-counter and complementary
(herbal, natural, vitamin, mineral) medicines.
Ph: 1300 MEDICINE (1300 633 424)
www.nps.org.au
Royal Children’s Hospital Kids Health Info
Up to date health information fact sheets for
parents and adolescents
www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo
Women’s Health Queensland Wide
Professional information and referral service for
Queensland women run by midwives and nurses.
Ph: 1800 017 676
www.womhealth.org.au
Crèche and Kindergarten Association
Community based early childhood education and
care services in Queensland.
Ph: 1800 177 092 (M-F 7.30am-5pm)
www.candk.asn.au
Family Day Care Association Qld
Childcare services in a home environment.
Ph: (07) 3399 3737
www.fdcqld.org
Office for Early Childhood Education and Care
e-newsletter
Current information on early childhood education
and care reforms in Queensland.
www.deta.qld.gov.au/earlychildhood/news/
Playgroup Queensland
Playgroups, early intervention programs and
community education activities.
Ph: 1800 171 882
Email: [email protected]
www.playgroupqld.com.au
St Vincent de Paul
Ph: HelpLine Qld 5561 4702
(M-F 8.30am-3.30pm)
Email: [email protected]
www.vinnies.org.au/findhelp/
Counselling & support
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
See the website for your local AA contact
telephone number.
www.aa.org.au
Advocates for Survivors of Child Abuse
Support for adult survivors of child abuse.
Ph: 1300 657 380
Email: [email protected]
www.asca.org.au
Alcohol & Drug Information Service (ADIS)
Telephone counselling and referrals for issues
related to alcohol and drug use.
Ph: 1800 198 024
Parent Drug Information Service
Ph: 1800 653 203
Child safety and welfare
Beyond Blue
Information and support for depression, anxiety,
bipolar disorder, postnatal depression, men's
health, health professionals and support services.
Ph: 1300 22 4636 (24 hours, 7 days)
www.beyondblue.org.au
Child Abuse Prevention Service
Family support, prevention and community
education services.
Ph: 1800 688 009
www.childabuseprevention.com.au
Bravehearts Inc
Counselling for children and young people
suffering from sexual assault/abuse related issues.
Ph: 1800 BRAVE 1 (1800 272 831)
www.bravehearts.org.au
Child Safety Services (Department of
Communities)
Protection for children experiencing harm or at
risk of harm. Professional help for child abuse
and neglect, parenting problems, parent–child
conflict, juvenile justice issues and other child
and adolescent-related welfare issues.
Ph: 1300 679 849
A/h: 1800 177 135
Child Wise
National child abuse prevention helpline,
counselling and support services for victims,
parents, relatives, teachers, friends, professionals
and carers.
Ph: 1800 991099
www.childwise.org.au
Child Support Agency
Helping parents provide necessary support for
their childrens’ wellbeing.
www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/themes/
child-support-and-separated-parents
Dads in Distress Support Services (DIDSS)
Support and help for men after divorce or
separation issues.
Ph: 1300 853 437
www.dadsindistress.asn.au
Foster Care Queensland
For foster carers and children in their care.
Ph: (07) 3256 6166
Email: [email protected]
www.fcq.com.au
DV line – Domestic Violence
Help for women, men, children and pets.
Women’s Line: 1800 811 811 (24 hours, 7 days)
Men’s Line: 1800 600 636
Email: [email protected]
www.dvconnect.org
Kidsafe Queensland
Resources, information and education for parents
and carers helping to prevent injuries.
Ph: (07) 3854 1829
Email: [email protected]
www.kidsafeqld.com.au
Family Drug Support
Support and information for families affected by
alcohol and other drugs.
Ph: 1800 368 186 (24 hours, 7 days)
Email: [email protected]
www.fds.org.au
11
Important and useful contacts
Gamblers Anonymous
Support for compulsive gambling problems.
Ph: 0467 655 799
Email: [email protected]
www.gansw.org.au
Kids Helpline
Confidential phone and online counselling service
for young people aged 5–25 years.
Ph: 1800 55 1800 (24 hours, 7 days)
Visit website for web and email counselling
www.kidshelp.com.au
Lifeline
Crisis support, suicide prevention and mental health
support to connect people in need with care.
Ph: 13 11 14
www.lifeline.org.au
Men’s Line Australia
Telephone support, information and referrals for
men dealing with relationship problems.
Ph: 1300 78 99 78 (24/ hours, 7 days)
Email: [email protected]
www.mensline.org.au
National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family
Violence Counselling : 1800RESPECT
Provides telephone counselling and referrals and
assists in crisis intervention.
Ph: 1800 737 732 (24 hours, 7 days)
www.1800respect.org.au
Disability services
Disability Information and Support
Assists people with a disability and their families
to access support and services.
Ph: 13 74 68
Email: [email protected]
www.communities.qld.gov.au/disability
Community Health Service Support
Organisations
Website directory with links to a wide range of
health and disability support organisations.
www.health.qld.gov.au/cchs/support.asp
Qld Government (People with disability)
Directory for people with disability, their families,
carers and friends to find information and services.
Ph: 13 QGOV (13 74 68)
www.qld.gov.au/disability/
Queensland Hearing Loss Family Support
Service (QHLFSS)
Support for families of deaf/permanent hearing
loss infants and children.
Ph: 1800 352 075
Family/parenting support
Centrelink Family Assistance Office (FAS)
Financial support to eligible parents and guardians.
Ph: 13 61 50 (M-F 8am-8pm)
www.centrelink.gov.au
Post and Antenatal Depression Association
(PANDA)
Telephone information, support and referral service
for antenatal or postnatal depression and anxiety.
Ph: 1300 726 306 (M-F 10am-5pm AEST)
www.panda.org.au
Ellen Barron Family Centre
Residential service for Queensland families with
children from birth to 3 years, who are
experiencing parenting issues of a complex nature.
Ph: (07) 3139 6500
www.health.qld.gov.au/ellenbarronfamilycentre
Parentline
Professional and confidential counselling and
support services for parents.
Ph: 1300 301 300 (8am-10pm 7 days)
Email: [email protected]
www.parentline.com.au
Raising Children Network
Australian parenting website providing
comprehensive information to assist with
pregnancy, and parenting of newborn children to
teenagers.
www.raisingchildren.net.au
Sane Australia
Telephone and online helpline for people affected
by mental illness.
Ph: 1800 18 7263 (1800 18 SANE)
Email: [email protected]
www.sane.org
Relationships Australia
Relationship support services for individuals and
families.
Ph: 1300 364 277
www.relationships.org.au
Sexual Assault Helpline
Counselling support for victims of sexual assault.
Ph: 1800 010 120
Stillbirth & Neonatal Death Support (SANDS
Qld Inc)
Support, information and education for parents and
their families who experience the death of their
baby to miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal death and
other reproductive losses. National Support Line
Ph: 1300 072 637 (24 hours, 7 days)
www.sandsqld.org.au
Family Planning
Australian Multiple Births Association
Support, resources and education for multiple
birth families.
Ph: 1300 886 499
www.amba.org.au
Children by Choice
Counselling, tinformation and referral for all
unplanned pregnancy issues.
Ph: 1800 177 725 (M-F 9am-5pm)
www.childrenbychoice.org.au
Family Planning Queensland
True Relationships & Reproductive Health
Comprehensive range of clinical, counselling,
information, education and training services on
family planning and sexual and reproductive
health.
Ph: (07) 3250 0240
Email: [email protected]
www.fpq.com.au
Pregnancy Birth and Baby Helpline
Confidential information, referrals and/or support
counselling for women, partners and families or
new parents relating to issues of conception,
pregnancy, birthing and postnatal care.
Ph: 1800 882 436 (24 hours, 7 days)
www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au
Medical Emergencies
QUEENSLAND AMBULANCE SERVICE
Ph: 000
Queensland Poisons Information Centre
Fast, accurate advice to assist in the management
of poisonings, suspected poisonings, bites and
stings.
Ph: 13 11 26
www.health.qld.gov.au/poisonsinformationcentre
SIDS and Kids
Bereavement support for families who have
experienced the unexpected death of a baby
regardless of the cause. Also provides safe
sleeping education programs.
Ph: 1300 308 307 (24 hours, 7 days)
www.sidsandkids.org
© Copyright The State of Queensland (Queensland Health) 2015
Disclaimer: This information is provided as general information
only and should not be relied upon as professional or medical
advice. Professional and medical advice should be sought for
particular health concerns or manifestations. Best efforts have
been used to develop this information which is considered correct
and current in accordance with accepted best practice in
Queensland as at the date of production.
The State of Queensland (Queensland Health) does not accept
liability to any person for the information provided in this newsletter
nor does it warrant that the information will remain correct and
current.
The State of Queensland (Queensland Health) does not promote,
endorse or create any association with any third party by
publication or use of any references or terminology in this
newsletter.
*© 2015 Education Services Australia Limited. This text is adapted
from the Engaging Families in the Early Childhood Development
Story. Neuroscience and early childhood development publication
developed by the Standing Council on School Education and
Early Childhood (SCSEEC), and owned by Education Services
Australia. This publication has not been endorsed, approved or
authorised by SCSEEC or Education Services Australia.
13427OCT2015
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