Louise has compiled the following resources for extra support and information.
Child Health & Parenting
The Centre for Perinatal Health & Parenting Ballarat Victoria
Newly opened in November 2019, The Centre provides therapies and support to families from pregnancy through to early primary school years in a relaxed, welcoming, semi-rural environment. There are Early Parenting Consultants, Psychologists, Infant Mental Health Consultants, Health Coaches, Speech Pathologists and Pre/Postnatal Yoga instructors on site. The Centre will commence Parent Education Group Classes and Workshops in early 2020.
Created by a partnership of member organisations of Australia’s leading early childhood agencies, the Raising Children website is produced with the help of an extensive network including the Australian Government.
The Circle of Security is a relationship based early intervention program designed to enhance attachment security between parents and children. Decades of university-based research have confirmed that secure children exhibit increased empathy, greater self-esteem, better relationships with parents and peers, enhanced school readiness, and an increased capacity to handle emotions more effectively when compared with children who are not secure.
Cord Blood Collection, Melbourne
Cord blood is the blood left behind in the placenta and umbilical cord after the birth of a baby. It is a rich source of blood-forming stem cells that can be used for children needing bone marrow transplants. Women who give birth at the Women’s Parkville campus can donate cord blood so that it is available to any child in the world who needs a bone marrow transplant.
Mercy Health Breastmilk Bank collects breastmilk from mothers that have recently given birth to at Mercy Hospital for Women, screens, pasteurise and delivers the donated breastmilk to sick and premature babies at Mercy Hospital for Women's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and Special Care Nursery (SCN).
Childhood Allergy & Food Intolerances
Facebook group - Breastfeeding Mums with Allergic and Food Intolerant Babies. Will need to request to join.
Infant Sleep & Settling
Safe Sleep Space, Melbourne, aims to help parents and professionals understand normal baby and toddler sleep, and how the experiences surrounding sleep don’t need to be stressful for babies, toddlers and families. Fee for services.
Day Stay Ballarat is a one day supportive, practical service for families who are experiencing difficulties with early parenting, e.g. settling or feeding. It is available to any parent in the community for a fee.
Anxiety & Depression
Lifeline is a national charity providing all Australians experiencing a personal crisis with access to 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention services.
beyondblue is an independent, not-for-profit organisation working to increase awareness and understanding of anxiety and depression in Australia and to reduce the associated stigma.
PANDA is the national Post and Antenatal Depression Association providing specialist information and ongoing counselling, support and referral to anyone affected by distress, depression and anxiety during pregnancy and after the birth of their baby (perinatal), including partners and extended family members.
The Black Dog Institute is a world leader in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mood disorders such as depression and bipolar disorder.
Antenatal & Postnatal Psychology Network
The Antenatal and Postnatal Psychology Network is a collaboration of independently practising Clinical Psychologists located in a number of areas around Melbourne. The psychologists have a special focus and extensive experience working with women, men and couples struggling with conception, assisted-fertility or IVF, pregnancy, postnatal adjustment, parent-infant attachment, parenting of infants, reproductive loss, and infertility.
Smiling Mind is modern meditation for young people. It is a unique web and App-based program, designed to help bring balance to young lives.
Ballarat Resources
Mother & Family Unit, Ballarat
MaFU provides specialist emotional and psychological support and treatment for families experiencing difficulties, including anxiety and depression, during the perinatal period. Up to five parents and their babies can stay at MaFU at any one time.
Raphael House Ballarat was opened in 2011 and provides perinatal and infant mental health services to families, who live in the Grampians region of Victoria.
Premature Babies
Just a Moment Too Soon is a comprehensive volume for parents of premature babies containing reliable, vital information on what to expect when you have a pre-term or sick full-term baby in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
Life's Little Treasures Foundation
The Life’s Little Treasures Foundation is Australia’s leading charity dedicated to providing support, friendship and information, specifically tailored for families of children born premature or sick.
L’il Aussie Prems Foundation provides support and services to families of premature and sick newborns online and in the community, raises awareness of premature birth, donates equipment to Australian NICU/SCN’s and awards selfless volunteers who make a difference each year.
The National Premmie Foundation (NPF) works to raise awareness of premature birth and neonatal loss. Its aim is to ensure that all prem parents receive the information, care and support they need to make an extremely difficult time just that little bit easier. It consists of a network of individual members and member groups from across Australia making it the largest organisation in Australia representing the interests of families of preterm infants.
Family Support Services in Ballarat
Child & Family Services Ballarat (CAFS)
Child & Family Services Ballarat (CAFS) is a community service organisation that provides a range of programs and services to children, young people and families who are vulnerable or in need of support.
Centacare Ballarat Family Relationship Centre
A Family Relationship Centre is a place any family member can go to for information about family relationships. The centre provides information about family issues; can provide support in identifying the needs of your family; and help with contacting appropriate local services.
Family Violence Support
WRISC exists to change the lives of women and children affected by family violence.
Substance Abuse
DrugRehab.com provides information and answers for people fighting addiction. Substance abuse can seriously complicate post-partum depression. This website has extensive information on a multitude of issues such as substance abuse, addiction, and mental illness.
