Preface

We know that adjusting to parenthood can feel overwhelming, and it's okay to admit that you need support. Did you know that 1 in every 5 new and expecting mums, and 1 in every 10 dads, experience perinatal depression and/or anxiety?

Parenting can be extremely hard leading to physical and mental exhaustion. Adjusting to parenting with a new born baby in the first six to eight weeks is normally the hardest.

Common Challenges

Some common initial challenges of parenting include:

• Physically recovering from birth and hormone fluctuations
• Lack of sleep
• Feeding your baby
• Learning how to manage your priorities & time with the baby
• Learning how to look after and cope with your baby especially if it is often unsettled or unwell
• Dealing with advice from others that can make you feel upset or insufficient.
• Changes in your body which can impact your body image & self-esteem
• Adjustments in the relationship with your partner as you both adapt
• Relationship dynamics changes with family
• Bonding with your baby may take longer than expected

It's important to pay attention to your mental health and recognise warning signs, such as:

• Feeling a lot of anxiety, fear, worry or sadness
• Worrying you’re not coping well, or not enjoying things the way you think you should
• Feeling ambivalence, or even negative feelings
• Having a sense of hopelessness about the future
• Isolation and disconnection from friends, family and the world around you
• Feeling overwhelmed with the responsibility of parenting
• Inability to manage your feelings

Self-Care

Taking care of yourself is essential for your own well-being and for the well-being of your family. Part of this is prioritising your mental health, and getting help as soon as possible. There are many places you can get mental health support such as going to your GP. The following organisations specialise in support during pregnancy and for new parents.

• ForWhen https://forwhenhelpline.org.au/
  Connect parents navigating pregnancy and parenthood to mental health services.
  National helpline 1300 24 23 22 (staffed by clinical practitioners Monday to Friday 9am to 4.30pm)
• PANDA https://panda.org.au/
  Supports mental health of parents and families during pregnancy and in their first year of parenthood.
  National Helpline 1300 726 306 (Monday to Saturday)
• COPE https://www.cope.org.au/
  Website supporting the emotional challenges of becoming a parent.
  Free app for pregnancy and parenting.
• MumSpace https://www.mumspace.com.au/
  One-stop website, supporting the mental health and emotional wellbeing of pregnant women, new mums and their families.
  MindMum app
• SMS4dads https://www.sms4dads.com.au/
  A text message advice and support service for new fathers
• Mum Mood Booster https://mummoodbooster.com/public/
  An online treatment program for mothers with postnatal depression
• This Way UP https://thiswayup.org.au/
  Online evidence-based programs to help improve the way you feel.
  There are also programs designed for pregnancy and postnatal.