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When you bring your baby home, you may not know what to do next, especially if you are a new parent. It might be difficult, but there is always someone to help. This article has information to help you during those early weeks. It covers health checks for your baby, support and services, and government paperwork you need to do.

Bringing your newborn home

Bringing your new baby home is exciting, but it can also be daunting to leave the support of the hospital or birthing centre behind.

You may also find breastfeeding difficult or you may feel isolated, especially if you don't have friends and family nearby.

Remember, many new parents feel overwhelmed. Your baby's arrival can bring both new joys and challenges at the same time.

Whatever your concern, there are services that can help you in those early days and weeks at home.

Here are some examples of support services available to you:

Home visits

A midwife might visit you at home during those first few days and weeks. How often a midwife will visit you will depend on your and your baby's needs.

Telephone services

Your state or territory has parent helplines you can call:

Australian Capital Territory: parent helplines

Parentline ACT

(02) 6287 3833

New South Wales: parent helplines

Parent Line NSW	1300 1300 52
Karitane Careline	1300 227 464
Tresillian Parent's Help Line	1300 272 736

Northern Territory: parent helplines

Parentline Queensland and Northern Territory	1300 301 300
FACES (Families and Children Enquiry & Support) NT	1800 999 900

Queensland: parent helplines

Parentline Queensland and Northern Territory	1300 301 300
13 HEALTH	1343 2584

South Australia: parent helplines

Parent Helpline South Australia

1300 364 100

Tasmania: parent helplines

Parent Line Tasmania

1300 808 178

Victoria: parent helplines

Parentline Victoria	13 22 89
Council of Single Mothers and their Children	03 9654 0622 or 1300 552 511
Maternal and Child Health Line	13 22 29

Western Australia: parent helplines

Ngala Parenting Line

(08) 9368 9368 (metropolitan) or 1800 111 546 (regional callers)

Breastfeeding services

Qualified breastfeeding counsellors at the Australian Breastfeeding Association offer information and support if you are struggling with feeding your baby. Call 1800 mum 2 mum (1800 686 268).

Local child health clinic

Your local clinic can provide support. Some child health clinics also run groups for new parents, including groups in languages other than English.

Each state and territory has its own maternal child health programs and services. Ask your child health nurse what is available in your area.

How might I feel?

It's common to feel teary, overwhelmed and/or anxious 3 – 5 days after giving birth, known as the ‘baby blues'. Baby blues happen because of sudden changes in your hormone levels after giving birth.

Usually, symptoms go away on their own within a few days. If these feelings last longer than a few days and they get more intense, talk to your doctor or child health nurse. These feelings might be a sign that you have postnatal depression.

You do not have to go through this alone. Help is available. Read more about:

• anxiety and parenthood
• postnatal depression
• postpartum psychosis

What paperwork will I have to fill out?

Having a baby means a lot of paperwork. You will need to fill out forms to:

• register your baby's birth and name
• register your baby with Medicare
• arrange government payments, if you are eligible

Your hospital or midwife will give you a Parent Pack, which includes most of the forms you need, including:

• a Newborn Child Declaration
• a form to register your baby for My Health Record

The Newborn Child Declaration form allows you to register your child with Medicare and to complete your application for Parental Leave Pay or other government payments.

Health services and support are available to families who have migrated to Australia or arrived in Australia as refugees.

If you need help with Medicare services, call the Medicare program line on 132 011. You can access an interpreter for free.

You can also call the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) on 131 450.

Visit myGov for simple instructions on how to register your baby's birth in your state and territory.

What is an infant health record?

You will also be given an infant health record for your baby. In this book you can record important information about your baby, including their growth, vaccinations and any health issues.

Your book might be blue, purple, red, green or yellow, depending on which state or territory you live in.

What health checks should my baby have?

Your baby should have regular health checks during their first few months with the child health nurse at your local child health centre or by your doctor (GP).

Usually, your baby will be checked at birth, 1 – 4 weeks old, 6 – 8 weeks old and 6 months old. If your baby was premature or has some health concerns, your doctor may recommend more frequent checks.

These appointments are great opportunities to discuss how your child's health and development is progressing. You are welcome to ask questions and share any concerns or worries. It's a good idea to write down any questions before the check-ups so you don't forget to ask.

In some states and territories, your baby's first child health appointment will be in your home.

Ask your midwife or doctor about whether you need to book your first appointment, or if your local child health clinic will contact you.

Child health nurse services are free for families with children up to the age at which they start school.

What should I do if my baby is unwell?

If your baby is unwell, you may feel anxious and overwhelmed and unsure what to do.

Signs your baby may need urgent and immediate medical care include if:

• your baby is floppy, irritable, has a weak cry or is less responsive to things around them
• your baby is breathing rapidly, noisily or has difficulty breathing
• your baby's skin is very pale or they have a purple rash that does not fade with pressure
• your baby is drinking less than half the normal amount, passing less urine than usual or has not passed any urine in 6 hours
• baby has vomited blood or green fluid, or has blood in their poo
• you think your baby has had a seizure

If you're unsure whether your child's illness is serious, call healthdirect on 1800 022 222 at any time to speak to a registered nurse (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria) for more information and advice.

Remember, you know your child best. If you are concerned, you should take them to be checked by their doctor. Your local emergency department is also always open if you feel they need to be seen urgently.

• Watch a video about how to know when your baby is well.
• Read about how to tell if your child is sick.
• Read about common childhood rashes.
• Read about fever in babies.

Resources and support

There are many sources of information and support:

• You can talk to your GP or early childhood health nurse.
• Pregnancy, Birth and Baby provides information and support. You can talk with a maternal child health nurse by phone on 1800 882 436 or via video call.
• The healthdirect Service Finder can help you find health services and hospitals near you.
• The Royal Women's Hospital has information about your baby's first 2 weeks.
• If you are having trouble breastfeeding, you can call the Australian Breastfeeding Association National Breastfeeding Helpline on 1800 686 268.
• Call PANDA on 1300 726 306 for support if you think you have post or antenatal depression and anxiety.
• You can contact the parent helpline in your state or territory.
• The Gidget Foundaton support the emotional wellbeing of new parents and offers a range of support programs.
• ForWhen works to connect parents who are struggling to the critical mental health services you might need the most. Call 1300 24 23 22

Looking for information for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people?

• The Aboriginal Maternal and Infant Health Services (AMIHS) supports you and your family during pregnancy and until your baby is 8 weeks old.
• The Aboriginal Maternal and Infant Health Service (AMIHS) can refer you to Brighter Futures; a Community Services funded program that gives you extra help when you need it.
• Parenting South Australia have worked together with Aboriginal parents to publish a book for you to read with your sister.

Do you prefer to read in languages other than English?

The Australian Breastfeeding Association offers various pamphlets regarding breastfeeding in many languages.

NSW Multicultural Health Communication Services offers information in various languages:

• Having a baby
• Breastfeeding tips for new mothers
• Preparing formula and sterilising bottles
• Blue Book Questions for Parents Leaflet
• My personal health record
• The Children's Hospital at Westmead - A Handbook For Families