New babies and young children: support

Australian Breastfeeding Association – Breastfeeding helpline
If you’re breastfeeding and need help, trained volunteer counsellors can give you reassurance, information and advice about breastfeeding and overcoming common difficulties with breastfeeding. Phone the National Breastfeeding Helpline on 1800 686 268 (1800 MUM 2 MUM), 7 days a week, 24 hours.

Child and Family Health Service (CaFHS)
The Child and Family Health Service provides free support for families with children aged 0-5 years in South Australia. After you have a baby, a child and family health nurse can visit you at home or you can see them at your nearest health centre. If you have any concerns about your baby, your young child, yourself or your family, these nurses can help. To make an appointment with a CaFHS nurse, phone 1300 733 606, Monday-Friday, 9 am-4.30 pm.

Child and Family Health Service – Torrens House
This is a community residential unit for families with babies aged up to 12 months who need extra support for unresolved feeding, settling and sleeping issues. If you think Torrens House can help your family, your child and family health nurse can tell you more.

Healthdirect Australia
This is a free 24-hour telephone health information and advice service for residents of the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, the Northern Territory, Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia. Phone 1800 022 222.

Parent Helpline
This is a confidential telephone advice and information service for parents and carers of children aged 0-12 years in South Australia. Trained professional counsellors with experience in helping families will listen, give you support and assistance, and direct you to relevant services. Phone Parent Helpline on 1300 364 100, 7 days a week, 24 hours.

Parenting SA
Parenting SA has Parent Easy Guides with information on raising children from birth to 18 years. There are guides specially developed for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and guides in community languages.

Child care and early childhood education

There are 5 options for child care and early education in Australia:

• Home-based care – this is when a friend, relative, babysitter or nanny cares for your child in your own home.
• Centre-based care – this includes long day care, occasional care, preschools and kindergartens.
• Family day care – this is when an approved educator cares for your child in the educator’s home.
• Business-related creches – this is informal care offered in businesses like gyms or shopping centres.
• Outside school hours care – this is centre-based child care for primary school-age children before and/or after school, on student-free days and during the school holidays.

Playgroups

Playgroups are a great way for young children to practise getting along with others and try new ways to play. They’re good for parents too, with plenty of support and social contact in a relaxed, welcoming environment.

For more information or to find a playgroup near you, phone Playgroup SA on 1800 171 882, Monday-Friday, 9 am-4 pm.

Preschool

Preschool is generally for children who turn 4 in the year before starting school. Some states and territories offer preschool for 3-year-olds.

Preschool programs help children learn and develop through play. They also help children get ready for the transition to school.

Some preschools are located in public schools – you can find out more about preschools run by the SA Department for Education. Others are run by local government, community-based organisations or the private sector.

Playcentres might be available in small rural communities that don’t have preschools. Playcentres promote children’s early learning and development, offering activities facilitated by an early childhood worker for children under school age and their families.

Search the Starting Blocks website to find preschools near you.

Children with developmental delay or disability

The National Disability Insurance Scheme is a national scheme to support people with permanent and significant disability.

If your child has a developmental delay or significant and permanent disability, the NDIS helps you and your child get services and support in your community. Start by phoning the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) on 1800 800 110, Monday-Friday, 8 am-8 pm.

General parenting services and information

Infoxchange Service Seeker is a directory of community services in Australia. Search for ‘parenting’ to find parenting support and other services in your area.

Our guide to parent and family services has links to national, state and territory parent support and family support services, resources and organisations for parents and families of all kinds.

Your mental health, wellbeing and relationships

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or stressed or you’re struggling with your mental health or relationships, getting professional support is a very good idea. You could start by talking to your GP.

Here are more ways to get support for mental health and wellbeing:

• Call Lifeline on 131 114 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636 for mental health support.
• Check Head to Health to find online programs, forums and information on specific mental health topics.

For relationships support, call:

• Relationships Australia – South Australia on 1300 364 277, Monday-Friday, 9 am-5 pm
• Family Relationships Online on 1800 050 321, Monday-Friday, 8 am-8 pm and Saturday, 10 am-4 pm.

If there are problems in your relationships like family violence, call

• Domestic Violence Crisis Line on 1800 800 098, 7 days a week, 24 hours
• National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service on 1800 737 732 (1800RESPECT), 7 days a week, 24 hours
• Women’s Information Service on 1800 188 158, Monday-Friday, 9 am-5 pm.