New parents connect online
When stage three restrictions came into place, Council-run sessions for new parents were halted. Last week, four groups have re-started the program online.
Traditionally, new parents would attend eight weeks of sessions in person, facilitated by a Maternal and Child Health nurse. To accommodate Coronavirus restrictions, the sessions have migrated to a four-week online program.
New parents are sent resources via email, and then come together via Zoom to ask questions, share ideas and connect with each other. These sessions are still facilitated by a Maternal and Child Health nurse.
Essential topics covered in the sessions include sleeping and settling, infant massage, teeth and teething and managing childhood illnesses.
For many, Coronavirus restrictions have impacted on the experience of being a new parent.
Often families have been able to help out upon the arrival of a new baby, with grandparents, parents, aunties and uncles being on hand to help with washing, cooking meals and even taking the new baby out for a walk while mums and dads catch up on some much-needed sleep.
Until recently this has been a lot harder to manage with many in our community following the rules and staying at home. With many grandparents being over the age of 60, their need to stay safe at home is even greater.
The re-starting of these online sessions means that new parents can maintain contact and support each other, despite Coronavirus.
Many groups established through Council’s new parents program maintain contact beyond the program, establishing support networks for each other as their newborns grow into young children.
And now that restrictions have started to lift these new parents, babies in tow, might even be able to take a walk together.
