Several mothers have recognized the need for more comprehensive postnatal support outside of existing public services in Australia, leading to the emergence of private mother’s groups and social clubs. Keshia Hutchens co-founded a drop-in space for mothers in Melbourne called From Day One, offering a 10-session mother’s group at $35 per session in an effort to fill gaps in existing services. The aim is to provide support for mothers facing isolation and seeking advice, particularly those with multiple children who may have different challenges and questions regarding managing relationships, family dynamics, and navigating the roles of siblings.
One such mother navigating the joys and challenges of having a second child is 29-year-old Chelsea McCrae, who has two daughters aged four months and two years. McCrae appreciates the regular appointments with her maternal child health nurse but feels that more support for second-time mothers is needed. Due to disruptions caused by COVID-19, McCrae was only able to attend two out of six sessions of her new parent group after her first daughter was born. She expresses the desire for more information on managing the identity shift that comes with parenthood and common mental health challenges, such as intrusive thoughts, which she was unaware of during her first experience as a new mother.
The lack of education and support surrounding infant sleep is another concern highlighted by Fisher, who works at a private Melbourne sleep school. According to Fisher, Australian parents need better education on recognizing tired cues, understanding how much sleep a baby needs, and learning how to settle babies to sleep. She emphasizes that the current lack of understanding in this area can lead to difficulties such as babies being up half the night, parents becoming tired, and not knowing how to effectively manage their baby’s sleep patterns.
Sessions were held on Sundays to accommodate both parents and lasted for 18 months, from the middle of pregnancy until the child turned one year old. While Australian maternity services offer comprehensive education on breastfeeding and nutrition during pregnancy through antenatal courses, Fisher notes that parents often have to gather information from multiple sources about other aspects of their baby’s care. Recognizing the unmet demand for more comprehensive postnatal support, private mother’s groups and social clubs have emerged to provide additional support to mothers facing isolation and seeking advice.
Given the challenges faced by mothers with multiple children, such as navigating relationships between siblings, juggling toddlers and newborns simultaneously, and managing shifting family dynamics, it is evident that tailored support is needed for second and third-time mothers. Chelsea McCrae’s experience highlights the importance of addressing the mental health challenges and identity shifts that can come with parenthood, especially for mothers who may not have been aware of these issues during their first experience. The emergence of private mother’s groups like From Day One reflects the growing recognition of the need for enhanced postnatal support beyond existing public services.
Overall, the need for more comprehensive postnatal support, particularly for second and third-time mothers, is a critical issue in Australian maternity services. From providing education on infant sleep to addressing mental health challenges and the complexities of managing multiple children, it is clear that additional support is needed to ensure the well-being of both parents and children during the postnatal period. Programs like the mother’s group at From Day One provide a valuable resource for mothers seeking guidance and support in navigating the joys and challenges of parenthood.
