Parenting Support Centre

Mater Mothers’ Parenting Support Centre offers early parenting support and guidance to mothers and babies up to six months after birth.

Families and women with babies born at Mater Mothers’ Hospitals across Queensland may access the service at no out of pocket expense. Self-referrals are welcome.

Our experienced team of GPs, child health nurses, lactation consultants, and allied health clinicians are available to support you through your parenting journey and provide help for issues including:

  • breastfeeding and feeding
  • sleep and settling
  • emotional wellbeing
  • infant interactions, and
  • adjusting to your new role as a parent/caregiver.
Opening hours
8 am to 4 pm, Monday to Friday by appointment only (excluding public holidays).
Contact details
Catherine's House for Mothers, Babies and Families 
Raymond Terrace, South Brisbane QLD 4101
07 3163 2299

Overview of services in South East Queensland

 

Antenatal support

Individual lactation consultations

Our breastfeeding support service is a specialist service within Mater Mothers' Parenting Support Centre. Individual consultations with a lactation consultant to discuss breastfeeding difficulties can be arranged, if required, antenatally. The service is managed by qualified lactation consultants who are experienced in caring for newborn, preterm and special needs babies, up to the age of six months. 

Parent education classes

Antenatal classes usually have one main aim—to help prepare you for labour, birth and early parenthood. But there’s more to our parent education classes than interactive education; they are also a great place to meet other people who are going through a similar experience.
 

Postnatal support

Adjustment to parenthood

Being a parent is very rewarding. But it can also be hard work (especially at first). Dealing with changes in your everyday routine and sleepless nights as you learn to look after your baby can take lots of energy, emotional commitment and patience. There will be many times where you don’t quite know what to do—try and remember that it’s the same for everyone, you’re learning on the job!

You may have doubts as you find yourself constantly learning and adapting in the first few weeks of your baby’s life. We know there can also be a gap between expectations and the reality of parenthood.

If you are having concerns while adjusting to your new role, it’s a good idea to get support from a healthcare professional who can help you with all your parenting needs. Mater Mothers’ Parenting Support Centre is a great place to start and offers early parenting support and guidance.

Lactation Consultants

A variety of appointment options are available with our qualified Lactation Consultants and Child Health Nurses, to ensure we meet the specific needs of your family. We’ll discuss the best appointment type for you personally, and work through any questions or concerns you may have.

  • One on one appointments
  • Telehealth appointments (online)

Our Lactation Consultant appointments include an assessment of your current concerns with a collaborative approach to problem solving. A care plan will be established and appropriate follow-up appointments will be arranged. Other appropriate services will be discussed and offered on a needs basis. These may include sleep and settling, GP appointments or psychology appointments.

Sleep and settling advice

The support you receive will help build your confidence in responding to your baby. You’ll learn practical skills and knowledge to assist you in sleeping and settling your baby.

You’ll receive an individualised plan with responsive settling strategies about baby cues including, tired and hunger, building healthy relationships, crying, colic, and unsettled behaviour strategies for the home, plus assistance with feeding issues.

Psychotherapy

Our specially trained perinatal psychologists offer counselling to assist parents and caregivers to cope with the challenges of becoming a new parent.

We offer parenting support (individual and group) for families who wish to improve with:

  • adjusting to parenthood
  • postnatal depression
  • coping with anxiety and stress
  • parenting confidence
  • parent-baby relationship, attachment and bonding
  • understanding and responding to your baby’s emotional needs.

Family support from our GPs

Our GPs are trained in women’s health and mental health—they are well placed to support mothers and their babies with feeding issues and sleep and settling concerns in the early days post birth. They are experienced in diagnosing and managing perinatal mental health concerns and can refer on to psychologist if required. Our GPs offer timely, evidence-based, family-centred care during the challenging time of caring for a newborn.
 

Mothers group workshops

Parenting Education Program talks—conducted by experienced child health nurses, midwives and lactation consultants

Run over four weeks, this program will assist you to understand and care for your baby and provide assistance, support and education about general and specific challenges you may encounter as a new mother, such as sleep and settling, activities and play and introduction of first foods. Our Parenting Education Program will introduce you to other new mothers, allowing you a whole new support network whereby you can learn from each other and make new friends.

Physiotherapy—conducted by an experienced physiotherapist

Within a group setting, your individual needs will be supported to help you to progress your core exercises, plan your return to activity and exercise safely. We will discuss ways to help your spinal health and posture with a new baby.  We’ll do some gentle stretches that will feel great, and also some breath awareness and physical relaxation practice. We will look at handling your new baby to assist their development and also practice a little baby massage.

Circle of security—conducted by a perinatal psychologist and child health nurse

Running over a six week period, this program will teach you to understand your baby’s (and other children’s) emotional world, support your baby and other children to manage emotions and develop self-esteem. This program is for mothers only and their new babies to facilitate a more profound learning experience. Please arrange alternative childcare for your older children.
 

Catherine's House for Mothers, Babies and Families

Catherine’s House for Mothers, Babies and Families is Queensland’s first integrated perinatal mental healthcare centre, featuring a dedicated In-patient Mother and Baby Unit. Visit mater.org.au to learn more. 

 

Overview of services in Central and North Queensland
 

Postnatal support

Adjustment to parenthood

Being a parent is very rewarding. But it can also be hard work (especially at first). Dealing with changes in your everyday routine and sleepless nights as you learn to look after your baby can take lots of energy, emotional commitment and patience. There will be many times where you don’t quite know what to do—try and remember that it’s the same for everyone, you’re learning on the job!

You may have doubts as you find yourself constantly learning and adapting in the first few weeks of your baby’s life. We know there can also be a gap between expectations and the reality of parenthood.

If you are having concerns while adjusting to your new role, it’s a good idea to get support from a healthcare professional who can help you with all your parenting needs. Mater Mothers’ Parenting Support Centre is a great place to start and offers early parenting support and guidance via telehealth appointments.

Lactation Consultants

Each appointment will be one on one using telehealth, with our qualified Lactation Consultants and Child Health Nurses, to ensure we meet the specific needs of your family. We’ll work through any questions or concerns you may have.

Our Lactation Consultant appointments include an assessment of your current concerns with a collaborative approach to problem solving. A care plan will be established and appropriate follow-up appointments will be arranged. Other appropriate services will be discussed and offered on a needs basis. These may include sleep and settling, GP appointments or psychology appointments.

Sleep and settling advice 

The support you receive will help build your confidence in responding to your baby. You’ll learn practical skills and knowledge to assist you in sleeping and settling your baby.

You’ll receive an individualised plan with responsive settling strategies about baby cues including, tired and hunger, building healthy relationships, crying, colic, and unsettled behaviour strategies for the home, plus assistance with feeding issues.

Psychotherapy

Our specially trained perinatal psychologists offer counselling to assist parents and caregivers to cope with the challenges of becoming a new parent.

We offer parenting support for families who wish to improve with:

  • adjusting to parenthood
  • postnatal depression
  • coping with anxiety and stress
  • parenting confidence
  • parent-baby relationship, attachment and bonding
  • understanding and responding to your baby’s emotional needs.

Family support from our GPs

Our GPs are trained in women’s health and mental health—they are well placed to support mothers and their babies with feeding issues and sleep and settling concerns in the early days post birth. They are experienced in diagnosing and managing perinatal mental health concerns and can refer on to psychologist if required. Our GPs offer timely, evidence-based, family-centred care during the challenging time of caring for a newborn.
 

Telehealth and online consultations

We offer telehealth and online consultations to assist those families who are not located in South East Queensland or cannot come into the service to access support. Please speak to our friendly staff for more information.


Cost

This support service is available to all families and individuals with a current Medicare card whose baby was born at one of Mater Mothers’ Hospitals across Queensland. There is no out of pocket expenses to you for accessing the service.
 

Opening hours

Mater Mothers’ Parenting Support Centre is open from 8 am to 4 pm, Monday to Friday by appointment only (excluding public holidays).
 

Contact

Our team are available for more information about the service, or to book an appointment, by calling 07 3163 2299.

If you live in South East Queensland and are coming to a face-to-face appointment, the centre is located in Catherine’s House for Mothers, Babies and Families at Baggot Street Drive, South Brisbane QLD 4101.

In the early days after having your baby, there are many health professionals involved in your care. It’s important to keep communication open with everyone involved, so that we can work toward the best outcome for you, your family and your baby. Our team will also keep your family GP and obstetrician aware of your care and progress.

After hours support

If you are concerned about your health, or that of your baby, please phone:

  • 000 (triple zero) in an emergency
  • 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84)—qualified staff will provide advice
  • The Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA) offers a 24-hour breastfeeding counselling service. ABA counsellors can be contacted on 1800 686 268.
     

Parent education

Parent education classes

To help you prepare for your journey into parenthood we’ve designed a range of flexible education class options on both weekdays and weekends, covering a number of topics for you and your support person. Our goal is to empower you as you approach the birth of your baby, and to get ready for the weeks that follow.

Find out more about our antenatal education classes available in you.

Parent education classes


Baby care

There’s so much to discover about caring for your new baby, it can be a little daunting. Here, we aim to ease any concerns you may have, help you cope with the changes in your body and prepare you for your exciting new role as a parent.

View our baby care videos


Resources for new dads

Learn new skills and find resources to support you in your role as a father.

Frequently asked questions
 

Do I need a referral?

A referral is not required to access Mater Mothers’ Parenting Support Centre, although your local GP may suggest you make a booking to visit service. You will need to make an appointment. Please call 07 3163 2299.
 

Is there a cost to access the service?

Mater Mothers’ Parenting Support Centre is available to all families and individuals with a current Medicare card who gave birth at Mater Mothers’ Hospitals across Queensland. There are no out of pocket expenses associated with your initial appointment, or any follow-up appointments recommended as part of your individualised care plan.
 

Do I need to have had my baby at Mater Mothers’ Hospitals to access the centre?

I do not live in South East Queensland / I can’t make it to Mater’s South Brisbane campus. Can I still access the service?

Yes, we offer telehealth and online consultations to assist those families who are not located in South East Queensland or cannot come into the service to access support. Please speak to our friendly staff for more information.
 

Is parking available for face-to-face appointments?

Parking is available out the front of the Potter Building. You can download directions for how to get to and access the centre. The centre is also accessible via public transport.
 

If I’m attending a face-to-face appointment, how many other people will be at the service when I’m there?

The centre in South Brisbane is focussed on providing a personal and comfortable service. With this in mind, we offer day stay for a maximum of four families per day and ensure group sessions are limited in numbers.

For families attending via telehealth, all consultations will be private.
 

If I’m attending a face-to-face appointment, what do I need to bring with me?

Please bring the following items with you when attending Mater Mothers’ Parenting Support Centre for face-to-face appointments:

  • your Medicare card
  • your baby health record book
  • change of clothes for your baby
  • any current medications
  • your baby’s favourite toy/blanket
  • a pram/stroller
  • if formula feeding, please bring enough formula for the day.

For families attending via telehealth, please have your Medicare card and baby health record book close by.
 

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For urgent assessment at any stage of your pregnancy, please present to your nearest emergency centre or Mater Mothers’ 24/7 Pregnancy Assessment Centre in South Brisbane.

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