City support for new parents struggling during pandemic

THE City of Greater Geelong council is working to support new parents in a variety of ways throughout the pandemic.
The council is ensuring continuity of care by providing online programs and face to face appointments, with health precautions in place.
Geelong mayor Stephanie Asher said the pandemic was affecting the community in many different ways.
“For new parents, it has added increased difficulties at an already challenging, albeit very special time.
“The City team is finding ways to safely provide important support within the bounds of the stage three restrictions by making clever use of online technology.”
Supported playgroups continue to run online, with an increase in referrals more than doubling from 10 infants in Term 1, to 22 in Term two.
These weekly online supported playgroups provide an important opportunity for contact and connection for many families, particularly vulnerable or first-time parents of young babies.
Each session offers a chance for parents to chat and ask questions, as well as participate in facilitated small group parenting programs.
The city’s Maternal and Child Health service is currently seeing families with babies under 12 months short face to face visits with precautions in place to protect the health and wellbeing of the nurses and families.
Telehealth consultations are currently being offered for older children.
Through this service all new parents in the region are invited to a virtual New Parent group which has had extremely positive uptake, with 116 new parents participating in groups over the past two months.
First time parents who are experiencing complexity are provided additional support from the city’s Enhanced Maternal and Child Health team, including home visits.
Telephone consultations continue to be offered for families who prefer not to attend an appointment in person.
The 24-hour Maternal and Child Health Line (132 229) is an important ongoing supportive service for first time parents.
Additional City support measures include partnering with Geelong Regional Libraries to offer a ‘rhyme time’ sessions, plus virtual sessions on “sleep and settling” techniques.
Parenting educators are also continuing to provide telephone consultations for sleep and settling.