Grr i had this all typed out and my damned PC restarted on me.
take 2:
Ali, Sorry ot hear this is giving you such a shithouse time of it. Big hugs
Have you contacted any maternal/ baby health centres? these can be really great. they have teams of experienced health care professionals to assist.
They even have stay over rooms so you can go and get some respite care.
They are run by the council in each Australian state and you can be put in touch with your closest one by calling your local council and getting the contact details.
It will be called parenting/ baby health centre/ infant and mother health centre or something like that. different in each area. All the "new parenting" stuff is probably not relavent for an experienced mumma such as yourself but the Infant Feeding Support Programs may be of interest to you.
Keep your chin up
also you could try the parents hotline - the QLD number is 1300 301 300 - they have lots of support and info on parenting, babies, children, and can put you in touch with local agencies.
I did a quick search of your area (from your profile it says brisbane) and i found this:
community child health clinics
Community child health clinics, operated by Queensland Health, provide a very valuable free service for new parents. Clinics are located throughout Queensland. This section broadly describes the services available through Community Child Health around the State. There may be slight variations in the exact services offered from clinic to clinic. Services available include:
an initial health check
regular appointments and check-ups at your chosen clinic
courses in parenting
free childhood immunisation clinics
specialist services when you need some extra help
help and advice over the telephone
All these services are offered free of charge to Queensland residents.
regular check-ups
You will be given your free Queensland Health "Personal Health Record" booklet for your baby in hospital after the birth. This will be your complete history of your child's health and development as well as a vaccination record.
checks at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 12 months, 18 months and older or as recommended by your health care professional
parent groups
Parent education sessions are usually run as a course at most child health clinics. Topics covered may include feeding, playgroups, baby massage, development, injury prevention and sleeping and settling. The courses are extremely informative and also offer an excellent way for you to meet other new parents in your area. Many a playgroup has been formed this way. To find out about dates, call your local clinic. Groups are run free of charge and are available to all parents even if you choose to take your child to your GP for your regular check-ups.
courses in parenting
Triple P - Positive Parenting Program aims to take the stress out of parenting and make parenting easier by providing practical answers to everyday parenting concerns. It assists parents to build positive relationships with their children. Community Child Health Services offer Triple P courses free of charge at local child health clinics throughout Queensland.
free childhood immunisation clinics
A selected number of clinics offer regular free childhood immunisation clinics. If your usual clinic is not one of the immunisation clinic locations, you are able to take your child to the nearest available location. For more information on childhood immunisations, see the immunisation section of this website.
specialist services
The community child health service may also operate Infant Feeding Support Programs. These clinics offer parents of new babies support and education in parenting skills over a day stay. Appointments are usually made by referral from your child health nurse. Clinics are free of charge.
The Ellen Barron Family Centre also offers a residential centre which is located in the Prince Charles Hospital, Rode Rd, Chermside, Brisbane. The centre provides parenting education and assistance with particular childhood concerns for children under 2 years and their parents. Appointments are made by referral from your child health nurse or Paediatrician. The centre can be contacted on (07) 3139 6500.
Early Feeding Support Clinics
Alderley Child Health Clinic, Shop 4, 24 South Pine Road, Alderley
Kallangur Child Health Centre, 126 School Road, Kallangur
The Early Feeding Support Clinics are "drop in" clinics, open from 9am- 12noon, Monday to Friday (Closed on Public Holidays). Mothers with new babies are eligible to attend for up to two weeks following discharge from hospital. After this period parents are required to make appointments for follow up support and advice at their local child health clinic. The clinics are FREE and are staffed by qualified Child Health Nurses working for the Community Child Health Service, Royal Children's Hospital & Health Service District.
13 Health Line
There is a free 7day-24hr information and advice line staffed by registered nurses.
ph: 13 43 25 84
clinic locations
Please note that centres have different operating hours and some may not be open daily.
Details of clinic locations throughout Queensland can be found via the Community Child Health Service website or by consulting White Pages under the heading Queensland Health - Community Child Health Service.
For clinics in the Tweed Heads (NSW) region of the Gold Coast, look for Early Childhood Health Centre or Community Health Centre.
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Queensland Health Community Child Health Service
13 Health Line (24hrs)
> ph: 13 43 25 84