Your baby and the first few weeks

DISCLAIMER: Please note the Department of Human Services is now called Services Australia. They offer information about child care and child support.

Key facts

  • Bringing your baby home is exciting, but can also be overwhelming at the same time.
  • There is a range of services available to help you in the early days and weeks at home.
  • After your baby is born, you will need to fill in some paperwork and take your baby for health checks.
  • The infant health record is where you and your baby's health team record your baby's growth, vaccinations and other important health information.
  • Your baby should have regular health checks during their first few months by a child health nurse or by your GP.
    • When you bring your baby home, you may not know what to do next, especially if you are a new parent. It might be difficult, but there is always someone to help. This article has information to help you during those early weeks. It covers health checks for your baby, support and services, and government paperwork you need to do.

    Bringing your newborn home

    Bringing your new baby home is exciting, but it can also be daunting to leave the support of the hospital or birthing centre behind.

    You may also find breastfeeding difficult or you may feel isolated, especially if you don't have friends and family nearby.

    Remember, many new parents feel overwhelmed. Your baby's arrival can bring both new joys and challenges at the same time.

    Whatever your concern, there are services that can help you in those early days and weeks at home.

    Here are some examples of support services available to you:

    Home visits

    A midwife might visit you at home during those first few days and weeks. How often a midwife will visit you will depend on your and your baby's needs.

    Telephone services

    Your state or territory has parent helplines you can call:

    Australian Capital Territory: parent helplines

    New South Wales: parent helplines

    Northern Territory: parent helplines

    Queensland: parent helplines

    South Australia: parent helplines

    Tasmania: parent helplines

    Victoria: parent helplines

    Western Australia: parent helplines

    How might I feel?

    If you are having thoughts of self-harm or suicide, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 for immediate support.

    It's common to feel teary, overwhelmed and/or anxious 3 – 5 days after giving birth, known as the 'baby blues'. Baby blues happen because of sudden changes in your hormone levels after giving birth.

    Usually, symptoms go away on their own within a few days. If these feelings last longer than a few days and they get more intense, talk to your doctor or child health nurse. These feelings might be a sign that you have postnatal depression.

    You do not have to go through this alone. Help is available. Read more about:

    What paperwork will I have to fill out?

    Having a baby means a lot of paperwork. You will need to fill out forms to:

    Your hospital or midwife will give you a Parent Pack, which includes most of the forms you need, including:

    The Newborn Child Declaration form allows you to register your child with Medicare and to complete your application for Parental Leave Pay or other government payments.

    Health services and support are available to families who have migrated to Australia or arrived in Australia as refugees.

    If you need help with Medicare services, call the Medicare program line on 132 011. You can access an interpreter for free.

    You can also call the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) on 131 450.

    Visit myGov for simple instructions on how to register your baby's birth in your state and territory.

    What is an infant health record?

    You will also be given an infant health record for your baby. In this book you can record important information about your baby, including their growth, vaccinations and any health issues.

    Your book might be blue, purple, red, green or yellow, depending on which state or territory you live in.

    What health checks should my baby have?

    Your baby should have regular health checks during their first few months with the child health nurse at your local child health centre or by your doctor (GP).

    Usually, your baby will be checked at birth, 1 – 4 weeks old, 6 – 8 weeks old and 6 months old. If your baby was premature or has some health concerns, your doctor may recommend more frequent checks.

    These appointments are great opportunities to discuss how your child's health and development is progressing. You are welcome to ask questions and share any concerns or worries. It's a good idea to write down any questions before the check-ups so you don't forget to ask.

    In some states and territories, your baby's first child health appointment will be in your home.

    Ask your midwife or doctor about whether you need to book your first appointment, or if your local child health clinic will contact you.

    Child health nurse services are free for families with children up to the age at which they start school.

    FIND A HEALTH SERVICE — The Service Finder can help you find doctors, pharmacies, hospitals and other health services.

    What should I do if my baby is unwell?

    If your baby is younger than 3 months old and has a fever above 38°C, take them to the nearest hospital emergency department immediately, or call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance.

    If your baby is unwell, you may feel anxious and overwhelmed and unsure what to do.

    Signs your baby may need urgent and immediate medical care include if:

    • your baby is floppy, irritable, has a weak cry or is less responsive to things around them
    • your baby is breathing rapidly, noisily or has difficulty breathing
    • your baby's skin is very pale or they have a purple rash that does not fade with pressure
    • your baby is drinking less than half the normal amount, passing less urine than usual or has not passed any urine in 6 hours
    • baby has vomited blood or green fluid, or has blood in their poo
    • you think your baby has had a seizure

    If you're unsure whether your child's illness is serious, call healthdirect on 1800 022 222 at any time to speak to a registered nurse (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria) for more information and advice.

    Remember, you know your child best. If you are concerned, you should take them to be checked by their doctor. Your local emergency department is also always open if you feel they need to be seen urgently.

    Resources and support

    There are many sources of information and support:

    Looking for information for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people?

    Do you prefer to read in languages other than English?

    The Australian Breastfeeding Association offers various pamphlets regarding breastfeeding in many languages.

    NSW Multicultural Health Communication Services offers information in various languages:

    Last reviewed: June 2024