Information, resources and reassurance for new parents navigating the highs and lows of life with a baby

The birth of a first baby is one of the biggest life transitions an adult will experience. Major life changes are always accompanied by mixed feelings and most parents feel under-equipped for the tasks of infant care and managing a household with a baby.

This website contains information about common experiences in the early months of parenthood and some effective ways of thinking about and managing them.

All information on this website is drawn from up-to-date research and the experiences of many parents of new babies. We hope that you find the site helpful as you learn to live with your first baby.

www.whatwerewethinking.org.au content was developed with funding from the Australian Government and the Jack Brockhoff Foundation. The authors have sole responsibility for the content of the website.

The site content is provided for your information; if you have comments you are welcome to submit them to:

This site is not a substitute for advice from your family doctor or another health professional.

If you feel sad, worried, or irritable most of the time, then it is important to talk to your family doctor.

For Parents »

» Introduction
» 'About Babies' Worksheets
» 'About Mothers & Fathers' Worksheets

For Professionals »

» Background Theory
» Research and Evidence
» Frequently Asked Questions

WWWT Blog »

Evelyn's first few weeks

After the crazy last night in hospital Evelyn did really well once we got her home. She seemed to be quite content to have left the hospital and be in this strange, cold house. Luckily the first night at home she went back to sleeping how she had been the first few nights...

Leaving Zac for the very first time

So the time has come for my first work trip away from my son. I’m feeling very anxious and upset at the thought of leaving him for a week...

On-the-job occupational fatigue for new parents

While most occupations have safety regulations to manage worker fatigue, however as Professor Jane Fisher discusses, new parents don't receive the same benefits in their hardest role to date - parenthood.