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 »
Using a dummy
We thought we would wait a few weeks to use a dummy. Gosh how that changed on about night 5 home from the hospital when we had tried every trick we had been taught.
Some of the things we used to do
Having some more predictability during the day means I can get more rest and even eat lunch. My Mum visits a few times a week and because Sam can go to sleep without needing a feed I can leave him with her.
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.



