What were we thinking! promote confidence and reduce distress in parents with a first baby

Parent stories and expert advice / Health Professionals

Sometimes coping is doing just fine

Sometimes coping is doing just fine

Having a baby is a time of significant change in our lives. As Fiona Darling reminds us, some days  'coping'  is all you can do - and that's perfectly good enough.

The bond between fathers and their babies

The bond between fathers and their babies

In this video series, Dr Karen Wynter talks to a dad about his own experiences and how he and his partner faced the challenges of being new parents together.

The importance of play 'time' with your baby

The importance of play 'time' with your baby

When it comes to play time with your baby, our MCHN expert Sue suggests the best toy on the market is you.

The internet helps new parents feel less alone

The internet helps new parents feel less alone

While Janet Michelmore AO may appear confident, when she had her first child she certainly wasn't! Learn about the new blog and app that can help others, like her, who often feel unsure and alone as they commence their parenting journey.

The language of leave matters

The language of leave matters

Building a new parental leave culture one word at a time. Everyone needs to be involved in the discussion around parental leave.

The partner-approach to parenting

The partner-approach to parenting

Fiona Darling, Social Worker and Senior Project Officer at Jean Hailes for Women's Health, explores the adjustment period all relationships go through when experiencing life with a new baby.

Understanding a crying baby

Understanding a crying baby

We all know that babies cry. But what new mums and dads learn early on, it's sometimes hard to decipher why ...

Why we need to stop saying,

Why we need to stop saying, "I'm just a mum"

Dr. Justin Coulson shares with What Were We Thinking! an important lesson for all new mums; motherhood is nothing to be apologetic about.  

Wrapping as a form of baby settling

Wrapping as a form of baby settling

They taught you how to 'wrap' your baby in hospital, but what is all the fuss really about?

Yes, I am crying again

Yes, I am crying again

This heartfelt and honest letter from a mother-to-be to her partner beautifully expresses her needs and wishes, reminding us of the importance of emotional support and open communication between parents during pregnancy.