Newborn Parenting Support Program a Victorian-first
- 3 min read
A new program at Monash Health’s Murrumbek Casey Early Parenting Centre (EPC) is giving families with newborns practical support in the earliest weeks of parenthood and is the first parentcraft program of its kind for newborns in Victoria.
Research has demonstrated that parentcraft education can:
- improve breastfeeding success
- reduce postnatal anxiety
- increase parents’ confidence in making decisions for their child
- and improve developmental outcomes.
The program was developed to fill a gap in early parenting support for families with babies under 10 weeks old.
Early parenting centres have traditionally focused on issues such as infant sleep, with sleep & settling support recommended to start from 6 months and older.
Now, Murrumbek Casey EPC has expanded its offering to support families much earlier, when parents are still finding their feet with a newborn.
‘We realised there was a real gap for families with newborns. Sleep & settling programs are wonderful, but they’re generally suitable from around 6 months, and there wasn’t anywhere for families to access this kind of practical parentcraft education in those first few weeks,’ said Emily Campbell, Clinical Nurse Educator for Paediatric and Early Parenting.
‘Murrumbek Casey Early Parenting Centre has been able to expand what we offer so we can support families from the very beginning, when they’re learning how to feed, settle, understand and care for their newborn.’
Newcorn parenting support for the early days
The Newborn Parenting Support Program runs across two days, from 9 am to 3 pm.
In small, supportive groups, parents learn about feeding, sleep, bonding, understanding infant cues, play and development, parental wellbeing and connecting with community services.
It also gives parents the opportunity to ask questions, share experiences and meet other families going through the same stage.
The Newborn Parenting Support Program complements the valuable support provided by Maternal and Child Health Nurses (MCHNs) by offering families dedicated time for practical parentcraft education and hands-on support during the early weeks of parenting.
‘After the program our role is to ensure families are reconnected with their own MCHN so that they remain well supported through childhood. This also means families remain connected to community with groups such as first-time parents’ group,’ Emily said.
The Murrumbek Casey EPC team are thrilled by the positive response from families and the outcomes.
Sixteen families have already participated in the new program since it launched in May, with early results showing significant improvements in parenting confidence, measured using the Karitane Parenting Confidence Scale.
‘The team has worked incredibly hard to ensure the success of the program and has already seen some incredible outcomes. We hope it encourages other early parenting centres to follow suit and offer programs that support families with newborns, because those first few weeks are such an important time for parents and babies,’ shared Emily.
For parents, the benefits extend beyond learning new skills. The program creates a space where families can realise they are not alone.
Parents share experiences, cultural perspectives and practical tips, with many forming friendships and support networks that continue beyond the program.
One parent described their experience at Murrumbek Casey EPC as ‘life changing’, saying they left feeling ‘so much more confident’ in her ability to care for her baby.
Ongoing support
Support doesn’t end at the conclusion of the 2-day program.
Families receive a follow-up phone call one week later and can be connected with other services if they need ongoing support. Families can also refer to Murrumbek Casey EPC again or access another program if further support is needed.
Murrumbek Casey EPC offers a broader range of early parenting services, including a 5-day residential program, one-day stays for infants under one year and a home-visiting program.
Since opening in January 2024, Murrumbek Casey EPC has received more than 2,800 referrals and welcomed more than 2,000 families.
The Newborn Parenting Support Program is helping extend that support to an earlier stage of the parenting journey, giving families the knowledge, confidence and connections they need from the very beginning.
Hear more from Emily Campbell and others about innovation happening across Monash Health during the Research and Innovation Week, taking place from 7 to 11 September 2026.
