Parents and bubs given best possible start

Queensland parents and their newborns will have a better start to life, with the Newman Government launching new in-home support services for mothers and their babies.

Premier Campbell Newman said the ‘Mums and Bubs’ package of enhanced Maternal and Child Services would provide a helping hand when all parents and babies needed it most.

"Parenting is the hardest job in the world, but hopefully we can make the early stages a little easier by providing some practical extra support," Mr Newman said.

"This program will help develop healthy habits from the outset, laying good foundations in health, learning and development that could last a lifetime."

“It gives parents an outlet to gain information on issues like immunisation, breastfeeding and nutrition, providing a safe environment and the importance of reading to children.

Health Minister Lawrence Springborg said that the initiative, costing $28.9 million over four years, would ensure that all Queensland families get the best possible start to life by providing two home visits in the first month of a baby's life.

“Extra home visits provide better screening services for all Queensland families,” Mr Springborg said.

“These would be followed up with consultations at community centres at key developmental stages, namely, two, four, eight and 12 months of age.

"This is a significant improvement on the current schedule of visits, and now gives extra home visits to all Queensland parents.

"With more than 60,000 births in Queensland last year, this expanded service will make a big difference to families across Queensland."

“Becoming a parent can be an exciting time, but it can also be a time of uncertainty and anxiety for parents and families.

“Providing parents with support during this important time will help reduce health risk factors and increase protecting factors for a child’s future health.

“This service increases the capacity of all Queensland mothers and families, helping them to make decisions to improve the health and wellbeing of their children.”

[ENDS] 2 November 2012

Media contacts: Premier’s Office 3224 4500

Clare Mildren (Minister Springborg) 0417 255 284