Being a mum and growing a baby is amazing and terrifying all at once, and you don’t have to do it alone thanks to the many parenting helplines available in Australia.
Whether you're feeling overwhelmed, bub isn't sleeping, you're just unsure or in need of baby advice, help is just a phone call away. There are helplines to discuss mental health and relationships, breastfeeding and parenting, sleep and baby safety. Many helplines are open seven days a week, 24 hours a day, so always know that there is help at the other end of the phone.
Here are the Australian helplines for mums and dads that you need to know.
Mental Health Helplines
PANDA National Helpline
Call 1300 726 306 (Mon to Fri, 9am - 7.30pm
PANDA website
Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia supports women, men and families across Australia affected by anxiety and depression during pregnancy and in the first year of parenthood.
Beyond Blue
Call 1300 224 636 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
Beyond Blue website
Beyond Blue is an organisation that provides a free online and telephone helpline for people with depression, anxiety or other mental health issues. You can talk to trained mental health professionals who can give you support and advice. And help you find mental health services near you.
Lifeline
Call 13 11 14 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
Lifeline website
Lifeline is a national charity providing all Australians experiencing a personal crisis with access to 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention services.
SANE Australia Mental Health Helpline
Call 1800 187 263 (9am to 5pm M-F)
Sane website
Sane is a national online and Freecall service, providing information, support and referral for anyone with complex mental health issues, as well as their friends, family members and health professionals.
Pregnancy Loss Helplines
Red Nose Grief & Loss (formally SANDS)
Call 1300 308 307 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
Grief & Loss website
Provides bereavement support incljuding counselling and support for miscarriage, termination, stillbirth, neonatal death, SIDS and sleeping accidents, and any other sudden infant death.
Parenting Advice Helplines
Parentline (VIC)
Call 13 22 89 (8am – midnight, 7 days)
Parentline VIC website
Parentline is a phone service for parents and carers of children from birth to 18 years old, offering confidential and anonymous counselling and support on parenting issues.
Parentline (QLD & NT)
1300 30 1300 (8am-10pm, 7 days a week)
Parentline (QLD & NT) website
Parentline is a confidential telephone service providing professional counselling and support in Queensland and the Northern Territory.
Maternal Child Health Line (Victoria)
Call 13 22 29 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
Maternal Child Health Service website
The confidential, 24-hour Maternal and Child Health Line can give you information and advice about the care and health of your child (from birth to school age). When you call, qualified maternal and child health nurses can discuss your concerns about child health and nutrition, breastfeeding, your own health and any parenting issues.
Pregnancy Birth Baby Helpline
Call 1800 882 436 (7am-midnight, 7 days)
Pregnancy Birth Baby website
Speak to a Maternal Child Health Nurse for personal advice and guidance.
Baby & Child Health Helplines
National Poisons Information Centre
Call 131 126 (24 hours, 7 days)
Poisons website
Call this number if you think someone has taken an overdose, made an error with medicine or been poisoned.
HealthDirect
Call 1800 022 222 (24 hours, 7 days)
HealthDirect website
A government-funded service, providing quality, approved health information and advice.
Nurse On Call (VIC)
Call 1300 60 60 24 (24 hours, 7 days)
Nurse On Call website
NURSE-ON-CALL is a phone service that provides immediate, expert health advice from a registered nurse, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Baby & Child Sleep Helplines
Tresillian Advice for parents of kids 0-5 years
Call 02 9787 0855 (24 hours, 7 days)
Tresillian website
Tresillian is an early parenting service offering families guidance in the early years of their child's life, supporting new parents around breastfeeding and settling baby, as well as dealing with post-natal depression and nutrition.
Red Nose
Call 1300 308 307 (24 hours, 7 days)
Red Nose website
Red Nose is Australia's leading authority on safe sleep and pregnancy, and bereavement support for families affected by the death of a child.
Breastfeeding Helplines
Breastfeeding Helpline
Call 1800 686 268 (24 hours, 7 days)
Australian Breastfeeding Association website
The Breastfeeding Helpline is staffed by trained, volunteer counsellors who answer calls on a roster system in their own homes.
Family Relationship Helplines
Family Relationship Advice Line
Call 1800 050 321 (8am to 8pm M-F, 10am to 4pm weekends)
Family Relationship website
The Family Relationship Advice Line is a national telephone service that helps families affected by relationship or separation issues, including information on parenting arrangements after separation. It can also refer callers to local services that provide assistance.
Mensline Australia
Call 1300 789 978 (24 hours a day, 7 days)
Mensline website
MensLine Australia is a telephone and online counselling service for men with emotional health and relationship concerns.
1800 RESPECT
Call 1800 737 732 (24 hours, 7 days)
Respect website
Open 24 hours to support people impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence and abuse