Sometimes being a parent can feel isolating and overwhelming. Sheila Kitzinger made this quote about what it is like to be a mother "to take on one of the most emotionally and intellectually demanding, exasperating, strenuous, anxiety-arousing and deeply satisfying tasks that any human being can undertake" this applies also to fathers.

Demanding, exasperating, strenuous and anxiety-arousing are often especially relevant for parents of a newborn.

Newborn babies do sleep a lot (on average 16.5 hrs per 24hrs) but as well as meeting your babies needs you have to recover from the birth, catch up on lost sleep and find time for cooking, eating, dressing, having a shower, cleaning the house, washing clothes, visitors and shopping. That is why it is good to think of ways to make life easier and to ask for help when needed. Meal times can be a stressful time, consider cooking double quantities so there is a meal ready for the next day, or freezing food. Think of simple recipes, prepare meals in advance using a crock-pot or consider take-outs. Asking friends to cook you a meal can be a way they can help out.

There may be times when you need some support or know of someone else who dose, the following is a list of some of the services available.

The Royal New Zealand Plunket Society (Inc.) is a not-for-profit organisation that works in partnership with the community to support the development of healthy children in New Zealand, and offer a nationwide support network for families/whānau.

Plunket has a contract with the Ministry of Health to provide Well Child services across New Zealand. Plunket Nurses, Community Karitane and Kaiāwhina Health Workers conduct visits to assess a child's wellness and development, either at the child's home or at a Plunket clinic.In addition to these planned visits, Plunket offers a nationwide support network for families, with a diverse range of community services, including:a 7am until midnight each day toll-free helpline 'PlunketLine', parenting education programmes, child safety programmes, childbirth education classes, play groups, toy libraries, crèches Our Car Seat Rental Schemes.

PlunketLine is a toll-free telephone advice service available to all families, whānau and caregivers from 7am to midnight, seven days a week. Call 0800 933 922. PlunketLine Nurses are registered nurses with specialised tele-nursing training and a Postgraduate Certificate in Well Child Health. In case of an emergency, always ring 111.

Family support for families under stress. Family counselling for families coping with grief or crisis. Services for children who are distressed or disadvantaged.
http://www.barnardos.org.nz

This site is a focus for promoting the well-being and safety of children and supporting positive parenting. Child, Youth and Family is part of a network of agencies aiming to build an environment where child abuse is not tolerated.
phone 0508 FAMILY (0508 326 459)
www.cyf.govt.nz

Family and Community Services is a new service of the Ministry of Social Development. Its role is to lead government and non-government organisations to work collaboratively to strengthen family support services and make them more effective for families.
www.familyservices.govt.nz

In New Zealand more than 700 sets of twins, 15 sets of triplets and on average one set of quadruplets are born each year. If you are expecting, or raising multiples, the New Zealand Multiple Birth Association can help you.
New Zealand Multiple Birth Association
PO Box 1258 Wellington
Phone: 0800 4 TWINS ETC
www.nzmba.info

24-hour confidential telephone support service for parents and care givers
Information and referral 0800 number (0800 56 88 56) nationwide.

A community organisation dedicated to making life better for parents and their kids. Try our hot tips search if you are looking for a creative parenting or relationship tip.
Phone: (64 9) 524 0025 Fax: (64 9) 524 0029
Postal PO Box 37-708
Parnell, Auckland
pwc@parenting.org.nz

Pregnancy Help supports the well being of Pregnant and recently pregnant women, New mothers and their families/whānau, With care, concern and confidentiality.
pregnancyhelp@xtra.co.nz

For almost a century, Presbyterian Support Central has been offering quality care to young and old alike throughout the region. We are best known for our elderly care services, and for our family and counselling services.
Phone 04 801 6284
Samaritans
24 hour telephone supportive listening service.
0800 726 666

Becoming a mother can put women under considerable psychological pressure. Post-natal (or post-partum) depression (PND or PPD) is a well-known and very common experience. Potentially much longer lasting and insidious, however, is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) arising from events before, during, after or throughout the whole of the birth experience.
P O Box 18002, Glen Innes, Auckland
sue@tabs.org.nz