Baby Planning
Lawrence + Trisha · Pregnancy confirmed Apr 2026 · First child
Current Week
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Trimester
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Estimated Due Date
Dec 25, 2026
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Days Until Due
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From today
Pregnancy Progress
Based on LMP ~Mar 20, 2026 · Dating confirmed at scan
⏭️ Next Up
- Mon Apr 20 — Trish's doctor appointment (Lawrence also doing own blood test)
- Tue May 12, 4pm — 8-week dating scan (Trish + Lawrence)
- ~Late May (weeks 10–11) — NIPT booking window (decide genetic testing path)
- ~Jun 12 — 12-week scan Likely clears before Greece trip
- ~Early Aug — 20-week anatomy scan / gender reveal option
🔥 Priority Decisions This Month
- Obstetrician vs GP-led care — ask GP for referral shortlist Apr 20
- Public vs private hospital — drives insurance upgrade timing
- Private health cover — 12mo obstetric waiting period; window is tight
- 12-week scan timing — lock Jun 12 or earlier, confirm pre-Greece
🗺️ Visual Journey — Mar → Dec 2026
Positioned by gestational age. Hover a dot to see detail.
T1
T2
T3
TODAY
Apr 14Pregnancy confirmed
Apr 20GP + Monash referral
May 128-week dating scan
Late MayNIPT decision
Jun 1212-week scan
Jun 13+Greece trip
Aug 720-week anatomy scan
Sep 25T3 begins
Late SepGlucose test
Nov 27Term (37wk)
Dec 25👶 DUE DATE
Medical / GP
Scans
Decisions
External events
Milestones
📆 Month by Month
April 2026
Weeks 3–6
Apr 14
Pregnancy confirmed
Blood test · Dr Maylin Lee
Apr 14
Genetic carrier screening
CF, SMA, Fragile X all clear
Apr 20
GP + Monash referral
Cervical screening · prenatal vitamins check
May 2026
Weeks 6–10
May 12, 4pm
8-week dating scan
Viability, heartbeat, gestational age
Late May
NIPT decision
Weeks 10–11 booking window
This month
Obstetrician selection
Lock OB vs GP-led path
June 2026
Weeks 10–14
Jun 12
12-week scan
Low-risk window clears · announce-ready
Jun 13+
Greece trip
T1 safe travel window
Post-scan
Broader family reveal
Extended family · close friends
July 2026
Weeks 14–19
Early Jul
Employer maternity convo
3–6mo coverage plan attached
Mid Jul
Hospital selection locked
Public vs private · booking
Week 16
Maternity clothes
Bump starts showing
August 2026
Weeks 19–23
Early Aug
20-week anatomy scan
Full fetal anatomy · gender reveal option
Mid Aug
Birth class booking
T3 timing — book now
End Aug
Gear research begins
Pram, cot, car seat shortlists
September 2026
Weeks 23–28
Early Sep
Week 24 · viability
Major developmental milestone
Sep 25
Third trimester begins
90 days to go
Late Sep
Glucose tolerance test
28-week screening · Anti-D if Rh−
October 2026
Weeks 28–32
Oct
Growth scans begin
Every 2–4 weeks from here
Mid Oct
Nursery setup
Location locked · furniture ordered
End Oct
Wider work team told
Maternity plan in place
November 2026
Weeks 32–36
Early Nov
Hospital bag packed
Both sides ready
Mid Nov
Birth classes done
Pelvic floor, breathing, hospital tour
Nov 27
Term (37 weeks)
Baby ready any time from here
December 2026
Weeks 36–40
Early Dec
Final prep weeks
Rest · nesting · final supplies
Dec 25
ESTIMATED DUE DATE
The big day · Christmas baby
Dec-Jan
Fourth trimester begins
First 12 weeks post-birth
📅 Trimester Roadmap
| Phase | Timeline | Key tasks |
|---|---|---|
| First trimester | Now → ~Jun 18, 2026 | Early scans, bloods, GP consultation, obstetrician selection, hospital registration, NIPT (weeks 10–11) |
| 12-week scan | ~Jun 12, 2026 (early June) | Book scan, announce to family once low-risk passed. ✓ Likely clears before Greece trip Jun 13 — confirm window at next appt |
| Second trimester | ~Jun 19 → Sep 24 | Anatomy scan (~20 weeks, early Aug), gender reveal option, maternity clothes, birth class research |
| Third trimester | ~Sep 25 → birth | Hospital bag, parenting classes, nursery setup, maternity leave planning, one-off gear purchases |
| Birth | Late Dec 2026 | Dating confirmed at scan · estimated due Dec 25, 2026 |
🧬 Key Milestones by Week
| Week | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 8–10 | Dating scan + early bloods |
| 10–11 | NIPT booking window — genetic testing |
| 12 | 12-week scan · low-risk window passed · announce option |
| 16 | Maternal serum screening (if no NIPT) |
| 20 | Anatomy scan · gender reveal option |
| 24 | Viability milestone |
| 28 | Glucose tolerance test · Anti-D if Rh− |
| 32–36 | Growth scans · birth plan lock · hospital bag |
| 37+ | Term · baby ready any time |
| 40 | Estimated due date |
🗓️ External Events to De-conflict
| Event | Clash |
|---|---|
| Greece trip (Jun 13+) | Now just after 12-week scan (Jun 12) — likely clear, but avoid booking scan later |
| Phuket Summit | Safer if in T2 (Jun 19 – Sep 24) · avoid T3 long-haul (after Sep 25) |
| Global Retreat | Check date vs third trimester / birth (T3 starts Sep 25, birth late Dec) |
| Maternity leave conversation with employer | Time after 12-week scan (post ~Jun 12), well before T3 (Sep 25) |
✅ Tests Already Completed
| Date | Test | Provider | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 14, 2026 | Blood test — pregnancy confirmation | Dr Maylin Lee · Myhealth Medical Centre Chadstone | ✓ Pregnancy confirmed · LMP 20/03/2026 · EDC 25/12/2026 |
| Apr 14, 2026 | Genetic Carrier Screening — GENE ACCESS | Australian Clinical Labs · referred by Dr Maylin Lee |
✓ Cystic Fibrosis (CFTR): Non-carrier ✓ Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMN1): Non-carrier ✓ Fragile X (FMR1): Normal, CGG repeats 29 No partner testing required · Reported 17/04/2026 |
🩺 Doctor Appointments
| Date | What | Who | Notes / outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mon Apr 20, 2026 | Follow-up + Monash referral | Trish + Lawrence | Lawrence doing own blood test. Action items from GP letter: provide weight + height for Monash referral · cervical screening test to be done at this appointment (unless recent result on file). Ask about: obstetrician referrals, Medicare Safety Net, Greece trip vs 12-week scan, prenatal vitamins (folate/iodine/iron) |
| Tue May 12, 2026 | 8-week dating scan | Trish + Lawrence | 4:00pm · Confirms gestational age, viability, and number of babies. Expect to see / hear heartbeat. Trish should drink water beforehand (full bladder helps early scan imaging). |
| ~Jun 12, 2026 | 12-week scan | Trish + Lawrence | Lock date — fits before Greece trip Jun 13 |
| ~Early Aug 2026 | 20-week anatomy scan | Trish + Lawrence | Gender reveal option |
📝 Questions to Ask at Apr 20 Appointment
- Recommended obstetricians in Melbourne (private-leaning)?
- Public vs private hospital pros/cons for our situation
- Dating scan timing — when to book, where
- NIPT test — recommended provider, window, cost
- Greece trip Jun 13+ — now ~12–13 weeks (just post 12-week scan). Flight, food, vaccines, insurance
- Prenatal vitamins — specific brand/dose recommendation (folate, iodine, iron)
- Diet/caffeine/exercise guidance for first trimester
- Medicare Safety Net — when do we hit threshold and what changes
- Health insurance — what to check for obstetric cover timing
- Warning signs in first trimester — when to call
🧭 Key Decisions to Make
| Decision | Deadline | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obstetrician vs GP-led care | Week 10–12 | Open | Referral list at Apr 20 |
| Public vs private hospital | Week 10–12 | Open | Drives insurance urgency |
| Hospital selection (Melbourne) | Week 12 | Open | Shortlist + hospital tour |
| Private health — maternity cover | ASAP | Urgent | 12mo obstetric waiting — check current cover level + whether to upgrade |
| Genetic testing (NIPT / Harmony) | Week 10–11 | Open | Decide provider + cost |
| Who to tell and when | Post 12-week scan | Ongoing | Family / friends / work / broader |
| Maternity leave convo with employer | After 12-week scan | Open | Timing sensitive — post low-risk confirmation |
| Financial plan (single-income scenario) | By T2 | Open | Budget nappies, childcare, one-income stress test |
| Nursery location + setup timeline | By T3 start (~Aug) | Not started | Which room, when to prep |
| Names conversation | Ongoing | Not started | No rush |
💡 How to Think About Each
- Obstetrician vs GP — OB gives continuity, costs more; GP-led care is cheaper, public system rotation. Private birth → OB makes more sense.
- Public vs private — Private = same OB through birth, private room, but $3–8K OOP after rebates. Public = free, shared rooms, rotating midwives.
- NIPT — ~$400–500, not covered by Medicare. High accuracy, low-risk (blood only). Most private OBs recommend.
- Employer conversation — Frame around transition plan, not absence. Have a 3–6mo coverage proposal ready.
🧠 Developmental Health (from planning research)
- Hip-healthy swaddling — never tight on legs; links to hip dysplasia (biggest preventable gait cause)
- Skip baby walkers — AAP advises against; linked to abnormal gait
- Vitamin D drops (400 IU/day) — prevents rickets → bowed legs
- Tummy time from day one — hip/core foundation
- Barefoot indoors when toddling — arch + proprioception
- Early hip ultrasound — ask at 6-week check if family history
- Red flags — limping, asymmetric legs, not walking by 18mo, one-sided bow/knock knee
📋 Admin / Logistics Backlog
- Prenatal vitamins for Trish — confirm folate, iodine, iron
- Diet / caffeine / exercise adjustments check
- Download pregnancy tracking app
- Pregnancy / parenting book list — start reading
- First-time parent courses — research Melbourne options
- Obstetrician referrals — ask GP Apr 20
- Medicare Safety Net threshold — understand coverage
- Health insurance review — check obstetric cover level
- Open dedicated baby savings account
- Lawrence — own blood test at Apr 20
📚 Research Reading List
- Expecting Better — Emily Oster (data-driven pregnancy)
- Cribsheet — Emily Oster (data-driven 0–3 years)
- The Glucose Goddess Method — Jessie Inchauspé (blood sugar stability, gestational diabetes risk reduction, energy + cravings)
- The Wonder Weeks (developmental leaps)
- What to Expect When You're Expecting (reference)
- AAP guidelines — skim key chapters
- Australian Pregnancy.org.au — local info
Apps to try
- Flo / Ovia Pregnancy — week-by-week tracking
- The Bump — development visuals
🛒 Gear Research — Not Yet Purchased
Start researching in T2, buy in late T2 / early T3. Avoid over-buying before baby shower / hand-me-down offers.
| Item | Priority | Research notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pram / travel system | High | Test push in-store · check boot fit |
| Car seat (infant + convertible) | High | AU standards AS/NZS 1754 · installation service |
| Cot + mattress | High | New mattress essential (SIDS) |
| Baby monitor | Medium | Video vs audio vs wearable |
| Breast pump | Medium | Private health may cover partly |
| Baby carrier / wrap | Low | Hip-healthy position critical |
| Nursery furniture | Low | IKEA baseline + upgrades |
✅ Told So Far
| Who | Notes |
|---|---|
| Harry + Talia | In-person reveal at front door — Apr 16 |
| Anthony | Told |
| Komal | Told |
| Millie | Told |
| Nafisa | Told |
| Aleya | Told |
| Anna | Told |
| Lawrence's parents | Told |
| Tim + Yvonne | Told |
| Trisha's immediate family | Told |
⏳ Not Yet Told
- Charbel — not yet, for now
- Extended family — wait until post 12-week scan
- Wider friend circle — wait until post 12-week scan
- Wider work team — after employer conversation + maternity plan
- Broader network — much later, maybe T3 or post-birth
Default policy
Wait until 12-week scan clears before broader reveal. Work conversation needs a plan attached — don't announce until maternity leave structure drafted.
🎯 Reveal Plan — Post 12-Week Scan
| Group | Order | How |
|---|---|---|
| Immediate family (both sides) | 1 | In-person where possible · phone otherwise · coordinated same day |
| Close friends inner circle | 2 | In-person / call |
| Employer 1:1 on maternity plan | 3 | Scheduled meeting with proposed coverage plan |
| Wider work team | 4 | After employer conversation |
| Broader network / socials | Last | T3 or post-birth — optional |
Spent So Far
$271.93
Tracked in expenses sheet
One-off Setup (est.)
$7,000
Pram, cot, car seat, nursery
Pregnancy Costs (est.)
$8–19K
Obstetrician + hospital + tests
Ongoing Post-Birth
$1,200/mo
Before childcare
💸 Actual Spending — Tracked
Pulled from expenses spreadsheet · last updated 2026-04-20
| Category / Item | Amount | Who |
|---|---|---|
| Vitamins & Supplements | ||
| Elevit pre-conception & pregnancy (2 × 30pcs) | $65.98 | Trish |
| Elevit pre-conception sperm health (2 × 30pcs) | $65.98 | Trish |
| Elevit pre-conception & pregnancy (150 pcs) | $84.99 | Trish |
| Elevit DHA + Choline (60 pcs) | $29.99 | Trish |
| Books | ||
| 9 Months That Count Forever (Glucose Goddess pregnancy book) | $24.99 | Trish |
| TOTAL | $271.93 | |
Source: Expenses tracker
💰 One-off Setup Costs
| Item | Estimated Cost | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Pram / travel system | $1,200–$2,500 | Research |
| Cot + mattress | $500–$1,500 | Research |
| Car seat (infant + convertible) | $400–$900 | Research |
| Nursery furniture (changing table, drawers) | $600–$1,500 | Research |
| Nursery setup (paint, decor, curtains) | $500–$1,000 | Research |
| Breast pump + feeding supplies | $300–$800 | Research |
| Clothing (0–12 months) | $500–$1,000 | Research |
| Baby carrier / wrap | $150–$400 | Research |
| Safety (monitor, gates later) | $400–$800 | Research |
📅 Monthly Ongoing (post-birth)
| Item | Monthly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| Formula (if needed) | $150–$300 | $1,800–$3,600 |
| Nappies + wipes | $120–$180 | $1,440–$2,160 |
| Clothing (growth) | $80 | $960 |
| Health insurance family tier | ~$120 extra | $1,440 |
| Medical (GP, paediatrician, immunisations) | $50–$150 | $600–$1,800 |
| Childcare (when returning to work) | $800–$2,500 | $9,600–$30,000 |
| Misc (toys, books, extras) | $100 | $1,200 |
🏥 Pregnancy / Birth Costs
| Item | Estimated |
|---|---|
| Obstetrician (private) — total pregnancy | $3,500–$6,000 |
| Scans, blood tests, pathology | $500–$1,500 |
| NIPT / genetic testing | $400–$500 |
| Hospital (private birth) after rebates | $3,000–$8,000 |
| Prenatal vitamins, supplements | $300–$600 |
| Maternity clothes | $500–$1,000 |
| Birth classes, physio, pelvic floor | $500–$1,500 |
💡 Planning Moves
- Confirm private health maternity cover is live — 12mo obstetric waiting period, verify current policy covers birth
- Open a dedicated baby savings account — ring-fence gear + buffer fund
- Track Medicare Safety Net threshold — once hit, out-of-pocket drops
- Parental leave research — eligibility differs by employment structure
- Household cashflow review — factor in maternity period
- Childcare Subsidy (CCS) — means-tested, plan income timing
- Single-income stress test — model 6 months on one income
🎯 Baby Readiness Indicators
Rough benchmarks — not medical/financial advice, just planning guardrails
| Indicator | Recommended | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency fund | 6 months of household expenses | Review |
| Dedicated baby savings | $15–25K buffer | Review |
| Health insurance (obstetric cover) | Family / Gold tier with maternity | Verify urgently |
| Stable monthly cashflow | Consistent positive buffer | Review |
| Housing stable | Own or secure lease through T3 | Review |
| Single-income viability | 6mo runway on one income | Model it |
| Parental leave plan | 3–6mo coverage plan | Open |
| Nursery space | Identified + prepped by T3 | Not started |
✅ Foundations to Lean On
- Cash reserves sized for 6+ months of household expenses
- Stable housing through T3 and beyond
- Monthly cashflow positive and predictable
- Clear picture of pregnancy + birth cost ranges
⚠️ Gaps to Close
- Health insurance maternity cover — verify level, waiting periods, timing (most urgent)
- Dedicated baby savings — ring-fence target $15–25K by T3
- Single-income stress test — run the model during T2
- Maternity leave structure with employer — not yet discussed
Top Priority
Brain
First 1,000 days · language + attachment
Vit D Drops
400 IU/day
From birth if breastfed (AU)
Tummy Time
From day 1
Motor + head shape foundation
First Imm.
6 weeks
AU schedule — confirm with GP
🧠 BRAIN & COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT — First 1,000 Days
More neural connections form in the first three years than at any other point in life. What drives that isn't toys or apps — it's language exposure, responsive interaction, and secure attachment. Everything else (physical, social, emotional) is scaffolded on this.
✅ What Actually Moves the Needle
- Serve-and-return — respond to coos, babble, eye contact, gestures. Single biggest brain-builder under 2. Miss-rate matters more than hit-count.
- Language exposure — talk, narrate, read, sing. Vocabulary gap by age 3 predicts academic outcomes at 9. Aim for interactive language, not background noise.
- Read from day one — even newborns benefit from voice + cadence + closeness
- Secure attachment — responsive caregiving. Crying isn't manipulation under 1; responding builds the safety that enables later exploration.
- Play-based learning — open-ended play > structured lessons in the early years
- Outdoor + nature time — supports sleep, regulation, sensory development
- Sleep protection — sleep is when the brain consolidates. Protect it.
- Good nutrition — omega-3s, iron, protein, choline for brain architecture
❌ What to Limit or Avoid
- Zero screens under 18 months — WHO + AAP guidance (video calls with family are fine)
- 18mo–5yr max 1 hr/day — with an adult, high-quality content only
- Background TV — reduces parent-child talk, linked to lower language outcomes
- Chronic stress / yelling environments — toxic stress measurably changes brain development
- Over-scheduling — boredom is where creativity grows
- Comparing to milestones rigidly — ranges are wide, trends matter more than single points
🚨 Watch For
- Not responding to name by 9–12 months
- No eye contact, no social smile
- No words by 15–18 months
- Loss of previously acquired skills
- No two-word phrases by 24 months
🚶 Motor Milestones & Gait
| Age | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1–3 mo | Head control in tummy time · tracks faces |
| 3–5 mo | Rolls tummy → back · pushes up on forearms |
| 6–8 mo | Sits unsupported · rolls both ways |
| 7–10 mo | Crawling (commando or classic) · hip loading matters |
| 9–12 mo | Pulls to stand · cruising furniture |
| 12–15 mo | First independent steps |
| 15–18 mo | Confident walking · some running |
| 2–3 yr | Running, jumping, climbing |
| 3–5 yr | Skipping, balance, hopping on one leg |
👣 Body, Feet & Hips
- Bow legs (0–2) are normal. Usually self-correct.
- Knock knees (2–5) are normal, peak ~3–4, correct by 7–8.
- Hip-healthy swaddling + carriers — M-position, legs bend up and out, never tight around thighs. Ask for hip ultrasound if breech, family history, or asymmetric creases.
- Barefoot as much as possible indoors + safe outdoor surfaces. Builds arch, ankle strength, proprioception.
- First shoes when walking outdoors: flexible sole (bendable by hand), wide toe box, zero heel, light weight.
- Avoid W-sitting — redirect to cross-legged or legs-out.
- Limit jumpers/bouncers/exersaucers — 20 min max/day.
- Skip baby walkers entirely — AAP recommendation.
- Let them crawl before walking — don't rush upright.
🚨 Red flags (once moving)
- Persistent limp, hip click, asymmetric creases, or one leg shorter
- Not walking by 18 months · frequent tripping past 3
- Severe in-toeing / out-toeing not improving by 4
- Toe-walking beyond age 2 or exclusively
😴 Safe Sleep & SIDS Prevention
- Back to sleep, always — reduces SIDS ~50%
- Firm, flat mattress — new if possible (used mattress = SIDS risk)
- Bare cot — no pillows, bumpers, blankets, toys, pods, nests for first 12 months
- Feet to foot of cot if blanket used post-12mo
- Room share, don't bed share — same room for first 6–12 months
- Correct temperature — not overheated · TOG-rated sleep bags
- Smoke-free environment — during pregnancy + after
- Breastfeeding + dummy at sleep — both slightly protective
🥗 Feeding & Nutrition
- Breastfeeding — WHO: exclusive first 6 months · continue alongside solids to 2+ years
- Formula — no shame if needed; AU-standard formula is safe, follow mixing instructions exactly
- Vitamin D drops 400 IU/day from birth if exclusively breastfed (AU guidance)
- Iron-rich solids from ~6 months — iron-fortified cereal, puréed meat, legumes
- Introduce allergens early (4–6mo window): peanut, egg, wheat, dairy, fish, sesame, soy, tree nuts — reduces allergy risk per current AU ASCIA guidance
- No honey under 12 months (botulism risk)
- No cow's milk as drink under 12 months (fine in cooking)
- Low added sugar + salt throughout first 2 years
- Responsive feeding — watch hunger/fullness cues, don't force-feed
- Family meals from ~8 months — modelling eating behaviour matters
💉 Australian Immunisation Schedule (NIP)
National Immunisation Program — free under Medicare. Confirm exact schedule with GP/MCH at the time.
| Age | Vaccines | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Birth | Hepatitis B | Given in hospital |
| 6 weeks | DTPa-HepB-IPV-Hib, Rotavirus, Pneumococcal, Meningococcal B | Book ~4 weeks ahead |
| 4 months | DTPa-HepB-IPV-Hib, Rotavirus, Pneumococcal, Meningococcal B | — |
| 6 months | DTPa-HepB-IPV-Hib | Annual flu from 6mo onwards |
| 12 months | Meningococcal ACWY, MMR, Meningococcal B, Pneumococcal | First MMR |
| 18 months | DTPa, MMR-V, Hib | Varicella (chickenpox) |
| 4 years | DTPa-IPV | Pre-school booster |
| Annually from 6mo | Influenza | Seasonal |
🩺 Routine Health Checks (Victoria MCH)
| Visit | Key checks |
|---|---|
| Birth | APGAR, newborn exam, hip screen, weight |
| Home visit 1–2 wk | Feeding, weight gain, parental wellbeing |
| 4 weeks | Growth, feeding, reflexes |
| 8 weeks | Growth, hips, eye red reflex, immunisation prep |
| 4 months | Motor, hips, head shape, social smile |
| 8 months | Sitting, crawling readiness, vision, dental |
| 12 months | Walking prep, first words, pincer grasp |
| 18 months | Walking, speech, social interaction |
| 2 years | Language, behaviour, growth, dental check |
| 3.5 years | Pre-school readiness, vision + hearing |
👀 Vision, Hearing & Mouth
- Newborn hearing screen — done in hospital (AOAE / ABR)
- Red reflex check — at every GP/MCH visit (rules out cataracts, retinoblastoma)
- Vision check — formal assessment around 3.5 years
- First dental visit — when first tooth erupts OR by 12 months, whichever comes first
- Watch for torticollis (neck always turning one way) — refer to physio early
- Watch for plagiocephaly (flat head) — reposition, tummy time, helmet only if severe
- Tongue tie — assess if feeding issues; don't cut unless functionally indicated
🧴 Skin & Everyday Issues
| Issue | Approach |
|---|---|
| Nappy rash | Air time, barrier cream (zinc oxide), change often. Red dots beyond rash = thrush, see GP. |
| Cradle cap | Common + harmless. Soft brush + baby oil. Avoid picking. |
| Eczema | Daily fragrance-free moisturiser. Short lukewarm baths. Flare = steroid if prescribed. |
| Umbilical cord | Keep clean + dry. Falls off 1–3 weeks. Redness / smell = GP. |
| Milk spots (milia) | Normal newborn, resolves by itself in weeks. |
| Baby acne | Appears weeks 2–6, resolves without treatment. |
| Reflux | Normal if feeding + growing. Positioning upright after feeds helps. |
| Colic | Evening crying peaks ~6 weeks, resolves by ~4 months. Five S's: swaddle, side, shush, swing, suck. |
🚨 When to Call the Doctor — Red Flags by Age
Newborn (0–3 months)
- Fever ≥38°C (any fever under 3mo = ED)
- Not feeding / refusing for hours
- Lethargic or floppy
- Breathing rapid, grunting, blue around lips
- Persistent vomiting (not spit-up)
- No wet nappies in 8+ hours
- Yellowing of skin/eyes past 2 weeks
- Hip click or asymmetric creases
Infant (3–12 months)
- Fever ≥39°C, or lower fever >3 days
- Not meeting gross motor milestones with 2mo delay
- Not responding to sound or name by 6 months
- Not making eye contact
- Flat head worsening despite repositioning
Toddler (1–3 years)
- Not walking by 18 months
- Limping, one-sided weakness
- Loss of previously acquired skills
- No words by 15–18 months
- No two-word phrases by 24 months
- Persistent toe-walking
- Severe tantrums w/ self-harm
Any age — ED immediately
- Struggling to breathe, blue lips
- Unresponsive, floppy, or non-stop crying
- Rash that doesn't blanch under a glass (meningococcal)
- Seizure
- Head injury with vomiting or loss of consciousness
- Persistent high fever + rash + lethargy
🤱 Parent Health (Don't Forget)
- Postnatal check 6 weeks — mum's recovery, mental health, pelvic floor
- Pelvic floor physio — recommend regardless of birth type
- Postnatal depression screen — EPDS at 4–8 weeks and ongoing
- Partner mental health — paternal PND is real, ~10% of dads
- Sleep protection — tag-team where possible; sleep deprivation amplifies everything
- Nutrition — breastfeeding mum +500 cal/day, hydration, iron
- Social support — isolation is a bigger risk factor than most new parents realise
📚 Go-To Resources
- Raising Children Network (raisingchildren.net.au) — AU government, evidence-based
- International Hip Dysplasia Institute (hipdysplasia.org) — swaddling + carrier guides
- HealthDirect AU (healthdirect.gov.au) — symptom checker, nurse hotline 1800 022 222
- Red Nose (rednose.org.au) — safe sleep guidance
- ASCIA (allergy.org.au) — allergen introduction guidance
- Tresillian / Karitane — sleep + settling support
- Maternal Child Health Line VIC — 13 22 29 · 24/7