Young Mums Canberra

Sponsors of Young Mums Canberra

Young Mums is a free support service for women:

• aged 21 or under

• who are pregnant or have recently had a baby

• who are living in the ACT or Queanbeyan

So what is Young Mums about?

Young Mums is about supporting young women through pregnancy, birth and the transition into motherhood. We have a personal passion for young women who are pregnant or who have just become a mum and believe that each young woman needs to be nurtured through this time.

What does Young Mums aim to achieve?

The program is based on the belief that young women are very capable of making informed choices when it comes to pregnancy, birth and becoming a mum. Young women deserve positive support and need someone who will believe strongly in their ability to transition positively into motherhood. The program aims to support young women in empowering themselves to create positive experiences of pregnancy and birth  that will help them become the confident, competent mums that they can be.

What does Young Mums provide?

Young Mums provides the level of support you are comfortable with. This can include any or all of the following:

• Pregnancy Support - providing you with information about your options surrounding having a baby in and around Canberra, supporting you in choosing what kind of care you would like and where to have your baby and assisting you in preparing yourself as much as possible through natural childbirth education.

• Birth Support - supporting you during your labour and the birth of your baby, offering you comfort measures such as massage and aromatherapy, suggesting positions and other things you can try to make your labour more efficient and supporting you with baby's first breastfeed.

• Mothering Support - supporting you in bringing your baby home, providing information to you about newborn care, settling techniques, breastfeeding and routines, and linking you into support services that are tailored to your needs.

• Partner Support - if you have a partner, offering him support through the process of pregnancy, birth and becoming a father.

• Donations - if you are requiring maternity or baby items, the program is continually offered good quality second-hand goods. An assessment is completed and items are provided according to your needs.

• Meals and Home Help - after bringing your baby home, juggling your baby's care, looking after yourself and completing household tasks can be stressful. The program offers a fortnight of home-cooked meals that are prepared and delivered by volunteers and also help around the house with smaller tasks, such as clothes washing and kitchen cleaning.

• Baby Blessing Baskets - set up, packed and delivered baskets of new baby clothing, baby products and nappies, as donated by program sponsors along with members of the public.

Who facilitates Young Mums?

Jen is a certified Birth & Postnatal Doula and runs Empowered for Birth Canberra Doula Service. She lives with her very supportive husband, Dean, and they have two girls. Jen worked in community service for 4 years in both Sydney and Canberra before having their first baby. She currently works part-time as a doula while studying part-time to become a midwife. Jen has a personal passion for working with women to help them have a positive pregnancy, empowering birth experience and to become a conscious parent.

Jen works on a voluntary basis for the program, and provides the majority of the support to young mums during pregnancy and birth.

Megan has a bachelor degree in Early Childhood Education, birth to 8 years. She currently works as a preschool teacher, 2 days a week and as a Japanese language teacher, 2 days a week. Megan recently moved to Canberra with her wonderful husband, Mark, who is currently serving in the armed forces. Previously, Megan ran a self-funded community group in Adelaide for 4 years. The community group assisted young mothers and the disadvantaged in the North of Adelaide.  Megan was a finalist in the Pride of Australia Medal in 2007. Megan has a passion for working with and blessing young mothers and those who are disadvantaged in the community. 

Megan works on a voluntary basis for the program, and provides the majority of the support to young mums after they have given birth. She also organises donations and packing of the Baby Blessing Baskets.

Baby Blessing Baskets

The Baby Blessing Baskets Project was set up to bless and uplift young mums birthing throughout Canberra. The baskets include a variety of baby products and items to start young mothers off and to help them realise that others really care about them. They include contacts and information that will assist them in settling in to life as a mother. Baby Blessing Baskets are made up with donations from companies and individuals. Baby Blessing Baskets are delivered to new young mums birthing in local hospitals.

If you work with young mums during the early postnatal and would like more information about receiving Baby Blessing Baskets, please contact Megan on 0423 179 928.

If you are interested in being supported through Young Mums Canberra, please contact us for a confidential chat about your options.

If you are passionate about helping young mums and would like to get involved in Young Mums Canberra, please also contact us.