Support groups are a good place to start looking for help when it comes to raising your little one, especially when you have a newborn in the house. If you’re in Brisbane, you can turn to Possums & Co, a nonprofit organisation founded by Tarragindi local Dr Pamela Douglas.
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The team at Possums & Co, led by Dr Douglas, are leaders in evidence-based support on breastfeeding, sleep, crying babies, and maternal mood. Dr Douglas is a GP-Lactation Consultant, Breastfeeding Medicine Specialist and ACT Therapist who has been in general practice since 1985.
Dr Douglas developed Neuroprotective Developmental Care or ‘the Possums programs’ which integrates the latest research including lactation science, neuroscience, evolutionary biology, sleep science, and attachment psychology with a set of powerful psychological strategies known as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a type of psychotherapy that emphasizes acceptance as a way to deal with negative thoughts. As ACT Mindfully explains it, the goal of ACT is to maximise human potential for a rich, full and meaningful life.
“Women with babies and small children need to get together! It’s good for a woman’s mental health, it’s good for the baby. And the Possums community is known as a welcoming, non-judgemental place for parents who are passionate about supporting their baby’s secure attachment, which is all parents actually!” said Dr Douglas.
How Possums & Co Can Help
Possums & Co provides group sessions for mothers and babies at The South Brisbane Sailing Club in West End.
Every Wednesday starting at 11:00 a.m. the Possums team provide an opportunity to bring like-minded parents together for support and enjoyment. All are welcome, even if they are new to Possums – they only ask for a small gold coin donation to cover costs.
They have set up a parent drop-in morning every Wednesday, to create a non-judgemental welcoming space for parents to drop in, have a chat, feel supported. In addition to online self-help programs about sleep and breastfeeding, Possums & Co offers free resources for parents in the form of blogs, videos, podcasts.
The Possums Clinic Brisbane is also offering in-clinic consultations and home visits. They provide specialised services in breastfeeding, sleep, and unsettled babies. To learn more about their services, visit their website or follow them on Facebook for updates.