Bringing your baby into the world is only the beginning. At Western Family Practice, your care continues beyond birth. We support your recovery, your baby’s development, and your adjustment into parenthood, with a team that stays involved as things change.
Postnatal Program
Our postnatal program is designed to support you through the early stages after birth, not just at a single check-in.
You’ll have ongoing access to a team who understands your pregnancy journey, your birth experience, and what’s been happening since. This allows us to pick up on challenges early and provide guidance as things change, so you, your partner and baby all have the support they need.
Postnatal Recovery & Parent Health
Recovery after birth looks different for everyone, and it isn’t always straightforward. We support both your physical recovery and mental health. Our focus is always on how you’re actually going, not just how things look on paper.
Breastfeeding & Infant Feeding
Feeding can be one of the most stressful parts of early parenthood. We provide guidance and support across breastfeeding, bottle feeding and mixed feeding, helping you work through challenges and find an approach that works best for you and your baby. You’ll also have access to our team of Lactation Consultants for tailored feeding support.
Sleep Support
Sleep disruption is part of early parenthood, but that doesn’t mean you have to navigate it without guidance. We help you understand what’s normal, what might need attention, equip you with strategies to navigate challenges, and advise on the best approach to sleep for your family.
Developmental Challenges Support
If something doesn’t feel right with your baby’s development, we’ll help you navigate it. Our team of postnatal and children’s allied health specialists can talk through concerns, identify issues before they grow, and guide you in the right direction.
Food Intolerances & Allergies
Ongoing unsettled behaviour, reflux, skin reactions or feeding discomfort can sometimes point to an underlying intolerance. Our GPs and in-house Dietitian can help you work through what you’re seeing, look at possible triggers, and guide you on what to change or test next, so you’re not left trying to figure it out on your own.
FAQS
How long does postnatal care continue for and what does it include?
Support continues beyond the standard six-week check, with ongoing care as your needs and your baby’s needs change. Typically, this extends to 6 months. This includes all the necessary health and developmental check-ups for baby, and support for your physical and mental recovery after birth. Where needed, we can also help with contraception and iron infusions.
What do I do if I had a difficult birth?
We are experienced in supporting parents who may have had a traumatic birth experience. It is a significant part of why we take a personalised, connected approach to maternity care. Our specialists will be able to help you with mental health support if needed, and ensure any complexities involved in your physical recovery are considered in your care plan.
Can I access postnatal care if I didn’t have my pregnancy care with you?
Yes, we do this regularly. We can step in after birth and provide all the support you need moving forward. We’ll make sure we learn all about your pregnancy and birth experience, and what your priorities are going forward so we can give you the best care possible.
What if I’m struggling with feeding or sleep?
We’ll work through what’s happening and guide you towards practical next steps, with support from the appropriate clinicians where needed. This can include assessments and workshops for lactation, breastfeeding, refluxes and constipation, oral ties, and tongue ties. We also support families seeking unsettled baby support in Perth, particularly when sleep and feeding challenges overlap.
How do I know if what I’m experiencing is normal?
A lot of the postnatal period falls into a grey area, and it’s not always clear what’s expected and what needs attention. We help you work through what you’re experiencing, so you can feel more confident about what’s normal and when to act.