As a parent of twins, there will no doubt be times when you feel overwhelmed! Why not consider using one of the many telephone help lines and government resources - sometimes just having a chat to someone about how you're feeling can be a huge help. Many are run by professional counsellors who can help you find other forms of help if required. Most are free, or just the cost of a local call.


Parenting Telephone Helplines and Support Centres

>> National:

Lifeline
Connect with someone who cares.
Tel: 13 11 14
www.lifeline.com.au

Poisons Information Centre
Phone advice for information on first aid for poisonings, bites, stings, mistakes with medicine, and poisoning prevention.
Tel: 13 11 26

Salvos Care Line
The Salvation Army professional counsellors offer Christian compassion and support. Tel: 1300 36 36 22
www.salvos.org.au

Raising Children
The Australian parenting website, run by the Federal Government. www.raisingchildren.net.au

BeyondBlue
The national depression initiative supports postnatal depression.
Tel: 1300 22 4636
www.beyondblue.org.au

Australian Breastfeeding Association
Helplines run by volunteers are available 7 days a week. Counsellors are answering calls in their own homes so please take this into consideration when calling.
Call 1800mum2mum, 18006862686
www.breastfeeding.asn.au/

>> Victoria:

Maternal and Child Health Line
State-wide, 24-hr telephone service with advice, information and support regarding maternal and child health, breastfeeding and nutrition.
Tel: 13 22 29
Click here for a searchable list of Centres

Parentline
Professional counsellors are available to discuss a wide range of parenting issues on a confidential basis, such as child behaviour and family relationships.
Tel: 13 22 89 8am-midnight weekdays/ 10am-10pm weekends
www.parentline.vic.gov.au

Nurse-on-Call
A phone service that provides immediate, health advice and information from a registered nurse, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Tel: 1300 60 60 24 - in an emergency call 000.
http://www.health.vic.gov.au/nurseoncall/

>> New South Wales:

Parent Line
Tollfree 24 hour advice and information for parents of children aged 0-18.
Tel: 1300 1300 52
Parenting NSW Docs

Tresillian Family Care Centres
24 hr advice on settling your baby, breast and bottle feeding, your baby’s routine, depression and anxiety.
Tel: (02) 9787 0855 or freecall 1800 637 357 outside Sydney metro areas http://www.tresillian.net/

>> Queensland AND Northern Territory:

Parentline QLD & NT
Parentline is a confidential telephone counselling service aimed at providing professional counselling and support for parents and all who have the care of children. Available Queensland and the Northern Territory for the cost of a local call.
Tel: 1300 30 1300 8am to 10pm/7days
www.parentline.com.au

>> South Australia:

Parent Helpline SA
The Parent Helpline is a service of Children, Youth and Women's Health Service and provides telephone information, counselling and support.
Tel: 1300 364 100
www.parenting.sa.gov.au

>> Western Australia:

Parent Help Centre WA
The Parenting Line is a free telephone service providing information and advice for people caring for children and teenagers up to 18 years of age.
Tel: (08) 9272 1466 or freecall 1800 654 432 outside Perth metro areas
Parent Help Centre website

>> Australian Capital Territory:

Parentline ACT
Confidential telephone counselling, referral, information and support service for parents, grandparents and carers in the ACT and surrounding districts.
Tel: (02) 6287 3833

>> Tasmania:

Parenting Line TAS
The Parenting Line is available at any time to assist parents with stressful parenting issues or concerns.
Tel: 1300 808 178

Quick links - parenting resources online

General counselling resources:
Centre for Community Child Health
Early Childhood Australia
Positive Parenting Network of Australia
Tresillian Family Care Centres
Triple P International

Grief counselling resources:
Bonnie Babes Foundation Inc
SIDS and Kids

Child abuse prevention resources:
Australian Childhood Foundation
Barnardos Australia
Child Abuse Prevention Service
The National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect

Childcare resources:
Childcare Chat
Care for Kids
The Australian Childcare Index

Sleep problems resources:
Sleep Soundly
Australian Baby Whisperer
The Sleep Store

Premature babies resources:
Austprem
National Premmie Foundation
Lil Aussie Prems
Miracle Babies
Earlybirds Network
Moment by Moment
Parent Infant Research Institute

Developmental delay or disability resources:
Child and Youth Help

Domestic violence resources:
Australian Government Office for Women

Advisory services for men websites:
Dadstheword
Mensline Australia
The Fatherhood Project

Relationships resources:
Relationships Australia

Single parents resources:
National Council of Single Mothers & Their Children
The Single Parent Bible

Women’s health and well being resources:
BeyondBlue
Mummys Wish
Cancer Council of Australia

Home support services resources:
Cradle 2 Kindy Parenting Solutions

Getting organised resources:
Simple Savings
Smart-Mums
Organise your Life
Busy Mothers

Australian Multiple Birth Association (AMBA)

To get support from parents who understand what it's like to have twins, the single most important step you can take is to join your local multiple birth association. Benefits of joining a club include:

- Friendship
- Emotional support
- Education
- Social support
- Developing networks
- Access to information and resources

Speaking to someone who can empathise with you because they have been there themselves is often very helpful. To see a list of clubs in Australia, click here. If you live in a remote area, AMBA also has a forum so you can chat to people online to share experiences and advice.
www.amba.org.au