A new Early Parenting Centre will be built in Ballarat to support parents with young babies.
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The extra support and advice will be welcome for hundreds of parents of babies from birth to age three who struggle with sleeping, feeding and extra care for babies with additional needs.
The Ballarat Early Parenting Centre will be one of seven new and two upgraded centres to be built across Victoria.
Being a parent is hard work. Thats why were making sure Ballarat parents get the support they need, when they need it most.
- Juliana Addison
Next week's state budget will contain $135.1 million for upgrades to existing early parenting centres at Footscray and Noble Park, and new centres to be built in Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, Casey, Frankston, Wyndham and Whittlesea.
About half of parents report problems with sleep and settling, which can lead to post-natal depression, isolation and stress for parents, and impact a child's behavioural, mental and physical development.
About 2000 babies a year are born in Ballarat, and the city's booming young population shows no signs of slowing, particularly in growth areas to the west and south of town.
"This new centre here in Ballarat will make a world of difference for local families who are doing the best they can to give their newborns the best start in life," said Wendouree MP Juliana Addison.
"Bringing a newborn home for the first time is one of the most precious moments for any parent, but for many families, it can be a stressful and challenging time and that's why Ballarat's Early Parenting Centre will be so valuable for our community."
The 2019/20 state budget will also fund a $7.2 million expansion of the 24-hour Maternal and Child Health Line, and $17 million for extra Maternal and Child Health home visits.
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