Many newly pregnant women fantasise about starting a family. An idyllic vision of decorated nurseries, the delivery of a healthy baby and a happy ever after.
But for expectant mum Ilona there was much anxiety and uncertainty around the birth of her baby and how she was going to care for her child.
At 26 weeks pregnant, Ilona* was referred to the Cradle to Kinder program. There were concerns about her significant drug use, a suspended prison sentence, and her housing situation with relatives who were emotionally manipulative and controlling.
Despite Australia’s well-developed maternal health system, young women, like Ilona who are considered disadvantaged and vulnerable, are at a high risk of experiencing poor pre and post-natal health contributing to negative outcomes for their children.
To help combat this, MacKillop supported Ilona to attend antenatal care, provided education, awareness and referral to programs that could support her, including a program where she could detox from substances whilst caring for her baby. Her family members were also supported to access support services. So, when baby Charlie was born, a child protection report was made, but immediately closed due to Ilona’s progress and continued engagement and support from the Cradle to Kinder program.
Ilona says, “With the support of Cradle to Kinder I had the courage to attend playgroups with Charlie and took her to baby activities including the toy library, story time at the library and swimming lessons. At the same time, I worked with Cradle to Kinder to establish independent living skills, such as budgeting, cooking, routines, and getting my driver’s license”.
All seemed to be going well until Ilona’s aunt was bailed to the family home. Cradle to Kinder worked with Ilona and her relatives to ensure boundaries and safety plans were in place. Together, Ilona and her family attended infant education classes provided by Cradle to Kinder. But this major change to the household threatened the hard work Ilona had undertaken to provide a safe and nurturing environment for Charlie. Ilona was struggling with issues such as separation anxiety and was co-sleeping with Charlie.
MacKillop could see my struggles and stepped in to support me with sleep routines and settling.
When Charlie turned one, Ilona took the big step of sending Charlie to childcare. Initially drop off and pickups were emotionally charged, and Charlie did not settle at childcare. Cradle to Kinder and the childcare provider worked with Ilona to develop her confidence as well as settling strategies, and now Charlie runs happily into care.
Ilona recently completed courses in Early Childhood Education and Care Certificate 3 and has begun working casually as an early childhood educator, giving her confidence and independence. She has also received positive feedback about her progress from her psychologist and corrections worker.
Ilona continues to engage with Cradle to Kinder as Charlie’s developmental needs change. Her latest reports show that she is tracking well developmentally. Ilona has done a lot of hard work to create a healthy home for herself and Charlie.
“I was really worried about how my stress, past addictions and chaotic home life including family violence was going to affect my baby and her growth. I really wanted to give her the best start in life. Thanks to Cradle to Kinder, together we are finding our way”.
MacKillop’s Cradle to Kinder program - an innovative Australian community-based, multi-disciplinary, home-visiting program for vulnerable infants and families- recognises that a child’s wellbeing during the first few years of life lays the foundations for health and wellbeing in the future.
*Name changed to protect privacy
