Centre for Children’s Health and Wellbeing’s Andrew Resetti (left) with mum Michelle Robinson, Connecting 2 U’s Alanna Phillipson and Kristin Whaites.
More Queensland parents will be offered support during the most critical time of their child’s development through the expansion of a text messaging service by Children’s Health Queensland.
Connecting2u is a free messaging service that provides timely information, tips and health check reminders for new parents and carers to keep their child safe, healthy and strong.
The statewide program has supported more than 8,000 new parents across Queensland, like Leah Ryan, since its launch in 2014.
“I used it from when Kayla [my daughter] was a newborn for her first vaccinations, right up until she was two,” Ms Ryan said.
In 2024, the service is expanding to provide health reminders to parents and carers for the first 2,000 days of their child’s life (up to 5 years old) on topics including self-care, bonding and attachment, brain development and immunisation reminders.
Logan mum Michelle Robinson is excited to continue using the service for her youngest daughter Scarlett, who’s now two and half years old.
“My children don’t sleep a lot, so it was quite hairy through some of those nights and days and it’s easy to forget about the simple things,” she said.
“I found the gentle reminders extremely helpful. You could read the Connecting2u text messages whenever you had a chance, but it also gives you timely information that you needed to know.”
Under the project expansion, CHQ has partnered with Darling Downs, Wide Bay and Torres and Cape hospital and health services to deliver localised messaging to connect regional families to services closer to home.
Messaging is also tailored to parents and carers who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
Parents and carers can register for Connecting2u via the CHQ website.
Read the full media release: Free text messaging service to boost confidence and reduce anxiety for more Queensland parents - Ministerial Media Statements