Maternal and Child Health (MCH) nurses in the local government areas (LGAs) of Brimbank, Wyndham and Yarra, are currently asking families at the first home visit, if they would like to hear more about the project. These nurses pass along the details of interested families to the project team. Participants will be the primary carers of 1-2 week old babies attended by MCH nurses on their scheduled home visit 7-10 days after delivery. The partners of parents who consent to be in the study will also be invited to participate.

Parents in the intervention group will be offered a brief parenting education program in addition to their usual postnatal care. The intervention will consist of:

1. a parenting booklet and DVD 
2. a telephone consultation with the primary carer when the infant is 4-8 weeks old, followed by
3. a group parenting session at a local maternal child health centre for all parents when their infant is 8-12 weeks old.

Appropriate referrals to other services will be organised if necessary. The telephone consultations and group programs will be provided by members of the research team who have expertise in managing maternal and infant health issues in the first few months of life.

Parents in the control group will receive the usual postnatal health care provided by their MCH nurse. All parents will complete follow-up questionnaires addressing infant sleep and cry problems and parental wellbeing when their infants turn four and six months of age. Around 750 parents will benefit from this project.