Support for parents

As a new parent, it’s your job to meet the needs of a tiny little human who depends on you for food, sleep, safety, comfort, and much more. The role comes with a multitude of new responsibilities and tasks. It’s normal to feel busy, even swamped, and in need of support.

Your first source of support is often the other parent. You can talk to each other about the joys and anxieties of your new role as parents. You can also share household chores and childcare duties. Be sure to check in regularly with each other about how tasks are divided up and make adjustments as needed. At times, one parent will take care of the baby more while the other does more of the housework. If your baby is breastfeeding, the other parent can take on other non‑feeding tasks such as burping, changing or rocking and soothing the baby (see Co‑parenting).

Support from friends and family

Some parents rely on grandparents for support. Others turn to family members, friends, coworkers, or neighbours.

Support from friends and family can take many forms. For example, they can:

• Help with household chores (e.g., laundry, cleaning).
• Provide prepared meals or help with cooking.
• Take care of the baby to give you a break.
• Be there for you and listen when challenges arise (e.g., exhaustion, bouts of excessive crying by the baby).
• Provide useful information (e.g., on finding a childcare centre).

Some parents may not have ready access to support from family and friends. If this is the case for you, you might try meeting other parents at the park or at activities offered through community‑based family organizations, local recreation centres, or similar groups. You might connect with people going through experiences like yours. And you may be able to support each other along the way.

Support from professionals

Medical checkups for vaccinations or to monitor your child’s health and growth are a good opportunity to talk to healthcare workers about your support needs. They know what services are available and can point you to the right resources.

You can also call Info‑Social (8-1-1) or your local CLSC to get connected with the appropriate resources. The Fédération québécoise des organismes communautaires Famille is another good option to find the resources you need.

Community‑based family organizations and family centres offer a number of support services (e.g., breastfeeding groups, respite services, drop‑in daycare). They make it their mission to serve families with openness and care.

To find a community‑based family organization near you 
Visit fqocf.org (website in French only).

To find your local CLSC 
Visit sante.gouv.qc.ca/en/repertoire-ressources/clsc/.

If you need help, you can also consult :

Children now, an organization offering a wide range of services including a telephone help line and professional legal advice. professionnels.
514-593-4303 / 1-800-361-8453 
avanttoutlesenfants.ca/fr/home

Première ressource, aide aux parents, for all questions on parenting and the parent-child relationship.
514-525-2573 / 1-866-329-4223 
premiereressource.com

Réseau des Centres de ressources périnatales du Québec, that gathers the CRPs of Quebec that offer services such as: prenatal classes, postnatal care (Relevailles), postpartum and perinatal bereavement support groups, breastfeeding support, and various workshops.
418-336-3316 
rcrpq.com/english-version/

Financial support

With the arrival of a new baby, the combination of extra expenses and reduced income during parental leave can be a source of stress. Different types of financial aid may be available to you. Visit quebec.ca/en/familyand‑support‑for‑individuals/pregnancy‑parenthood/finincial‑support‑pregnant‑women‑families.

If your family is having trouble adjusting financially to your baby’s arrival (debt problems, difficulty paying regular bills, etc.), there are about 30 consumer associations in Québec that offer free budget consulting services.

For the name of the association nearest you, contact Union des consommateurs du Québec at 514‑521‑6820 or 1‑888‑521‑6820, or Coalition des associations de consommateurs du Québec at 514‑362‑8623 or 1‑877‑962‑2227. You can also visit defensedesconsommateurs.org (website in French only), which provides a list of these associations.

If you need help with your budget, you can also consult the Portail Tout bien calculé des associations de consommateurs du Québec, a free budget consulting service as well as workshops, tools, and information on personal finance (website in French only).

Material and food support

As soon as you become pregnant, you can let people around you know what you’ll need for your baby. Some may be able to help you reduce your expenses by giving you second‑hand baby items (toys, books, etc.). You can also explore what’s available at Magasins‑Partage stores, garage sales, thrift shops, used furniture stores, and church and community bazaars.

If you’re on a low income, you may be eligible for personalized support from the OLO program, which provides food vouchers to expectant parents. Pour connaître le programme, visitez le fondationolo.ca.

There are also food banks, community kitchens, clothing banks, and material assistance services (e.g., for furniture) that might be able to help.

Feel free to contact your local CLSC for more information.

To find the food banks in your area 
Go to banquesalimentaires.org/en.

To find the community kitchens in your area 
Go to rccq.org/en.