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Parenting tips from a Perth GP

Becoming a parent is a life altering occurrence and while the early days are often deemed the hardest, getting advice and support through any stage of parenting can be invaluable. There’s no manual to raising a child and looking after yourself in the process but there are professional perspectives that can help shape your experience. GPs in baby and child health have specialist knowledge to share that can benefit new parents and established family raisers alike, and they’re only an appointment away.

Your GP can assist with

Crying babies

Fussing babies

Settling techniques

Learning how to respond to your child or baby

Dealing with parental worry and stress

Checking what’s normal and what’s not

Age-appropriate attachment

Building resilience in your child

Getting your child to listen

Learning the difference between a healthy child vs. a sick child

Self-care survival strategies

How to support children emotionally

Protecting yourself from overwhelm

How to explain things to your child

Responding to newborns vs. older children

Safe sleeping strategies

Shaping child behaviour through positive parenting

Who asked you?

It’s easy to feel judged as a parent and more often than not, it happens when you haven’t asked for input. The GPs at Baby Steps are on hand to offer practical, non-judgemental advice to those who ask for it, along with strategies that can help reduce the stress and anxiety associated with being a parent. Your parenting experience is entirely specific to you, and your GP factors this in before recommending changes that they think will help.

Meet your GP Advisors

Dr Amy Powles GP at Baby Steps Health Centre

Dr Amy Powles

A sharp mind, gentle approach and expertise in breastfeeding medicine make Amy a trusted authority for new parents. They come for her counsel and stay for her ability to make them feel thoroughly heard and understood.

Graduated in Medicine from the University of Western Australia
Completed a Diploma of Child Health
Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners
Advanced training in breastfeeding medicine

Worked at Fremantle Hospital and regional centres
Worked in Paediatrics at Joondalup Hospital and Princess Margaret Hospital
Takes time to really listen to her patients

Perinatal medicine
Breastfeeding medicine
Child health

Lover of books, but also her two young daughters and husband

Dr Claire de Burgh, GP at Baby Steps Health Centre

Dr Claire de Burgh

Claire goes above and beyond for her patients – particularly those requiring postnatal support – and ensures that they feel listened to and free of judgement. Her commitment to patient care is evident in all who leave their appointment with new confidence in their abilities.

Graduated from the University of Western Australia in 2010
Diploma of Child Health
Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioner

Worked in General Practice both in Sydney and Perth

Providing postnatal support to new families
Paediatric medicine

Loves the home life with two young kids and a dog
Takes time for yoga and cooking

GP Dr Georgianna Stanton at Baby Steps Health Centre

Dr Georgiana Stanton

Perinatal anxiety seems to fade away in the presence of Georgie, whose sense of fun is somehow not impeded by her practical knowledge and experience. She takes great care in keeping her advice grounded and her patient support always open.

Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery from the University of Notre Dame Fremantle
Bachelor of Arts and Science from the University of Western Australia
Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners

Worked in multiple Victorian hospitals in all areas of medicine, including Paediatrics and Obstetrics 
Spent a few years training in Psychiatry in Melbourne 

Perinatal anxiety 
Developmental paediatrics

Mother of two 
Professional reader, ceramicist, gardener and cook
Finds her centre bushwalking or strolling the coast 

Dr Jan Ralls at Baby Steps Health Centre

Dr Jane Ralls

With her 30+ years’ experience in general practice (and 10 specialising in perinatal support), Jane has an unparalleled understanding of mental health and its relationship with pregnancy and the postnatal period. She always keeps an open mind and applies her vast knowledge to each patient’s particular case.

Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery from the University of Newcastle of Tyne in England
Member of the Royal College of GPs
Diploma of Community Child Health

30 years experience as a GP in Perth after completing GP training in the UK
10 years experience in Women’s Health specialising in perinatal support and Postnatal Depression

Parenting support
Improvement of mental health at all stages of life
Babies and small children
Breastfeeding

Mother of two gorgeous young adults
Social Justice advocate, especially First Nations justice and climate change
Finds refuge in the WA bush, volunteers on country for Bush Heritage Australia
Swims and does yoga to maintain her sanity!

Dr Leon Levitt GP at Baby Steps Health Centre

Dr Leon Levitt

A certified baby whisperer with 40 years’ experience caring for babies, children and parents, Leon has quite literally seen it all. His parent-focused approach and non-judgemental ear allow him to provide the tailored strategies and advice that parents are looking for.

Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery from the University of Western Australia

RANZ College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Diploma

Director and Founder of the Baby Steps Health Centre
Consulted in family medicine for over 30 years
Owner of Grantham House Family Medical Practice in Wembley
Strong expertise in the care of infants, mothers, children, parenting, and general practice procedures.
Author of ‘What do I do now? The basics of parenting babies… without stress’.

Perinatal Depression and Anxiety
Parental Anxiety
Eczema and Food Allergies

Grandfather of the year
Fighter for reform in mental health, education and refugee policies

Try a new approach

Book Parenting Advice now

The Clinical Guidance Committee advise Baby Steps on all clinical matters effecting the health practitioners within our centre. It’s members gather together to discuss and develop guidelines relating to:

Meetings are held several times a year, or at the request of Baby Steps for specific clinical advice. It is lead by a chairperson and educational coordinator, elected by the group of participating health practitioners.

Baby Steps supports the independent businesses of:

If you’re looking for support, contact our Practice Manager Michelle Bredemeyer
pm@babystepshealth.com.au
08 9387 2844