Kōrero I wish I could’ve had with the WellChild nurse

Closed 31 Oct 2021

Purpose

This prompt asked whānau to share stories of things they felt they couldn't share with the Well Child nurse.

Sometimes the care whānau receive can feel judgmental and it doesn’t build relationships of trust. It can be difficult to ask for help. In our work with young mothers and breastfeeding mothers, we found feelings of shame and fear silenced mums and prevented them from getting supported.

That’s why we asked what you wish you could have talked about with your baby’s Well Child nurse.

What did you feel like you couldn’t say?
What questions would you have loved to be able to ask?
Was there something you felt you couldn’t share with your Well Child nurse?

We focused on the relationship with the Well Child nurse as one of the key supports for health available for whānau and tamariki from when they are 6 weeks old to 5 years of age. Understanding why people might not tell health services the full story helps to improve how health services work.

Read More

Outcome

Publications and Stakeholder feedback.

Download and read our publications here. We’re working with stakeholders to continue our analysis of the stories shared. Keep checking back here for future publications!

Wāhi Kōrero Well Child Preliminary Findings

`Kōrero I wish I could’ve had with the Well Child nurse’ Kaitiaki Nursing New Zealand Dec 2022

Feedback from System Design Lead – Kahu Taurima (Services For All Whānau), Te Whatu Ora (Health New Zealand)

“As a part of the system design work for the redesign of the child growth and development service, we were able to utilise the insights from the wahi korero project “Kōrero I wish I could’ve had with the Well Child nurse” to help shape the design. For example, there were clear themes from this research around a whānau need for better support with sleeping and feeding and also themes around feeling shame and fear to ask questions. These elements have driven the specific workforce development and training design to include more targeted education for our workforce to provide more responsive support for feeding and sleeping as an example. The whānau centred approach and the changes to the schedule to allow WCTO nurses and kaiawhina to spend more time on making meaningful connections with whānau is designed to try to build trust with whānau to respond to the themes of fear and shame. These concepts are being prototyped with 6 providers starting in March 2024. Whānau voice and insights will continue to drive the direction of service improvement. Thanks for this great mahi!” 

Read More

Project Stories

I wish I could have been honest about terrible sleep - I lied and said sleep was okay, because I didn't want suggestions to sleep train. I also didn't mention…

Full Story >

I am a first time Mama and although I had all the support from Whanau and friends I still opted to do well-child checks instead of just going to doctors…

Full Story >

I wish that the post natal support that I received was for both my child and myself. I had regular check in for my child's health, but our decision to…

Full Story >

I chose not to take part in the Plunket system with my third baby after my experience with my Well Child nurse after having my second baby. I had a…

Full Story >

I wish my nurse showed up to the visits she booked with me instead of canceling a couple hours later

Full Story >

I wish my nurse could have identified the abuse in my relationship. Domestic violence, in my case - emotional and psychological abuse, seems to be avoided and ignored by professionals…

Full Story >

I wish my well child nurse could have given me strategies to help me cope with my super wakeful child, instead of pushing solids/tipping his cot up/reflux/weaning from brestfeeding none…

Full Story >

I wish I could've had an honest and helpful korero around co-sleeping. To be told the guidelines to do so safely, instead of the tired old 'baby in a crib…

Full Story >

Just before my son's 6 month check, I was diagnosed with post natal depression. When I mentioned it, the nurse's response was that she was here for my son, and…

Full Story >

Whenever I asked questions or expressed concerns I was told to phone the helpline. My daughter had chronic constipation and I asked for advice every time - was told to…

Full Story >

I wish my Plunket nurses had been better trained in the information they gave out. I hated my Plunket visits, all 3 nurses I saw over the years made judgemental,…

Full Story >

Our son was born 11lb, 1 oz. He was a hungry boy and as much as I wanted to breast feed him it just didn’t work out well. So he…

Full Story >

There were things I just never mentioned during plunket visits as I didn't want to deal with disapproval that I wasn't following their recommendations, like baby led weaning. I stopped…

Full Story >

I wish my well child nurse actually visited. With my second child, whilst supporting my partner through chemo, and going through one of the most difficult times of my life,…

Full Story >

I wish the plunket nurse was more open to more gentle settling methods when I discussed about my daughter (who was 5mths at the time) about her sleeping and not…

Full Story >

I wish my plunket nurse had listened to my concerns about my son and his poor sleeping and complete disinterest in eating solids. He breastfed all day and night, woke…

Full Story >

My son was a very, very unsettled baby and would only sleep on me or in my arms. I bedshared with my son from day 1 as that was the…

Full Story >

The first time I saw my well child nurse I mentioned that my baby didn’t sleep well so after a certain point in the night I would bring him into…

Full Story >

I wish I could have been more honest with my well child nurse about how I struggled to bond with my babies due to severe postnatal depression and other undiagnosed…

Full Story >

I wish that the appointment I was scheduled to have during covid level 3 had gone ahead by zoom. I had relocated towns with a 5 month old baby, away…

Full Story >

Something I wish we spoke about is the downs. Yes there are definitely many ups! Becoming a new Māmā and experiencing all the love and joy your new pepi gives…

Full Story >

I remember a lot of box ticking. I remember rushing to my babies room to make sure there were no blankets near the cot as I didn’t want her to…

Full Story >

I would’ve loved to have just talked about conflicting and overwhelming advice I would be given from all angles. Just somebody who understood that everybody has an opinion and that…

Full Story >

Excellent service for new mothers supportive educational and great nurses doing well checks thank you

Full Story >

I wish I could of got more info in regards to the impacts of my stress and gallstone pain I was dealing with whilst hapu towards the development and impacts…

Full Story >

I wish I felt comfortable enough to be 100% with them. I guess I felt like they were growling me if I didn't do things they way they liked/expected. Other than…

Full Story >

Being a young parent our well child provider talked to me like a young child, asking questions about safe sleep and I explain how my baby sleeps and then wanting…

Full Story >

Kia ora, In 1999 I was 19. I had become pregnant unexpectedly and ended the relationship. I had moved home from University after I became so unwell I had no…

Full Story >

Kia Ora I became a mum at 18 as expected I was nervous and didn't know what to expect I am now 26 and have 4 children 2 under 2…

Full Story >

There were some things I wish I shared with my nurse. The reason why I didn’t was because I was afraid of being judged. I am a first time parent…

Full Story >

My first ever visit with the Plunket nurse - she turned up to my mothers house (I didn’t live there, but luckily I was there for the day - my…

Full Story >

I wish I could have told my plunket nurse how horrible things really were. My partner worked away for the first 8 weeks of my pēpē's life, my we were…

Full Story >

I'd been saving up my questions for my next Plunket visit, sleeping, eating, is what my baby is doing normal? But then my Plunket nurse text me, "I've resigned, there's…

Full Story >

The whole appointment the nurse looked at her screen typing as I spoke, checking boxes and plotting numbers on graphs. She didn’t even look me in the eye when she…

Full Story >

I have decided I won’t be attending any further plunket sessions with my daughter, or with any future children that I have. I really wanted this service to work for…

Full Story >

When my daughter was 3 weeks old I had to stop breastfeeding because my nipples were so badly ruined. I was pumping to feed, but not getting enough and switched…

Full Story >

I know that putting down baby somewhere safe to sleep is super important. I had fallen into bed-sharing, but felt too embarrassed to say that, so I just rattled off…

Full Story >

I used to run parenting sessions. We had so many parents turn up and be upset about something Plunket had said to them. We used to joke that lying to…

Full Story >

I wish that my first wellchild nurse had looked at the bigger picture of weight gain (which was really good) rather than just the week, where my baby's gain had…

Full Story >

I wish I could have told my plunket nurse how much damage her comments did. It was the very first Plunket visit. Because visits are basically only a data gathering…

Full Story >

I wish I had been able to share with our wellchild nurse that I was finding breastfeeding, pumping, & bottle top-ups for my twins extremely overwhelming. That because of a…

Full Story >

A Wellchild nurse came to do a before school check. Our son was 4 years old & on chemotherapy for Leukemia which made him his weight fluctuate drastically each month.…

Full Story >

My first Plunket nurse didn’t recognise the signs of reflux and made me feel like I was doing a terrible job of feeding and thought there was nothing wrong. I…

Full Story >

I had post-natal depression with my first & it took me a couple of months to accept it and ask for help from my partner and GP. Not longer after,…

Full Story >

We were going to a beach wedding over in Cairns when my first was 3 months old. My Wellchild nursed refused to give any sunscreen advice because sunscreen wasn’t approved…

Full Story >

When I was first pregnant, my husband and I researched everything as it came up. We felt pretty well informed. Suddenly we had this six wk prem baby and were…

Full Story >

I wish I had pushed back when my plunket nurse called to tell me they couldn't see us for the 12 month visit due to understaffing and being told word…

Full Story >

I wish my plunket nurse would have been more supportive and realistic about the realities of having twins. My twins never took to breast feeding so I exclusively pumped for…

Full Story >

I was absolutely terrified of becoming a first time Māmā, worried I wouldn’t be good enough, worried I wouldn’t know how to raise her. My daughter was born at 36…

Full Story >

One thing I needed as a younger mum, was factual support, not to feel like I was being judged. When I had my daughter 20 yrs later, it was such…

Full Story >

I feel the advice around starting solids is outdated from research I have done myself online and recently published books. Also bedsharing should be something we can discuss openly and…

Full Story >

I wish my nurse was more open about exploring lifestyle based choices, breastfeeding and returning to work, co-sleeping. I felt pushed to move my child out of our room at…

Full Story >

My problems with Plunket started fairly early on with an older nurse who seemed kind of "old-school" and very judgemental. In one session this nurse asked me three times if…

Full Story >

I wish I felt more cared about by my plunket nurse. We have had one appointment with her and one phone call. Both of those interactions have left me feeling…

Full Story >

Please do not share my personal hard times with my neighbours. Please don't tell me that I can't eat bananas because I am a diabetic. Please don't be patronising, for…

Full Story >

When I told you I was struggling with my baby’s sleep, I wish we could have discussed normal infant sleep, realistic expectations and how to get through it. You told…

Full Story >

Kia ora my concern is how do we know if the nurse or staff are racist or not. Being Maori, this is a real concern. The treatment and attitude my…

Full Story >

I wish I could have been honest that we were bed sharing and that this was accepted and that I wouldn't be judged for it. It was right for us…

Full Story >

I wish we could talk about safe bedsharing to sleep and breastfeed. I read Sweet Sleep by the La Leche League and started sometimes bedsharing and always putting baby to…

Full Story >

My well child nurse was very intense. Her visits made me anxious, she would always over share on her experiences. Our little one suffered from bad reflux and I asked…

Full Story >

I know they are well-meaning but I was quite stressed by my well-child provider. She was so focused on weight gain rather than looking at my healthy child. I just…

Full Story >

When I was struggling in the first few weeks of my child's life, my well child nurse told me to dance around the house. What I really needed was some…

Full Story >

I wish that my plunket nurse would have listened to what I was really saying. I was having issues with breastfeeding and my baby wasn’t gaining weight. I stressed these…

Full Story >

I appreciate the regular checkups plunket provides. But I find it mainly helpful for getting weights and measurements and make sure my baby is doing ok. I found they gave…

Full Story >

My plunket nurse keeps forcing tummy time at each visit. My research as an early childhood teacher has led me to have pretty strong views against the need for tummy…

Full Story >

I had two extremes of plunket nurses. One interrogated every aspect of what we did, when I mentioned occasional formula was told I should stop using it and stick to…

Full Story >

My plunket nurse is actually very well informed. She supported safe co-sleeping, explained normal infant sleep and supported BLW. She helped me make my own decisions. My only issues were…

Full Story >

The fact that my mum friends and I have a joke called #donttellplunket is telling that we feel judged rather than supported. I was originally referred to plunket by my…

Full Story >

I have had two great plunket nurses. They have given me some great advice but have also given me advice that I have chosen not to take as I didn’t…

Full Story >

I needed support due to my son waking every 15-20 minutes at night for months (starting when he was 8 months), instead of my concerns being taken seriously I was…

Full Story >

When I had my son nearly 4 years ago, my plunket nurse came over and in a flippent, clearly ticking a box way said "any depression?" with a smile on…

Full Story >

Dealing with cyps and child out of NICU with terrible sleep my boy would nap on me when I slept so we both got rest. Had a family Start worker…

Full Story >

I’ve been really happy with all 4 well child nurses I’ve come across with my two children over the last two years. They have respected my decision not to do…

Full Story >

I wish I had thanked her more for her time and support, she was so lovely to me and my new baby, and truly cared for both our wellbeing. I…

Full Story >

I wish I could’ve said how sad and angry I was about never receiving the promised help. I had bad PPD and struggled breastfeeding and I got told there was…

Full Story >

I wish my well child nurse had just told me when they didn't know something and told me they would find out and let me know later, instead she told…

Full Story >

My first son cried a lot and I didn't know why. I was having a bit of pain feeding and wondering why, when I heard on a FB group about…

Full Story >

My Well Child Nurse from Plunket arrived at my home, saw my baby sleeping in a wrap (following all safety precautions) and said "I hope you don't do that regularly.…

Full Story >

Cosleeping. I strongly believe that safe Cosleeping should be taught and supported. So much risk is there from parents falling asleep accidentally, or unintentionally cosleeping. Antenatal and post-natal it's just…

Full Story >

I wish I could have shared that I was struggling with tiredness and needed help with breastfeeding. I was using a nipple shield (due to my boy being 3 weeks…

Full Story >

Our plunket nurse was the only one for our area. I found her very awkward and hard to deal with. I thought if I stopped contact I would get contacted…

Full Story >

My pepi would scream whenever we placed her on her back to sleep. When I asked the nurse for ideas/help, she could only repeat the sids recommendations - that she…

Full Story >

Kia ora, I had just moved to wellington from a small North Island town with a toddler and a newborn. The process and potential predisposition gave me PND. With the…

Full Story >

I wish my well child nurse listened and observed rather than talked about herself. I had an extremely traumatic birth and felt it couldnt reach out for help. It was…

Full Story >

I never got to build a relationship with my well child nurse. In fact, my child’s wellchild book is mostly blank. He is 18 months and we haven’t seen or…

Full Story >

I wish they offered more advice on sleep for babies and infants. I was advised by my plunket nurse to hire a sleep consultant but I believe this should be…

Full Story >

From the beginning we had a wonderful, supportive, and open-minded Plunket nurse, who talked through options for feeding, sleeping, and reassured me about my babies size and growth (she is…

Full Story >

I wish we were suppprted to trust our intuition more.. with my son I did all they said with regards to sleeping, drowsy but awake, sleep training etc etc.. my…

Full Story >

My well child child visits have all been 10 minutes or less despite my daughter having some health issues such as her soft spot closing super early, and mouth formation…

Full Story >

I chose not to use Plunket for my second child. I actually had a fairly positive experience with them with my first, but I quickly became aware I was in…

Full Story >

I wish there was less focus on box ticking in terms of weight and height milestones and that I felt empowered to trust in my body's ability to feed my…

Full Story >

I wish my Plunket nurse had more knowledge of breastfeeding past infancy. Choosing to continue feeding until 2+ years wasn't something I felt like I could talk about with my…

Full Story >

I wish that I could have talked to my nurse about co-sleeping, extended breastfeeding, night time responsive parenting, gentle responsive weaning, co-regulation. All the things that I knew in my…

Full Story >

I wish we could have had more robust conversations about starting solids. Rather than feel supported to wait until 6mo/baby sitting independently and choosing 'baby led weaning' over traditional puree,…

Full Story >

I wish I could have been more honest about our sleeping situation to better normalise safe bed sharing. We skirted around the edges when she asked questions. I felt well…

Full Story >

I wish I didn’t feel judged when I talked about co-sleeping, baby wearing and feeding my baby to sleep. I would have loved a conversation of support when I finally…

Full Story >

I wish I could have told them I was bed sharing. I wish I could have asked how to do so safely. I was fortunate enough to find resources online,…

Full Story >

I wish I would’ve felt comfortable to ask how to safely bedshare, as well as had a more in-depth discussion about my baby’s sleeping (it wasn’t normal as she had…

Full Story >

I wish my Plunket nurses could have had more information / suggestions for my baby who didn’t sleep well at night. The only solution was to cry it out with…

Full Story >

I wish we could've talked about how to safely cosleep and the benefits of following the child's lead. I wish there was less judgement, less push for sleep training, more…

Full Story >

Lying to the Plunket nurse is just par for the course. Yes of course my baby sleeps on his back every night - actually he won’t sleep unless he’s on…

Full Story >

My first nurse from plunket didn't agree with cosleeping, bed sharing, baby led weaning, extended breastfeeding past 1, and felt I should turn my babies car seat forward facing at…

Full Story >

With my third child, I stopped visiting the nurse as I felt she didn’t listen and had an agenda for each visit before I even arrived. She constantly went on…

Full Story >

I believe I experienced PPD with my second child, the thought of Tamariki Ora coming and taking my kids so easily stopped me from opening up and reaching out for…

Full Story >

That bed-sharing was the best thing that happened in m my mothering journey. It’s natural and can be done safely. Let’s realise that most parents will sleep with their baby…

Full Story >

At my first two appointments I explained that I was having severe anxiety since baby was born, that I had a history of mental illness and that I was having…

Full Story >

I was having some intrusive thoughts after my first child was born. I would have benefitted from talking this through with someone. But the way the questions are asked are…

Full Story >

My daughter was born early. I always wanted to breast feed my daughter as I know breast milk is the best. I found being in NICU very difficult. I was…

Full Story >

I really like my plunket nurse and she is very caring and helpful. However, I feel like she believes that some ways of doing things (sleep training instead of bed…

Full Story >

I wish I could have asked for advice on how to safely bedshare; how to ensure my baby led weaning baby would have enough iron in her diet. I wish…

Full Story >

I wish I felt confident to breastfeed, and I wanted support to solve issues I was having with it. When I said I had flat nipples and latching was so…

Full Story >

My daughter falls asleep on me every night, then I bring her to bed with me and we safely co-sleep. Any type of settling her in her bed doesn't seem…

Full Story >

About half way through the first visit the nurse became alarmed because we had cats and she was allergic to cats so she wrapped it up early. It seemed a…

Full Story >

My tamariki ora nurses were beautiful, I went with a Māori provider, they were both lovely people. I felt comfortable with sharing with them. The main issue I had is…

Full Story >

The compulsory question: Are you safe? Was always asked uncomfortably, at the end as a finisher as we were getting up and in a way that there wasnt the space…

Full Story >

Being a new mum was hard. My first bub cried a lot and only seemed to sleep when I was holding her. I wasn't comfortable with leaving her to cry…

Full Story >

I just told the Plunket what I thought they wanted to hear and that's what they wrote down in my children's book. I wasn't open about my addiction, problems with…

Full Story >

I felt the Plunket nurse was rushed and stressed. I didn't really attend many visits after my second child as I didn't want to but more pressure on the service,…

Full Story >

I wish I could have told my Plunket nurse how grateful I was for her support and let her know how much of a help she had been in answering…

Full Story >

The nurse asked if baby was having tummy time. I said that I didn't agree with tummy time and tried to explain my reasons (including that many experts and paediatricians…

Full Story >

I wish I had the courage to tell the nurse at my most recent appointment how horrified I was to hear that they offer such outdated methods such as cry…

Full Story >

I didn't tell them we hadn't introduced dairy because when I ate dairy while breast feeding my son would projectile vomit. I wish we could have talked about it without…

Full Story >

I wish I was encouraged to bed share safely rather than being told off for doing so. All my babies were extremely windy and on my first ever Plunket visit…

Full Story >

I have never told my Plunket nurse that I cosleep with my baby. Every appointment I get asked if the baby sleeps in their own bed and I always lie.…

Full Story >

My first plunket nurse with my eldest was amazing, she supported my choices and gave so much support for my silent reflux baby. My nurse for my second child was…

Full Story >

For my first child we had a new plunket nurse each visit which meant we never built a rapport and just felt like all they did was ask the standard…

Full Story >

I was hesitant to use plunket as my well child provider due to hearing so many awful things over the years and on social media but went with them anyways…

Full Story >

On one of my first visits to Plunket I was showing visible signs of being overwhelmed, over tired, stressed, anxiety etc the nurse asked why I thought I was feeling…

Full Story >

My second child was a chubba bubba! She was over the top of the height-weight chart at her 4 month check up. Now I was as surprised as anyone at…

Full Story >

When my baby was 12 months old and our nurse asked how often he fed and I said I didn't know.. and she pressed me so I said maybe 3…

Full Story >

My Plunket nurse was probably a really lovely woman. She did home visits because we were so unable to make it to Plunket rooms for visits. But one day, she…

Full Story >

It's an unwritten rule amongst co-sleeping mum's to lie and just say baby is sleeping in a cot to avoid annoying lectures from Plunket nurses. When my baby was 6…

Full Story >

I had thrush and Raynauds when feeding my first child. She dismissed me about it and just said breastfeeding was hard. It was horrific until I got help from an…

Full Story >

My original plunket nurse had to change me over to one of the community clinics as she had too many clients. On my first visit, I explained how my daughter…

Full Story >

My third child was born with a genetic condition that causes a number of disabilities, both hidden and obvious. Although she was hospitalised for several months of her infanthood, and…

Full Story >

I said that I was struggling to cope and felt like I needed a glass of wine sometimes late at night to settle my nerves. My plunket nurse straight away…

Full Story >

Before the birth of my first child I was a psychologist in the mental health sector which was noted in one of my first plunket appointments. After this information was…

Full Story >

I had many negative interactions with my first plunket nurse. The very first meeting she told me “co-sleeping is not ok in any culture” She said this with such judgement…

Full Story >

After an awful experience with Plunket with my second child, I was nervous for my first visit with no3. I was pleasantly surprised to meet a new nurse that was…

Full Story >

My son was born premature and had some complex medical issues, I don’t think the plunket nurse ever paid any attention to his notes asking the same question each time…

Full Story >

I had my second child 6 years after my first and was absolutely determined to breastfeed this time around. I felt like a new mum again, I was anxious, exhausted…

Full Story >

I wish I stopped replying to my plunket nurse earlier. Every time I asked her something about breast feeding, bottle feeding, solids or sleeping she gave me a disapproving look,…

Full Story >

Our first plunket nurse was great, she was an experienced grandmother that didnt let tick-boxs stop her from being helpful...unfortunately she retired after two visits and every nurse after that…

Full Story >

I wish we didn’t slip through the cracks when you moved areas. In 3 months my baby has only been checked once. More than 6 weeks has passed since then…

Full Story >

I wish I could have told you I don’t feel important. That appointments were cancelled at the drop of a hat when I had been trying to impress you because…

Full Story >

1. I felt my previous trauma was seen. She asked questions that helped me to look at what I was bringing into my role as a parent - but there…

Full Story >

My plunket nurse came into my house for her first visit and said how glad she was that she didn’t buy a house in the new area we had just…

Full Story >

I felt so unsupported & disempowered by Plunket with my first daughter that I chose not to use the service with my second. I wasn't a super young mother, but…

Full Story >

I didn’t have a well child nurse for my baby born Feb 2020. Before we went into the first L4 lockdown my midwife already changed to over the phone postnatal…

Full Story >

We Co-slept and extended breastfed with both of our girls. I didnt need it be told off for this by my plunket nurse (more the cosleeping) and I knew she…

Full Story >

I chose Plunket as my daughters well child provider. I hadn't put much consideration into the provider, my midwife asked me not long after my daughters birth- so I was…

Full Story >

My husband and I co-slept with my daughter right from when she was a newborn. It is what my people always did until colonisation, and felt most natural and right…

Full Story >

My son had a red patch on his penis and unable to reach my tamariki ora nurse on the weekend I called the plunket line number she had shown me…

Full Story >

I wish my whanau and I were more than a tickbox on my Wellchild Nurse's clipboard. I wish I had the courage to tell her that no, I wasn't waking…

Full Story >

I asked them not to come back. I felt fear every time they came and when they left I had to actively defear. It would affect my sleep that night…

Full Story >

I just felt judged. I didn’t feel like I was being heard - I was only asked questions for their data I asked about sunblock and was made out to…

Full Story >

I wish I had been able to tell my Well Child nurse about our co-sleeping so that I could receive good, safe and supportive advice instead of feeling like I…

Full Story >

I was feeling like a good mum despite all the struggles baby and I had thrown at us with a very tricky birth and early feeding experience. My first Well…

Full Story >

My husband went back to work after a week and I was left looking after a newborn and a 7 year old child with special needs, while recovering from a…

Full Story >

I have never forgotten my first Plunket/Well Child visit. I swear the nurse never looked at me the entire time she was asking her questions and ticking boxes in her…

Full Story >

When I had my first son I wish my Plunket nurse actually got back to me.. she never did after 6 months. And with my youngest I had lots trouble…

Full Story >

Our well child nurse only turned up once my girl was born prematurely at 29+3 weeks and nearly 11 weeks spent in nicu. When we had our first well child…

Full Story >

I wish that the Wellchild nurses would not put all children and their development into a square box. My youngest has some health issues and every time I raised my…

Full Story >

I wish I could have talked openly about cosleeping. It was the only way we could get some sleep. I did the research and side lying feeding while asleep was…

Full Story >

My plunket nurse was absolutely amazing and I wish I had told her more times how much her positive and kind encouragement meant to me as a solo mum with…

Full Story >

I was very keen to do right by my baby and one thing I discovered early on was to listen to my instinct for what he needed. Sometimes this instinct…

Full Story >

My partner and I feel very lucky to have an amazing Well Child Nurse. However if there is one thing we think would have helped would be our midwife and…

Full Story >

With six children and a few house moves I have gone through a few plunket nurses. I have had good and bad, one lady was just lovely and extremely easy…

Full Story >

I struggled to build a rapport with my plunket nurse when I had my first baby. I always felt very awkward during the visits. My baby was formula fed and…

Full Story >

I wish I could’ve talked to my Plunket nurse about vegetarian/vegan food for babies and toddlers. The Plunket nurse (and another Plunket educator) made me feel judged and they kept…

Full Story >

My wellchild nurse was a very nice lady, who lived in a happy wee bubble of her own making. Even when I tried explaining to her how much I was…

Full Story >

Kia Ora Unfortunately my last journey with my youngest was a very difficult one as she was born with a brain disorder, We'll Children's serves were a no show after…

Full Story >

I did not have midwife during my pregnancy because no midwife at my area wanted to take me. Their excuses were they were too busy and my due date did…

Full Story >

The Tamariki Ora nurses I had were amazing. I originally dealt with Plunket and found they were too narrow minded and by the book, in their approach and didn’t see…

Full Story >

Postnatal care for me. Oh how some simple questions about how my body was doing after a difficult birth may have saved me from years of discomfort and surgery NINE…

Full Story >

With my first child I tried to do things the "right" way - sleeping her alone in a cot every night. She hated it and I ended up very sleep…

Full Story >

Our Plunket nurse is great. I have however three wee comments to Plunket in general. For most parts the nurses are trained to push through "the one and only" somewhat…

Full Story >

Plunket was great apart from the breastfeeding stand I understand breast is best but when your body has been through a traumatic experience during birth sometimes it’s doesn’t do what…

Full Story >

To the Plunket nurse who visited me with my first baby: I wish I hadn't backtracked and told you what you wanted to hear so you could fill in your…

Full Story >

Particularly with your first child you don’t know what to ask, what to expect or what is ‘normal’. The Plunket nurse I had with my first daughter was absolutely fantastic.…

Full Story >

I was so overwhelmed. I was struggling mentally and emotionally, my baby just woke all the time through the night and I thought I was failing somehow. When I was…

Full Story >

I wish I could have openly discussed that I was cosleeping, how to do it safely, and how much of a help cosleeping was for me with sleep deprivation. I…

Full Story >

I have a 2.5yr old and a 6month old. I wish the well child nurses I've seen were more supportive of alternative parenting styles. I felt so anxious to co…

Full Story >

Our first baby girl is a delight but from day one has not slept well and struggled with breastfeeding. I developed a breast abscess and found things all very hard.…

Full Story >

My first baby wasn’t a unicorn. He cried a lot, struggled to gain weight and woke very frequently. At our appointment around 12-15 months the Plunket nurse asked if he…

Full Story >

I liked my Plunket nurse but she gave terrible sleep advice and referred me to a blogger who specialises in sleep training when I tried to explain how sleep deprived…

Full Story >

I feel like I was made to be scared of co-sleeping. I really wish my Plunket nurse would have explained how to safely co-sleep and shown me how breastfeed lying…

Full Story >

When my daughter was little, she was never a good sleeper. I was always against co-sleeping but sometimes ended up doing it out of desperation. It was the only way…

Full Story >

Breastfeeding/bottle feeding advice is needed! All the babies I grew, I breastfed, the gifted one was, obviously, bottle fed. What a friggen mission! Breastfeeding took 6 weeks to master, then…

Full Story >

My Son is nearly 2, and I’ve only seen plunket 3 (maybe 4) times, each for maybe 15 mins. One appointment was double booked and I had to come back…

Full Story >

Things I wish I had been told! That my baby needed more than two minutes on each side after a few days old, he was always hungry. I was still…

Full Story >

I didn't have a well child nurse visit me at all with any of my 4 children. I can't really remember why, but I preferred it that way. I did…

Full Story >

No judgment! I wish i could have told her that i was co-sleeping (yes it can be done safely and many cultures do! Safe sleep 7 etc) without her telling…

Full Story >

I am a mother to a 3 year old child and I have not had much experience with a wellchild nurse. My provider was Plunket, I have only had the…

Full Story >

I had two babies within the space of 17 months. Both babies had reflux, difficulty breastfeeding and rarely slept. I had numerous Plunket nurses and lactation consultants in my home.…

Full Story >

My first baby was stuck in the birthing canal for 3 hours. The result of this was my son was jaundiced and my tailbone was severely bruised and I could…

Full Story >

I wish my well child provider had have asked me more about my postnatal health. No one talks about what happens to your body when you have a baby and…

Full Story >

I'd worked in public health so I thought I'd nail this motherhood thing. I understood 'best practice'; the evidence and the risks; 'breast is best', 'co-sleeping increases the risk of…

Full Story >

- Baby routines - I did not cope well forcing baby in to a routine. And while the feed, play, sleep may work well for some I eventually found that…

Full Story >

Whats in a name. I have two beautiful tamariki who both have Maori names, names in which have significant meaning, have whakapapa connections and where given to them with love…

Full Story >

I had four Plunket nurses in the first year of my first child's life, they couldn't seem to keep staff. The last one in particular - the last one because…

Full Story >

When my first child was born we were living with my mother in law because my partner (the childs father was between jobs). The nurse told me I had to…

Full Story >

I flat out lied to my plunket nurse because I just knew they were going to give me the same cookie cutter answers as if all babies and whanau are…

Full Story >

I wish I could have told the plunket nurse that my daughter was co sleeping with me, that this was the only way she would sleep, without being told that…

Full Story >

I wish that there was consistency in information between different wellchild nurses. One visit I was told to start solids, next visit told off for this - as a young…

Full Story >

I wish my well child nurse or midwife had given me information on safe bedsharing. My baby did not sleep and I ended up dropping off in unsafe places like…

Full Story >

I wish there had been any consistency at all in who I saw in early visits. Instead I got completely different information and personal opinions. And care absolutely disappeared from…

Full Story >

Kia ora koutou. I don't have much to say other than when we lived rurally we constantly had visits postponed and then cancelled and after a while they just didn't…

Full Story >

I have three children, I had mixed experiences with plunket nurses. Most were great and listened and had good advice. We had an experience where our 2nd child wasn’t going…

Full Story >

Both my babies were born full term and exclusively breastfed. And both had terrible reflux, one incapable of burping who vomited minimum a dozen times a day and the other…

Full Story >

I had a wonderful nurse who I couldn’t fault (same one for both children). But I did feel like she was restricted in her role, by not being able to…

Full Story >

Now a Mum of 5 children that range between 14 and 5 years old I can be more reflective and look at why the journey with midwives and plunket nurses…

Full Story >

I felt like just a number. Even when we do seethe nurse she not really interested. My youngest child is 3 in December and I haven't heard from my Well…

Full Story >

I was a young mum and felt judged for that. I also felt huge pressure to breast feed and was made to feel inadequate and stupid when I struggled with…

Full Story >

I felt constantly judged for my parenting decisions by multiple Plunket nurses. I found breast feeding incredibly difficult the first time and Plunket were of no help with this -…

Full Story >

Keeping in mind that my mātāmua is almost 14 now, this story might no longer be relevant. When I first had my child, I had done a ton of research…

Full Story >

I never told my plunket nurse how i was really feeling at home - overwhelmed, underappreciated, stressed to the max, confused, alone, frustrated, and scared of my baby. Until one…

Full Story >

I wish I could have had some korero with our Wellchild nurse. Any korero. In our South Island city our local Plunket rooms seem to have been mothballed. My 10…

Full Story >

I wish I could’ve told her how not being able to breastfeed was effecting me, I wish I could’ve told her what I really thought when she said “I don’t…

Full Story >

I was living rurally, had a toddler and a newborn and found it hard to organise myself to get to Plunket Well-Child checks. I regularly saw a Plunket car drive…

Full Story >

You would think with my mother working for Plunket, that I would have been well supported. Think again. A while ago now, but when my eldest was 3 mths old,…

Full Story >

I am a health professional and this is my second baby so I feel quite confident in parenting. I engaged with well child services from 6 weeks and have attended…

Full Story >

I wish I could have said about my child’s allergies and getting more help with that. Seems to be brushed off. By most health care people as she will grow…

Full Story >

Not once did I ever tell my Plunket Nurse that I slept my two eldest sons on their sides (using a safety sleep device), or that I was topping up…

Full Story >

I wish I could have told my well-child nurse that I was rough with my baby a few times and that I smacked her from time to time when she…

Full Story >

When I was a ftm 4 years ago I wish my well child nurse had been more supportive around bedsharing, Co sleeping and not sleep training. I wish she had…

Full Story >

A lot of the time during being hapu and after having my baby, I felt guilty I could not be up to par in the pakeha worldview. I was told…

Full Story >

Arohamai, possibly not the stories you are after but I did want to share my experience. As a Pacific Island woman I made the choice not to go to Plunket…

Full Story >

I am so thankful for our plunket nurse. She is positive, approachable and affirming of our parenting style. My first baby is very petite but I never felt any pressure…

Full Story >

Im not sure if this is relevant as it was 25 years ago. I did struggle as a single mum and a child that had horrible tantrums and i had…

Full Story >

I learnt after our first few visits that I could not be honest. I learnt to give you the "right" answers to your many questions, as you were not understanding…

Full Story >

That I'm really struggling and I need help. I felt passed around the system. Baby had reflux, lost weight. Plunket referred to hospital pediatrician who complained about me being there…

Full Story >

I respected the time you sat with me and shared kōrero. I wish I didn't feel judged that I was bed sharing baby and feeding him to sleep. I felt…

Full Story >

I wish my well child Nurse could have listened to my concerns well. As I am feeling left alone. I am advocating for my son who is 7 when he…

Full Story >

Back in 2015 when I quit a low-paying job to be a stay home dad, the first year was very challenging. Since my wife had a lengthy natural labour and…

Full Story >

I wish my daughter wasn’t judged by her weight or height, she was born a chubby baby and it has continued but it doesn’t stop her learning or who she…

Full Story >

I wish I had more confidence in the advice you gave me. My baby was dropping percentiles in the 3rd month and the first Well Child Nurse told me to…

Full Story >

You wrote feeding and sleeping well at each appointment, after I spent the whole time holding back tears trying to explain that baby was doing neither.

Full Story >

The first time they called it was a bad day. Baby wouldn’t latch and she was screaming with hunger and I was weeping and feeling like a failure before I…

Full Story >

*content warning - baby loss* This story is long so sorry in advance 🥰 In 2006 at the age of 17 almost 18 I found out I was due to…

Full Story >

I wish you would have actively supported me in my desire to breastfeed my premature twins. Instead you undermined me at every opportunity, from failing to diagnose incredibly obvious oral…

Full Story >

I wish I could have been honest about sleep without being told to let my baby cry for 2 hours. I wish that I was told it was normal for…

Full Story >

I wish I could have felt comfortable talking about safe co-sleeping and night feeding, instead of being made to feel like both were not good practices (I’ve since read research…

Full Story >

So I have four children under ten. I suffered pre and post natal with the first three and post with the 4th who is 9 months. I’m now under tamariki…

Full Story >

Where to begin: bed sharing and co-sleeping, contact naps, formula top ups, and the one “safe” topic was to say to the Plunket nurse that I’d enrolled with a baby…

Full Story >

I wish I could've told you I was still using a nipple shield. Our first appointment was over the phone and I felt like you didn't listen. You didn't know…

Full Story >

I wish I could have gotten more help for my husband who had PPD. The counsellor I was recommended was too expensive for more than one session. He need the…

Full Story >

I wish I could have told the Plunket nurses that after my baby hit 4 months, his sleep became so terrible that he was waking every 45 mins and I…

Full Story >

I wish I could have told my plunket nurse that I felt anxious to leave my baby. That I didn’t know if this was normal, but the less sleep I…

Full Story >

I wish I could have had the same support person each time so we could have built a stronger relationship. Each time my appointment was with someone new. It felt…

Full Story >

I wish I could’ve told my first plunket nurse how great and understanding she was. Even of my cosleeping and attachment parenting. She got reassigned suddenly and there was no…

Full Story >

I had a phone appointment when my daughter was 5 weeks old and the nurse was so horrible, judging because I didn’t drive and wasn’t on birth control, was really…

Full Story >

I wish I could’ve actually seen a wellchild nurse. Is 2 times sufficient in 4yrs? My midwife had to chase for a first visit and she was unprepared when she…

Full Story >

I wish, 15- 21 years ago, that the Well Child (Plunket) nurses knew to screen for postnatal depression and anxiety and more importantly for relationship violence. Not the physical type,…

Full Story >

I wish I actually got appointments! Even if it was my third child I was in a different situation and still wanted an appointment.

Full Story >

I wish you would have helped guide and reassure me when I told you I was interested in baby-led weaning, instead of outright refusing to help. You came to visit…

Full Story >

That I needed help. I was/am drowning a lot of the time but I don’t trust you enough to ask for help, or think that the help you may offer…

Full Story >

I had my first child in 2016 and enrolled with Plunket. I thought you had to be tangata whenua to enrol with the local iwi provider. I had what objectively…

Full Story >

I was told by a Plunket nurse that i should put my baby in their crib, close the door for the night and leave them to cry. But make sure…

Full Story >

My daughter is 3.5 years old (first and last child). We had a wonderful local plunket nurse who provided great support for our first year. Then she retired. I returned…

Full Story >

I wish I could have told her how much I was struggling. How guilty I felt that I didn’t love my daughter. How guilty I felt that I felt totally…

Full Story >

I found each well child visit more like an interview, its literally a check list. As there was no pre existing relationship between the nurse and I, I found it…

Full Story >

I wish I could have talked about safe bed sharing. With a very wakeful baby that struggled to sleep and wouldn't sleep in his own bed I was exhausted. I…

Full Story >

I wish I could had said how much I was suffering without feeling guilty or ashamed. I lived in a different town for my first child and got on well…

Full Story >

My first baby wasn't a good sleeper and I felt broken from the tiredness. I kept telling my plunket nurse that it was so hard and she kept saying babies…

Full Story >

My well child nurse visited only twice and I never heard or seen her again. Would of been nice to build a relationship which was beneficial to me and baby

Full Story >

I found going to the plunket nurse a waste of time, they weren't any help, the only thing that was worth while was to see how much my boy had…

Full Story >

My nurse is great and really casting, and manages to remember children from one appointment to the next. One thing that I struggled with though is the question of sleep.…

Full Story >

I have three children. My first nurse said that, at 5 weeks old, I should be leaving my son to scream to go to sleep. I replied that he would…

Full Story >

When my boy was a newborn, I wish I had had the confidence to openly reject the Plunket advice to only breastfeed my baby every 3-4 hours. Such a dated…

Full Story >

My son was born premature at 36weeks, IUGR and only 2kgs. He had lots of other health issues and was fed through an NG tube. As he was so small…

Full Story >

I have to say I was very lucky. I knew something was different with my son very early on but didn't want to say anything. On his wellchild visit, the…

Full Story >

My plunket nurse was amazing my mum friends however some haven’t been seen some 6 -8. Simply forgotten about. The better questions is how would you have changed your postpartum…

Full Story >

I wish I had of said.... Actually I still don't know. My daughter was born with multiple congenital problems. She is my one and only :) She is 17 today,…

Full Story >

My plunket nurse was very judgemental, I made sure only to answer the questions and not add anything else. Around 10 months I switched to my GP who was more…

Full Story >

I think there should be a mental and physical check up for mum’s either before they start with their Well Child practitioner (final visit with midwife or seperate dr visit)…

Full Story >

I had a traumatic birth and trouble breast feeding, with low milk supply. I found it really hard during the first few months of bubbas life. At one plunket check…

Full Story >

My baby struggled with reflux and is a terrible sleeper. At the time he was born it was a very busy time for our family and my husband was away…

Full Story >

I had a very traumatic birth and six days in hospital. My daughter was born via emergency c section, I had external and then internal bleeding etc My recovery took…

Full Story >

I have experienced both bad and good experience with Plunket. We didn’t start off on a good note as it wasn’t until my baby was actually almost 3 months old…

Full Story >

After going through IVF hell you made me feel terrible about being unable to breastfeed. Very little practical advice. Just constant emphasis on how important it was. My child's pre…

Full Story >

First off, finding out I was pregnant was a shock but exciting. Secondly finding a midwife was really hard but I found one around 3 months of pregnancy even though…

Full Story >

I was 21 when I had my first child. She was planned and I was the most excited new mum ever! I loved my baby girl and everything that came…

Full Story >

I am a first time mum. My Well Child Nurse appointments have felt that there was a conflict of knowledge on her behalf. She based her advice on what she…

Full Story >

I am a first time mum. I don't like talking to my plunket nurse. Firstly she needs to learn to listen then talk. I got my baby's 5months shots done…

Full Story >

I appreciated the breastfeeding centre and the support they provided. I did not appreciate my visits to my local Plunket nurse. They were filled with judgement and little advice. They…

Full Story >

I was lucky to have a fantastic nurse for the majority of my journey with a Wellchild nurse. However, when she was sick I was given an appointment with another…

Full Story >

With my first child, my Plunket nurses appointments were so short and to the point, it was like running through a checklist. There was no space in the appointment to…

Full Story >

It's been nearly 10 years since my tamaiti was a wee babe but my one and only interaction with a Well Child nurse has been burned into my memory and…

Full Story >

I have 4 children. With my first three babies I had a wonderful experience with my plunket nurse. I had the same nurse for each of my three eldest babies…

Full Story >

I have 8 children and have had a love hate relationship with plunked and lactation consultants for the last 18 years. I wish I could have told the nurse after…

Full Story >

As a first time mother that had a really traumatic birth and a baby that was small not prem but had been starved and not grown for weeks the doctor…

Full Story >

Having an unexpected, high-risk pregnancy in my 40's, which resulted in a long term stay in the hospital until baby was born was challenging for me and my whanau. I…

Full Story >

I wish I could have really told her how depressed I really was. Every time she handed me the note pad that had the how are you feeling questions she…

Full Story >

I had inverted nipples and obviously needed help with breastfeeding. I was made to feel useless and not supported at all. Even though I persevered and used formula to top…

Full Story >

When I had my first son I was 20 and had no family support around and none of my friends had kids. My partner was 21 and it was also…

Full Story >

I was an older mum, having my first child at 37, she was a healthy girl and we co slept as she awoke often in the night. As this was…

Full Story >

I wish I could have told my wellchild nurse that I wasn’t happy being a mother. I wish I could have told her my soul was being crushed by a…

Full Story >

I suffered PN psychosis. And intrusive thoughts. I was told....but your baby is cute. I was told ...why can't you cope. I was told to stop breastfeeding. My GP saved…

Full Story >

I found my Plunket nurse a huge support with my first child. I am also so thankful for the Plunket maternity wellbeing service I received after my son was born…

Full Story >

I loved my experiences with plunket. Hignsight is wonderful isn't it?! I wish I could have told them I was feeling depressed and stressed. But I wasn't ready to admit…

Full Story >

I wish I could’ve told the Plunket nurse I really needed her to come to my house. I didn’t want to make a big deal about going in for appointments…

Full Story >

After a traumatic birth and horrible hospital experience, I was desperate for some understanding and supportive people to help me in those early days as it was only me, my…

Full Story >

I have two tamariki and chose Plunket for both. They were fantastic, always worked around me for our appointments and even started early so I could have an appointment before…

Full Story >

I had an amazing experience with my plunket nurse. She was non-judgemental, present, and really open to providing me with the information and tools I needed to be the best…

Full Story >

I suffer from bad postnatal depression and still struggle with it now. My baby is now one and it has had a detrimental impact on both of us. At our…

Full Story >

I wish I could have been able to tell my plunket nurse that I was cosleeping and instead of being shamed was educated in the subject. The one time I…

Full Story >

I wish I could have admitted I was co-sleeping (with both of my children). They both didn’t sleep “like babies” but slept like real babies, and we all got so…

Full Story >

I wish I could’ve told the nurses that I saw that their rigid (and often wrong) views are not backed by latest scientific data. That us mums are trying to…

Full Story >

I wish I could have told my wellchild nurse that I felt like I didn’t have a bond with my baby. After a really difficult pregnancy (hospitalized at 24 weeks)…

Full Story >

When my daughter was around 7 months her overnight sleeps changed dramatically and she was beginning to wake extremely frequently. My husband and I had decided to trial introducing formula…

Full Story >

In the beginning my son seemed normal and plunket kept telling me as such, but when I started raising concerns in the first two months I was told being a…

Full Story >

My son, who is now 19, has had severe eczema since he was a baby. This has taken a huge toll on our entire family over the year. He has…

Full Story >

My baby had had a bit of a tricky start to life. We had a traumatic birth and he had a few medical conditions but nothing serious. It was a…

Full Story >

My Plunket nurse was a gossip. We lived in a small community with a fairly high birth rate. She use to ask my husband and I if we knew anything…

Full Story >

I co sleep because it works - can you support me through this journey instead of just telling me not too

Full Story >

From the moment my well child nurse walked in I felt judged. We were the same ethnicity, reasonably close in age and from the same socioeconomic background. I’m not sure…

Full Story >

My two younger children slept in the bed with me. It’s what worked best for our family. I never shared this with our well child nurse because I knew I…

Full Story >

My eldest child wasn’t really interested in eating food until she was 1, which I now know is perfectly normal. My Plunket nurse tried to tell me to breastfeed her…

Full Story >

My first child I had at 18 years old my well child care nurse shamed me for being a young mum and I always felt like she judged me. When…

Full Story >

A lot of things. Mostly that I thought I had PND. At about 12 weeks? Just as we went into lockdown, it all came crashing down and I went for…

Full Story >

I wish I could have admitted we were co-sleeping. And that we weren't prepared to sleep train with CIO. I would have really appreciated some safe co sleep guidance. But…

Full Story >

I wish I could have engaged in healthy kōrero with my wellchild nurse about cosleeping. Instead when I raised the subject I was shut down with cosleeping being condemned as…

Full Story >

I had my first encounter with a well child nurse after my care was handed over from my midwife at 6weeks PP. I had severely inverted nipples and was breastfeeding…

Full Story >

I wish i could of told them i sleep with my baby every night in my bed without being shamed for it. Id much rather have helpful advice around how…

Full Story >

I wish I could have told my Plunket nurse that I was co-sleeping. I have 3 children and have co slept with all of them, I learnt quickly with my…

Full Story >

The first visit was amazing, she got it! We had a small baby IUGR which meant she grew slower than other babies, was 2nd percentile. This wasn’t a problem for…

Full Story >

My first well child nurse made me so insecure about my parenting as a first time mum. She was very old school and didn't like techniques I was using (such…

Full Story >

That I safely co-slept with my child. Any word of it was extremely frowned upon, yet I had done my research and was making sure I was being safe. I…

Full Story >

I wish we could have talked about formula making and bottle sterilising. Instead I was told they could only advise on breastfeeding which was confusing as I was unable to…

Full Story >

I wish I could have told her how scared I was, 23 years old & parenting an unplanned baby. I wish she had asked me if l felt OK. I…

Full Story >

literally everything. My nurse spent so much time asking things like if I was being sexually abused (while my poor husband was in the next room) and dramatically talking about…

Full Story >

My baby never slept. I was surviving on 20 minute power naps day and night. I was told it was normal and just sleep when I could. I ended up…

Full Story >

Why didn't you do as I asked? I left so many verbal cues and then space, and then silence when I wasn't feeling good and didn't quite know how to…

Full Story >

I wish I could of told my well child nurse how my babies sleep really was and that we safely bedshare on rough nights and how we still breastfeed to…

Full Story >

I had a nice relationship with my Well Child nurse, but I felt I couldn't talk openly with her because of our different cultural background. There are aspects of NZ…

Full Story >

Kia ora koutou, My baby is māori. Her whakapapa; Te Aupouri. When she was 6 weeks old, she bled into her nappy. I was petrified and instantly called the midwife…

Full Story >

I wish they had bothered. I wish they had kept the day and time they said they were coming. Told there was no nurse for our area at one stage.…

Full Story >

I found her views old fashioned. Co-sleeping is very bad. Leave your baby to cry to sleep, even if he is terrified and vomiting. Crying for 2 hours a night…

Full Story >

That I have a mental injury under an acc sensitive claim. I have never told anyone about this. However when new professionals came into my life when my twins were…

Full Story >

I wish my nurse had focused on my mental health and referred me to talk to someone with personal experience in raising a globally delayed child. I wish she had…

Full Story >

With all my 3 babies (the last 2 were twins now 14 months) I was never asked about my mental health. I was diagnosed with PND at 9 weeks ppd…

Full Story >

I wish I’d been able to talk about co sleeping. I’ve done some research and it’s so natural and accepted in many cultures. I find it works for me with…

Full Story >

I wish my nurse had asked me to rate my mood or some other kind of question that would have made it easy for me to say that I think…

Full Story >

I wish co-sleeping wasn't as taboo as it is. Every single mum I know has had their infant in bed with them at some point, either by choice (as I…

Full Story >

I was lucky I knew before hand I didn't have to use Plunket so could access a provider that suited my cultural needs. I was comfortable with my provider and…

Full Story >

I wish I could have told them that I was co-sleeping, baby-led weaning, and baby-wearing. Instead I nodded along and withheld information UNTIL I switched to our kaupapa Māori health…

Full Story >

I didn’t even know you could choose your Well Child provider. Plunket were AWFUL. AWFUL. When I switched to Ora Toa I finally found people that cared about me AND…

Full Story >

As a first time Mum with a Bub that really didn’t like sleeping by herself during the day - Plunket told me ‘wow this is the most difficult baby I…

Full Story >

A anxious new Mum that had severe PND but my WellChild provider kept telling me I was ‘fine’ and ‘having a baby is hard’. She literally wrote in my Plunket…

Full Story >

Tēnā koe, I am a māmā to four tamariki, soon to be 5. My journey with our well child nurses began 12-13 years ago. As a young māmā at 22…

Full Story >

More information, support & understanding of Mums who formula feed their babies. My firstborn had some complications at birth & was on a cooling mat in NICU for his first…

Full Story >

I recently had a baby, my second child. The Plunket Nurse I was assigned to was not ideal. She literally ticked boxes through out our session, there were was no…

Full Story >

I was so desperate to get it 'right' (but I was deep in postnatal depression). When I was asked questions like: is your discharge normal or is baby feeding regularly,…

Full Story >

My experience with Plunket was beyond careless. My son's very first plunket visit involved answering invasive questions. When asked "do you do drug's?" I answered "no" and the response that…

Full Story >

My kids scared of the wall paper roller/despenser on the wall. That's why she always has a cry here... not my generational trauma you heard about from my sibling who…

Full Story >

The well child nurse for us was two different people each child but they were lovely. They did however have boxes to tick. The first was awesome and listened well…

Full Story >

My experience with the ‘wellness’ nurse was horrible. Her visits left me feeling insignificant, judged and unsupported. I cancelled any future appointments after the 3rd one and didn’t engage with…

Full Story >

I wish I had told my plunket nurse what a positive difference she made to me as a new young mum. As with most new babies and first time mums,…

Full Story >

Plunket is designed for ticking boxes. I have had 7 plunket nurses for 2 babies. I have had to lie to all of them. None picked up my first sons…

Full Story >

I had a baby this year. Finally! It took us 4 years, 2 miscarriages, a round of IVF, and 2 embryo transfers. My midwife and her associates were amazing and…

Full Story >

The only reason I kept up all the Plunket visits with my first child was to have a record of his growth and because I thought that I was obliged…

Full Story >

I didn't feel good at first visit with first child at 4.5 months. She weighed just below average line of weight but healthy. All our kids were just below average,…

Full Story >

My daughters plunket nurse was extremely judgemental and I was always left feeling like a failure as a parent after one of her visits. My house was not warm enough.…

Full Story >

When I had my first son, the first Plunket nurse we had seemed quite old skool, like she had a set method or procedure on how to do things. As…

Full Story >

Kia ora, In our whanau our kids have had great health and we're lucky to have all the resources we need to provide for them. We lived for 5 years…

Full Story >

For my first child I used to hide what I was actually doing. I was to scared to be honest because she was such a dragon. I slept my child…

Full Story >

My most challenging experience was as a young first time Mum of 25 with a colicky cranky new born. Things were very challenging and I felt a failure as a…

Full Story >

My son was born 8 weeks early, weighing 1.678kgs. Released from hospital 4 weeks later, I was required to up my milk supply, by expressing, so I had enough milk…

Full Story >

I wish I could have talked about attachment parenting- about not wanting to leave my baby to cry it out to teach him no one was coming when he called…

Full Story >

I wish my nurse was supportive of extended breastfeeding and I didn’t feel the judgement for breastfeeding past 1 year old. I wish my nurse would have discussed mental health…

Full Story >

I was very lucky to get a great plunket nurse. I was a FTM with twins and my plunket nurse had twins herself so she was really understanding of the…

Full Story >

I’m not sure where to start, but I still have a lot of guilt about the early years with my son. I had a traumatic birth with my firstborn and…

Full Story >

I wish my plunket nurse with my 3rd didn’t muck me around. I would wait to see her and she would either not turn up or be an hour late.…

Full Story >

With lockdown in 2020, I barely saw my plunket nurse. The two at home appointments, I tried to tell her that my child would not sleep on her back, would…

Full Story >

I wish I could have felt confident enough to tell her about my postnatal mental health struggles. I had that kind of relationship with my midwife but not with my…

Full Story >

With my first child it was about meeting the growth milestones, she just never quite made it and I was left to feel like I wasnt providing enough milk. It…

Full Story >

I have had 2 children. My second child is 3 months and the Plunket nurse I have is nice and approachable. However I always feel like im going to the…

Full Story >

My baby was slow to gain wait while breastfeeding. She suggested mixing formula with baby cereals at 5 months. I wish she had got me about breastfeeding peer support groups…

Full Story >

I wish I didn’t feel I had to lie about co-sleeping and helping my baby get to sleep by rocking or feeding. I wish instead of making a point that…

Full Story >

I have had 4 children and have been failed by the plunket system. My first I had at 21 and felt judged as a young mother, I felt useless and…

Full Story >

Let's rewind back to 2015 when I was fresh mum of 22. With a traumatic birth and postpartum complications and infection already on the list, add in an unsettled non…

Full Story >

I was a single mum with my first baby and had a different Plunket nurse each visit for some reason. Most of them would show up hours later than agreed…

Full Story >

I wish I could have told her how horrible my time with my midwife was & how much I valued her now being our support.

Full Story >

I loved my plunket nurse, she was kind, compassionate and non judgemental. I often think back to our conversations and how much of a help she was for my mental…

Full Story >

I had my first baby at 19, she never lost any birth weight and was a "good" feeder. They told me ot was painful because it was a new experience,…

Full Story >

Just how much I appreciated her. She was such a lovely lady, so friendly and chatty - we discussed all sorts of non-baby related things. It was the highlight of…

Full Story >

With our first born we ended up seeing a different temp nurse each time for the first 4-5 visits due to them looking for a new permanent in our area.…

Full Story >

I was a single mum at the time I had my son. My first visit with plunket was at 8.30am in the morning without any notice she was coming. I…

Full Story >

I was 21 with my first and found breastfeeding really hard. My well child nurses kept changing so I didnt get to establish a relationship with anyone. I remember feeling…

Full Story >

I wish my Plunket nurse had asked if I was ok. I was not coping at all, having terrible anxiety attacks, crying all the time, very highly strung. But both…

Full Story >

Depression! There was never time to talk about the deep feelings. I tried to breastfeed but it never worked. I carried that guilt for years. I was depressed, isolated, exhausted…

Full Story >

I wish I could have talked openly about safe co-sleeping and baby-led weaning with my plunket nurse without feeling automatically judged or made to feel like I was wrong or…

Full Story >

My first Plunket nurse never identified that I was struggling and in pain each time I breastfed. I didn't know how it was meant to feel as it was my…

Full Story >

I don't recall being told there were alternative wellchild providers apart from Plunket. With my second child it might have been mentioned once but no further details were given to…

Full Story >

I wish i could have shared with my Well Child nurse just how much of a difference she was making, and how incredible her support was!

Full Story >

I already didn't want plunket involved in our lives when I had my 3rd child but I didn't know I could decline being referred. When he was 3 months old…

Full Story >

I wish I could have asked for advice around safe co-sleeping. This was the only way I coped with both of my daughters and did it safely with my own…

Full Story >

I wish I could have talked openly about bedsharing (safely). I wish I could have not had my breastfeeding length (over 8 months) made to sound like a surprise. The…

Full Story >

I found breastfeeding such a challenge at the start and had so much damage. I eventually found nipple shields and they were a game changer for me. When I first…

Full Story >

I used Plunket with my first child (because I didn't realise there were options), and the care was functional but I would say far from supportive. I was scared to…

Full Story >

I fit squarely into the demography that Plunket are designed to support - middle class, European, educated, employed, mother of 2 in my 30s, and I find no benefit in…

Full Story >

My wellchild provider has been nothing but supportive and amazing throughout my journey in motherhood. She has always encouraged me and supported my journey through postnatal depression and anxiety. She…

Full Story >

I had my first child in Australia. Had a terrible experience with their well child provider so was hoping for better with Plunket when I had number 2. Unfortunately I…

Full Story >

"Oh he isn't putting on enough weight, you will need to consider formula - your breastmilk is not enough for him. He is just too hungry." (He was three months…

Full Story >

The problem with plunket is that they talk too much and don't listen, if the advice they give you dosnt work for you or your baby then you are wrong…

Full Story >

I have had two children through Plunket, am pregnant with my third and will not be using them again. They use fear tactics and basically tell you your doing things…

Full Story >

Tickboxes, graphs, rush, rush. I text my well child nurse one day to say my 8 week old was sick, full of snot...she cancelled our appointment and didn't offer any…

Full Story >

I've seen a nurse only once maybe twice and that was because I had to call and see if anyone was coming to visit us and obviously check on babies…

Full Story >

I am currently engaged with my well child provider with baby #3. I have had 3 different Plunket nurses over this period, only one of whom I felt was totally…

Full Story >

My local Plunket got in touch by saying "Hi, I would like to see you before baby is 6 weeks". When I replied that I would get back to her…

Full Story >

Thankfully my experience with Plunket has gotten progressively better and better. My children are on our 5th nurse since my oldest was born 4 years old. My first Plunket Nurse…

Full Story >

I had a very small 2nd child (1.8kg) in 2015 and spent 4 weeks in an incredible SCBU unit in hospital. I also was lucky to have a immensely wonderful…

Full Story >

I wish my well child nurse would have asked about what I was worried about, what my concerns were or things I wanted help with. I wish she was able…

Full Story >

My first experience with Plunket was great, it was a student nurse who was so kind and warm. As a first time Mum, I felt heard and it was a…

Full Story >

I had a positive experience with son's plunket nurse in 2017. I felt listened to and I was given helpful and relevant advice. However my latest experience (2021) has been…

Full Story >

Why they think that what they know/share should be taken as gospel. I feel really sad and anxious for new mums - especially younger mums who may feel bullied by…

Full Story >

Plunket never actually taught me or provided me with anything. Every visit was just a tick box session of misinformation about sleep or feeding. With my first I just withheld…

Full Story >

When my son was rolling at 5 weeks, the home visiting wellchild nurse saw it and was in disbelief- this was fine. In clinic, the nurse said to me “No,…

Full Story >

I told my Plunket nurse we were struggling with sleep. She referred me on to their “sleep expert” who advocated for stopping overnight feeding and sleep training. When I said…

Full Story >

Want to share this conversation with others?

Where to find support

Want to receive monthly updates on our projects?

Project Title

Tēnā koe. Thank you for sharing your story…

All identifying details will be removed so your story will remain anonymous.

Project Title

  • Drop files here or
    Max. file size: 2 MB, Max. files: 3.
    • Max. file size: 10 MB.
    • Please see the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy for more information

    Kia ora.
    Your story has been submitted.

    WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

    When your story is submitted it will be sent to our team to moderate. After all personal information has been removed, your story will be posted to the site anonymously.

    Your story will be used in research to explain how healthcare is experienced. It will show potential areas for improvement.

    Add Optional Info

    These optional fields can help us explore improvements within specific groups of our community.