Kendall Foster was without an essential item when she first arrived at her local playgroup — a child.
She was 36 weeks pregnant and wanted survival tips.
"[The other mums] gave me advice on what to do — especially in the first few weeks," she said.
"And just to reassure me that it can get overwhelming, but that it is normal, and it does get better."
Ms Foster had found a pilot program aimed at new parents or parents-to-be.
After the birth of her child Dustin, Ms Foster returned and once again found support.
"We do have some really open conversations," she said.
"It's just nice to know that other parents are going through the same thing."
Early years are 'critical'
The First 1,000 Days sessions have been rolled out across Perth and the South West by Playgroup WA.
The program encourages new parents to meet weekly to socialise and learn a range of information from local experts – and each other.
Playgroup WA chief executive David Zarb said the first few years of life were crucial for the child and the parent.
"All of the science around child development agrees the first 1,000 days are the most critical," he said
"Any support you put in place then can prevent longer-term issues."
Anne Mackay, who has helped facilitate the program in the south west region, said the first few sessions could be led by a guest speaking on a range of issues from first aid to pelvic floor.
But she said it was the natural conversations that the parents had with each other that were key.
"Parenting is hard and if it's your first child, and you don't have support, it can be quite lonely," she said.
"Once you come together with other mums and you actually can share how you're really feeling it just takes that pressure off."
Ms Mackay also works for a perinatal depression support group Radiance Network South West and said the program had helped to introduce a new group of parents to local support services.
"Our plan is to help mothers thrive with connection to community and connection to each other," she said.
"But also just to find out what's actually available in her community."
Socialising not just for the babies
New mum Sasha McKenzie said her session in Dardanup was a way to introduce her four month old Cooper to other children.
"It was a good chance for Cooper to hang out with some other kids his age, because I didn't really know anyone around the same age," she said.
But she also found comfort in having other parents to lean on.
"When I first started out with Cooper eating solids, it was pretty nerve racking, I was always worried he was going to choke," she said.
"So we had heaps of chats about that with the other mums and we even had a nutritionist come at one point."
Mr Zarb said it was common for parents to make lasting connections at the groups.
"The main reason that people say they're going to a playgroup is they want to give their children opportunities to socialise," he said.
"But the main reason they stay is because the parents make friends."
He said the key to the First 1,000 Days program was getting parents to connect as early as possible.
"It's very clear that parents felt more confident in a parenting role, after being involved in these groups," he said.
The program will continue across parts of WA with plans to expand it into the state's Mid West region later this year.
