Mothers’ Groups in Sydney: How to Find the Right Support in Your Baby’s First Year

If you have recently had a baby in Sydney, someone may have already suggested joining a mothers’ group.

But where do you actually find one?

And how do you know whether a particular group will suit you?

There are several different ways mothers connect during the first year, and the right option depends on what you are looking for.

Child and family health services

Many mothers first encounter a parent group through their local health service.

These can be an excellent introduction to other parents with similarly aged babies and may include education relating to early parenting and infant health.

Availability and format vary by area, so your local Child and Family Health service is a good starting point.

Community and informal groups

Local Facebook groups, WhatsApp groups, libraries, churches, community organisations and neighbourhood networks can also be useful ways to find other mothers.

Informal gatherings can be particularly good if your priority is casual social connection.

Classes and activities

Baby sensory sessions, music classes, swimming, rhyme time and other parent-and-baby activities can introduce you to local families.

These activities have a particular focus, however, so the opportunity for sustained conversation between mothers can vary.

Facilitated mothers’ groups

A facilitated mothers’ group combines peer connection with a consistent structure and a facilitator responsible for helping the group develop.

This can be particularly valuable for mothers who want more than an occasional catch-up.

Meeting the same group each week allows relationships to deepen gradually.

Questions worth asking

When comparing mothers’ groups, consider:

Is the group ongoing?
One meeting can introduce people. Repeated meetings build relationships.

Will I see the same mothers each week?
Consistency makes it easier to move beyond small talk.

How large is the group?
Very large groups can make meaningful conversation difficult.

Is there a facilitator?
If so, understand their role and qualifications.

What happens during the session?
Some mothers want primarily social connection. Others value discussion, professional guidance and structured peer support.

Is there a cost?
Cost can become significant when attending activities regularly throughout the first year.

Mothers’ Group locations

Mothers’ Group is a charitable initiative providing free, professionally facilitated groups for mothers with babies under 12 months.

Our groups run across locations in Sydney and Lake Macquarie, with additional locations planned as the program grows.

Each group meets weekly across a term and is intentionally kept small enough for genuine relationships to form.

If your baby is under 12 months, you can view current locations, trial sessions and upcoming intake opportunities on our Locations page.