The Newborn Effect was created by Melinda Barrett-Richard, a Registered Midwife passionate about helping mothers understand their babies from the very beginning. Through clinical experience and education, Melinda combines midwifery knowledge with a deep understanding of newborn behaviour to support families during one of the biggest transitions of their lives.

The Newborn Effect is designed for expectant and new parents who want to better understand their baby from the very beginning. It is especially helpful for mothers who want to feel more confident recognising their newborn’s communication, needs and behaviours in the early weeks.

Motherhood Foundations supports mothers during pregnancy who want to prepare emotionally and practically for the transition into motherhood..

Many antenatal classes focus on pregnancy, labour and birth preparation. While this information is important, The Newborn Effect focuses on what happens after birth — helping you understand your baby’s behaviour, communication and needs during the earliest days and weeks.

It is about building confidence in reading your baby, rather than feeling overwhelmed by conflicting advice.

The course can be completed during pregnancy as preparation for your baby’s arrival, or in the early newborn period when you are wanting to better understand your baby.

Many parents find completing it before birth helps them enter the newborn stage feeling more prepared and confident.

Not at all. While it is especially valuable for first-time parents, every baby is unique. Many parents find that understanding newborn behaviour more deeply helps them approach each baby with greater confidence.

The Newborn Effect provides education and guidance based on midwifery knowledge and evidence-informed practice. It is designed to help you understand your baby and feel more confident in your parenting journey.

It does not replace individual medical advice or assessment from your healthcare provider when concerns arise.

Yes. Alongside online education, personalised support options are available through Work With Me.

These sessions provide individualised guidance to help you better understand your newborn, navigate challenges and feel supported in your early parenting journey.

No. The newborn period is a time of rapid change, and understanding your baby’s behaviour, communication and needs can be valuable at any point during those early weeks.

The Newborn Effect is designed specifically to support parents during the newborn stage, helping you feel more confident in recognising and responding to your baby during the first six weeks of life.

The early parenting space can feel overwhelming, with many different opinions and approaches. The Newborn Effect provides a calm, evidence-informed foundation to help you understand why your baby behaves the way they do.

Rather than focusing on rigid rules, it helps you develop confidence in responding to your individual baby.