Project Officer: Rowan Lunney

The Maybe Baby project is part of the Youth Health project at the Mid North Coast Division of General Practice. 12 electronic dolls - virtual babies - are loaned through schools, colleges and other youth organisations to students who take the “babies” home for a “parenting” experience, usually of two to three days.

Objectives/Aims

• To increase high school students’ understanding of what it feels like to be a teenage parent
• To increase high school students’ knowledge of sexual health and contraception
• To encourage responsible relationships for high school students
• To reduce the incidence of teenage pregnancy
• To promote use of local health services to high school students
• To increase senior high school students’ knowledge of positive parenting

History of the Maybe Baby Project

In early 2003 the Mid North Coast Division of General Practice purchased 12 virtual babies from Virtual Parenting www.virtualparenting.com.au  mainly through sponsorship. The “babies” look and sound like real babies, and are programmed to real infant schedules.

In May 2003 the Maybe Baby project was launched at Orara High School, Coffs Harbour. Since then, the babies have been in the homes of over 2,500 students from 17 schools, colleges and youth organisations.

These “babies” are offered to all the local high schools in the Division’s area. A doctor presents on sexual health to students, and comprehensive information is given to students about caring for their “baby”. Each baby stays in the care of a student for approximately three nights.

In 2008, the Mid North Coast Division of General Practice purchased 12 new “babies”. These babies are easier for teachers to program and more attractive for students

For more information on the Maybe Baby project please contact Rowan Lunney, Youth Health Project Officer on 6651 5774 or rlunney@mncdgp.org.au.

The P & C Journal ran an article on the project in its Spring 2010 issue which can be viewed by clicking on the following link - P & C Newsletter Spring 2010 Article .pdf or downloading the document attached below.

Sponsors
Many thanks to the following 2002 sponsors who helped make this project a reality:

• Baringa Private Hospital
• Lubans Projects  P/L
• Simmons  Menswear, Coffs Harbour
• AG & PA Bishop
• Bellbowrie Motors
• NSW Premiers Department
• Mid North Coast Area Health Service
• Enterprise And Training Company of Coffs Harbour
• Coffs Harbour City Council
• Nambucca Shire Council
• Mid North Coast Division of General Practice

Documents for Teachers
Please see attachments below