ANXIETY, tiredness and double-guessing are part of being a parent.

Taking charge of a little human is no easy feat and lots of questions pop into your mind about various things from the colour of poo to what temperature should bub be?

People are right when they say there's no instruction manual.

So who's going to answer the questions bouncing around in your mind especially at the 3am feeding?

That's where social media has come into play, but is it the answer?

Mackay Women's Centre counsellor Vicki O'Brien said social media was a tool but there were real-life options open to parents.

Mrs O'Brien said Facebook and other sites were great for interaction and for making people feel less isolated.

It makes people feel connected and allows them share advice and experiences.

But people need to be aware when responding to questions/posts that there is someone behind the question.

"People need to be reassuring - there can be so much pressure and people lose perspective," she said.

Mrs O'Brien said it was a primal urge to feel connected and have a sense of belonging but people needed to have common sense.

Away from cyberspace parents can get advice from various services. Parents can talk via the phone and in person to professionals at the Women's Centre, Mackay Community Health, their GP or hospitals.

"Talk to a trusting person from a friend, a family member to your doctor," Mrs O'Brien said.

She said if people had concerns over their child's health a great tool was 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) - but in an emergency call 000.

Community Health offers drop-in sessions, home visits to new mums and a mums and bubs program.

CONTACTS

Mackay Community Health - 49683863

Mackay Women's Centre - 49531788

Dr to U - 1300 438377

Dial a Home Doctor - 139999

National Poisons Information Centre - 131126

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