Welcome to Maternal & Child Health

What services and support are offered?

• Regular checks on your child's development and growth
• Advice on women's health issues including post natal depression
• Breastfeeding support and advice
• Information and advice about a range of parenting issues including sleeping, diet and nutrition, toilet training, behaviour and discipline, safety, immunisation and others
• Advice on care of a sick child
• Home visits, for the first visit after coming home and then as required
• Support with family issues including family violence, relationships
• Support for families in crisis
   

How does the service know I have had a baby?

After a child's birth, the hospital will notify the local municipality. A maternal and child health nurse will usually contact the parents within a few days after the mother arrives home from hospital, or they can be contacted if parents have any concerns.

How often can I attend?

You may attend as often as you wish. The Maternal and Child Health Service highlights certain stages of development when children aged from birth to school entry age and their families would benefit most from visiting a maternal and child health nurse. These visits are at:-

• 2 weeks
• 4 weeks
• 8 weeks
• 4 months
• 8 months
• 12 months
• 18 months
• 2 years
• 3 years, 6 months

Referral to specialist services is available for concerns identified by the parent or the maternal and child health nurse.

Also offered

• Vision testing at the 3 years, 6 month assessment
• New mothers groups run at the larger centres
   

How do I find my local service?

The Maternal and Child Health Service is located in centres throughout the municipality. Local councils offer a range of times when families can use the service. These include appointments and drop-in consultations. Contact your council to find out the centre in your local area.

Can I get advice after hours?

The Maternal and Child Health Line is a 24-hour telephone service on 132 229 for the cost of a local call. Individual councils may also offer centre services in the evening and on weekends.

Telephone Service

The Maternal and Child Health Line is a 24-hour telephone service that operates in conjunction with the Maternal and Child Health Service.

The service is staffed by qualified maternal and child health nurses who provide callers with information, support and advice regarding child health, maternal and health and parenting issues.

Call 132 229 throughout Victoria for the cost of a local call.

Interpreters are available.