There is so much to learn in the lead-up to giving birth– but what about afterwards?
Latrobe City Council’s Maternal and Child Health Service is staffed by nurses trained and dedicated to providing the best support possible to new parents and their children.
The service is traditionally known for monitoring a baby’s health and parents’ wellbeing through screening checks.
Maternal and Child Health Nurses provide 10 health and development assessments, from birth to age 3 and a half, at a Maternal and Child Health Centre, with the opportunity for additional appointments if required.
“Remembering when I was a first-time mum, the service and the wide variety of information - from immunisation advice, breastfeeding support, women’s health matters, including postnatal and anxiety support, and referrals to specialists - was invaluable,” Latrobe City Council Mayor, Cr Sharon Gibson said.
“The Maternal and Child Health nurses also provide much needed advice to parents on how to manage sleep and settling, diet and nutrition, toilet training, behaviour and guidance, safety, and families working through complex needs and issues.”
Nurses can refer parents to supported playgroups and first time parent groups that provide guidance and support to new parents.
The Maternal and Child Health service will contact families within a few days after mother and baby have been discharged from hospital, to arrange a home visit. Parents can choose which nurse they see and all Maternal and Child Health Nurses are registered nurses and midwives with a Maternal and Child Health qualification.
The service is free and confidential for Latrobe City families with children aged from birth to six years.
To learn more, see Council’s website.
To book, phone Council’s Maternal and Child Health team on 5128 6128. Parents can also phone the Maternal and Child Health Line – 132 229 – for assistance.
The MCH App can answer many common child health queries and provides a library of information, click-to-call contacts, prompts for upcoming appointments, and regular updates and messages.