Our maternal and child health service is a free service available to families with children from birth to six years of age.
The service provides information, guidance and support to parents to enable them to feel confident and competent in their parenting.
Services
The maternal and child health service provides information, advice and referral for parents regarding:
- child health and development
- child and infant nutrition
- breastfeeding
- maternal health and wellbeing
- parenting
- accident and injury prevention (including safe sleeping)
- home safety
- immunisation
- local support services and resources
We partner with the Family Strengthening Officers to offer support services for parents. This includes:
- new parent groups
- breast feeding support clinics
- sleep and settling clinics
- facilitated playgroups for parents identified with particular needs
- information sessions on food and diet
Key ages and stages visits
The maternal and child health service provides 10 key ages and stages consultations from birth to 3.5 years.
These visits coincide with the child’s milestones and we involve parents in assessing the development and wellbeing of their child using the PEDS (Parents Evaluation of Developmental Status) screening tool.
Consultations (home visit or centre consultation) are set at the child’s milestones:
- 2 weeks
- 4 weeks
- 8 weeks
- 4 months
- 8 months
- 12 months
- 18 months
- 2 years
- 3.5 years
Extra visits are available if particular needs are identified around your infant or yourself. Please discuss with your nurse.
Find our Maternal and child health centre locations.
Enhanced maternal and child health service
We have a home visiting program for families who may require additional support. A maternal and child health nurse provides families with extra support and guidance in their own home environment. Referral to this service is made through our centre-based maternal and child health nurses.
Dad's playgroup
Find out more about our Dad's playgroup.
For more information
Call the maternal and child health line on 13 22 29.
This telephone advice service is available throughout Victoria for the cost of a local call 24 hours a day and is staffed by maternal and child health nurses.
An interpreter service is available. The service is also available to deaf callers who have access to a telephone typewriter (TTY).
Other useful support organisations
The maternal and child health team recommends the following websites for more support and information:
Raising Children
Royal Children's Hospital
Better Health
Department of Human Services
Kids Count
Early Childhood Australia
Child and Youth Health
Breastfeeding
Go For Your Life
Kid Safe Victoria
Department of Education and Early Childhood Development
Customer satisfaction
We are committed to providing the best possible service to families.
Sometimes despite the very best of efforts there may be an issue about service delivery that needs to be discussed. Parents are encouraged to discuss issues with your maternal and child health nurse or call the maternal and child health coordinator on 9243 8888.