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Maternal and Child Health

Our Maternal and Child Health (MCH) service supports families with all aspects of child and family health and wellbeing. 

Contact Maternal and Child Health

To make or change a booking or to talk to the MCH team:

  • Your My Health, Learning and Development Record. You might know this as your Child Health Record or the ‘green book’.
  • A clean blanket to cover the scales. 
  • You or your child have symptoms of illness.
  • You or your child have tested positive for COVID-19.

Please use hand sanitiser on entry to the centre.

Maternal and Child Health service

The Maternal and Child Health service supports families with all aspects of child and family health and wellbeing including:

  • child health and development
  • breastfeeding
  • nutrition
  • play and learning
  • maternal/paternal health and wellbeing
  • accident and injury prevention (including safe sleeping)
  • home safety
  • information on how to access immunisation sessions
  • local support services and resources.

The service is provided by registered nurses with additional qualifications in midwifery and maternal and child health.

Your first visit

Your nurse will contact you to organise your first home visit within one week of returning home from your child’s birth. If you have not been contacted within this time or have a question, call 9243 1895. Your nurse can offers additional visits, first time parenting groups, and referrals to other services when extra support is needed.

New residents of Moonee Valley

If you have moved to Moonee Valley with young children, you are invited to contact us on 9243 1895 to find your closest Maternal and Child Health Centre.

You will be allocated a MCH centre. Due to demand and to ensure equity for all families, we do not have the capacity to accommodate changes to allocation of centre.

Your nurse will involve you in assessing the development and wellbeing of your child using the Parents Evaluation of Developmental Status screening tool.

At these visits nurses discuss the health and development of your child, physical and emotional effects on the family, parent health and wellbeing and any concerns families may have.

There are 10 key ages and stages consultations that coincide with the child’s milestones from birth to 3.5 years:

For more information on what to expect in your Maternal and Child Health visits, see Maternal and Child Health Services

The Enhanced Maternal and Child Health program is an extension of Victoria's Maternal and Child Health service and can be offered to selected families who need more support.

Your Maternal and Child Health nurse can provide a referral to these services.

For professionals

To make a referral to the Enhanced Maternal and Child Health Program complete the referral form.

Maternal and Child Health services often share facilities with childcare centres, kindergartens or community centres. You can access multiple services in one location and foster connections with your local community

Staff in shared facilities may work collaboratively across different services. You will be asked for consent if information about your child is requested by early years centres.

Our centres welcome all parents who are feeding to drop in and use the waiting rooms for feeding and baby care.

Maternal and child health care locations:

safe sleeping promo pic

Sleep and settling

Baby not sleeping in their cot? Have they suddenly changed their sleep patterns and you're not sure what to do?

Babies and children's sleep patterns change over time and are impacted by their development. Learn about these patterns and development times to create healthy sleep patterns as your child grows.

Sessions are:

  • Available to Moonee Valley residents only
  • Relevant for children from birth to 3 years
  • Free for residents
Register for sleep and settling

Breastfeeding support

We offer free weekly breastfeeding support sessions facilitated by Certified Lactation Consultants.

These sessions are by appointment only. You can make an appointment through your MCH nurse.

If you need help straight away, visit Australian Breastfeeding Association or call their 24-hour helpline on 1800 686 268.

Breastfeeding support

New parents groups and playgroups

New parents living in Moonee Valley are invited to join this free program that offers information on health, wellbeing and family matters, and the opportunity to make friendships with local families. Partners are invited to attend.

During your initial MCH visits, your nurse will talk to you about how to attend these groups.

When you complete the program you will be invited to stay connected. This could include starting or joining a baby playgroup or organising informal catch ups.

For more information, email the New Parent Group via newparentgroup@mvcc.vic.gov.au

Register for the New Parent Group

For more information

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. Call 13 22 29.

An interpreter service is available. The service is also available to those with hearing impairment who have access to a telephone typewriter (TTY).

The Maternal and Child Health app provides reliable information that Victorian families can use every day. See information relevant to your child's age and development, useful contacts, and ask the 'Virtual Maternal and Child Health Nurse' questions - with reliable, evidence-based replies you can trust.

Download the Maternal and Child Health App from the app store.

For reliable information on what the Maternal and child health service provides; what to expect from your appointments; a full list of MACH centres and more. Better Health channel provides trusted, easy to understand information, backed by the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services.

Visit the Maternal and Child Health Services page.