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                    Maternal and child health

                    Young children with a carer
                    The Victorian maternal and child health service is a free service and works in partnership with families to provide support for their babies and young children from birth until they start school.

                    ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​All maternal and child health nurses hold specialist qualifications in nursing, midwifery and maternal and child health and are part of a local network of health and support services that can refer families to other support agencies if required.

                    Changes to maternal and child health services
                    As of 1 January 2023 we will no longer offer child immunisations during key and stage appointments. All childhood immunisations are now offered at our community sessions, to book into a session see Getting immunised in the City of Melbourne.


                    There are 10 key stages of your child's development that you will attend a maternal and child health. These visits focus on optimising child and family health, safety and wellbeing, learning and development and include:

                    • home visit
                    • 2 weeks
                    • 4 weeks
                    • 8 weeks
                    • 4 months
                    • 8 months
                    • 12 months
                    • 18 months
                    • 2 years 
                    • 3.5 to 4 years.

                    An SMS appointment reminder will be sent to you 72 hours before each of your maternal and child health centre bookings.

                    At these appointments your child will have a developmental assessment and you will receive information about a range of parenting topics and issues, including: 

                    • infant feeding and nutrition advice (lactation consultants available for further support) 
                    • sleep and settling  
                    • starting healthy baby foods and dental health 
                    • mother's health and wellbeing including postnatal depression 
                    • family planning  
                    • immunisation  
                    • play and safety 
                    • managing your child's behaviour  
                    • playgroups, childcare options and pre school 
                    • support with family issues including family violence and relationships
                    • screening and referral to additional services if required.

                    Your maternal and child health nurse may also book you into new parent’s group, sleep and settling groups and links to local community activities and services when extra support is required.

                    What happens after my baby is born?

                    Once your hospital or midwife has advised Council's maternal and child health service of your baby's birth a member of the maternal and child health service will phone you to arrange the date and time of your first appointment. This is usually attended in your own home.

                    Follow up appointments will be in one of our six local centres closest to you, across the City of Melbourne.

                    If you have moved into the area please telephone us on 03 9340 1444 (Monday to Friday 8.30 to 5pm) to make a booking with the nurse.

                    Cancellations

                    If you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment, please phone 03 9340 1444 (Monday to Friday 8.30 to 5pm). If your call is not answered, please leave a message. Your call will be returned during business hours.

                    Alternatively email mchbookings@melbourne.vic.gov.au quoting your child's full name, date of birth and details of the appointment you are cancelling.

                    Do not email cancellations on the day of the appointment. Please phone 03 9340 1444 for late cancellations.

                    Interpreters

                    The maternal and child health staff regularly work with interpreters. This is a free service. The hospital will inform our service if an interpreter is required or is available on request.

                    Child health book

                    Please bring with you the green book otherwise known as My Health, Learning and Development Record.

                    The hospital where your baby was born will provide you with a green book. At each appointment your maternal and child health nurse will record your child’s milestones, health, growth and development in this book. Your child’s immunisations will also be recorded here.

                    Immunisation

                    The City of Melbourne maternal and child health nurses will cease providing immunisation during consultations from 1 January 2023. This will give them more time to focus on your family’s wellbeing.

                    Immunisations are still available free from the council visit Getting immunised at the City of Melbourne.

                    Supporting vulnerable children and families

                    Due to the impacts of COVID-19, some maternal and child health services may need to prioritise essential services. Based on workforce availability, this may mean that services are temporarily prioritised for:

                    • infants, children and families
                    • Aboriginal infants, children and families
                    • children and families with extra needs or concerns such as families on the Enhanced Maternal and Child Health Program, or those with COVID-19.

                    All vulnerable children and families are still eligible for maternal and child health appointments across Victoria.

                    Delivering maternal and child health services in different ways

                    Due to the ongoing impacts of COVID-19, maternal and child health services may provide services through alternative modes of delivery including telephone or online consultations.

                    Please contact your local maternal and child health service for information on change of service delivery. The 24-hour maternal and child health line continues to be open on 13 22 29.

                    Our maternal and child health services

                    New parent groups

                    We are currently conducting NPG’s via Zoom or face-to-face where possible. If you have not yet discussed joining a group with your maternal and child health nurse, do so when you next make contact so that you can be sent the relevant information.

                    Breastfeeding clinics

                    We are now conducting our breastfeeding clinics by appointment only.

                    See Assistance with breastfeeding for a consult with a Lactation Consultant, or to amend an outstanding breastfeeding appointment.

                    Immunisations

                    ​If your child requires immunisations, please refer to the City of Melbourne immunisation page or contact your GP clinic. 

                    Enhanced maternal child health service

                    An enhanced maternal and child health service is available for families requiring a more intensive home visiting support.

                    For more information about this service, please contact the Family Health Coordinator by phone on 03 9340 1458.

                    Key age and stage visits

                    A thorough development screening assessment is performed at ‘key age and stage’ visits to determine areas of need that may require early intervention. This ensures the best outcome for your child.

                    Key age and stage visits need to take place at the following ages:

                    Child ageVisit type
                    Newborn
                    Newborn check and home visit
                    ​2 weeksConsultation
                    ​4 weeks
                    ​Consultation
                    8 weeksConsultation
                    4 months​Consultation
                    7 to 8 monthsConsultation
                    12 monthsConsultation 
                    ​18 months
                    Consultation 
                    ​2 yearsConsultation
                    3.5 yearsVision testing and consultation


                    To book, change or cancel an appointment, contact us.

                    Sleep and settling program

                    ​The maternal and child health sleep and settling model of care provides an evidence-informed approach to supporting parents and caregivers who have raised a sleep and settling concern. 

                    See Sleep and settling for dates of upcoming sessions and to request a booking.

                    Locations

                    City of Melbourne provides maternal and child health services from a number of centre locations across the municipality. 

                    • Boyd Community Hub
                      207 City Road Southbank
                    • Carlton Learning Precinct
                      Palmerston and Rathdowne streets, Carlton
                    • Community Hub at The Dock
                      912 Collins Street, Docklands
                    • Kensington Maternal and Child Health Centre
                      81a Altona Street, Kensington
                    • Lady Huntingfield Early Learning and Family Services Centre
                      89-97 Haines Street, North Melbourne
                    • North Melbourne Community Centre
                      49–53 Buncle Street, North Melbourne
                    • narrm ngarrgu Library and Family Services
                      Level 3, 454 Queen St Melbourne​

                    To contact the maternal and child health service at any of these locations, please phone 03 9340 1444 or email mchbookings@melbourne.vic.gov.au.​

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