The first weeks and months with a new baby can be both wonderful and overwhelming. And the years that follow bring fresh fun and challenges.
Thankfully new parents can call on the skill, experience and practical support of our Maternal and Child Health Service from birth to school age. It’s free for all families with young children in Boroondara.
Our maternal and child health nurses will check your child’s health and development. They’re also here for your wellbeing as a parent and can help with common challenges around parenting, sleep, feeding and more.
New mum Jennifer points out that until you become a parent you’d know little about this ‘hidden gem’.
‘You have no idea that this whole world exists in these cosy, beautiful centres,’ she says.
‘The support I’ve received from my maternal and child health nurse has been this safe space and this sense of calm. I found that my nurse has just firstly listened, and then secondly been able to point me in the right direction if I did need external support.’
Macy, whose first language is Mandarin, used the service as a first-time parent. ‘We were very fortunate to have a Mandarin-speaking MCH nurse and also be able to attend a few Chinese-speaking playgroups,’ she says.
As a dad, James has also appreciated having a friendly place to go to ask questions.
‘You’re reassured that those questions have probably been asked millions of times before,’ he says. ‘It was such a good tool. The centre just provided that comfort blanket in a sense that they were just giving facts, there were no judgments.’
Find out more from our friendly nurses and other parents in short videos on our Maternal and Child Health page.
What to expect from our Maternal and Child Health Service
- Our nurses are highly qualified. They’re registered nurses and registered midwives, and also hold a maternal and child health nurse qualification.
- They’ll be in touch with you within a week of your baby coming home to offer support and arrange a home visit.
- You’ll then be invited to one of our 14 centres for health and development checks until your child starts school.
- If you’ve had your first baby they’ll invite you to a new parents group.
- You can choose a Chinese-speaking new parents group or we can organise an interpreter.
- Your nurse can also help you get extra support for breastfeeding, sleep and settling. You can join education sessions, a maternal wellbeing group and playgroups.