Maternal and child health

We offer free 45-minute face-to-face appointments with a qualified lactation consultant.

For extra support, please note that you can also find more breastfeeding support information on the Australian Breastfeeding Association website. This website includes online forums and the organisation also has a 24-hour helpline (1800 686 268).

When: Every Tuesday, all day. Bookings are essential.

Location: MCHC Community Room (located on the first floor), Middle Park Community Centre, 256 Richardson St, Middle Park.

How to book: Bookings can be organised through your Maternal and Child Health nurse or by contacting the MCH Administration Team on 03 9209 6766 or via mchadmin@portphillip.vic.gov.au.

When attending please bring:

• Your child infant health record (green book)
• Any breastfeeding aids, for example: nipple shield
• Burping cloth and wrap
• Bottle of water for the parent

We offer free information sessions with an early parenting practitioner for parents and carers about how to improve the sleep patterns of newborn babies and/or toddlers. These information sessions are designed to provide guidance on:

• typical sleep patterns and behaviours
• how to prevent sleep concerns through attachment, suitable sleep routines and environments
• solutions and strategies to address sleep concerns, for babies over six months
• self-care and support for parents.

If you’ve already attended an online information session and are still in need of an in-home Sleep and Settling consultation, please fill out this form.

When: Please see the below “How to register” section for specific dates.

Where: Online, via Microsoft Teams

How to register:

Click on a link below to register

• Sessions for children zero to three months old
• Sessions for children four to 12 months old
• Sessions for children one to two years old
• All ages Sleep and Settle Q&A session

We offer free information sessions which focus on introducing solid food to babies and toddlers. These sessions are run by a MCH Nurse and an early parenting practitioner who are available to answer any questions you have, offer food suggestions, and to support you in any other way with your child’s food journey.

We also have a video in which our MCH nurse goes through the basics of introducing solids into your baby’s diet.

When: Fourth Wednesday of every month, 9.30am to 11am

Where: Food Hall, South Melbourne Market, Corner of Coventry and Cecil Streets, South Melbourne Victoria 3205

How to book: Please register here. Bookings are essential.

We also offer a new information group session, Feed-play-sleep repeat, that will run from St Kilda Library and Emerald Hill Library.

These sessions will focus on introduction to solids as well as sleep, feed-play-sleep routine.

When and Where:

• Second Monday of every month, 10am to 11am at St Kilda Library: 150 Carlisle St, St Kilda VIC 3182
• Third Tuesday of every month 11am to 12pm at Emerald Hill Library: 195 Bank St, South Melbourne VIC 3205

How to book: Please register here. Bookings are essential.

If you are a first-time parent, your Maternal and Child Health Nurse will invite you to attend a New Parent Group. In these sessions, a range of topics are discussed to support you and your baby in the parenting journey. These groups are a great opportunity for you to share your experiences with other local parents (or to just listen to theirs), make new friends, and also to develop a support network.

These face-to-face sessions are held once a week at your MCH centre for six weeks. After these sessions, you and the other parents can choose to continue meeting at a different location or to form a playgroup. Find out more about forming a playgroup.

Having a new baby is a special time. Sometimes factors impact on you enjoying this time. If you are feeling sad, or this period is not what you thought it was going to be, these sessions could help.

The facilitated group sessions will be run by an MCH Nurse and Parenting Educator. The sessions will focus on you and getting to know your baby through sensory mediums like baby massage, music, and connection through play.

For more information, please speak to your MCH Nurse or administration team.

Program:

• Week 1 – smell
• Week 2 – sound
• Week 3 – sight
• Week 4 – taste
• Week 5 – touch and movement

When: The group will run on Mondays, 1.15 pm-2.15 pm over 5 weeks

Where: Bubup Nairm Children’s Centre

How to book: If you are interested, please speak to your MCH Nurse for a referral.

You can also contact us on 03 9209 6766 (available Monday to Friday 8.30 to 4.30 pm) or emailing us at mchadmin@portphillip.vic.gov.au.

Or register here

The Enhanced Maternal and Child Health service is available for families who require additional support and guidance in their own home environment.

In order to access this program, you need to have a referral from a professional such as your MCH nurse, a hospital worker, or support worker.

If you are a professional and want to make a referral to us, please fill out our online referral form.

For more information please email us via mchenhanced@portphillip.vic.gov.au or call us on 03 9209 6766.

The Maternal and Child Health Service now offer Key Age and Stage appointments in a childcare setting.

You can organise for your child's next MCH check to be in childcare. Please fill in our online outreach consent form to let us know. We can then organise a time.

Drop-in sessions – no appointment required! See your MCH nurses and connect with the South Melbourne Supported Playgroup.

When: 10 am to 12 pm
Wednesday 26 February
Wednesday 20 August
Wednesday 21 May
Monday 10 November

Where: South Melbourne Community Centre
1 Ferrars Place, South Melbourne

What: Two sessions for non-first-time parents (older children are welcome)

After these sessions, you and the other parents can choose to form a playgroup.
Ask your MCH nurse to add you to your local group.

Use the free MCH app to find accurate and reliable information about your child’s health, learning and development. The app was developed by the Victorian Government. The app can also be used to keep track of upcoming MCH appointments and find important health contacts.

This app can be personalised and is available for Apple and Android smartphones.

Telephone: 13 22 29
Qualified Maternal and Child Health nurses provide information, support and advice to Victorian families with children from birth to school age (5 years old) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Telephone: 1800 686 268
The Australian Breastfeeding Helpline is available seven days a week. The helpline is staffed by trained volunteers with breastfeeding knowledge and experience.

Telephone: 13 12 79
A child in need of protection is a child who has suffered or is likely to suffer significant harm as a result of abuse or neglect, and there is no one to protect them. If you believe that a child is in need of protection please call the Child Protection Crisis Line.

Telephone: 13 11 26
24 hour-a-day, 7 day-a-week advice on poisoning, bites and stings.

Telephone: 1300 726 306 Monday – Friday 9am – 7.30pm (AEST/AEDT)
National Perinatal Mental Health Helpline for women, men and their families affected by perinatal mental illness.

Website: Raising Children Network

The Raising Children's Network work to provide free, up-to-date and independent information to help your family grow and thrive together. They are funded by the Australian Government, with their reviewed by experts.

Website Better Health Network

The Better Health Network website provide health and medical information, and is fully funded by the Victorian Government, with no commercial advertising or corporate sponsorship.