Maternal and Child Health Services
The Maternal and Child Health (MCH) service is a free health and wellbeing service available for all families with children from birth to school age.
We offer a number of support services and parenting programs to support both parents as they transition into parenthood. Speak to your Maternal and Child Health Nurse if you would like further information on any of the below programs.
To book an appointment contact 96880501
10 Key Age and Stage Health and Development Consultations
You will see your MCH Nurse at 10 key stage of your child's development which focus on optimising child and family health, wellbeing and development.
What are the Key Ages and Stages
The 10 Key Ages and Stages ages are as follows:
- Home visit before 2 weeks of age
- 2 weeks of age
- 4 weeks of age
- 8 weeks of age
- 4 months of age
- 8 months of age
- 12 months of age
- 18 months of age
- 2 years of age
- 3.5 years of age.
How to request a Key Ages and Stages assessment?
If you would like to make an appointment with one of our highly qualified and experienced Maternal and Child Health Nurses please complete the online request form and we will notify you of the details of your booking.
Alternatively, you can call our booking service on 9688 0501 from 8.30am to 5pm Monday to Friday excepting public holidays, or send us an email to BookMCH@maribyrnong.vic.gov.au
Submit an online request form
The KAS service also provides screening, referrals, parenting advice, education and support with family violence. Families requiring additional support may be referred to the Enhanced MCH Nurse or Family Support Worker.
MCH Nurses are able to visit local early childhood services for families unable to attend appointments at one of our centres.
New Parent Group and Parenting Information Sessions
COVID-19 Update
In response to COVID-19 the New Parent Group and Parenting Information Sessions are being held online until further notice. If you have a booking you will receive notification for an online appointment from your MCH Nurse in due course.
We offer a number of support services and parenting programs to support both parents as they transition into parenthood. Speak to your MCH Nurse if you would like further information on any of the below programs.
A number of agencies can provide specialist advice and support for any parent experiencing difficulties in transitioning to parenthood. If you would like further information on some of these agencies please visit our resources for parents page.
New Parent Group
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All new first time parents will be invited by their nurse to attend the six sessions of New Parent Group when their baby is aged between 4 and 12 weeks.
This program is designed specifically to support new parents with the challenges of parenthood.
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For further information speak with your MCH Nurse or send an email to BookMCH@maribyrnong.vic.gov.au
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Breastfeeding Support
Change to Breastfeeding Support Service
From 13 June 2024, the Breastfeeding Support Service will be available as follows:
- By appointment only on Thursdays at Norfolk Street Maternal and Child Health Centre, 2 Norfolk Street, Yarraville (view map).
- By appointment only on Fridays at Maidstone Child and Family Centre, 23 Burns Street, Maidstone (view map).
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If you have opted to breastfeed your baby and have questions you would like answered, speak to your MCH Nurse.
We can go through all the options available to you so you can make a choice that's right for you.
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We can provide you with a referral to see one of our Breastfeeding Support Nurses free of charge.
For further information speak with your MCH Nurse or send an email to BookMCH@maribyrnong.vic.gov.au
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Sleep and Settling Information Sessions
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These free sessions will provide information and guidance on typical sleep patterns for babies.
Learn strategies to address sleep concerns and tips on self-care for parents and carers of babies aged eight and 18 months.
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These information sessions will be facilitated by Council's fully qualified and experienced MCH experts.
Places are limited and bookings are essential.
Please speak to your MCH Nurse or phone 9688 0501 or book via email to BookMCH@maribyrnong.vic.gov.au
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Infant Nutrition Prorgam
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The Infant Nutrition Program is perfect for parents of babies aged 4 to 6 months, 7 to 10 months and 11 to 15 months.
This program has been developed to provide support to parents transitioning babies to solid foods and everyday family foods.
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The Infant Nutrition Program is proudly supported by Council in partnership with cohealth dieticians.
For further information speak with your MCH Nurse or send an email to BookMCH@maribyrnong.vic.gov.au
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Baby Makes 3
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The Baby Makes 3 sessions provide support to both parents as they transition into parenthood.
This series is run over a three week period with one session per week.
Each session is two hours in duration.
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Participants leave each session with practical and useful information about being a new parent.
These sessions are available for families that reside within the City of Maribyrnong. For further information speak with your MCH Nurse or send an email to BookMCH@maribyrnong.vic.gov.au
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Tell us what you thought
Your feedback is important to us and drives our direction in the delivery of high quality sessions that participants find useful, so please give us your feedback and tell us what you thought of the session you attended.
Give feedback now
For information about other information sessions visit the Parenting in Maribyrnong page.
Visit the Parenting in Maribyrnong page
Enhanced Maternal and Child Health Program
The Enhanced MCH Program is a free and confidential service to assist families by supporting their individual needs to ensure that each child has the best possible start in life, and each parent is supported with facing the challenges of parenthood.
The program is a free home visit service that is offered through the MCH service. The program is a more intensive level of support to meet the specific needs of individual families.
A referral is required for this service.
Outreach visits
A MCH Nurse can attend your child’s long day care centre or kindergarten should it be required.
Please discuss arrangements with your service provider for outreach visits at your child's long day care centre or kindergarten.