Maternal and Child Health Services
Our Maternal and Child Health Service (MCH) provides free and confidential support for City of Whittlesea families with children from newborn to school age.
The MCH team is made of registered nurses who have extra qualifications in midwifery and maternal and child health. Our service provides ongoing care to improve the health, wellbeing and safety of families and the learning and development of children.
Watch this video to discover all the ways the Maternal and Child Health team is here for you.
MCH appointments
Learn about the key ages and stages in your baby's development and the ways we can support you during this time.
Key ages and stages
Health and development assessments are performed at key ages and stages. The Better Health Channel gives helpful information about each stage and what to expect at your MCH visits.
Make an MCH booking
To make a key ages and stages appointment or to change an existing one, please make a request via our online booking portal.
Request an MCH Appointment
You can also contact us on 03 9217 2170, Monday to Friday 9 am – 4:30 pm.
If your enquiry relates to an appointment in the next two working days, please call 03 9217 2170, Monday to Friday 9 am – 4:30 pm.
If the matter is urgent, please contact your local GP or nearest hospital emergency department.
What to bring to your appointment
Please bring the following items to each appointment:
- your child’s green Child Health Record Book
- a change of clothes, including spare nappies, for your baby
- a plastic bag for used nappies
- clothes or bunny rugs to cover the change table and scales.
MCH bookings
If you or your child are feeling unwell, please use our telehealth services or reschedule your appointment by calling us on 03 9217 2170. Please do not attend the appointment if you are experiencing any symptoms. For extra support during this time, you can also contact the MCH line on 13 22 29, your local GP, or the virtual ED service.
Maternal and Child Health centres
The City of Whittlesea has 20 Maternal and Child Health sites located around the municipality.
Find your closest Maternal and Child Health centre
Parent and carer support programs
We offer a range of individual and group programs offering support and network opportunities.
Parenting programs
Our parenting programs are designed to assist parents build skills and confidence in areas such as feeding, sleeping, settling and general parent and child wellbeing.
Programs include:
- First Time Parent Group
- Sleep and Settling Program
- Feeding Program.
Find out more about our parenting programs
Enhanced Maternal and Child Health
Our Enhanced Maternal and Child Health (EMCH) Service is an outreach program providing additional support to families with children from birth to preschool age who may be experiencing challenges impacting parenting, relationships and well-being.
Find out more about our Enhanced MCH service
MCH drop-in sessions
Our drop-in sessions include feeding support and opportunities for extra consultatiion with a maternal and child health professional.
Feeding support
Chat with a Maternal and Child Health nurse or lactation consultant about breastfeeding, or any other issues with feeding your baby.
Additional consultation
These sessions are an opportunity to visit a Maternal and Child Health nurse in between your child’s key ages and stages assessments.
Find out more about our Drop in sessions
Deadly Boorais and Deadly Families Program
The Deadly Boorais and Deadly Families Program is part of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander engagement services. The programs aim to support engagement and participation in the Maternal and Child Health Service.
The program includes a Yarning Circle and Drop-In Session. These provide extra opportunity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families to connect and engage with our Maternal and Child Health Service.
Download program information
Deadly Boorais and Deadly Families Program - accessible(DOCX, 123KB)
Deadly Boorais and Deadly Families Program(PDF, 424KB)
Further support and resources
The Maternal and Child Health 24-hour health line on 13 22 29 offers information and advice about the care and health of your child aged birth to school age. It also has a handy app to put useful information at your fingertips.
Download the Maternal and Child Health app
Parenting and family support ideas and links