About the Services

The Maternal Child and Family Health Service provides free confidential specialist nursing, breast feeding advice, health and development checks and support services to parents with infants and young children.

Maternal Child and Health administration will make contact within five to seven days of your child's birth to arrange a first visit at your home. Further consultations will be at a Maternal Child and Family Health Centre.

You can attend a centre as often as you feel is necessary. It is recommended that your child attends Key Age and Stage assessments at:

• Two, four and eight weeks
• Four, eight, 12 and 18 months
• Two and three and a half years of age

These Key Ages and Stages visits are important for the nurse to assess health and development of your child. Call 5624 2540 for an appointment.

Maternal Child and Family Health Centre Locations

Centres are located across the Shire, and you may attend any centre. Opening hours are from 9.00am to 5.00pm across the centres. Nursing advice is available by calling 5624 2540.

After hours Maternal Child and Family Health Services

Victoria-wide Maternal Child and Family Health telephone service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week on 132 229. This service is staffed by qualified Maternal and Child Health Nurses and is the cost of a local call.

Maternal Child and Family Health Services include:

• Parenting support to families
• Breastfeeding assistance
• Key age and stage assessment of your child's growth, development and behaviour
• New parent groups - opportunity to meet other parents in your area to share experiences and information
• Health education activities and programs
• Nutritional information and advice
• Help and support for postnatal depression
• Child safety and advice
• Referrals to appropriate services.