Our Maternal and Child Health (MCH) team provides services for you and your family (children 0 - 6 years).
This includes support, breastfeeding, developmental assessments for babies and children, and family activities.
Covid-19 update and changes to services:
In line with recommendations from MAV and DHHS, MCH nurses are returning to face to face appointments from 12 October for:
- Babies aged 0-8 weeks
- Families that identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Island
- Families with additional needs
Other updates:
- From 4 November MCH nurses will resume seeing all children 0 -1 years for face to face appointments.
- From 16 November all appointments with an MCH Nurse will be face to face for all ages.
- Telehealth appointments will continue to be available on request for all ages. Just let us know when you make your appointment.
- In line with government directions, we ask that appointments are attended by one carer and one child only. Adults must wear a mask or face covering.
- Health screening will occur prior to the appointment and unwell clients will need to delay or reschedule their appointment.
- In centre appointments will be staggered to minimise people in the waiting rooms with social distancing guidelines
To make an appointment or to reschedule, please call 5366 7100 and select option 4 for MCH
For further details see: COVID-19 Updates
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About Maternal and Child Health
Our Maternal and Child Health Service (MCH) provides a range of free support for all families in Moorabool with children from 0 - 6 years. The programs help families achieve optimal health, wellbeing and developmental outcomes for their children.
The service includes an initial home visit and 9 consultations at key stages with an MCH Nurse. Consultations occur at:
- Birth
- 2 weeks
- 4 weeks
- 8 weeks
- 4 months
- 8 months
- 12 months
- 18 months
- 2 years
- 3.5 years
Contact us to make an appointment
Maternal and Child Health Centre locations
Drop-in sessions: temporarily suspended due to COVID-19 restrictions
Sometimes a question comes up that a parent would like to discuss with a nurse at a time when a key stage assessment is not due. Or you may want to weigh your baby if their growth has been a concern.
Families are seen on a first-come-first-served basis. Consultations are shorter than the usual appointment times.
Drop-in session locations:
- Darley Maternal and Child Health Office, Darley Early Years Hub, 182 Halletts Way, Darley
- Thursdays between 10.30 am and 12.00 pm
- No appointment needed, just come along on the day
- Ballan Maternal and Child Health Office
- Tuesdays between 1.30 pm and 2.30 pm
- No appointment needed, just come along on the day
A free State Government-funded MCH Nurse telephone advisory service is also available 24 hours, 7 days a week. Call 132 229.
Breastfeeding support service
Early support can be the key to a successful breastfeeding experience. Our service provides free breastfeeding support to residents. Make an appointment or phone consultation with a Certified Lactation Consultant.
Appointments can be at one of our centres or we can come to you at home. We can address any concerns about breastfeeding from before the baby is born, right up to and including weaning.
No referral is necessary and bookings can be made by phoning MCH Admin on 5366 7100 or contact us via email.
Support is also available from the Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA) helpline on 1800 686 286 or via the ABA website.
New parent groups
Our service runs free first-time parents' groups at various times throughout the year. These groups provide an opportunity to meet other mums and dads, share early parenting experiences, and receive parenting support.
The groups run over 6 weeks and are facilitated by an MCH staff member.
Some of the topics include:
- Sleep and settling
- Development and play
- Nutrition
- Relationship building
- Child safety
- Baby massage
- Social supports
If you are not a first-time parent but would like to connect with other families in the area, why not join a community playgroup?
Wellbeing Circle
Our 8-week group program helps mums stay emotionally healthy while juggling the demands of parenthood. Some group attendees have a diagnosed mental health condition but others attend to keep themselves emotionally healthy.
The referral is through your Maternal and Child Health Nurse.
Childminding is available on site if required. Art activities are fun and easy and no art experience is necessary!
Imagination Magic: temporarily suspended due to COVID-19 restrictions
Imagination Magic is a performing arts program for children from birth to 6 years and for their parents or carers.
The program gives you the opportunity to participate in a variety of performing arts including:
- music and movement
- storytelling
- puppetry
- drumming
- dance
- singing
- yoga
- creative play
Sessions are scheduled throughout the year and are advertised on our website, Facebook, and in MCH centres.
For program bookings contact us. Gold coin donations support additional sessions and materials during the year.
1-2-3 Magic
1-2-3 Magic is a parenting program for parents and carers of children aged 2 - 12 years. Parents and carers can book into this program. They are held several times per year.
