About Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Services in Dandenong
The Victorian Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Service is a free service and works in partnership with families to provide support for their babies and young children from birth until they start school. There are 10 key stages of your child's development that you will attend an MCH centre. These visits focus on optimising child and family health, safety and wellbeing, learning and development and include:
- Home Visit
- 2 weeks
- 4 weeks
- 8 weeks
- 4 months
- 8 months
- 12 months
- 18 months
- 2 years
- 3.5 - 4 years
An SMS appointment reminder will be sent to you the day before each of your MCH Centre bookings.
At these appointments your child will have a developmental assessment and you will receive information about a range of parenting topics and issues, including:
- infant feeding and Nutrition advice (lactation consultants available for further support)
- sleep and settling
- starting healthy baby foods and dental health
- mother's health and wellbeing including postnatal depression
- family planning
- immunisation
- play and safety
- managing your child's behaviour
- playgroups, childcare options and pre school
- support with family issues including family violence and relationships
- screening and referral to additional services if required
Your MCH nurse may also offer additional appointments, first time parenting groups, Sleep and Settling groups and links to local community activities and services when extra support is required.
For information about your visit please see:
Maternal and Child Health Key Age and Stage Information packs
What happens after my baby is born?
Once your hospital has advised Council's MCH service of your baby's birth a member of the MCH service will phone you to arrange the date and time of your first appointment. This is usually attended in your own home.
Follow up appointments will be in 1 of our 16 local centres closest to you, across the City of Greater Dandenong.
If you have moved into the area
Please telephone us on 8571 1880 (Monday to Friday 8.30-5pm) to make a booking with the nurse.
Cancellations
If you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment, please phone 8571 1880 (Monday to Friday 8:30- 5pm). If your call is not answered, please wait for the message service to record your message and your call will be returned during business hours.
Or email birthnotices@cgd.vic.gov.au quoting your child's unique record number (CDIS) full name and Date of Birth and details of the appointment you are cancelling.
Do not email cancellations on the day of the appointment. Please phone 8571 1880 for late cancellations.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
For more information about the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Key Ages and Stages Maternal and Child Health visits - Healthy Bubup Key Ages & Stages Flyer - 708KB
Koori Maternity Services / Bunurong Health Service (located in Dandenong) - 9794 5933.
This State Government program offers flexible, inclusive, culturally appropriate pregnancy and postnatal care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in Victoria.
Interpreters
The Maternal and Child Health staff regularly work with Interpreters. This is a free service. The hospital will inform our service if an Interpreter is required or is available on request.
Programs within the Maternal and Child Health Service
Enhanced Maternal and Child Health Program (EMCH)
The Enhanced Maternal Child Health (EMCH) program is part of the Victorian Maternal and Child Health Service and is offered to selected families as an extension of the Universal Maternal and Child Health (UMCH) program. The Enhanced MCH program works with families who have increased needs, through the provision of additional in-home support to meet the family's goals around concerns for their growth, development, parent-child relationship or the need for additional parenting support.
Referrals into this program is through your MCH nurse or other support agencies.
Referrals can be made by the hospital, your GP or your local MCH Nurse. Please speak to your nurse if you think you need additional support from the Enhanced Nurses.
First Time Parents Group
All first-time parents will be booked into a First Time Parent (FTP) group where a range of parenting topics are discussed.
Topics include:
- Introduction to parenthood
- Maternal well-being
- Sleep & Settling Safety
- Introduction to solids
- Play & Development
- Childhood illness
- Introduction to the Library.
The aim of this group is to connect with other first-time parents in your local area as well as information sharing. Groups are not compulsory but are encouraged. If you are not interested in attending please discuss with your nurse.
These sessions are held mornings an afternoons, once a week for six weeks.
Groups are generally run face to face with an online option available on request.
For more information or to make a booking, speak with your nurse or phone 8571 1812 (Monday to Friday 8:30-5pm)..
Sleep and Settling
Most parents experience challenges when it comes to their infants/child’s sleep. These challenges are quite normal but sometimes additional assistance may be required.
A referral to our Sleep & Settling Program is available on request.
A member of this team will phone to discuss your concerns and can provide additional support strategies to assist with sleep and settling.
All parents will be booked into a Sleep & Settling information session.
If you are not interested in attending, please discuss with your nurse.
Breastfeeding Support
If you need support with Breastfeeding you can speak with your MCH nurse at your next consultation, or phone us on 8571 1880 (Monday- Friday 8:30-5pm) to speak with someone who can provide you with phone support.
The Australian Breastfeeding Association counselling Service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by calling 1800 686 268.
Our service commitment
The City of Greater Dandenong Maternal and Child Health Service is committed to providing a high quality, accessible and responsive service to you and your family. We are very happy to receive feedback either by completing a client feedback form (available from your nurse) or phone the Maternal and Child Health service on 8571 1880 or via the City of Greater Dandenong website.
All of your personal information is treated in confidence and in accordance with the Information Privacy Act 2000 and the Health Records Act 2001.
Useful contacts
Maternal and Child Health Line
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.
Australian Breast Feeding Association
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.
Poisons Information Centre
Telephone: 13 11 26
24 hour-a-day, 7 day-a-week advice on poisoning, bites and stings.
Panda
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.
Child Protection Crisis Line
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.
Family Violence Supports
inTouch Multicultural Centre Against Family Violence
Telephone: 8413 6800
Gives voice and provides culturally sensitive services, statewide, to meet the needs of women and children from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse backgrounds (CALD) backgrounds affected by domestic violence. The service operates Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm.
Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre
Telephone: 9322 3555/1800 015 188
24 hour phone line service for women and children experiencing violence and abuse from a partner or ex-partner, another family member or someone close to them.
The Orange Door
Telephone: 1800 271 170
Address: 311 Lonsdale street, Dandenong
The Orange Door is a free service for adults, children and young people who are experiencing or have experienced family violence and families who need extra support with the care of children.
The Orange Door can work with you on your own, or together with your family members depending on your situation.
Council's Maternal Child Health service provides information sessions focusing on sleep and settling for babies of various ages.
