Maternal and Child Health Nurse (MCHN) service
Taking your baby home brings much joy but also many challenges and the Maternal and Child Health service is available to offer information, guidance and support on issues about parenthood and child health and development.
***Key Points***
The Maternal and Child Health Service is a free service available to all Victorian families with children from birth to school age.
There are Maternal and Child Health Centres located in each local council area.
***Key Points***
***What is a MCHN***
The MCHN service is run by Maternal and Child Health Nurses (MCHN’s) who are registered nurses with extra qualifications in midwifery and maternal and child health.
They can offer support and guidance on such issues as
- Breastfeeding
- Child health and growth
- Child development, communication, language and play
- Safe sleeping
- Starting solids, infant and child nutrition
- Mental health support
- Parenting skills
- Oral health
- Vision checks
- Home safety for your child and injury prevention
- Immunisations
- Your family relationships
- Family violence
- Local groups and referral to support services.
Most Maternal and Child Health Centres run some additional sessions, such as sleep and setting sessions, breastfeeding support and guidance or mental health support groups. Ask your MACHn about other groups in your local area.
MCHN’s will commence new parent groups which gives you an opportunity to connect with other parents in your local area.
***What is a MCHN***
***Access to a MCHN***
How to access the MCHN service>?
After you have given birth to your baby, the hospital or midwife will contact the Maternal and Child Health Service in your local council.
A MCHN will call you a few days after you get home and arrange to visit you at home. You can contact them before this time if you have any concerns.
If you have not had contact with your local MCHN, e.g. if you have moved or your baby has been in hospital for a significant time, contact your local council for details of the nearest Maternal and Child Health Service. Call them to make an appointment.
Your place of birth will have given you a My Health, Learning and Development Record (green book) remember to take it to each appointment so that your MCHN can record relevant information about your child’s health and development.
***Access to a MCHN***
***The Key Age and Stage Framework***
Key age and stage framework
There are certain times of development for your baby or infant that are known as key ages and stages, and visits to your MCHN are scheduled to correspond with these stages.
After the initial home visit – these are
- 2 weeks
- 4 weeks
- 8 weeks
- 4 months8 months
- 12 months18 months
- 2 years
- 3-5years
During these visits your MCHN will ask you about your child’s
- the health and development of your child
- physical and emotional effects on the family
- your own health and wellbeing
- any concerns you may have.
You can of course make an appointment outside these times if you have any concerns.
***The Key Age and Stage Framework***
***MCHN 24 hour Help Line***
The Maternal and Child Health Line is a 24-hour telephone service (phone 13 22 29 in Victoria). Qualified MCHNs offer information, advice and referral to all families with young children.
An interpreter service is also available.
***MCHN 24 hour Help Line***
Resources
Call the 24 hour Maternal and Child Health Line: 13 22 29
Department of Education: Maternal and Child Health Services
The Royal Children’s Hospital: Mother and baby units
Download the Victorian Maternal and Child Health Services app.
Other states and territories in Australia have their own services for parents and babies:
ACT: Maternal and Child Health (MACH) Nursing Service
NSW Government: Maternal, child and family health
Queensland: Child Health Service
South Australia: CaFHS Centre Search
Tasmania: Child Health Centres
Northern Territory: Baby and child screening and assessment clinics
Western Australia: Child Health
