Maternal and Child Health Service

• Maternal & Child Health Services
• Online Booking Service
• Maternal and Child Health Centres in Banyule
• Enhanced Home Visiting Nurses
• Parenting Programs
• Sleep and Settling Sessions
• Infant & Child Resuscitation Classes
• Childhood Nutrition Talks - Eat Well Play Well
• Maternal and Child Health Nurse Scholarships
• Customer Satisfaction and Further Information
• NEW "Green" Babies Fact Sheets!

Maternal & Child Health Services

• Early detection of health & development problems 
• Developmental assessment
• Health Education & Promotion
• Parenting Education
• New Parents Groups
• Maternal Health Advice, Information & Support
• Nutritional Information & Advice
• Breast Feeding Support & Advice
• Immunisation Information
• Support for Families in Crisis
• Post-natal Depression Help & Support
• Community Networking & Support Groups
• Child Safety Information

Online Booking Service

For appointments please phone the centralised booking line on 9435 4955, Monday to Friday, 9am - 1pm or complete the online booking form.

Maternal and Child Health Centres in Banyule

There are 11 Maternal and Child Health Centres in Banyule.

Please see below document for a full list of centre locations and opening hours.

These programs are provided at a centre in your local area - refer above for Maternal and Child Centre contact details.

Saturday Appointments

For families unable to attend MCH Centres during normal business hours, the Rosanna, Greensborough and Bellfield MCH Centres offer a Saturday morning sessions for all families living in Banyule, by appointment only. Phone 9435 4955 for an appointment.

Zoning for MCH Centres

A zoning system operates within Banyule for the distrubtion of Birth Notifications from hospitals. This is to ensure families attend the closest centre to their home. 

Enhanced Home Visiting Nurses

This enhanced home visiting program is provided for families with significant early parenting difficulties which are best dealt with within the family's own environment. Referral to this program is made by the centre based MCH Nurse.

Families most likely to benefit from this program include mothers with post-natal depression, teenage parents, mothers with a physical or intellectual disability, families with multiple births or other special needs.

The team providing this service consists of a Maternal and Child Health  Nurse and Parent Support Workers/Educator. 

Parenting Programs

The Banyule Maternal and Child Health Serivce offers a range of educational programs to assist parents and caregivers with babies and young children.

Please see below for a full listing of programs, flyers and booking details.

Sleep and Settling Sessions

Safe Sleep Space approach for infants 0 - 4 months 

This program can help infants and children reach a secure sleep state.  A significant benefit to parents who are able to "look and listen" is that they are better able to see their infant or child as an individual being, ready and waiting for all the love they can give.

The sessions address:

- what infants need to sleep better
- what parents are able to offer their infant to encourage healthy sleep habits
- age appropriate settling techniques based on the response approach to enhance sleep

The sessions are conducted by a Maternal and Child Health Nurse (Helen Stevens) who has over 20 years experience.  The Safe Sleep Space approach is endorsed by world leaders in the infant mental health area.

The sessions are held on Saturday mornings at the Montmorency Maternal & Child Health Centre.

Bookings are ESSENTIAL - phone 9490 4222.  Please see available dates below.

Infant & Child Resuscitation Classes

This two hour course is one Saturday per month by accredited professionals. 

It is held at the Bellfield Maternal & Child Health Centre, Cnr Banksia St and Oriel Rd, Bellfield. 

For bookings phone 9490 4222.  Please see available dates in flyer below.

Childhood Nutrition Talks - Eat Well Play Well

Three sessions are available:

- introducing solids
- healthy eating and active play for toddlers and preschool children
- nutrition and exercise for mums after pregnancy

Presented by Dietician from the Banyule Community Health Centre with an occupational therapist and physiotherapist.  Questions regarding your family's nutrition are welcome at each session. 
Children welcome.  Cost: A gold coin donation towards the cost of handouts is appreciated.

For bookings phone Banyule Council Customer Service on 9490 4222.

Maternal and Child Health Nurse Scholarships

Banyule City Council is committed to providing the highest level of professional maternal and child health care to our community. To honour this commitment, we are offering a financial sponsorship of $3,500 to a registered nurse who undertakes an accredited Post Graduate Maternal and Child Health nurse course.

Customer Satisfaction and Further Information

The Banyule MCH Nurses are all committed to providing the very best service possible to families with babies and young children. Sometimes, despite our best efforts, there may be a communication breakdown. If at any time you feel disappointed with the service you receive, please do not hesitate to:

1.   Discuss the problem with your MCH Nurse, or

2.   Phone the MCH Co-ordinator on 9457 9928

For Further Information: 

Contact the Maternal and Child Health Service on 9457 9960 or email: infoMACHS@banyule.com.au

or Maternal & Child Health Line 24 Hour Service Phone 13 22 29

NEW "Green" Babies Fact Sheets!

Become a more environmentally aware parent.  Protect your baby and the environment at the same time.

 www.sustainablecommunities.vic.gov.au/greenbabies

Below are eight fact sheets with a range of practical information from re-usable/composable nappies, to travelling with babies, what to buy and what not to buy, through to renovations, detoxing your home and much more!   The factsheets can be downloaded individually or as a full set.

Share this information with your friends with new babies too.

 Resources made available with the support of Environment Victoria.