Maternal and Child Health

The Maternal and Child Health service is free and available to all families with a child aged 0 to 6 and includes a series of regular health checks with a qualified Maternal and Child Health (MCH) nurse. MCH nurses are registered general nurses and midwives with special training in Maternal and Child Health. They can provide confidential information and advice on: 
  • Child health and development
  • Breastfeeding
  • Baby settling
  • Nutrition
  • Maternal and family health
  • Post-natal support
  • Immunisations
  • Parenting

Contact details and MCH Centre locations

To book in or change/cancel your next MCH appointment, please call 03 5018 8277 or email mchs@mildura.vic.gov.au

Mildura

Council's Deakin Avenue Service Centre
76 Deakin Avenue (corner Deakin Avenue and Ninth Street)

Mansell Reserve
Seventh Street

Pasadena
117 Pasadena Grove

Mildura South
569 Deakin Avenue (corner Lillie Lane and Deakin Avenue)

The Family and Child Hub
41 Pine Avenue

Irymple

Casaurina Drive

Merbein

18 O'Bryan Street

Red Cliffs

Corner Guava Street and Indi Avenue

Nangiloc

Kulkyne Way

Ouyen

12-14 Cooper Street

Underbool

Cotter Street

Murrayville

Gray Street 

What happens at a MCH appointment?

At each appointment, the MCH nurse will:

  • Assess and monitor your child’s growth and development
  • Provide advice and information about maternal and child health
  • Make referrals to other health services if appropriate
  • Link you up with a new parent’s group if you are a new parent
  • Refer you to the Enhanced Maternal and Child Health Service if appropriate

How many MCH appointments will we need?

After a baby is born, the hospital or midwife will notify our service. A MCH nurse will then contact the new mum and arrange to visit you and your baby at home. After this initial home visit a series of follow up appointments will be scheduled as the baby develops.

A total of 10 free MCH appointments are recommended over a four year period at key ages and stages:

After hours MCH support services

Victorian families can obtain extra support by calling the Maternal and Child Health Line on 13 22 29. This is a 24-hour telephone service staffed by qualified maternal and child health nurses.

The telephone line provides over-the-phone information, advice and referral to all families with young children.

Interpreters are available through the Translating Interpreter Service. Hearing and speech impaired callers can connect to the National Relay Service (NRS).

Enhanced Maternal and Child Health Service

The Enhanced Maternal and Child Health Service is a more targeted service for families who may need some extra support, such as families with babies who were born prematurely or with a low birth weight, children with a disability or parents experiencing mental health issues.

This is also provided free of charge.

Referrals for the enhanced service are made by your Maternal and Child Health nurse.

 

Sleep and Settling program

Many families are affected by sleep and settling concerns. Led by qualified Maternal and Child Health nurses, our free group information sessions aim to help families better understand their children’s sleep patterns and behaviours.

Get information and support on sleep strategies such as tired signs, settling techniques, sleep cycles and sleep duration.

We offer sessions tailored to three developmental age groups:

  • Newborns (0-3 months)
  • Babies (6-12 months)
  • Toddlers (18 months and older)

One-on-one in-home support may also be available following a sleep assessment with a Maternal and Child Health nurse. 

Upcoming sessions
In-Person and online sessions are on offer. Face-to-face sessions are held at The Family and Child Hub, 41 Pine Avenue, Mildura unless otherwise indicated

To register for a session please call us on 03 5018 8277 or speak with your MCH nurse.

Date Time  Age group Format 
Thursday 17 August 2023 10am Babies Online
Wednesday 23 August 2023 10am Toddlers Online
Wednesday 6 September 2023 10am Babies In-person at Merbein MCH Centre
Thursday 7 September 2023 10am Toddlers  Online
Wednesday 13 September 2023 10am Toddlers In-person at Merbein MCH Centre
Thursday 14 September 2023  10am Babies Online 
Thursday 5 October 2023 10am Toddlers Online
Thursday 12 October 2023 10am Babies Online
Wednesday 18 October 2023 10am Toddlers In-person at Mansell MCH Centre
Wednesday 25 October 2023 10am Babies In-person at Mansell MCH Centre
Wednesday 1 November 2023 10am Toddlers Online
Wednesday 8 November 2023 10am  Babies Online
Thursday 16 November 2023 10am Toddlers In-person at Mildura South MCH Centre
Thursday 23 November 2023 10am Babies In-person at Mildura South MCH Centre
Wednesday 6 December 2023 10am Toddlers  In-person at Pasadena MCH Centre
Thursday 7 December 2023 10am Babies In-person at Pasadena MCH Centre

New Parent Groups

The New Parents Group is a free program offered to all first-time parents in the Mildura Rural City Council area. Held in a relaxed, supportive environment , the program runs for 6 weeks and discusses topics including parenting, caring for yourself, sleep and settling support, introduction to solids and more. The New Parent’s Group also gives parents’ the opportunity to meet other first- time parents with babies of similar age, often resulting in long-term friendships, gaining support networks and valuable information. Qualified Maternal and Child Health Nurses will be available to answer questions you may have during these sessions.  

Register to Attend
Your Maternal and Child Health Nurse will add you to the wait list and you will be contacted closer to commencement date. For further information you can contact us on 03 5018 8277

 

Multiples Support Group

A supportive community for parents and carers twins, triplets and more to connect, share and learn from one another. Parents and carers with children of all ages are most welcome, as are their little people!

Facilitated by a qualified Maternal and Child Health Nurse, Lactation Consultant and proud mum of grown-up twins, these relaxed group sessions are guided by the needs and wishes of attendees.

  • Feeding and mealtime tips
  • Sleeping and settling multiples
  • Practical support and equipment ideas
  • Looking after your health and wellbeing
  • Connection and community

When

9.15am-11.15am on the first Monday of each month, unless stated otherwise below.
PLEASE NOTE
The September date has changed to Monday 11 September 2023.
The October date has changed to Monday 9 October 2023.

Where

Mildura Sporting Precinct
Function Room 2

Register and learn more

Contact our Maternal and Child Health team
Phone 03 5018 8277
Email mchs@mildura.vic.gov.au