About your visit

The hospital where you have your baby will notify Moreland City Council of the birth and you will be allocated to a Maternal and Child Health Centre depending on where you live. If you have not been contacted by your nurse within a week of coming home or you are having problems, please telephone the Maternal and Child Health service at Moreland City Council on 9240 1111.

Your nurse will initially make a visit to your home and then make an appointment time for you to visit the centre.

On the birth of your baby you will receive a Child Health Record (Blue Book), that your nurse will use to record your child’s progress, immunisations and other important events in their development.  Remember to always bring your blue book with you to the centre.

If you move into the municipality, please contact the Maternal and Child Health service on 9240 1111 to find your nearest centre and make an appointment with the nurse.

About Maternal and Child Health Centres

The Maternal and Child Health Service is a free, universal service, available to all families with children from birth to 6 years.

The Maternal and Child Health Service supports parents to meet the demands early parenthood places on them. 

The service operates from 16 centres in Moreland. The centre you attend is determined by where you live.

The arrival of a new baby in a family is a challenging and busy time. Even if it is not your first child, a new baby will require some changes to your family lifestyle.

Your family and friends can be a great support to you during this time. It is also a time that you are able to gain support and guidance from the Maternal and Child Health Service.

The service is staffed by nurses with general nursing midwifery and maternal and child health nursing qualifications. Maternal and Child Health nurses are part of a network of health and support services available to families at the local level.

The service offers families information, guidance and support on issues that include:

• breastfeeding
• child health and development
• maternal/paternal emotional and physical health
• parent-child relationships
• home and car safety for infants
• child accident and injury prevention
• immunisation
• nutrition
• family planning
• referrals to local support services and other health agencies