Maternal and Child Health (MACH)

We offer home visits to all families with newborns with a referral from their midwife. This first visit is an chance to discuss the wellbeing and any health issues of you and your baby. It can also provide you with information about local services for parents.

Please contact the CHI team for more information.

You can visit the MACH nurses for information and advice on parenting, child health, breastfeeding, nutrition and feeding issues, keeping your child safe, toddler behaviour issues, adjustment to parenthood and maternal emotional health.

You can also make an appointment for your Child’s Health Check.

Please make an appointment through the CHI team.

MACH Clinic locations

To help stop the spread of COVID-19, drop-in clinics have been replaced by appointment bookings. To speak with a MACH nurse please call the Early Pregnancy and Parenting Support line on 5124 1775.

Leave a voicemail with your name, best contact number and reason for your call and a health professional will call you back. Staff can assist with information and advice on parenting, child health, breastfeeding, developmental concerns, nutrition and feeding issues, keeping your child safe, toddler behaviour issues, adjustment to parenthood and maternal emotional health.

MACH Clinic locations

New Parent Groups have returned to face to face sessions.

Due to social distancing and room sizes, numbers will be reduced until further notice.

The New Parent Group is a four week program run by our MACH nurses. It gives you the opportunity to meet other first-time parents with babies of a similar age, discuss topics and issues about parenting and caring for yourself and your baby and find out how to access services available to you in the community.

This group is available to parents of infants under four months.

Please book well in advance due to popularity. For bookings call Central Health Intake on 5124 9977 between 8am and 5pm, Monday to Friday and 8am to 3.30pm on Wednesday.
 

Online understanding your baby information session

Understanding your baby information sessions provides information on infant behaviour and development, infant cue-based care to support feeding, play, sleep and settling infants from birth to 3 months.

Partners, support people of babies from birth to 3 months are welcome to attend an online information and advice session. To book into a session visit Eventbrite. These information sessions will be via Webex, and you will be sent the link before the session.

Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding support is available from various services within Canberra Health Services and the ACT community.

We also offer face to face booked consultations for breastfeeding support in the child health clinic, at home or via Telehealth. To book an appointment call the Early Pregnancy and Parenting support line on 02 5124 1775. For other appointments please call Central Health Intake on 02 5124 9977 from 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday and 8am to 3:30pm on Wednesdays.

You can also speak to your GP about any questions or concerns you may have about breastfeeding.

Telephone breastfeeding support for families

There are many support services available over the phone to give you information and advice about breastfeeding:

• Early Pregnancy and Parenting Support line
  
  The Early Pregnancy and Parenting Support phone line has been established to support families with early pregnancy, child health and development, breastfeeding and maternal emotional wellbeing concerns.
  
  Call 5124 1775 anytime and leave a voicemail with your name, best contact number and reason for your call and a health professional will return your call.
   
• Australian Breastfeeding Association
  
  The Australian Breastfeeding Association runs the National Breastfeeding Helpline 1800 mum to mum (1800 686 268) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
  
  This service is staffed by trained volunteer counsellors who answer calls on a roster system in their own home.
   
• Pregnancy, Birth and Baby (operated by HealthDirect Australia)
  
  Supporting parents on the journey from pregnancy to preschool.
  
  Speak to a Maternal and Child Health Nurse for personal advice and guidance on pregnancy, birth, being a parent and raising a child.
  
  1800 882 436 
  
  Available 7am to midnight, 7 days a week (including public holidays)
   
• Mothersafe
  
  For support and information with medications while breastfeeding call 1800 647 848.
  
  For more information visit our Breastfeeding webpage or refer to your maternity record or your baby’s ACT Personal Health Record (blue book) for more information on what other supports are available to you.

When a baby starts to cry, and you feel your emotions rise, it’s time to take a break. Try using calming exercises or put your baby down, close your eyes and take long, deep breaths.

Keep your baby monitor close and check in on your baby with a quick visit evert 10 to 15 minutes or until you feel calm enough to pick them up.

If this doesn’t work, reach out and call someone you feel comfortable talking to.

You can also try using some of the relaxation methods below:

• listen to music
• take a warm bath
• exercise
• watch TV
• continue with your usual routines
• talk to someone
• remember to laugh often
• sleep when your baby sleeps

Contact the MACH Nursing Service through the Central Health Intake line on 02 5124 9977, speak to your GP or visit the Period of PURPLE Crying website.