After your baby is born, a maternal and child health nurse from your local area will visit your home.
Maternal and child health nurses work in partnership with families to care for babies and young children until they start school. The service is free for all Victorian families.
You will visit a maternal and child health nurse at 10 key ages and stages from birth to three and a half years.
Your nurse can help you with things like breastfeeding and feeding your child; sleep and settling, making sure your child is growing, learning and developing well; being a parent and looking after yourself.
This is your first key age and stage visit with a maternal and child health nurse – there are 10 visits in total from the birth of your baby to when your child is three and a half years.
On this first visit, a nurse from your local community usually comes to your home. The rest of the appointments will be at a maternal and child health service in your municipality.
The purpose of these visits is to check how you and your child are progressing, obtain advice and address any issues you may have.
Don't forget your 'green book'
When your baby was born, you should have received a copy of My Health, Learning and Development – green book. This book belongs to you and your baby and is full of information about early child development, and services and support.
Make sure you take your green book with you each time you see your nurse so you can jot down any issues, and record information on your baby's growth and development.
If you don't have a green book, let your nurse know.
What happens at my first maternal and child health visit?
This visit is a chance for you and your maternal and child health nurse to get to know each other and talk about any concerns.
Even at this very young age, your newborn is ready to learn about the world around them. They might be:
spending lots of time sleeping, feeding and crying
turning their eyes towards lights and sounds
making sudden jerky movements when asleep
grasping your fingers when you place them in your baby's hand
looking into your eyes.
Never shake a baby
Babies may cry for long periods, and it can be stressful or overwhelming for parents and carers. If you are finding it difficult to cope, place your baby in a safe place and seek support. Learn more about the dangers of shaking a baby and where to get help in Never shake a baby.
What to tell your nurse
Don't be afraid to tell your nurse about any other issues or concerns you may have.
Activity ideas for this key age and stage
It's never too early to help your baby learn and develop – you may like to:
respond quickly and lovingly when they seek your attention
smile and make facial expressions at them.
This page has been produced in consultation with and approved
by:
