Victoria's hub for health services and business
A gateway to the strategies, policies, programs and services delivered by the Department of Health & Human Services.
Victorian government portal for older people, with information about government and community services and programs.
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Being immunised from an early age helps protect your child against serious childhood infections...
There is a range of subsidised and free health services, including services for mental health and dental health, available for children in Victoria...
For children diagnosed with a disability, getting the support they need as early as possible will give them the best chance of minimising the long-term effects of the disability...
Everyone's immunisation needs are different and are influence by your health, lifestyle, age and occupation...
Your local maternal and child health service will be a great source of support after your baby is born...
No Jab No Play – from 1 January 2016, all parents/guardians seeking to enrol their child at an early childhood service in Victoria must provide evidence that the child is fully immunised for their age...
Parenting is one of the most important tasks we undertake but it doesn't always come naturally...
If your baby is full-term and healthy, mild jaundice is nothing to worry about and will resolve by itself within a week or so...
Every newborn baby in Australia is offered a newborn screening test to identify those at risk of rare, but serious, medical conditions...
PKU is an inherited disorder that prevents the normal breakdown of a protein found in some foods...
Sometimes premature labour can be delayed to increase a baby's chance of survival...
You can reduce your baby's risk of sudden unexpected death by providing a safe sleeping environment and avoiding tobacco smoke...
With low levels of vitamin K, some babies can have severe bleeding into the brain, causing significant brain damage...
Pregnant women with asthma need to continue to take their asthma medication as it is important to the health of both mother and baby that the mother's asthma is well managed...
Be guided by your baby and let them set the pace when weaning and introducing solid foods...
Breastmilk or commercial infant formula is necessary for all babies less than 12 months...
Breastfeeding positioning and attachment come naturally to some babies and mothers, but many need time and practice to get it right...
Breastmilk protects your baby from illness and infection, so it is the safest drink for your baby while travelling...
You can successfully combine breastfeeding with work if you have support from your employer, colleagues and family...
Breastfeeding women need to eat regularly and include a wide variety of healthy foods in their diet...
Mastitis affects some breastfeeding women and may be caused by blocked milk ducts or a bacterial infection...
Your nipples may be sensitive in the first few days after birth, but nipple pain is not a normal part of breastfeeding...
It is up to you and your baby to decide when breastfeeding should stop...
Expressing breast milk by hand is a cheap and convenient method...
Let your baby feed as much as they want in the first few days to help establish good breastfeeding patterns...
Breastfeeding within the first hour after birth allows your baby to behave instinctively and breastfeed with little intervention...
Before six months, breastmilk or formula is the only food and drink that your baby needs...
Symptoms of lactose intolerance include bloating, gas, abdominal pain and diarrhoea...
Infants in the first eight weeks have no control over their movements and all their physical activity is involuntary or reflex...
Young babies still have a notion that the whole of life is happening inside themselves, and they are 'making it all happen'...
Fun activities, such as shaking or banging objects, helps a baby understand they have an effect on the world...
At nine months your baby is moving around by crawling or pulling along with their arms. Safety is very important now. Your baby is also 'talking' with recognisable sounds and may even say simple words...
Between the age of one and two, your toddler understands they are a completely separate person from you...
Parents can be tricked into thinking our toddlers are more grown up than they really are...
A child learning to walk receives important sensory information from the soles of their feet, and shoes can make walking more difficult...
Babies and young children do not usually grow in a perfectly smooth way, but instead grow in 'bursts'...
Teething symptoms are common in children and can be managed without medications...
When toilet training your toddler, praise every little success and remain calm about accidents...
Teach your children to sort out minor differences themselves... 10 tips for managing sibling rivalry...
Be a positive role model ... 10 tips to raise an optimistic child...
You can help your child overcome anxiety by taking their fears seriously and encouraging them to talk about their feelings...
If your child's shyness is especially debilitating, you may like to consider professional help from a counsellor or psychologist...
Sibling rivalry is a common problem, particularly among children who are the same sex and close together in age...
Disciplining your child means teaching them responsible behaviour and self-control...
Dummy sucking should stop before school age to avoid teeth or mouth problems...
If your child is naturally left-handed, don't try to force them to use their right hand...
When a young child is having a tantrum, it is because the emotional (limbic system) part of the brain is dominating the child's behaviour...
Finger or thumb sucking should stop before school age to avoid mouth problems...
If you restrict yourself to a narrow range of foods, your child will notice and copy your wariness...
Some toddlers do most of their eating on the run, refusing to sit down at the table at all...
Children who skip breakfast may lack sufficient vitamins and minerals including iron, calcium, zinc and vitamin B2...
Childcare centres should provide healthy meals for your children...
If you eat and enjoy fruit and vegetables every day, your child may eventually follow your lead...
First foods for babies can be prepared easily and cheaply at home without salt, seasonings and sweeteners...
Offer children the same foods as the family, with a variety of textures and flavours for balanced nutrition...
Children have a natural ability to sense when they are hungry and when they are full...
Encourage children to drink and enjoy water. Sweet drinks such as juice, cordial and soft drinks may cause health problems for children if consumed in large amounts...
Children should have an oral health check by the time they turn two...
Vaccinations are encouraged for all individuals living in the state of Victoria, Australia. The immunisation program in Victoria may be different than other countries, and individuals who have moved...
Melissa shares her story of how her baby caught chickenpox at 5 weeks old...
If your child is old enough, involve them in planning a trip so they can get excited about it...
Parents and children talk about some of the factors that can cause a child's asthma to flare up...
Children with back pain may grow into adults with chronic bad backs, so it is important to encourage sensible back care...
Bedwetting is a problem for many children and punishing them for it will only add to their distress...
Bronchiolitis is a common chest infection in babies under six months of age...
Caring for a crying baby with colic can be stressful, so take some time out to calm down...
A healthy diet, plenty of fluids, exercise and regular toilet habits can help relieve constipation in children...
Cradle cap is not contagious and it is not caused by poor hygiene or bad parenting...
Croup is a viral infection of the throat and windpipe that causes noisy breathing, a hoarse voice and a harsh, barking cough...
Fever is a way in which the body fights infection. A fever is not dangerous and does not always indicate a serious illness...
Gastroenteritis or Gastro can be dangerous for very young babies. Gastro is common in young children and spreads easily. Gastro is a bowel infection which causes diarrhoea (runny or watery poo) and...
Most babies get nappy rash at some stage, no matter how well they are cared for...
Roseola is a mild viral infection with associated fever and rash that affects babies and young children...
Some children are unsettled the first few nights in a 'big bed'. Try to be patient, loving and reassuring...
Sleeping habits are learned, so try to set up a bedtime routine for your baby as soon as you can...
A child needs a daytime nap until they are around two and a half to three years of age...
Your child may have only a few scary dreams a year, or be troubled by nightmares much more often...
Children should always be closely supervised near animals and taught how to behave safely around pets...
Most injuries to babies do not occur by chance - many are predictable and largely preventable...
As they grow and develop, and with the help of adults, children become increasingly aware of how they can manage their own safety and become safer road and bicycle users...
Most hot tap water scald injuries to children happen in the bathroom...
By making a few practical changes to your home, you can dramatically reduce the risk of injury to your child...
The best way to reduce the risk of injury to children is to remove a potentially dangerous item or add a safety product...
Taking care to restrain children correctly while travelling in a car is the best way to prevent injuries...
Children are commonly injured by poking objects inside appliances or electrical power points, or by playing with appliances...
Children exposed to domestic violence are more likely to experience emotional and behavioural problems...
Children who live on farms are at greater risk of injury and death than their parents or other farm workers...
Babies and children can quickly lose body fluids in hot weather, which can lead to dehydration...
Play environments can be safe and beneficial for your child. With proper planning, you can make sure your child gets plenty of playtime activity...
Call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 immediately if you suspect your child has been poisoned or given the wrong medicine or the wrong dose of medicine...
As they grow and develop, and with the help of adults, children become increasingly aware of how they can manage their own safety, and become safer road users...
Supervise your child around water at all times. This means actively watching them and keeping them within arm’s reach...
Child Protection provides child-centred, family-focused services to protect children from harm caused by abuse within the family...
Miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal death is a shattering event for those expecting a baby, and for their families. Grief, relationship stresses and anxiety about subsequent pregnancies are common in...
Babies and toddlers can be as affected by trauma as any other family member...
Tell your child the facts about a distressing or frightening experience using language they can understand...
Preschoolers may not have the words but will show their distress at traumatic events through changes in behaviour and functioning...
Children (up to 14) are more sensitive to the effects of breathing in smoke from fires. Their symptoms can be worse at lower smoke concentrations compared to other people.There are steps you can take to avoid smoke and protect their health.
Provides immediate, expert health advice from a registered nurse. Call 1300 60 60 24
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