Maternal & Child Health

Our Maternal & Child Health nurses provide personalised guidance on all aspects of infant feeding, including breastfeeding techniques, managing milk supply, positioning and attachment, and support for parents who choose to bottle‑feed.

Families receive tailored support to navigate physical and emotional recovery following birth. This includes advice on wound care, managing discomfort, understanding normal postpartum changes, and promoting emotional wellbeing.

Parents are offered practical strategies to help their baby develop healthy sleep habits. This may include support with establishing routines, understanding sleep patterns, learning settling techniques, and responding to common sleep difficulties.

This program includes fortnightly group sessions for parents at either Wonthaggi or San Remo Maternal Child Health. We can also provide one-on-one support with sleep settling issues at parents’ request in homes, at centres or via telehealth.

Sleep settling group topics include:

• Typical sleep patterns and behaviours
• Improving sleep concerns
• Solutions and strategies for sleep concerns
• Support and self-care.

These are ages specific to:

• Infant - birth to six months, completed in the first-time parent group
• Baby: 6-12 months
• Toddler: 12 months to 2.5 years

Nurses regularly check your child’s growth, including weight, length, and head circumference, and monitor developmental milestones. They assist parents in understanding age‑appropriate behaviours, identifying early signs of concern, and celebrating developmental progress.

Families receive clear information about recommended childhood vaccines, the purpose of each immunisation, and the schedule for when they are due. Nurses can also direct parents to local Council immunisation sessions and answer questions about vaccine safety and preparation.

Guidance is provided on creating a safe home environment, preventing injuries, and managing everyday childhood illnesses such as colds, fevers, and minor infections.

Support is available for the whole family, covering parenting challenges, family relationships, and maintaining physical and emotional health. Nurses can assist with strategies for strengthening family connections and link parents to counselling or community services.

Comprehensive assessments on growth and development are conducted at key points from the first home visit through to 3.5 years to optimise children’s growth and development, and to provide early detection of any concerns that may require additional support. These checks may include developmental screening, vision and hearing considerations, behavioural observations, and discussions about nutrition, sleep, and overall wellbeing.