Expecting a baby or child is an exciting time – there is a lot to think about and organise. The good news is that in the City of Boroondara, there are many support services and resources to draw on.
Before the birth
- Go to your antenatal appointments.
- Book a birthing class at your hospital or health service.
- If you're planning to breastfeed, check out the classes and resources on the Australian Breastfeeding Association website.
- Make sure you and your family are up-to-date with your vaccinations.
- Use the checklist of things to organise before the birth of your baby, available on the Department of Health and Human Services website.
- Find an approved rear-facing child restraint using the child restraint tool on the Child car seats website. You can also find help to properly fit your child's restraint or booster seat on the VicRoads Child restraint fitting stations page.
- Look into childcare for your baby if you need it. Childcare places are in high demand in our area. You can use our Childcare page to see what services are nearby.
- Learn about postnatal depression and how it can affect you and your family on our Postnatal and Antenatal depression page
- Learn about family violence. Women are at greater risk of experiencing violence from their partner during pregnancy, as well as up to one month after the birth. You can find out more on our Family violence page.
- Join the Boroondara Library Service to access books and online resources on pregnancy, parenting, health and learning. Go to our Membership page to find out more, or you can contact our expert staff using our online Ask a librarian form for help finding what you need.
Death of a baby: Miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal death (death of a newborn infant) can be a shattering event for parents, their families, and their community. You can find support and advice for coping on our Death of a baby page.
After the birth
- Expect a call from the Maternal and Child Health Service (MCH) to organise your first visit, which is usually at your home. After the first visit, the 2-week, 4-week, 8-week and the rest of the 10 key age and stage visits, will be at a MCH centre. In addition to key age and stage visits the MCH also provides:
- breastfeeding support
- sleep and settling outreach
- infant and child CPR and childhood illness classes
- baby massage
- Small talk playgroups for vulnerable families
- Chinese and Japanese playgroups, and more.
Learn more about the MCH service on our Maternal and Child Health services page.
- Update your free 'My Health, Learning and Development Record', better known as 'the green book', and find out about the Victorian Government's free MCH app on the Better Health Victoria website
- If you're a first-time parent or carer, you'll receive a Baby Bundle from the Victorian Government. It contains useful information, resources and products to support the health, development and wellbeing of babies. You can find out more about this on the Better Health Victoria website.
- Use our immunisation calculator tool to see when your baby is due for their vaccinations and add those dates to your calendar.
Parenting resources
- Go to a parent's group organised for you by the MCH service. Facilitated groups are available for parents with additional needs.
- Go to a parent's information session.
- Find evidence-based information and advice on pregnancy and birth on the Raising Children website, and advice for parents of newborns on the Raising Children website.
- Explore the types and benefits of reusable nappies that are available for your baby on The Nappy Project website.
- Join a toy library., you can find out more about this on our Toy libraries page.
Other services in Boroondara
- Camberwell Multiple Birth Association: support for parents of twins, triplets or more
- Boroondara Family Network: support for parents with babies and very young children who are suffering stress in parenting.
Support and advice
- Maternal and Child Health service (MCH): email [email protected] or call 9278 4606.
After hours
- Maternal and Child Health Line: free advice from a qualified MCH nurse for children from birth to school age, 24-hours a day, 7 days a week. Call 13 22 29.
- Parentline: free counselling and advice for parents and carers of children from birth to 18 years old, 8am to midnight, 7 days a week. Call 13 22 89.
- The National Breastfeeding Helpline: breastfeeding knowledge and help with overcoming common hurdles, 24-hours a day, 7 days a week. Call 1800 686 268.
Find health information
To find quality assured, reliable, up-to-date and easy to understand health information on healthy pregnancy, visit the Victorian Government's Better Health Channel website.
Need advice now?
If your situation is an emergency, you should always call 000 or go to an emergency department at a hospital.