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
- Attend your antenatal appointments.
- Book a birthing class at your hospital or health service.
- If you are planning to breastfeed, check out the Australian Breastfeeding Association's classes and resources.
- Make sure you and your family are up-to-date with your immunisations.
- Use the Department of Health and Human Service's checklist of things to organise before the birth of your baby
- Fit an approved rear-facing child restraint in your car
- Start looking into childcare for your baby if you will need it. Childcare places are in high demand in our area.
- Learn about postnatal depression and how it can affect you and your family.
- 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.
- Join the Boroondara Library Service to access books and online resources on pregnancy, parenting, health and learning. Contact our expert staff to get 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. Find support and advice for coping with the death of a baby.
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 Maternal and Child Health 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
- Smalltalk playgroups for vulnerable families
- Chinese and Japanese playgroups, and more...
Learn more about the Maternal and Child Health service.
- Update your free 'My Health, Learning and Development Record', better known as 'the green book'.
- Download the Victorian Government's free Maternal and Child Health app
- 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.
- Use our immunisation dates calculator to see when your baby is due for scheduled immunisations and add those dates to your calendar.
Parenting resources
- Attend a parent's group organised for you by the Maternal and Child Health service. Facilitated groups are available for parents with additional needs.
- Attend a parent's information session.
- Join the Boroondara Library Service to access books and online resources on parenting, health and learning. Contact our expert staff to get help finding what you need.
- Find evidence-based information on pregnancy and advice for parents of newborns at the Raising Children Network.
- Join a toy library.
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
You can use the Victorian Government's Better Health Channel tool below to find quality assured, reliable, up-to-date and easy to understand health information on healthy pregnancy.*
*The Better Health Channel website is managed and authorised by the Department of Health and Human Services, State Government of Victoria, Australia. The site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information.
Content on the City of Boroondara website is provided for information purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. This information is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional.
Need advice now?
If your situation is an emergency, you should always call 000 or go to an emergency department at a hospital.