Maternal and Child Health

The Maternal and Child Health Service is jointly funded by the Victorian State Government and Benalla Rural City Council.

The service is free for families with children aged from birth to six years.

The service is designed to provide parents with support, advice and information about child and family health.

  • Health and development assessments at ten key stages of development
  • Parenting information and guidance
  • Centre based consultations and home visits
  • Referrals to other services as required
  • Information on family activities in the community

Appointments are available from Monday to Friday at the Benalla Community Care Centre, 45 Coster Street, Benalla. Call 03 5761 4500 for more information or to make an appointment.

First Time Parents Group

Kangaroo and joey

This group is open to all first time parents. It runs once a week over 8 weeks. Topics covered include:  

  • Sleep
  • Women's and family health
  • Commencing solids
  • Importance of play
  • Dental health
  • Returning to work

A great way to find out new things about bringing up your baby, ask questions, exchange ideas and meet other new parents. 

New groups commence 3-4 times a year.

To find out more and to register your interest, phone Maternal and Child Health on 03 5761 4500 or fill in the form below.

First Time Parents Group for Dads

Become a Super Dad! Image of dad with baby

Join our First Time Parents Group just for Dads. 

Facilitated by dad Daniel King (social worker) and Julia Lamb (nurse/paramedic), and one of our maternal and child health nurses, the group will discuss and learn about topics like:

  • Becoming a new dad
  • Family wellbeing
  • Baby development and commencing solids
  • CPR and childhood illnesses
  • End of term lunch or dinner

Sessions will run over five weeks from 5.30pm to 7.30pm with the exception of our CPR and Childhood Illnesses session, which will run from 6-8pm

To join this program, phone Maternal & Child Health on 5761 4500 or fill in the form to register your interest.

New groups start 2-4 times a year, depending on demand.

Maternal and Child Health App

We know that finding information online is a time saver and allows you to do your research at any time of day. However, finding trusted sources of information can be difficult, and it can be challenging to know which information is correct.  

Developed by trusted MCH services, the MCH App allows users to ask questions of digital assistant Nora, and provides reminders about upcoming MCH appointments and seasonal information. It also offers a list of useful contacts and FAQs that link to a trusted online source. 

You can download the MCH App for free on Google Play or the Apple App Store. 

 

INFANT Sessions

Do you want the latest information on feeding, play and sleep and settling for your baby? 

Come along to our next group session for babies aged around three, six, nine and twelve months.

10am - 12pm, Wednesday 11 September 2024

10am - 12pm, Monday 30 September 2024

10am - 12pm, Monday 21 October 2024

10am - 12pm, Monday 11 November 2024

10am - 12pm, Monday 16 December 2024

For the latest information on the INFANT program and sleep and settling your baby, visit the following links. 

INFANT Program

Maternal Child Health - Sleep and Settling