This group provides an opportunity for parents with new babies to gain information and support and meet other new parents from their local area.
New parents groups are held weekly for seven weeks.
Groups start when the baby is two to three months old.
How to book
Ask your maternal and child health nurse for information, call 03 9433 3368 to find out more or complete our contact form and an MCH team member will call you back.
Nillumbik MCH breastfeeding support
These sessions are available for Parents experiencing issues with breastfeeding.
Sessions are held weekly on alternate Monday and Wednesdays.
Mondays at Eltham Maternal and Child Health Centre, 905 Main Road, Eltham.
Wednesdays at Diamond Creek MCH Centre, 28 Main Hurstbridge Road, Diamond Creek.
How to book
Ask your maternal and child health nurse for information, call 9433 3368 to make a booking or complete our contact form and an MCH team member will call you back.
Australian Breastfeeding Association
The ABA also offers breastfeeding education classes, breast pumps for hire and a range of other services.
More information
Visit Australian Breastfeeding Association.
Free information sessions are available to help you understand your baby’s sleep needs and to support you to make changes that will help you get more sleep.
We offer sessions for specific age groups:
- Newborn (birth to five months) - sessions are held once a month
- Babies (six to 12 months) - sessions are held twice a month
- Toddlers (12 months and beyond) - sessions are held twice a month
How to book
Complete our contact form, speak to your nurse at your next appointment or call MCH admin on 9433 3368.
More information about sleep and settling can be found on the Better Health Channel.
Whittlesea Early Parenting Centre
You can get additional assistance from the Whittlesea Early Parenting Centre.
Complete an online referral or contact your Maternal and Child Health Nurse.
INFANT is designed to help parents and families with healthy eating and active play from the start of their baby’s life.
INFANT consists of face-to face group sessions for parents/caregivers led by a nurse or other practitioner, with content reinforced via a mobile app. It is designed to promote healthy eating, increase active play and reduce screen time for infants from birth until two years of age.
INFANT provides an opportunity for parents to support each other’s learning through shared experiences, tips and strategies.
2024 Infant program dates
Tuesday sessions run 10:30am – 12pm
Thursday and Friday sessions run 1:30pm – 3pm
6 month infant sessions 2024
- Tuesday 23 April 2024
- Thursday 23 May 2024
- Friday 21 June 2024
- Tuesday 23 July 2024
- Thursday 22 August 2024
- Tuesday 17 September 2024
- Thursday 24 October 2024
- Friday 15 November 2024
- Thursday 5 December 2024
How to book
To book in a session, complete our contact form or call 9433 3368.
More information
Find out more details about the program at the INFANT website.
Supported playgroups are a safe and friendly place for you and your child to have fun, learn and play while sharing parenting tips and support. Children can attend supported playgroups until they are school-aged.
Supported playgroups are about sharing strategies to support your child’s learning and development.
Coming to supported playgroup can help improve your child’s learning, development and wellbeing through:
- enhancing interactions with your child in a stimulating environment
- supporting your parenting skills and confidence
Sessions are free to attend and run each week during school terms. Sessions are facilitated by an early years professional.
Smalltalk
Smalltalk is a set of evidence-based strategies that introduce parents to a number of parenting essentials that lead to optimal child outcomes.
Sessions are planned and delivered by a trained facilitator who utilises Smalltalk practices and principles. Smalltalk aims to increase parents’ confidence to have a positive impact on their child’s learning.
In addition, in-home support is available for eligible families.
More information
Speak to your Maternal and Child Health nurse for more information or email playgroups@nillumbik.vic.gov.au. Eligibility criteria applies.
Best Start is a Victorian Government initiative that is funded and administered by the Department of Education and Training.
The Best Start program supports families, caregivers and communities to provide the best possible environment, experiences and care for children from birth to eight years of age.
The Nillumbik Best Start program focuses on children and families within Nillumbik experiencing vulnerability and disadvantage, and all Aboriginal children.
The program aims to ensure all children have access to quality early childhood experiences through maternal and child health services, supported playgroups and early years programs including kindergarten.
More information
For further information contact the Best Start Facilitator Sue Malone on 9433 3190 or email sue.malone@nillumbik.vic.gov.au.
Find out more about the Victorian Government's Best Start program.
This program is for parents with children under six years who are experiencing challenges due to isolation, post natal depression, illness, disability or multiple births.
A volunteer mentor will be matched with a family to provide one-on-one support for around four hours a week for up to 12 months.
Mentors can assist parents by increasing parenting confidence and connecting with other parents and community networks. Mentors also provide practical and emotional support and can help parents to get to appointments, go out for a walk or do the shopping.
Families are usually referred by their MCH nurse or other health professionals.
More information
Ask your MCH nurse for information, call 03 9433 3368 to find out more or complete our contact form and an MCH team member will call you back.
Could you be an IHFM volunteer mentor?
Have you reached a time in life that you want to give back, make lasting new connections locally, and help a young family develop their parenting confidence?
In-Home Family Mentor volunteers receive full training to make a huge difference to a local family. They provide a caring, evidence-based, one-to-one support. Many of our mentors have a professional background in midwifery, nursing or early years, and tell us that the impact they have on families is deeply rewarding.
Please call 9433 3368 to discuss the role or apply via our volunteer recruitment page.
Immunisation from an early age helps protect your child against serious childhood infections.
The Immunisation Schedule Victoria outlines the vaccines your child needs and the age at which each vaccine should be given.
Your maternal and child health nurse will provide more information about your child's immunisations.
How to book
Find out more about immunisations in Nillumbik and how to book an immunisation appointment.
To support parents, carers and grandparents of children and young people, we are pleased to launch the Nillumbik Parenting Hub: Building Resilient Families.
This online portal provides strategies and tools to help families strengthen their skills in providing positive support to children and young people, and responding effectively during the most challenging times.
Find out more about the Nillumbik Parenting Hub.
healthAbility promotes and supports the health and wellbeing of the Nillumbik community through a range of affordable health services.
They provide a range of prevention, early intervention, service coordination, treatment and support services and programs.
Visit healthAbility.
Child development
Breastfeeding
Child safety
Mental health