Our Maternal and Child Health (MACH) service cares for children (up to 5 years) and supports parents/carers with information and health advice for maternal and child health and development, breastfeeding and emotional wellbeing concerns.
Our nurses are Registered Nurses/ Midwifes and hold additional qualifications in maternal, child and family health.
Maternal and Child Health (MACH) services
Breastfeeding Support (MACH)
Supports parents/carers with information and advice about breastfeeding.
Early Childhood Immunisation (MACH)
Immunisation for babies and children under six years of age
Early Pregnancy and Parenting Support Line (MACH)
Support for early pregnancy, maternal and child health, breastfeeding and parenting concerns.
First Home Visits (MACH)
First home visits for all ACT families with a newborn baby.
Maternal and Child Health (MACH) booked appointments and child health checks
Health checks, information and support on a range of parenting issues.
New Parent Groups (MACH)
A four-week program run by our Maternal and Child Health (MACH) nurses.
Understanding Your Baby Information Session (MACH)
Provides information on infant behaviour and development, infant cue-based care to support feeding, play, sleep and settling.
Other services and clinics
Adolescent Mobile Outreach Service
Provides assessment and treatment for adolescents aged 13-18 years with moderate to severe mental illness who experience barriers to accessing mainstream services.
Allergy Clinic
Cares for and treats people with allergies.
CAMHS Cottage (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service)
A day program for young people who have moderate to severe mental health issues which impacts their ability to attend school.
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) Community Teams
Provides assessment and treatment for children and young people, who are experiencing moderate to severe mental health difficulties.
Child and Adolescent Mental Health service (CAMHS) Hospital Liaison Team
Assesses children and young people who visit our Emergency Department with mental health vulnerabilities.
Child at Risk Health Unit (CARHU)
Provides medical and counselling support for children and their families where there are concerns of child abuse and neglect.
Childhood Early Intervention Team
School-based early intervention program for children beginning to display some behavioural or mental health concerns
Children's Asthma Education Service (CAES)
Provides children, young people and their families with education and support to manage their asthma
Children's Eye Screening
A secondary vision screening service for children from birth to 6 years.
Children's Hearing Service
Provides a full hearing assessment for children aged 18 months to 18 years.
Community Paediatric and Child Health Service
Cares for children aged between 0 – 16 with behavioural concerns, developmental concerns, or disability.
Dental - Child and Youth
A range of dental services to eligible children and young people.
Dermatology (Skin clinic)
Cares for and treats people with problems relating to their skin, hair, and nails.
Diabetes service
Provides care to help treat and educate adults and adolescents with all types of diabetes.
Early Parenting Counselling
Help for parents and families experiencing emotional, social and psychological difficulties.
Early Pregnancy Information Session
Learn about having a baby in the public hospital system in Canberra.
Endocrinology service
Provides treatment and management to adults with general endocrinology conditions.
Fracture Clinic
Reviews and manages newly identified fractures.
Genetic Counselling
Counselling for people with medical problems that may be caused by genes.
High School Immunisation Program
The Child and Adolescent Immunisation Team visit all high schools in the ACT to administer the High School Vaccination Program.
Immunology Clinic
Cares for and treats people with autoimmune, autoinflammatory and immune deficiency illnesses.
Kindergarten Health Check
All children are offered a Kindergarten Health Check in their first year of primary school.
Mums and Bubs Physiotherapy Service
Assessment, information, early intervention and prevention for people who have given birth in the previous 12 months, and infants under 12 months.
Newborn and Parent Support Service (NAPSS)
Assessment, advice and support for parents of high-risk newborns and infants with additional needs who've been in NICU or SCN
Newborn Hearing Screening Program
Provides hearing tests for babies born or living in the ACT.
NICU Growth and Development Follow-up Clinic
Monitors the long-term growth and development of babies at risk who have required Neonatal Intensive Care.
Paediatric Clinic
Cares for and treats people with a wide range of medical conditions, from newborns to teenagers.
Paediatric Diabetes Clinic
Provides care and treatment for children and teenagers with diabetes
Paediatric Endocrine Clinic
Provides care and treatment for infants, children and teenagers with hormonal problems.
Paediatric Gastroenterology Clinic
Provides care and treatment for babies, children and teenagers with problems affecting the digestive system and liver.
Paediatric Physiotherapy
Provides physiotherapy for babies, children and adolescents.
Paediatric Respiratory Clinic
Provides care, diagnosis and treatment for babies, children and teenagers with problems affecting the lungs and breathing.
Paediatric Sleep Clinic
Provides care and treatment for babies, children and teenagers with problems affecting their sleep.
Paediatric Surgical Clinic
Cares for and treats people with a wide range of conditions which may require surgery, from newborns to teenagers.
Play Therapy
Provides age-appropriate play therapy for children and young people at the Centenary Hospital for Women and Children.
Postnatal Follow-up Clinic
For babies who require a medical review, or follow-up.
Rheumatology Service
Cares for and treats people with problems relating to joints, muscles, bones, and the immune system.
School Health Service
Provides young people with access to a health professional in the school setting.
School Kids Intervention Program (SKIP)
For families with children aged 4 to 12 years who are overweight or obese.
Specialist Youth Mental Health Outreach Team
Provides support and treatment for young people experiencing their first episode of psychosis, or at ultra-high risk of developing psychosis.
Women, Youth and Children - Nutrition
Provides free nutrition advice for children, young people, pregnant women, and women in the first two years after birth.
Support when your baby is crying
When a baby starts to cry, and you feel your emotions rise, it’s time to take a break.
Try using calming exercises or put your baby down, close your eyes and take long, deep breaths.
Keep your baby monitor close and check in on your baby with a quick visit every 10 to 15 minutes or until you feel calm enough to pick them up.
If this doesn’t work, reach out and call someone you feel comfortable talking to.
You can also try using some of the relaxation methods below:
- listen to music
- take a warm bath
- exercise
- watch TV
- continue with your usual routines
- talk to someone
- remember to laugh often
- sleep when your baby sleeps
Contact MACH through Central Health Intake, speak to your GP or visit the Period of Purple Crying website.
