Our Maternal, Child and Family Health service supports parents/carers with information and advice about breastfeeding.
The MACH service is Baby Friendly Health Initiative (BFHI) accredited, supporting families with respectful, informed and inclusive care from the very beginning.
Families who visit the MACH service receive care that is:
- respectful and non-judgmental
- backed by the latest evidence
- tailored to their needs, honouring their feeding choices.
About this service
We offer a range of options for infant feeding support.
These include:
- face to face booked appointments
- an Early Parenting Support phone line.
Who we care for
We care for well children (up to the age of 5 years), and provide support, education and information on all aspects of breastfeeding/infant feeding.
Our services are free to Medicare and Asylum Seeker card holders.
How to access this service
To book an appointment for our breastfeeding support clinics, call the Early Parenting Support phone line to discuss your breastfeeding support needs.
You can also watch an Understanding your baby (0 to 3 months) information session, which covers breastfeeding and other topics.
Talk with your MACH nurse or midwife in your home visit or at child health clinics.
What to expect
A one-hour, one-on-one appointment with an experienced nurse/midwife who has extra qualifications in breastfeeding education.
We will:
- observe a feed (breast or bottle) and conduct a comprehensive infant feeding assessment
- create an individualised feeding plan in partnership with you and your baby
- provide ongoing support and follow up if needed
- offer education and resources to support your feeding journey.
You will receive an SMS reminder with your appointment details. There is also space in your child’s personal health record (Blue Book) to record details of upcoming appointments.
What to bring to your appointment
- List of medicines you are currently taking (or the boxes), including medicines you have bought without a prescription, such as herbal supplements and vitamins.
- Any feeding aids e.g. pillow, nipple shield, breast pump flange, bottle.
- Your child’s personal health record (Blue Book).
Where we’re located
Our breastfeeding support clinics are located at various sites across Canberra:
Northside
- Belconnen Community Health Centre
- Florey Child Health Clinic
- Gungahlin Child and Family Centre
- Inner North (Dickson) Community Health Centre
- Ngunnawal Child Health Clinic
- West Belconnen Child and Family Centre
Southside
- Lanyon Family Centre
- Narrabundah Women, Youth and Children's Clinic
- Phillip Community Health Centre
- Tuggeranong Child and Family Centre
- Canberra Health Services at Molonglo
- Weston Creek Community Health Centre
Resources
There are many breastfeeding resources, fact sheets, and additional information available to support you with advice and information.