health home visiting & early childhood health services

Being a new parent can be tough, especially finding out what support is available in the first weeks of your child’s life.

Under Families NSW, new parents are offered a visit from a child and family health nurse within the first two weeks after the baby is born.

At this visit, the nurse will check the baby’s health and development including measuring weight, length and head circumference.

The nurse will also talk to parents about how they are coping and help resolve any issues parents have with feeding, settling and sleeping.

These visits may be an opportunity for parents to improve their parenting skills and better understand their child’s development.

The nurse can also put parents in touch with support services and community groups in their local area.

Early childhood health services

Early childhood health services are provided statewide, by child and family health nurses.

Child and family health nurses can help new parents learn how to care for babies and young children.

They also support parents in understanding how to maintain their own health.

Parents will receive information about local early childhood services from staff in maternity units.

Early childhood health centres are also listed in the phone book under Early Childhood Health Centres or Community Health Centres.