FIRST time parents can have a difficult task and that’s why Singleton Community Health Centre offers a free Child and Family Health Nurse Service to help parents.
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All mums in the area are offered a first time home visit from nurses about seven to 14 days after the birth of their child.
Parents can discuss their family health plan with the nurse or any additional details they need cleared up.
After their first visit parents are asked to ring Community Health to book an appointment at the offices for further check-ups or if they have any issues they wanted to discuss.
The main focus of the clinic is to do development checks on the baby to make sure if they are progressing at a normal rate.
Key checks are held at 1-4 weeks, 6-8 weeks, 6-8 months, 12 months, 18 months, two years, three years and four years.
If anything comes of the testing early intervention can help with the child’s development.
“It’s a support service that offers education and information relating to new borns up to four-year-olds,” family health nurse Helen Clendinning said.
“We do tests on speech, mental growth, motor skills and eye screening and also help the mothers with post natal depression and other concerns.
“It is a partnership approach though, with parents having the final say or visiting however many times they wish to.”
Some of the topics covered include breastfeeding, sleep, nutrition and feeding and immunisation.
“We find a lot of the people who enjoy the program are new to the area, we also run a five week parenting group session as well and it’s a great way for mums to make good friendships,”
“Often the mums will form their own groups afterwards and meet for coffee or walking.
“The great thing about the service is that the nurses can recommend some of the other services provided at Singleton Community Health Centre.”
For more information contact the Singleton Community Health Centre on 6571 9248 between 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.
