Mother Baby Services

The Mother Baby Unit offers inpatient, outpatient and outreach programs to families experiencing difficulties and adjustment following the arrival of a new baby. The unit can accommodate 13 mothers and their babies and can also provide overnight accommodation for fathers.

Inpatient Program
The inpatient unit provides specialised care for families experiencing difficulties in the months following the arrival of a new baby. The Mother Baby Unit offers an inpatient program for babies with sleep and settling difficulties and also for mothers who are experiencing symptoms of depression, agitation, anxiety or adjustment in the weeks and months after childbirth.

The unit caters for babies from 0-12 months of age and the typical length of stay is about four days for the Sleep and Settling program. For mothers experiencing Post-Natal Depression the stay is usually longer, depending on the severity of symptoms

Day Programs
There are a number of programs offered on a day basis:

The 12 Week Day Program is held one day a week for 12 weeks and is designed for mothers experiencing Post-Natal Depression or other adjustment symptoms in the first year after childbirth.
Baby Love. This group is facilitated by Professor Anne Buist and provides education and support for mothers and infants with attachment issues. It runs for 12 weeks x one day a week.
The two hour Sleep and Settling session is a fee for service group run periodically on Saturday mornings. The session is designed to assist families with sleep and settling issues.
0-6 months old babies group 12.45pm-3pm
6-12 months old babies group 9.15-11am

Outreach
The Outreach Team is available to provide in home care for families when hospitalisation is not an option or as an interim measure when there is a waiting list for admission to the Mother Baby Unit. Whether the problem is a baby with sleep, feeding or settling problems or a mother experiencing symptoms of Post-Natal Depression, Outreach staff can offer support and professional health care to help families through difficult times of transition.

Outpatients
For mothers experiencing Post-Natal Depression or symptoms of mental distress an urgent outpatient appointment can be arranged by the Intake Co-ordinator with Professor Buist or one of our other psychiatrists who specialise in Post-Natal Depression and associated disorders.

MOTHER BABY UNIT - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What age does the baby need to be for admission?
The Mother Baby Unit (MBU) takes babies from 0-12 months of age.

What is the typical length of stay?
The length of stay varies according to patient needs and health fund cover. The usual length of stay for the Sleep and Settling program is four nights. For mothers experiencing Post-Natal Depression the stay is usually longer, depending on the severity of the symptoms.

Is it possible to stay less than the recommended period for the sleep and settling program?
Yes, if your doctor is agreeable. To achieve maximum benefit from the program we do encourage you to stay for the recommended period.

Can my husband/partner stay?
Yes, there are facilities for husbands/partners to stay overnight. There is a cost of $57.00 per night, which includes breakfast.

Is there any cost?
Each private health fund has a different contract with Northpark Private Hospital. The cost of your stay will depend on your Private Health fund and the level of insurance that you have. It is important that your baby is covered by your private health insurance as soon as possible after birth. Some levels of health funding may have exclusions, excesses or waiting periods. You will be given an estimated cost of your inpatient stay prior to your admission. You will be billed separately for any diagnostic tests, pharmacology or the services of a paediatrician or psychiatrist.

Speak to the Intake Co-ordinator for more information on fees. Self-funding is possible if you do not have private health insurance - please enquire with Intake staff regarding the cost.

What is covered in the program?
Feeding, sleep and settling program:

Admission and assessment by a Paediatrician.
Education around settling strategies, infant routines, feeding advice.
Individual consultation with nursing staff to guide and support you in making choices about settling strategies that are right for you and your baby.
Support as you learn to put these strategies in place with your baby.
Group discussions with nursing staff and other mothers in the unit based around self care sleep and settling and the first 12 months of baby’s life.

Admission for post natal depression, anxiety, adjustment disorder:

The program is based on a holistic treatment model, which incorporates medical, psychological, and group approaches to care.
Patients are admitted under the care of a psychiatrist.
Group discussion with nursing/therapy staff around post natal depression, anxiety, relaxation and self care.
Education and guidance in the care of the baby.

What sort of food will my baby get?

Infant cereal is available from the unit pantry.
“Solids” and “Finger Foods” including fruit, vegetables and meat will be delivered to the unit at meal times according to your baby’s age and requirements.
The family are responsible for providing formula requirements for their baby.
Individual dietary needs can be catered for. You should advise the Intake Co-ordinator prior to admission of any special food requirements for yourself or your baby.

What settling methods are used in the Mother baby Unit?

We recognise that all families will have different needs.
Our aim is to educate you in settling strategies that may be useful and assist you to identify which strategies are best suited to your family.
An individual plan will be discussed with nursing staff and you will be supported to make appropriate choices for your family.
Nursing staff will support you as you learn to put these strategies in place with your baby.
We help you to identify your baby’s communication patterns and put strategies in place based on the individual responses of your baby and yourself.
Although there may be some tears during the time these strategies are being learnt by you and your baby, we believe that a distressed baby should always be responded to and babies are not “left to cry themselves to sleep”.

How soon can I get a place in the program?
Our Mother Baby Unit is very popular so there is around a two week waiting list. However, this is just an estimate and the time does vary. Sometimes a place comes up quite quickly and at other times there are delays caused by the dynamic nature of the hospital environment.

Can I have visitors?
Yes, visitors are welcome. General visiting hours are from 3pm to 8 pm daily, closed between 1pm and 3pm. However, we do encourage mothers to take the opportunity to get some rest during their stay, so we suggest that visitors are limited.
Immediate family may visit when they wish but are requested to have left the unit by the end of visiting hours (8 pm).

If I am a patient in the hospital can I go out to keep appointments?
Yes, there is no reason you cannot have short periods of leave from the unit. But keep in mind the program is a brief, intensive one so it would be best to try to maximise your time in the unit

Can I leave my baby with the staff while I go out?
This will depend on the reason for admission to Mother Baby Unit. As a general rule we encourage you to care for your baby at all times during your admission to the unit, this includes when you take leave from the unit. We understand that there may be extenuating circumstances and discussion with nursing staff will identify what services are available to you at the time.

Can I bring my older children to stay with me?
Unfortunately, we do not have facilities to accommodate older children.
Your children are welcome to visit with you during the day. We ask that your child remain within your care at all times so that their presence does not cause disturbance to others within the unit.

What if I am ready to come to hospital and the baby gets sick?
Unfortunately if you or your baby is experiencing symptoms of gastroenteritis or any infectious disease we would have to postpone your admission to the unit. As you would appreciate we must ensure the safety of all mothers and babies on the unit at all times.

What if I need more help when I leave hospital?
There are a number of options for ongoing support and assistance. There are several therapeutic programs for mothers run by our therapists covering issues around mood and mental health.

There is also an education/discussion forum held fortnightly on a Saturday that addresses sleep and settling issues. Finally, there is an option of being visited at home by a member of our Outreach Team. These services may be accessed as an alternative or as an adjunct to hospitalisation.

Are there any programs for New Dads?
Fathers are welcome to be involved in the family stay in the unit. We run a regular evening group for fathers on a Thursday night. Our male psychologist is available, on an appointment basis, to provide counselling and assistance to new dads and couples.

How can I find out my progress on the waiting list?
There are specific allocated times to make enquiries regarding your progress on the waiting list. You can ring the Intake Co-ordinator on Tuesday or Thursday afternoon between 1pm and 3pm. We will also ring you and let you know when the admission process has been finalised.

How do I apply for a place in the Mother Baby program?
Step 1
Complete the Application for Admission Form.
* Click here to download the form
or
* Ring and ask to have a form sent out
Ph: 03-9467 6022

Step 2
Complete the form and forward to the Intake.
* Email to: northparkintake@healthscope.com.au
or
* Fax to 03-9467 7186
or
* Mail / hand deliver to Northpark Private Hospital, Corner Plenty and Greenhills Roads, Bundoora, 3083

Step 3
You will be requested to obtain a medical referral from your doctor. Some families will also require a medical report to be completed by the doctor (If required this will be sent out to you or to your doctor). The referral must clearly specify whether the admission is for yourself, for your baby or for both mother and baby. Return these forms as soon as possible to Intake personnel. (see Step 2 above).

Step 4
When we receive the medical referral (and medical report) we will contact you and take further clinical details over the phone. Once we have approval for admission from your health fund we will contact you and put your name on the admission list. At this stage you will be informed of any out of pocket costs that you may have to pay.

Step 5
Admission date and time will be arranged with you, by the Intake Coordinator, via phone. Every effort is made to ensure your admission will go ahead as planned but at times rescheduling to another day may be required

What do I need to bring to hospital?
Pack as though you and your baby are going away for 4 days

Private health insurance details.
Child health care record (blue book).
Sterilising unit for feeding equipment if required.
Expressing equipment if required.

For mother:

Casual day clothing and appropriate footwear.
Nightwear, dressing gown, slippers
Toiletries, tissues, hairdryer, personal needs
Current medications.
Small amount of money for paper / kiosk. (Please do not bring valuables in)

For baby:

Clothes, bibs, bunny rugs.
Toiletries.
Pusher or stroller.
Baby rocker seat.
Bottles teats, bottlebrush, formula, feeding cup and spoon.
Current medications.
Disposable nappies if preferred. (Cloth nappies provided.)
Baby’s favourite toy.

For safety reasons we ask that you do NOT bring the following items into the unit:

Alcohol
Wire coat hangers
Any medication that you are not currently taking.

Download brochures:
Mother Baby Unit and Day Programs
Settling education/discussion group
Baby Love Program

LATEST NEWS
From The Pulse: Baby Love by Professor Buist



	Home About Us Accreditation Our Services Psychiatric Services Mother Baby Services Maternity Services Visitors Patients Information for Patients Your Security and Safety Rights and Responsibilities Privacy Policy Pharmacy Careers Graduate Nurse Program Search Current Positions Latest News Contact Us
Healthscope Hospitals Medical Centres GP Clinics Skin Clinics Community Programs Human Pathology Victoria New South Wales Queensland South Australia Tasmania Western Australia ACT Northern Territory International Advanced Pathology Veterinary Pathology Australia New Zealand Commercial Pathology Functional Pathology	Mother Baby Services The Mother Baby Unit offers inpatient, outpatient and outreach programs to families experiencing difficulties and adjustment following the arrival of a new baby. The unit can accommodate 13 mothers and their babies and can also provide overnight accommodation for fathers. Inpatient Program The inpatient unit provides specialised care for families experiencing difficulties in the months following the arrival of a new baby. The Mother Baby Unit offers an inpatient program for babies with sleep and settling difficulties and also for mothers who are experiencing symptoms of depression, agitation, anxiety or adjustment in the weeks and months after childbirth. The unit caters for babies from 0-12 months of age and the typical length of stay is about four days for the Sleep and Settling program. For mothers experiencing Post-Natal Depression the stay is usually longer, depending on the severity of symptoms Day Programs There are a number of programs offered on a day basis: The 12 Week Day Program is held one day a week for 12 weeks and is designed for mothers experiencing Post-Natal Depression or other adjustment symptoms in the first year after childbirth. Baby Love. This group is facilitated by Professor Anne Buist and provides education and support for mothers and infants with attachment issues. It runs for 12 weeks x one day a week. The two hour Sleep and Settling session is a fee for service group run periodically on Saturday mornings. The session is designed to assist families with sleep and settling issues. 0-6 months old babies group 12.45pm-3pm 6-12 months old babies group 9.15-11am Outreach The Outreach Team is available to provide in home care for families when hospitalisation is not an option or as an interim measure when there is a waiting list for admission to the Mother Baby Unit. Whether the problem is a baby with sleep, feeding or settling problems or a mother experiencing symptoms of Post-Natal Depression, Outreach staff can offer support and professional health care to help families through difficult times of transition. Outpatients For mothers experiencing Post-Natal Depression or symptoms of mental distress an urgent outpatient appointment can be arranged by the Intake Co-ordinator with Professor Buist or one of our other psychiatrists who specialise in Post-Natal Depression and associated disorders. MOTHER BABY UNIT - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS What age does the baby need to be for admission? The Mother Baby Unit (MBU) takes babies from 0-12 months of age. What is the typical length of stay? The length of stay varies according to patient needs and health fund cover. The usual length of stay for the Sleep and Settling program is four nights. For mothers experiencing Post-Natal Depression the stay is usually longer, depending on the severity of the symptoms. Is it possible to stay less than the recommended period for the sleep and settling program? Yes, if your doctor is agreeable. To achieve maximum benefit from the program we do encourage you to stay for the recommended period. Can my husband/partner stay? Yes, there are facilities for husbands/partners to stay overnight. There is a cost of $57.00 per night, which includes breakfast. Is there any cost? Each private health fund has a different contract with Northpark Private Hospital. The cost of your stay will depend on your Private Health fund and the level of insurance that you have. It is important that your baby is covered by your private health insurance as soon as possible after birth. Some levels of health funding may have exclusions, excesses or waiting periods. You will be given an estimated cost of your inpatient stay prior to your admission. You will be billed separately for any diagnostic tests, pharmacology or the services of a paediatrician or psychiatrist. Speak to the Intake Co-ordinator for more information on fees. Self-funding is possible if you do not have private health insurance - please enquire with Intake staff regarding the cost. What is covered in the program? Feeding, sleep and settling program: Admission and assessment by a Paediatrician. Education around settling strategies, infant routines, feeding advice. Individual consultation with nursing staff to guide and support you in making choices about settling strategies that are right for you and your baby. Support as you learn to put these strategies in place with your baby. Group discussions with nursing staff and other mothers in the unit based around self care sleep and settling and the first 12 months of baby’s life. Admission for post natal depression, anxiety, adjustment disorder: The program is based on a holistic treatment model, which incorporates medical, psychological, and group approaches to care. Patients are admitted under the care of a psychiatrist. Group discussion with nursing/therapy staff around post natal depression, anxiety, relaxation and self care. Education and guidance in the care of the baby. What sort of food will my baby get? Infant cereal is available from the unit pantry. “Solids” and “Finger Foods” including fruit, vegetables and meat will be delivered to the unit at meal times according to your baby’s age and requirements. The family are responsible for providing formula requirements for their baby. Individual dietary needs can be catered for. You should advise the Intake Co-ordinator prior to admission of any special food requirements for yourself or your baby. What settling methods are used in the Mother baby Unit? We recognise that all families will have different needs. Our aim is to educate you in settling strategies that may be useful and assist you to identify which strategies are best suited to your family. An individual plan will be discussed with nursing staff and you will be supported to make appropriate choices for your family. Nursing staff will support you as you learn to put these strategies in place with your baby. We help you to identify your baby’s communication patterns and put strategies in place based on the individual responses of your baby and yourself. Although there may be some tears during the time these strategies are being learnt by you and your baby, we believe that a distressed baby should always be responded to and babies are not “left to cry themselves to sleep”. How soon can I get a place in the program? Our Mother Baby Unit is very popular so there is around a two week waiting list. However, this is just an estimate and the time does vary. Sometimes a place comes up quite quickly and at other times there are delays caused by the dynamic nature of the hospital environment. Can I have visitors? Yes, visitors are welcome. General visiting hours are from 3pm to 8 pm daily, closed between 1pm and 3pm. However, we do encourage mothers to take the opportunity to get some rest during their stay, so we suggest that visitors are limited. Immediate family may visit when they wish but are requested to have left the unit by the end of visiting hours (8 pm). If I am a patient in the hospital can I go out to keep appointments? Yes, there is no reason you cannot have short periods of leave from the unit. But keep in mind the program is a brief, intensive one so it would be best to try to maximise your time in the unit Can I leave my baby with the staff while I go out? This will depend on the reason for admission to Mother Baby Unit. As a general rule we encourage you to care for your baby at all times during your admission to the unit, this includes when you take leave from the unit. We understand that there may be extenuating circumstances and discussion with nursing staff will identify what services are available to you at the time. Can I bring my older children to stay with me? Unfortunately, we do not have facilities to accommodate older children. Your children are welcome to visit with you during the day. We ask that your child remain within your care at all times so that their presence does not cause disturbance to others within the unit. What if I am ready to come to hospital and the baby gets sick? Unfortunately if you or your baby is experiencing symptoms of gastroenteritis or any infectious disease we would have to postpone your admission to the unit. As you would appreciate we must ensure the safety of all mothers and babies on the unit at all times. What if I need more help when I leave hospital? There are a number of options for ongoing support and assistance. There are several therapeutic programs for mothers run by our therapists covering issues around mood and mental health. There is also an education/discussion forum held fortnightly on a Saturday that addresses sleep and settling issues. Finally, there is an option of being visited at home by a member of our Outreach Team. These services may be accessed as an alternative or as an adjunct to hospitalisation. Are there any programs for New Dads? Fathers are welcome to be involved in the family stay in the unit. We run a regular evening group for fathers on a Thursday night. Our male psychologist is available, on an appointment basis, to provide counselling and assistance to new dads and couples. How can I find out my progress on the waiting list? There are specific allocated times to make enquiries regarding your progress on the waiting list. You can ring the Intake Co-ordinator on Tuesday or Thursday afternoon between 1pm and 3pm. We will also ring you and let you know when the admission process has been finalised. How do I apply for a place in the Mother Baby program? Step 1 Complete the Application for Admission Form. * Click here to download the form or * Ring and ask to have a form sent out Ph: 03-9467 6022 Step 2 Complete the form and forward to the Intake. * Email to: northparkintake@healthscope.com.au or * Fax to 03-9467 7186 or * Mail / hand deliver to Northpark Private Hospital, Corner Plenty and Greenhills Roads, Bundoora, 3083 Step 3 You will be requested to obtain a medical referral from your doctor. Some families will also require a medical report to be completed by the doctor (If required this will be sent out to you or to your doctor). The referral must clearly specify whether the admission is for yourself, for your baby or for both mother and baby. Return these forms as soon as possible to Intake personnel. (see Step 2 above). Step 4 When we receive the medical referral (and medical report) we will contact you and take further clinical details over the phone. Once we have approval for admission from your health fund we will contact you and put your name on the admission list. At this stage you will be informed of any out of pocket costs that you may have to pay. Step 5 Admission date and time will be arranged with you, by the Intake Coordinator, via phone. Every effort is made to ensure your admission will go ahead as planned but at times rescheduling to another day may be required What do I need to bring to hospital? Pack as though you and your baby are going away for 4 days Private health insurance details. Child health care record (blue book). Sterilising unit for feeding equipment if required. Expressing equipment if required. For mother: Casual day clothing and appropriate footwear. Nightwear, dressing gown, slippers Toiletries, tissues, hairdryer, personal needs Current medications. Small amount of money for paper / kiosk. (Please do not bring valuables in) For baby: Clothes, bibs, bunny rugs. Toiletries. Pusher or stroller. Baby rocker seat. Bottles teats, bottlebrush, formula, feeding cup and spoon. Current medications. Disposable nappies if preferred. (Cloth nappies provided.) Baby’s favourite toy. For safety reasons we ask that you do NOT bring the following items into the unit: Alcohol Wire coat hangers Any medication that you are not currently taking. Download brochures: Mother Baby Unit and Day Programs Settling education/discussion group Baby Love Program LATEST NEWS From The Pulse: Baby Love by Professor Buist
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