Meet MCH Nurse Leanne
Maternal and child health (MCH) nurse Leanne is one of our team of qualified nurses who provide invaluable support to all Hobsons Bay families with children from birth to six years old.
With over 20 years’ experience as a registered nurse and midwife, Leanne shares her experiences and tips for new families.
What do you love about your job?
My job is all about helping families. I love seeing the bonds between parents and babies grow and their relationships enhanced. It’s also great to be around toddlers, they’re fun! We could all benefit from viewing the world with the curiosity and wonder of a toddler.
What tips do you have for new families?
Your baby is your best guide to what they need. While it’s tempting to search for answers on social media and websites, your baby will tell you how much sleep they need, when they’re hungry and when they’re unwell.
Like every person, your baby is an individual with moods, likes, dislikes and needs. No parent and baby are the same, and no two families are the same. If you follow your child’s lead, they will grow into a kind, secure, happy human being.
What tips do you have for baby settling?
The main thing to help babies to settle is understanding when your baby is tired and putting them to sleep before they get overtired. You also need to give your baby the opportunity to learn how to go to sleep independently. They will thank you for the opportunity and look forward to bedtime.
What tips do you have for picky eaters?
Grated veggies are fantastic to get picky eaters to eat greens. Or you could make smoothies with spinach, zucchini and even kale. You can add a date, fresh pineapple or banana to make it sweet.
For lunch and dinner, don’t force your child to eat. Serve a nutritious meal and let your child decide what they’re going to eat and how much. It’s best not to play games or incentivise eating, your child will eat if they’re hungry.
What's the most common question you get asked?
Is it ok that my baby has a sniffly nose? This is normal for newborns as everything in the air is new and their nostrils/air ways are so tiny.
How can I improve speech?
Read and talk to your baby and toddler. How much they are talked to reflects how many words they know when they’re two years old.