The Happy Baby Clinic, Highett: GPs, a Psychologist and a Dietitian for Unsettled Babies and Tired Parents

Caring for an unsettled baby is hard, and the people who know that best are often parents who have been up since 3am. The Happy Baby Clinic, at Shop 2, 487 Highett Road, Highett, was set up with those families in mind: "We know how difficult it is to care for an unsettled baby. We have a team of professionals ready to help you along your journey."

A team of professionals

The clinic's approach combines personalised sleep programs with thorough medical care, psychology and dietitian appointments. After an initial assessment, it says, parents receive practical advice, an age-appropriate routine, and any medical investigations and management that may be required to help settle the baby and improve their sleep.

The clinic is led by co-directors Dr Elizabeth Maher and Dr Julie McClellan, who are both GPs. Alongside them are perinatal psychologist Rachel Chiodo, paediatric dietitian Bianca Sowerby, and a medical administration and patient care team.

What the GPs can help with

According to its website, the clinic's specialist GPs can help with issues including frequent night waking, catnapping, difficulty settling, parental exhaustion and adjustment to parenting, reflux, colic, cow's milk protein or soy allergy and irritability. They also provide six-week checks for mother and baby, mental health care plans, and referrals for pathology, radiology or specialists as needed. The clinic notes that it does not provide immunisations and encourages families to see their regular GP for those.

A first GP appointment is about an hour. The GP performs a thorough assessment, including a medical examination, to find the underlying cause of the baby's sleep difficulties, then discusses a management plan or sleep program to suit your family, with any tests, treatments or referrals that may be needed. Follow-up appointments are usually 30 minutes.

Support for parents

Rachel Chiodo has more than 25 years of experience in private practice and more than 20 years as a consulting psychologist at early parenting centres, with extra training in perinatal psychology, trauma and environmental studies. The clinic says her clients appreciate her warmth, kindness and practical approach. Her appointments run for 50 minutes, and Medicare rebates are available with a mental health care plan.

Help with feeding

Paediatric dietitian Bianca Sowerby has more than 20 years of experience. The clinic lists the concerns she can help with, including food allergies such as cow's milk protein allergy, fussy eating, feeding difficulties, starting solids, constipation, coeliac disease and general healthy eating. First appointments are usually an hour, and a Medicare rebate may be available with a GP chronic condition management plan.

In person or by telehealth

Appointments can be in the Highett clinic or by telehealth, though the clinic says it prefers to see you in person for the first appointment where possible. Referrals are not required to see its GPs, but the clinic asks you to bring your Medicare details and your child's health record book.

Who it suits

The clinic is aimed at families with babies and young children who are struggling with sleep, feeding or settling, and at parents who are feeling the strain of a new baby and would like the whole picture considered, not just the baby's sleep.

Planning your visit

The Happy Baby Clinic is at Shop 2, 487 Highett Road, Highett. According to its website, it is open on Monday and Thursday from 9.30am to 4.30pm and on Tuesday and Wednesday from 9.30am to 2.30pm, and is closed Friday to Sunday. Call 1300 655 029 or email info@thehappybabyclinic.com.au, or book online through the website.

Visit The Happy Baby Clinic

If nights have been long and you would like a team to look at the whole picture, get in touch and book an appointment.

Contact

The Happy Baby Clinic
Shop 2, 487 Highett Road, Highett VIC 3190
Phone: 1300 655 029
Email: info@thehappybabyclinic.com.au
Website: thehappybabyclinic.com.au
Hours: Monday 9:30am–4:30pm; Tuesday–Wednesday 9:30am–2:30pm; Thursday 9:30am–4:30pm; Friday–Sunday closed

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