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Mothercraft

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About us

Mothercraft

Mothercraft provides 24-hour care Monday to Friday live-in residential assessment and education for parents in a home-like, supportive environment. The service is for primary caregivers and babies. It is located in a one-storeyed building near Waikato Hospital with access to all the facilities and support services on the hospital campus. 

Mothercraft caters for infants up to one who are not fully mobile and one parent/caregiver.

Mothercraft is staffed by registered and enrolled nurses who are supported by dedicated medical staff, social workers and other allied health professionals including dietitians, lactation (breastfeeding) consultants, perinatal maternal mental health and home care nurses.

It is part of the Children's Health service, and the Women's and Children's Health directorate.

Location

End of Ryburn Lane, Waiora Waikato Hospital Campus
Pembroke Street, Hamilton

Contact

Phone: 07 839 8899 ext 96550

Where possible you and the baby will be admitted on a Monday before midday. This gives the benefit of staying for five days in the unit. 

  • Please have all your baby’s immunisations up-to-date by the time you are admitted.
  • Please complete the forms you have been sent and bring them with you. 

If you have not received the forms, print and complete the ones on the main page under Downloads.

Your care

In Mothercraft you will receive individual care aimed at meeting the needs of you and your baby, and we will develop a care plan with you.

Illness

If you or the baby are ill at the time of admission, or become ill while you are at Mothercraft, it may be necessary to discharge you and organise a readmission you are well.

Staying with us

You will have your own room with a single bed and a cot/bassinette for your baby. There is a shared modern kitchen and lounge/dining room.

Meals

All meals will be provided for you and the baby. Dinners are delivered from the hospital kitchen. Ingredients for breakfast and lunch are provided, and you can use the kitchen to prepare what you want. You may wish to bring your own snacks.

Washing facilities

We have an automatic washer and dryer available.

Television and DVD player

These are available, and we have many informative DVDs on parenting.

Smokefree

The hospital campus is totally smokefree, inside buildings and outside. We can provide assistance to be smokefree while you are here. We are happy to discuss smoking cessation with you at any time.

Some important things to bring to Mothercraft for you and the baby:

  • If you are formula feeding, bring formula, two bottles and bottle brush
  • Disposable nappies
  • Good supply of bibs
  • Toiletries including baby products
  • Your own pillow if you want
  • Breastfeeding pillow if you use one
  • Any medications that have been prescribed for you or baby
  • Well Child Book
  • Mobile phone if you have one

Mothercraft supplies

  • Sterilising equipment for bottles and teats – sterilising tablets and containers are available and we also have a microwave steriliser
  • Bed linen for you and the baby’s cot/bassinette
  • Necessary baby equipment e.g. prams, buggy, bouncinettes, baby bath and toys
  • Meals and some snacks

Reasons for referral may include assistance with feeding and sleep management of babies, issues such as wakeful crying babies, very unsettled/irritable, infant colic, poor weight gain and reflux; and for the parent/caregiver issues such as exhaustion, post-natal depression and anxiety. 

Families from the Waikato DHB region can be referred by either a general practitioner (GP), Paediatrician, Plunket nurse/Well Child health nurse, Midwife, Maternal Mental Health, or a support agency involved in their care.

Mothercraft also takes clients from the Midland Health, for which a Paediatrician or DHB Mental Health referral is required.

All referrals go through the Regional Referral Centre at Waikato DHB.  The mother/caregiver’s and baby's details are required. There is a time delay of approximately 3-5 days before the referral is received in Mothercraft. The referral is then triaged.