Colleen Howlett, who has worked in family care for 24 years, believes the pressure on new mothers is immense.

Ms Howlett, who now runs a mobile baby-care service, says many in the Yarra Ranges cannot afford to foot the bill for maternal health services.

Her proposed sleep school would offer respite to mothers, allowing them to stay overnight with their baby while learning vital care skills from maternal health workers.

"I have had mothers call and book appointments at my mobile baby care service and then pull out at the last minute, because they just can't afford it," she said.

"They're not working, sometimes their partners aren't working either, and it just becomes all too much. It's no wonder more mothers are suffering from postnatal depression these days."

Ms Howlett approached Casey MP Tony Smith two years ago with her proposal to open a sleep school in Mooroolbark but said she did not hear from him again after an initial meeting.

Mr Smith's office denied this. Mr Smith told the Weekly he would continue to advocate for the best social services for the Yarra Ranges and encouraged the community to contact him with initiatives to improve maternal health.

Mrs Howlett said women felt more confident mothering in the 1980s due to ongoing support. "I had my own maternal health care nurse in Mooroolbark who I could visit and contact during business hours every day.

"She could weigh my baby, give me advice, help me feed, and women felt a lot more comfortable mothering. Now new mothers may get a visit from a maternity nurse when they leave hospital the day after the baby is born, but it's nothing in comparison to an ongoing support network."

Her call was supported by Upwey resident Jenny Parker, who approached councillors late last year with a submission calling for more maternal health services.

Ms Parker was prompted to go to the council after seeing firsthand the struggle of a close friend who had three children under three years old. Ms Parker believes the shire has had improvements in elderly and disability care but services for mothers have greatly diminished.