The mother was charged after her newborn child was found outside a home in southeast Melbourne.
The baby was in critical condition when he was discovered at around 2.40 am on Friday.
The mother, who was 25, was taken to a hospital under guard on Friday.
She was then charged by investigators from the Child Abuse Team.
She was released on bail to appear in court on December 5.
The woman’s housemates, who had only known her for a few weeks, said they were not aware that she was pregnant.
They noted that due to their regular shifts, they don’t get to see each another. The group expressed their joy at the newborn’s safe and sound condition and prayed for the mother and her child.