Maternal and child health - visit 5 - four month visit

What happens at my four month maternal and child health visit?

At this visit, your baby's growth, health and development will be reviewed. You will also be asked to answer My Health, Learning and Development – green book. It is under the Parents' Evaluation of Development Status (PEDS) section. Try to complete these questions before your visit.

This visit will focus on:

• addressing the PEDS questions in your green book
• safe sleeping
• food in the first year of life
• playgroups and how to join
• how to share books and stories with your baby
• how play helps learning and development
• immunisations.
• your baby’s safety
• family relationships and wellbeing

Remember, you and your nurse can talk about other issues or concerns if they arise.

Tip sheets for this visit

• Food and active play in the first year of life (pdf), Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria.
• Why no sweet drinks for children (pdf), Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria.
• What is playgroup?, Playgroup Victoria.

What is my baby doing at this key age and stage?

At this age, your baby is curious about their world. They like lots of love, attention, and interesting experiences to help them grow learn and develop. They enjoy floor play, cuddles and lots of eye contact. They might be:

• rolling from tummy to back
• lifting their head high when playing on their tummy on the floor
• beginning to follow people or objects as they move around
• smiling and laughing
• reaching for toys or objects.

What to tell your nurse

Please tell the nurse if your baby is:

• NOT responding to noises
• NOT making any sounds
• NOT enjoying eye contact with you
• NOT lifting their head.

Activity ideas for this key age and stage

Try some of these ideas to help your baby learn and develop:

• play with them when they are on their tummy on the floor
• read to them – and hold them close so they can see your face and the book
• talk to them about what you're doing and listen for their reply!
• smile and make funny faces
• show them different colours, shapes and textures.

How often should I visit?

You will be asked to see your maternal and child health nurse at 10 key ages and stages in your child’s health, learning and development. These include:

• following discharge from hospital (home visit)
• two weeks
• four weeks
• eight weeks
• four months
• eight months
• one year
• 18 months
• two years
• three and a half years.

Families can access the service at other times by telephone or through a centre visit. Most centres offer a range of times when families can access the service. They typically operate through scheduled appointments, open consultation sessions and some after-hours appointments.

Return to the Maternal and child health services main page

Where to get help

• Your local maternal and child health service
• Your GP (doctor)
• Your local council early childhood and family services
• Maternal and Child Health Line Tel: 13 22 29 – available 24 hours a day for the cost of a local call throughout Victoria
• Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS) Tel. 03 9419 3000
• Parentline Tel. 13 22 89
• Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) Tel.131 450 – available (24 hours, 7 days a week) for callers who speak other languages.
• National Relay Service (24 hours a day, every day) – Speak and listen Tel: 1300 555 727, TTY Tel: 133 677, SMS relay Tel: 0423 677 767. Captioned, internet and video relay calls are also available through this service.