What happens at my four week maternal and child health visit?
This visit will focus on:
Remember, you and your nurse can talk about other issues or concerns if they arise.
Tip sheets for this visit
What is my baby doing at this key age and stage?
Even at this very young age, your baby is learning. Everything they see, hear and touch helps their brain grow and develop. They might be:
- watching familiar faces when being fed to or talked to
- lifting their head briefly and turn it from side to side when on their tummy
- shutting their eyes to bright light
- responding to your voice
- moving their lips and tongue when you talk to them.
What to tell your nurse
Please tell the nurse if your baby is:
- NOT making any sounds
- NOT beginning to watch faces
- NOT responding to bright lights
- NOT moving both arms and legs.
Activity ideas for this key age and stage
Try some of these ideas to help your baby learn and develop:
- copy their sounds and expressions
- give them some tummy time on your lap, chest or on a rolled up towel
- sing songs and rhymes to them
- look into their eyes, smile and chat with them
- share stories and read aloud.
Have you got your baby bundle?
If you are a first-time parent (after July 2019) and live in Victoria, you may eligible to receive the Victorian Government’s baby bundle which contains nursery essentials and key parenting information and resources to support the health, development and wellbeing of your baby.
Tell your maternal and child health nurse if you did not receive one.
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:
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.
Where to get help
