Maternal and child health - visit 5 - four month visit
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)
External Link
, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria.
Why no sweet drinks for children
(pdf)
External Link
, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria.
What is
playgroup?
External Link
, 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
External Link
Your
GP (doctor)
Your local council early childhood and family
services
External Link
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)
External Link
Tel.
03 9419 3000
Parentline
Tel.
13 22 89
Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS
National)
External Link
Tel.
131 450
– available (24 hours, 7 days a week) for callers who speak other languages.
National Relay
Service
External Link
(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
External Link
.