Kids Health Matters Episode 8: Child Health Checks

Parenting a child of any age can be overwhelming at the best of times.

Knowing who to turn to for trusted and consistent advice and support is key to navigating the challenges.

In this episode of Kids Health Matters our guest expert discusses why ‘milestones matter’ and how invaluable child health nurses can be in supporting parents and carers.

The Kids Health Matters podcast series provides valuable advice on common child health concerns and issues from leading experts at the Child and Adolescent Health Service (CAHS).

In ’Milestones Matter’ we introduce you to Brooke Cini, one of our ‘dynamic dual role’ nurses at CAHS who is passionate about working as both a Child Health Nurse in the community with Child and Adolescent Community Health (CACH) and a nurse on the surgical ward at Perth Children’s Hospital (PCH).

Brooke said as a child health nurse she not only checks that babies and toddlers are healthy and progressing well but that parents are adjusting to their new role.

“Re-assurance, non-judgemental support and guidance are the cornerstones of our work as child health nurses.

“We want to be able to support parents to give their children the best possible start in life,” Brooke said.

Brooke reveals the most common questions child health nurses get asked by parents and she discusses:

• the importance of child health checks and developmental milestones
• how they can assist on any issues of concerns
• why there are no ‘silly’ questions
• why the ‘purple book’ is a ‘one stop shop’ and
• how parenting groups can help parents build a supportive network.

The importance of two-year-old health checks to identify any concerns and to help get children ‘school ready’ is also emphasised. This is the last of the five scheduled contacts.

“The earlier we can see a child, the earlier we can address any concerns.

“This means we can achieve better outcomes and we’re helping set kids up for a confident start for school.

“If you do have any concerns about your child’s development, we can help link you in with services…before it starts impacting on their learning when they start at school,” she said.

Brooke said working across both her hospital and child health roles gives her greater insight into a paediatric patients’ journey.

“I see the challenges families face when they have unwell children in the hospital, but I also get to visit families when they are well and healthy at home.

“It’s a beautiful part of the job to watch parents develop their parenting and thrive in their new role,” Brooke said.

This episode is hosted by broadcaster Dani Shuey and CAHS Coordinator of Nursing in Infection Prevention and Control, Danielle Engelbrecht.

Visit the Kids Health Matters homepage for more information about the podcast series including full show notes for each episode.

Kids Health Matters is proudly produced by CAHS which includes Neonatology, CACH, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services and PCH.