What happens at each appointment

At a Child Health appointment, a community child health nurse assesses your child’s health and development.

They also provide support for you and your family about parenting, healthy lifestyles and general health, and act as a link to other health services in hospital and in the community.

Five key appointments with a child health nurse

At the 0 to 14 days old check, the nurse will:

  • check how you are feeling
  • discuss anything you want to talk about
  • discuss and offer support and information on:
    • feeding, including breastfeeding
    • secure attachment
    • sleep
    • crying
    • development
    • safety
    • adjusting to a new baby

At this check the nurse will:

  • weigh your baby
  • check their body, including their belly button, skin, head, mouth and eyes
  • check the testicles (if your baby is a boy)
  • ask about your baby’s vision and hearing

The nurse will also offer you a copy of Your new baby magazine: 0-4 months.


At this check the nurse will:
  • check how you are feeling
  • discuss anything you want to talk about
  • discuss and offer support and information on:
    • feeding, including breastfeeding
    • secure attachment
    • communication
    • development
    • immunisation
    • play and tummy time
    • crying
    • sleep and settling
    • community resources

At this check the nurse will:

  • weigh and measure your baby
  • check your baby’s skin, head shape, mouth, eyes and hips
  • check the testicles (f your baby is a boy)
  • check your baby’s eyes and vision, and ask about their hearing
  • watch the way your baby moves, communicates, and relates to people

The nurse will also offer you a copy of Your new baby magazine: 0-4 months if you don’t have one already.


At this check the nurse will:

  • check how you are feeling
  • discuss anything you want to talk about
  • discuss and offer support and information on:
    • healthy eating
    • sleep
    • family health
    • play and development
    • safety
    • teething
    • immunisations
    • community resources

At this check the nurse will:

  • measure your baby
  • check your baby’s skin, head shape, eyes and hips
  • check the testicles (f your baby is a boy)
  • check your baby’s eyes and vision, and ask about their hearing
  • check how your baby is growing
  • check your baby’s development:
    • communication: talking and listening
    • gross motor skills: large body movements
    • fine motor skills: small body movement
    • problem solving: how your baby works things out
    • personal and social development

The nurse will also offer you a copy of Your baby magazine: 4-12 months.


At this check the nurse will:

  • check how you are feeling
  • discuss anything you want to talk about
  • discuss and offer support and information on:
    • healthy eating
    • sleep
    • family health
    • play and development
    • behaviour
    • safety
    • immunisations
    • community resources

At this check the nurse will:

  • check how your baby is growing and developing
  • check their skin, teeth and hips
  • check the testicles (f your baby is a boy)
  • ask about your baby’s vision and hearing
  • check your baby’s development:
    • communication: talking and listening
    • gross motor skills: large body movements
    • fine motor skills: small body movement
    • problem solving: how your baby works things out
    • personal and social development

The nurse will also offer you a copy of Your toddler magazine: 1-2 years.


At this check the nurse will:

  • check how you are feeling
  • discuss anything you want to talk about
  • discuss and offer support and information on:
    • healthy eating
    • sleep
    • family health
    • play and development
    • behaviour
    • screen time
    • safety
    • immunisations
    • community resources

At this check the nurse will:

  • check how your toddler is growing and developing
  • look at their teeth
  • look at how your toddler walks
  • check your toddler’s eyes and ears
  • check your baby’s development:
    • communication: talking and listening
    • gross motor skills: large body movement
    • fine motor skills: small body movement
    • problem solving: how your baby works things out
    • personal and social development

The nurse will also offer you a copy of Your child magazine: 2-4 years.

Last Updated: 08/03/2023