When your baby is 8–10 weeks old they will have a health and development check with the Well Child Tamariki Ora nurse. Find out here about things to think about before the visit.
Remember to take your baby’s My Health Book with you to the check.
What happens at the visit?
At the 8–10 weeks visit, the nurse will:
- ask about breastfeeding
- measure your baby’s length, weight and head size and check their hips
- check that your baby can see and hear well
- check your baby’s development
- ask if your baby has been immunised
- talk to you about how you are, how you are getting on and being a parent – including feeding your baby, safe sleeping, avoiding accidents, recognising when baby is sick, smoking, family violence, etc.
Your baby’s development
The nurse will ask questions about your baby’s learning, development and behaviour. This may include questions about how your baby:
- moves
- shows what they want
- understands what you say
- acts around whānau
- plays.
The nurse will also ask if you or your whānau have any concerns about your baby. If there are problems, finding them early and supporting you to deal with them can make a big difference to you and your baby.
Before the visit
Before your baby’s check, read through the 8–10 weeks check pages in the My Health Book. Think about how well your baby can see and hear.
Can your baby see well?
Do they:
- close their eyes against a bright light?
- stare at people’s faces when they are up close?
- turn towards light?
- smile at you without being touched or spoken to?
Can your baby hear well?
When there is a sudden loud noise, do they:
- jump or blink?
- stir in their sleep?
- stop sucking for a moment?
- look up from sucking?
- cry?
Talk to your nurse or your doctor if you think your baby is not seeing or hearing well.
Things to talk about at the visit
The visit is a good time to talk with the nurse about your baby and being a parent. You could talk about:
- your baby’s feeding
- sleep – safe sleeping for your baby; sleeping patterns
- what your baby’s behaviour means (eg, crying)
- ways to play, have fun and be active with your baby – and early learning
- enrolling your baby with the Community Oral Health Service
- immunisation
- knowing when your baby is sick and what to do about it
- being smokefree
- keeping your baby safe – at home and while out and about
- car seats and car safety
- your feelings about being a parent and where to get help if you need it
- whānau relationships
- returning to work.
