What happens at my eight 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.
- poisons information.
- preventing injuries.
- taking care of your child's teeth.
- being sun smart (learning how to protect your child from the sun).
- how play helps learning and development.
- immunisations.
- hearing screen - the Victorian Infant Hearing Screen Program (VIHSP). Check the newborn hearing screen section of your 'green book' to see if it has been completed.
- family relationships and wellbeing.
Remember, you and your nurse can talk about other issues or concerns if they arise.
Don't forget your 'green book'
When your baby was born, you should have received a copy of My Health, Learning and Development – green book. This book belongs to you and your baby and is full of information about early child development, and services and support.
Make sure you take your green book with you each time you see your nurse so you can jot down any issues, and record information on your baby's growth and development.
If you don't have a green book, let your nurse know.
What is my baby doing at this key age and stage?
At this key age and stage, your baby is learning about their world by touching, tasting, smelling, listening, watching and moving around. They need lots of floor play and time on their tummy in a safe place. They might be:
- sitting up by themselves, rolling and crawling
- putting toys in their mouth
- becoming a little worried about new faces
- babbling or copying sounds you make
- looking closely at objects.
What to tell your nurse
Please tell the nurse if your baby is:
- NOT enjoying eye contact with you
- NOT interested in sounds
- NOT babbling
- NOT able to roll.
Activity ideas for this age and stage
Try some of these ideas to help your baby learn and develop:
- play peek-a-boo
- play on the floor with them
- take them for a walk outside and talk about what you see
- visit a local playgroup
- read aloud and share stories.
Tip sheets for this visit
Where to get help
Content Partner
This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:
Maternal and Child Health and Parenting
Last updated:
October 2019
Content on this website is provided for information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not in any way endorse or support such therapy, service, product or treatment and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional. The information and materials contained on this website are not intended to constitute a comprehensive guide concerning all aspects of the therapy, product or treatment described on the website. All users are urged to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions and to ascertain whether the particular therapy, service, product or treatment described on the website is suitable in their circumstances. The State of Victoria and the Department of Health & Human Services shall not bear any liability for reliance by any user on the materials contained on this website.