Baby six-week developmental check

Why your baby needs a six-week check

Your baby will have a complete physical examination within their first three days and regular medical checks.

When your baby is six to eight weeks old, your doctor (GP) will examine him / her at your GP surgery. This is known as the six-week check.

If your child was born in Jersey, you'll automatically get a reminder letter when your six-week check is due. The six-week check is free.

Children born outside Jersey

You should register with a GP as soon as you arrive in Jersey. You'll get a reminder letter by post when your baby's six-week check and immunisations are due.

If you've been on the Island less than six months, and do not have a health card yet, you may have to pay the health insurance contribution (up to £20.28). Check with your GP.

Doctors (GPs) fees, prescriptions and health cards

Baby / child immunisations

Change of address

If you change address, you should tell your GP and Health Visitor. They'll tell the child health team to make sure the six-week check and immunisation letters are sent to your new address.

Personal child health record ‘red book’

When your health visitor first visits you, they'll give you a 'red book'. It explains the different examinations your baby will have. It also has space for recording growth and developmental milestones and immunisations.

When you go for your baby’s six-week check, remember to take your 'red book' with you.

What happens at the six-week check

Your baby has a six-week check to make sure they are fit and healthy. There is no reason to be nervous. This is a chance for your GP to get to know your baby and for you to discuss any worries you may have.

It will include the following checks:

Weight	Your baby will be completely undressed and weighed
Feeding	You'll be asked about any feeding problems and your method of feeding (breast or bottle, or both)
Growth	Your baby's weight will be plotted on a growth chart in your red book
Vision and hearing	You'll be asked about your baby's vision, hearing and general responses
Sleeping	You'll be asked: about how well your baby is sleeping if your baby is sleeping on their back. Young babies should never sleep on their tummies or their side as this increases their risk of cot death if there is a passive smoking risk to your baby. Babies should not be in a room where anyone is smoking as this increases their risk of cot death
Physical examination	For the physical examination, your baby will be checked from head to toe. Your GP will: examine their eyes, mouth, ears and neck feel the pulses in their groin and listen to their heart feel their tummy check their hips for any signs of instability or dislocation check their hands and feet test their head control and limb tone to look for any neurological problems turn your baby over to examine their spine and anus examine a baby boy's penis and scrotum When the physical examination is complete, your GP will discuss any findings with you. Your GP will record the findings in your baby’s red book.
Immunisation programme	Your GP will discuss the immunisation programme with you. Your baby's first immunisations will be due when they're 8 weeks old. You could book the first immunisation appointment before you leave the surgery.
Safety in the home	Your GP may talk about safety in the home and how to prevent accidents.
Your health and wellbeing	The 6-week check is for your baby. Your GP will probably want to see you at a separate visit to check your health since the birth. They may charge you for your own health check - check with your GP.

Your baby's health and development reviews on NHS Choices website