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Information and public services for the Island of Jersey

L'înformâtion et les sèrvices publyis pouor I'Île dé Jèrri

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.​​

​I​f 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 che​ck

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
​Feeding
​Growth
​Vision and hearing 

​Sleeping

​Physical examination

​Immunisation programme​

Safety in the home 

​Your health and wellbeing​

​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 safet​y 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​

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