Understanding the Role of a Child Health Nurse

Highlights

• Once you’re home with your newborn, a child health nurse can provide essential support. They monitor your baby’s growth, development, and overall well-being.
• These nurses answer questions, offer parenting advice, and ensure your baby is meeting key milestones.
• Most families have between 5 and 10 health visits from birth until school age.
• Child health nurse services are usually free for families with young children.

In This Article

• Role of a Child Health Nurse
• Initial Contact with a Child Health Nurse
• Services Provided by a Child Health Nurse
• Typical Visit with a Child Health Nurse
• Topics to Discuss with a Child Health Nurse
• Schedule of Health Visits
• Cost of Services
• Tools And Assistance

Role of a Child Health Nurse

A child and family health nurse is a registered nurse with specialized training. Many are also midwives, which allows them to provide expert guidance on newborn care.

Initial Contact with a Child Health Nurse

In many areas, hospitals or midwives inform local health clinics about newborns. A nurse may contact you within two weeks after birth to schedule the first visit, often at home.

If you move to a new area, you might need to reach out to a local service. To ensure a smooth transition, ask your hospital midwife or doctor for guidance before leaving the hospital. Local councils and health services can also help you find available resources.

Services Provided by a Child Health Nurse

Your child health nurse provides key services, including:

• Regular check-ups to monitor growth and development
• Advice on:
  • Breastfeeding techniques
  • Sleep routines
  • Baby hygiene
  • Immunization schedules
• Support for parental well-being, including emotional health
• Referrals for postnatal anxiety or depression
• Parent group invitations for networking and shared experiences

Hospitals or birth centers issue an Infant Health Record for each newborn. This book documents medical history and development. Bring it to all health visits for accurate tracking.

Typical Visit with a Child Health Nurse

During visits, the nurse weighs and measures your baby. They check developmental progress and discuss concerns. Topics may include:

• Crawling and walking milestones
• Toilet training guidance
• Encouraging play and social skills
• Managing tantrums and emotional regulation
• Speech and language development

If delays are noted, the nurse may recommend further evaluation. They can refer you to specialists, such as a speech pathologist.

You can also schedule visits for additional concerns, advice, or a simple weight check. If your baby is unwell, seeing a doctor is best. However, a child health nurse may offer support if a doctor is unavailable.

Topics to Discuss with a Child Health Nurse

Ask any questions you have, especially if something is unclear. Your nurse is there to provide guidance and reassurance during your parenting journey.

Schedule of Health Visits

Health check-ups continue until your child reaches school age. Most children receive at least 5 to 10 visits during this period. More appointments may be arranged if additional support is needed.

Cost of Services

Child health nurse services are typically free for families with children below school age. Some areas may offer additional services at no cost or with financial assistance.

Tools And Assistance

Families can access a range of tools and support services to assist them throughout the early years of parenting. These services can help with emotional, practical, and developmental aspects of caring for a young child. They include:

• Parenting helplines – Provide guidance and reassurance on feeding, sleep, behavior, and general baby care. Available via phone or chat in many regions.
• Early parenting centers – Offer structured programs and short-term residential stays for parents needing support with issues like sleep routines, settling techniques, or feeding challenges.
• Infant feeding consultants – These professionals help parents who are breastfeeding, formula-feeding, or transitioning between feeding methods. Support is tailored to the needs of both the baby and the parent.
• Community mother and baby groups – Local meet-ups or programs that allow parents to connect, share experiences, and build confidence in a supportive setting.
• Postnatal mental health services – Provide counseling and therapeutic support for parents dealing with anxiety, depression, or emotional stress after birth.
• Mobile health apps – Many parents use apps to track feeding, sleep, growth, and developmental milestones. Some also include tips and expert advice on newborn care.

Need more information?

Your child and family health nurse | Raising Children NetworkYour child and family health nurse can help you with feeding your baby, learning about baby sleep and making sure your baby or child is growing well.Read more on raisingchildren.net.au websiteChild and family health services – ProgramsChild and family health nurses play a key role in the provision of community child and family health services and provide early contact with families.Read more on NSW Health websiteCommunity Child Health Program | WA HealthCommunity child health nurses support all families with young children. We provide a range of important free services to support families to raise happy, healthy children. We offer health and development assessments and screening, immunisation advice and support to families with young children.Read more on WA Health websiteBreast refusal and baby breast biting | Raising Children NetworkBreast refusal or baby breast biting are common breastfeeding issues. These issues might resolve themselves, or your child and family health nurse can help.Read more on raisingchildren.net.au websiteRoutine health checks for babies and childrenRoutine health checks with a child health nurse or GP will check your child’s growth and development and keep up to date with their routine vaccinations.Read more on Pregnancy, Birth & Baby websiteChild and Family Health Service • Torrens HouseFamilies are encouraged to talk to their CaFHS nurse about their individual situation, and the nurse may refer to Torrens House as the next stepRead more on Child and Family Health Service websiteNurses: for parents & kids | Raising Children NetworkDifferent kinds of nurses work with children. Your child might sometimes see a registered nurse, nurse practitioner, practice nurse or school nurse.Read more on raisingchildren.net.au websiteBaby and child screening and assessment clinics | NT.GOV.AUThe Child Health Service runs health and development screening and assessments for your baby and child.Read more on NT Health websiteRegular baby health checks | NSW GovernmentInformation on when to take your baby for a health check, get a copy of the NSW blue book and find a child and family health centre.Read more on NSW Health websiteWA: parenting & family services | Raising Children NetworkThis guide has links and contact details for child, parent and family services and support in Western Australia.Read more on raisingchildren.net.au website