After you bring your baby home, you will usually see your GP when the baby is 2 weeks and 6 or 8 weeks old.

In general, the idea of the ‘2 week check’ is that of a brief visit to the GP to allow the mum to raise any concerns she may have about the baby or indeed herself to the GP. Specific issues around feeding and wet and dirty nappies can be discussed If the baby has not been weighed recently by the public health nurse the doctor can do it here. Depending on the history of the labour and delivery, blood pressure or iron levels may need to be checked, but in most cases there is no need for this. Simple advice on postnatal contraception may be given and this can be followed up at the 6 week check.

At the 6 week check your GP may carry out a thorough examination of your baby. This will involve stripping the baby down, weighing him or her, checking the soft spot on their head and measuring the size of baby’s head. The doctor will look into the baby’s eyes, listen to the heart and lungs, check the baby’s groin area including testicles in a boy and also check the hips. Contraception, pelvic floor exercises, diet and exercise may be discussed at this visit, and a reminder is given about the childhood vaccination schedule which starts shortly after at 8 weeks.