Maternal and child health - visit 7 - twelve month visit

At the twelve month visit, your child’s growth, health and development are reviewed. Nurses work in partnership with families to support babies and young children through the early years.

What happens at the twelve month visit#

You may be asked to complete a short set of questions about your child’s development before your visit. If you have a personal health record or similar booklet for your child, it can be helpful to bring it along.

This visit often focuses on:

• social communication
• healthy eating for your toddler
• taking care of your child’s teeth
• protecting your child from the sun
• how play helps learning and development
• family relationships and wellbeing
• immunisations

Remember, you and your nurse can also talk about any other issues or concerns that come up.

What is my child doing at this age?#

At around twelve months, your child is becoming more social and loves to go for walks outdoors. They are learning to feed themselves and enjoy sharing in family meal times. At this age your child may be:

• pointing to people or familiar objects
• waving “bye bye”
• saying one or two clear words
• pulling up to stand while holding onto furniture
• following simple instructions like “come to me”

Tell your nurse if your child is:

• not pointing
• not enjoying eye contact or cuddles with you
• not interested in sounds
• not letting you know what they want
• not seeming to understand you
• not crawling or standing while holding on

Helping your child learn and develop#

Try some of these ideas:

• play music, sing and dance with them
• read books together and help them hold the book and turn the pages
• take them out and about, such as a free story time session at your local library
• talk to them about the things they look at and point to
• play with them at their level, and laugh and be a bit silly

How often should I visit?#

You will usually be invited to see your child health nurse at a series of key ages and stages across your child’s early years. These visits often include a home visit after discharge from hospital, then checks at around two weeks, four weeks, eight weeks, four months, eight months, one year, 18 months, two years and three and a half years. Families can also access the service between visits, including open consultation sessions and, in some places, after-hours appointments.

Key points#

• At twelve months, your child’s growth, health and development are reviewed.
• The visit covers social communication, healthy eating, teeth, sun protection, play and immunisations.
• At this age your child may point, wave, say a few words and pull to stand.
• Tell your nurse if your child is not pointing, not responding to sound or not seeming to understand you.
• Music, reading and play all support your child’s learning.

Where to get help#