EIGHT MONTH VISIT

Links to resources:

• Eight-month checklist

• Healthy Beginnings – Snack Ideas

• Healthy Beginnings Play Resource Number Five

• Healthy Beginnings Physical Activity Planner

• Healthy Beginnings – Fruit and Vegetables

• Breastfeeding Your Baby – NSW Health

• Go for 2&5 - Eat Smart recipes 

• Check Your Child’s Teeth – Lift the Lip NSW Health

Breastfeeding: Encourage and support sustained breastfeeding for as long as possible

Key discussion points:

• Why continue to breastfeed – immunological effects, cognitive development, obesity & nutrition, bone density, dental, mother-child attachment and effects on mother

• Positioning and attachment

• Management of problems – teething, biting, refusal and supply

• Length and number of feeds

• Expressing

• Breastfeeding and work

• Complementary feeding

• Safe infant formula feeding – follow-on formulas

What is your child eating? The importance of progressing through a range of foods to ensure family foods are being consumed by 12 months of age

Key discussion points:

• Revisit child development for eight month olds

• Lumpy foods – chewing

• Snacks food

• Mealtimes

• Food safety – preparation, freezing, thawing, cooking and cleaning

• The feeding relationship

What is your child drinking? The importance of what to drink from six to 12 months.

Key discussion points:

• Cup feeding

• Cool boiled water

• Tooth care

Sleep and settling: What to expect when your baby is eight months old.

Key discussion points:

• Sleep cycles & feeding patterns of six to 12 month olds

• Revisit: Tired signs and settling strategies

Baby movement: To help mothers understand babies develop at their own pace and in their own way as they have different personalities, interests, skills, and experience. Encourage mothers to notice what they do and encourage them. Support them to try new experiences. Supervise them closely so they can explore and try out new skills safely.

Key Discussion Points:

• Infant development at eight months

• Floor time

• Activities for hand skills

• Baby interactions

• Avoiding distractions like television

Postnatal physical activity: Encouraging physical activity and reaching goals.

Key discussion points:

• Benefits of physical activity

• Stages of change

• Enablers and barriers to physical activity

• Goals

Nutrition for adults – particularly new mothers: For mothers to understand the importance of preparing nourishing meals for the whole family, especially getting the right amount of vegetables

Key Discussion Points:

• Dietary needs

• Australian dietary guidelines

• Fruit and vegetables

Work and family: Discussion on the return to work which can be a major step.

Key discussion points:

• Work and family

• Tips for returning to work