The first six weeks with a new baby can feel like a whirlwind. By the time you arrive at the 6-week check, you’ve survived those early sleepless nights and are beginning to know your little one’s unique rhythms. This consultation is one of the most important in your baby’s first year—it’s a chance to make sure your baby is healthy, developing well, and to start their vaccination journey.
At Walker Street Doctors, this appointment is doctor-led, with the support of our experienced nursing team. Many of our doctors are mothers themselves, so we understand firsthand the mix of joy, worry, and questions that come with this stage of parenthood.
What Happens at the 6-Week Check?
This is a longer 40-minute consultation that covers your baby’s growth, feeding, sleep, development, and general wellbeing. Your GP will:
- Check your baby’s growth charts in the Blue Book
- Perform a gentle physical examination, including heart, hips, eyes, and neurological checks
- Review feeding and settling, whether you’re breastfeeding, bottle-feeding, or a combination
- Answer any questions you’ve been storing up (we encourage you to bring a list!)
It’s also an important time to check in on your health and wellbeing—physically and emotionally—because caring for you is part of caring for your baby.
Vaccinations at 6 Weeks
At this visit, your baby will receive their first round of immunisations. These are some of the most important vaccines your child will ever have, protecting against serious and potentially life-threatening illnesses:
- Tetanus – prevents a dangerous bacterial infection that can cause muscle spasms and stiffness
- Whooping Cough (Pertussis) – a highly contagious illness that can be severe in young babies
- Pneumococcal disease – protects against infections such as pneumonia, meningitis, and ear infections
- Rotavirus (oral vaccine) – guards against a virus that causes severe diarrhoea and dehydration in infants
Our nursing team assists with preparation and administration, ensuring everything runs smoothly. Breastfeeding or bottle-feeding straight after the vaccines is the best way to settle your baby, and we’ll guide you through this process.
Why This Appointment Matters
The 6-week check is about so much more than needles. It’s the beginning of your baby’s structured healthcare journey, and an opportunity for parents to feel supported, heard, and confident. We know these early weeks can feel overwhelming—trust us, we are skilled at this and we’ll look after both you and your baby.
✨ At Walker Street Doctors, we’re here to walk beside you as you navigate the joys and challenges of early parenthood—with excellence, efficiency, joy, compassion, and collaboration.
If your baby is approaching six weeks, book in today for their well baby consultation and first immunisations.
