BVC Healthcare Visits, 3–5 Months of Age

It’s common to visit your BVC once a month or even more often, if needed, when your baby is this age.

During these appointments, you’ll talk about your baby and about what things are fun and stimulating for them.

You’ll also have the chance to talk about being a parent.

You might also like to talk about your family’s everyday life, your baby’s food and child safety. You’ll also follow up on the things you’ve talked about before.

Your baby will be examined, weighed and measured.

When your baby is 3–5 months old, the parent who didn’t give birth to your baby will be offered a private appointment to speak with the nurse. You’ll talk about your baby, what it’s like to be a parent, your family and your own health. You’ll be offered extra support, if needed, such as counselling or other support services that your nurse can help you get in contact with.

All children have the right to grow up free from physical, psychological and sexual violence, your BVC’s staff will ask you questions about violence in your home life.

When your baby is 3 and 5 months old, you will be offered a vaccine against the rotavirus. This vaccine is given in the form of drops in your baby’s mouth.

At both 3 and 5 months of age, you’ll be offered the chance to vaccinate your baby against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, haemophilus influenzae type B, hepatitis B and pneumococcal infections. Each time, your baby will be given two injections, one in each leg. Sometimes, these injections are given at the same time.

It’s a good idea for your baby to have eaten and to be calm and content when it’s time for their vaccination. You can even breast-feed or bottle-feed your baby during their vaccination. Your baby can also be given sugar water to drink. This can help make their vaccination less painful. The rotavirus vaccine tastes sweet in itself, and can therefore be given to your baby instead of sugar water.

During their vaccination, you’ll hold your baby in your arms. If needed, your baby can be distracted using soap bubbles or toys, for example. As their parent, you provide your baby with a sense of security.

If you have any questions or feel unsure about anything before your baby’s vaccination, you can talk to the nurse at your BVC.