The U4 screening: growth, motor skills, nutrition

We usually carry out the U4 at an age of three and a half to four months, because this is when we usually also carry out the second round of vaccinations. We start with the basics: weighing, measuring and determining head circumference. These are simply important measurements to recognise how a baby is developing.

Of course, talking to the parents is also an integral part of the check-ups: How is life going, how well is the child sleeping, how stressed are the parents and do they have enough support? If necessary, we provide information on systems such as Wellcome and Early Help.

A key part of the U4 is then a physical examination. The main focus is on hearing and motor skills. In terms of hearing, we check whether the baby's auditory impression is good and whether the baby responds well to sounds. This is tested with a rattle, for example. In the area of motor skills and strength, the U4 test looks at whether the baby can support itself on its forearms and hold its head freely in space. If this is not yet possible, we can instruct the parents to practise or, if necessary, prescribe physiotherapy.

Another topic that comes up at U4 is nutrition. Although most children should still be breastfed at four months, the current recommendation is to start complementary feeding from the age of four months (six months at the latest). So this is already on the agenda at U4.

Of course, there should never be a lack of time for any questions that parents may have.