The 6 week check in Ireland

These answers come from the HSE and Citizens Information pages listed at the end, checked on 3 November 2026.

What is the 6 week check?

The 6 week check is a free GP appointment for you and your baby about 6 weeks after the birth. Your health and your baby's health are checked during the same appointment. It is the second of 2 postnatal GP visits under the Maternity and Infant Care Scheme, after your baby's 2 week check.

The HSE asks you to make the appointment with your GP yourself, so it is worth booking it before the 6 weeks come round.

What happens at the 2 week GP check?

Your GP or the GP practice nurse sees your baby at 2 weeks old to check how they are developing. They usually weigh your baby and talk about your birth experience and how you feel. They might also ask how your baby is feeding and how alert they are, and talk about vaccines.

What does the GP check on my baby at 6 weeks?

Your GP examines your baby and checks their hips, heart and eyes. If your baby was born a boy, the GP checks his testicles, and if both cannot be felt they check again at 6 months. Your GP also asks whether your baby has had the heel prick and the hearing test.

The HSE National Clinical Programme for Paediatrics and Neonatology guide for doctors also lists weight, length and head size plotted on a centile chart, the skin, breathing, spine and soft spots on the head, and your baby's tone and reflexes. It is also a chance to talk about vaccines, feeding, safe sleep and spotting illness.

If your baby has not had the heel prick test, the GP or your public health nurse can still arrange it until 12 months old.

What does the GP check on me at 6 weeks?

The GP checks how you are recovering from the birth, including any caesarean wound, episiotomy or tear. They check your blood pressure, especially if it was high in pregnancy, and ask about your mood, how feeding is going and your bladder and bowel control. They also talk with you about contraception.

The HSE points out that you can get pregnant very soon after giving birth, so contraception comes up even if it feels early. The GP may also talk about cervical screening if you are due a test, check your weight, and offer the MMR vaccine if your pregnancy blood test showed low rubella immunity.

Tell the GP if you feel low, anxious or not yourself. Signs of postnatal depression are one of the things the HSE lists for your 6 week check.

Is the 6 week check free?

Yes. If you live in Ireland, the Maternity and Infant Care Scheme gives you free antenatal and postnatal care, including 2 postnatal GP visits: your baby at 2 weeks, and you and your baby at 6 weeks. You do not need a medical card or a GP visit card to get it.

Other GP visits for your baby are covered by the GP visit card for children under 8. Read how to get the GP visit card for your baby.

What if I had private or semi-private care?

If you had private antenatal care, the HSE says your own postnatal check-up is done in the maternity hospital by your consultant. Your baby's 2 week and 6 week checks are still done by your GP, and Citizens Information says a hospital paediatrician may examine your baby at 6 weeks instead.

Compare the options in public or private maternity care in Ireland.

What should I bring and ask at the 6 week check?

Bring a short list of questions: the HSE suggests making one before the visit and using the appointment to raise any worries. It helps to note how often your baby feeds, their wet and dirty nappies and their sleep, and anything about your own recovery or mood that you want to mention.

• Is my baby gaining weight as expected?
• Were the hips, heart and eyes all clear?
• When are the first vaccines, and where?
• Is my wound or tear healing well?
• Which contraception suits me if I am breastfeeding?
• Who do I talk to if I feel low or anxious?

What comes after the 6 week check?

Your baby's first vaccines are at 2 months, with your GP or GP practice nurse, and you are posted a letter about the vaccine schedule. Then the public health nurse organises a 3 month developmental check at your local health centre, followed by checks at 9 to 11 months and 21 to 24 months.

See every date in the Irish baby vaccine schedule and public health nurse visits for a new baby.

In the Lullagram app, put in your baby's date of birth and it lays out the PHN visit, the 2 and 6 week GP checks, the development checks and the HSE vaccines, with a date for each. You can see it before you make an account: open lullagram.ie/app and tap See your baby's first year. Lullagram also logs feeds, nappies, sleep and weight. It is free for 7 days, then 4.99 euro a month for the household. This is general information from the HSE, not medical advice. If you are worried about your baby or yourself, contact your GP or HSE Live on 1800 700 700.