The US pension scheme: the half-year check
Preventive medical check-ups are an important topic for parents. When it comes to the U5, the child is six months old and they already know some of the key elements of these appointments.
As always, we start by determining the child's height, weight and head circumference, because these growth measurements are simply very important at baby age. Then we ask whether there are any particularities in everyday life, how the child sleeps, how stressed or burdened the parents are - if it seems necessary, we are always happy to refer them to support services (early help, Wellcome).
Another item on the agenda is the topic of nutrition. The vast majority will have already started complementary feeding at U5. If not, you should start after the sixth month at the latest.
An essential part of the U5 is the physical examination of the child. This includes listening, palpating the tummy and checking their motor skills. At six months, children should be able to support themselves freely on their hands and move their head around the room.
Many people think that little ones absolutely have to turn back and forth - but they don't have to. Although you can already see how motor skills are developing in the direction of turning, turning at six months is not a developmental milestone that a child absolutely has to have mastered.
What they should already be able to do, however, is to take things from one hand to the other and to cross the centre of the body when grasping. This is an important developmental step that the child should have learnt by this age.
Finally, as always, there is room for questions and to discuss how to proceed with immunisations and preventive care.
Further interesting tips
Occupational therapy in everyday life
Yes, it really does exist, World Lost Sock Day. Since 1998, the poor socks that disappear without a trace in the Bermuda Triangle between the laundry basket and the washing machine have been commemorated on 9 May.
Childcare
At what age should children be looked after and how? A question that I am constantly confronted with. Most recently, it was even a political issue here in Schorndorf. Clear answer: There is no clear answer - only many omissions.
Moles
Children are not small adults. One topic where this beautiful phrase once again applies is the mole, medically known as a nevus. Dealing with brown moles and the need to have them looked at by a dermatologist is very different for children than for adults.