What is the infant health record?

Your baby's infant health record is a coloured book that records important information about your baby's health.

This includes your baby’s:

• growth and development
• vaccinations
• health issues

The book might be blue, purple, red, green or yellow, depending on which state or territory you are in.

The infant health record is in the newborn information pack you get in hospital after you have your baby.

The book helps the health professionals who look after your baby work together — and with you.

It records all the important information they need, from when your child is born to when they start school. That’s why it's important to take it to all your baby's appointments.

What information is recorded in the infant health record?

The infant health record contains health and development information right from the moment your baby is born. It includes:

• details of the birth
• vaccinations
• when to go for health checks
• any illnesses or injuries

When you visit a health professional, they will record your child's weight and measurements in the book.

You can also add information yourself, such as medicines your child is taking or developmental milestones your child has reached.

Your infant health record also contains:

• useful parenting information
• tips on how to register your baby's birth
• somewhere to record your family's health history

How should I use the infant health record?

You should take your baby’s infant health record when your baby has an appointment with your:

• doctor
• midwife
• child health nurse
• child’s specialists
• child’s dentist

You should also take it when you take your baby to:

• an immunisation clinic
• hospital
• childcare or school

Make sure you keep the book safe. It's a permanent record of your child's health.

If you lose the book, ask your doctor or child health nurse how to get a new one.

Why is the infant health record important?

It's important to monitor your baby's growth and development to check for early signs of any problems.

Recording all measurements in the infant health record helps health professionals recognise and treat any issues early.

Keeping your baby’s infant health record up to date ensures all health professionals have the necessary information. It also has reminders of when to take your child to the doctor for checks and vaccinations.

My Health Record

You can also register your baby for My Health Record. This is a digital health record that lets healthcare providers upload your child’s health information.

You can add your own notes about your child's development.

You can get a My Health Record for your newborn by:

• completing the questions on the Newborn Child Declaration form in your newborn information pack
• registering them for their My Health Record in MyGov when you enrol your baby for Medicare

You can log in to their My Health Record through my.gov.au:

• Select the box with your child's name on the welcome screen to access their My Health Record.
• Go to the 'Documents' tab at the top of the page.
• Select 'Childhood Development'.

My Health Record doesn't replace the infant health record book.

Make sure you look after your infant health record and take it with you to appointments.

Resources and Support

You can find out about the infant health record in your state or territory at:

• ACT — Blue book
• NSW — Blue book
• NT — Yellow book
• Queensland — Red book
• SA — Blue book
• Victoria — Green book
• Tasmania — Blue book
• WA — Purple book