Health visitor
A health visitor is a nurse or midwife who has undertaken additional training. You will have access to support from your health visiting team with your child’s health and development until they start school.
Your health visitor will be notified that you are pregnant when you book with the midwife in the first few months of your pregnancy. They will contact you before your baby is born; you may be invited to a group or an appointment with the local health visiting team during your pregnancy.
Once your baby is born, your health visitor will contact you. The first check (New Baby Review) will usually occur 10 to 14 days after the birth. The health visitor will check on the health and wellbeing of the parents and baby, provide support with feeding and give important advice on keeping safe. They will also discuss early bonding with the baby, talk about feeding, check the baby is putting on weight appropriately, explain the immunisation programme and talk about important safety measures, such as car seats. At this point, parents often seek advice on establishing a routine, as well as information on sleep, crying and colic.
Health visitors are linked to Children’s and Family Centres, Health Centres or GP surgeries. To contact your health visitor and find out which health visiting team you have been allocated to, contact your Children’s Centre, Health Centre or GP surgery.
Health visitors can offer baby clinics, health checks and opportunies to talk about any concerns you may have in Children’s or Family Centres. Children’s and Family Centres will also offer parenting workshops and developmental workshops, helping you to understand how your baby develops and how to play and interact with your child. You can also meet other parents with their babies at the Centres.
At six to eight weeks old, the health visitor will assess the baby’s growth and your health, particularly looking out for signs of postnatal depression. This is also an opportunity to find out about the childhood vaccination programme.
What do health visitors do?
