Health Visiting

Before you baby is born, you will be visited at home by a health visitor. This is your chance to get to know who your health visitor is and how we can support you.

We will discuss preparing for birth and discuss any worries you may have about becoming a parent.

We will provide information about vaccinations and vitamins to keep you and your baby healthy.

We will also support you with feeding your baby. We encourage breastfeeding but also help with formula feeding and ways to nurture your bond with your baby.

We also promote safe sleep for babies to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and talk about keeping your home and cars safe. This will also help to guide your purchases for your baby.

We will also have a conversation with you about ICON, which is about helping people who care for babies to cope with crying.

We will also check in with you about your mental health and how you are feeling.

We will visit you again at home after your baby is born.

We will complete and document in the visit in your child’s red book, which is your child’s personal health record.

We will talk to you about your labour and birth and check in with how your mental health and how you are coping with a new baby.

We will support you with baby feeding. We encourage breastfeeding but also help with formula feeding.

We will support you with your baby crying and have a conversation with you about ICON.

We will talk to you about the development of your baby and check your baby’s weight if you have any concerns.

We will talk to you about safe sleep, to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and also talk you about your baby’s safety at home.

The 6-8 week visit will take place at home or in clinic.

We will take a full set of measurements for your baby and complete milestone checks to ensure they are growing and developing as expected.

We will discuss responsive parenting with you, to support you in creating a loving environment for your child.

Mental health for parents is very important and we will focus on how everyone is feeling, low you are finding parenthood and provide the correct support for you.

We will also discuss weaning your baby and discuss baby-led weaning when your child developmentally ready.

We will talk about the immunisations and the benefits of them for your child.

We will also help you find local classes and activities to attend to support your child’s health and wellbeing.

Just before your child turns one, we will invite you and your child to attend a development check. This appointment will take place in a community setting.

Please bring your child’s red book with you to the appointment and complete any paperwork required.

We understand that all children are individuals and can develop and grow differently. This development check focuses on important milestones in development for your child, and it’s a way we can identify any learning, physical or social needs for your child at an early stage and give your child the best support possible. We will take a full set of measurements to ensure they are growing and developing well.

We will support your child’s health and wellbeing by providing information on vaccinations, diet and physical activities, sleep and bedtime routine, feeding, dental care and practical advice on car and home safety.

Mental health for parents is very important, so we check in on how everyone is feeling and provide the correct support.

We will talk about your child’s social and emotional needs and talk about what to expect as they begin to learn more about the people and world around them and experience different emotions.

We will also discuss nursery provisions and local area groups and the importance of friendships and community for you and your child’s positive wellbeing and mental health

We will discuss how your child develops and soaks up the world around them. We encourage a calm and safe environment that will give your child plenty of opportunities to develop. This includes talking to your child, reading, exploring and positive play experiences. We encourage real world learning, experiences and interactions and will discuss screen time limits and safety and how it has an impact on physical and mental development and overall wellbeing.

Between the ages of two and two and a half, you and your child will be invited to by the health visiting service to attend a development check. This appointment will take place in a community setting.

Please bring your child’s red book with you to the appointment and complete any paperwork required.

We will check your child’s weight and height and ensure they are growing and developing well.

We will talk about your child’s social and emotional needs as they begin to learn more about the people and world around them and experience different emotions.

We will support your child’s health and wellbeing by providing information on toilet training, sleep and bedtime routine, dental care and practical advice on home and outdoor safety.

We will also discuss diet and physical activities when your child is at this age, including encouraging a varied, healthy diet and plenty of physical activities such as outdoor play.

Mental health for parents is very important, so we check in on how everyone is feeling and provide the correct support.

Who are health visitors and what they do

The Princess of Wales spotlights the vital role of Health Visitors – video

Health visiting in your community – video

Health Visitors: for every family – video

Why this matters – Royal foundation for the Centre for Early Childhood

The place for trusted NHS advice and guidance to help you have a healthy and happy baby during pregnancy, birth and parenthood.

Start for Life home – NHS

Best Beginnings have worked with parents and healthcare professionals to create and develop Baby Buddy, a multi-award-winning parenting and pregnancy app.

The Baby Buddy app

ICON is all about helping people who care for babies to cope with crying.

About – ICON Cope

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) is dedicated to saving lives and preventing serious injuries.

RoSPA – The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents – RoSPA

Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS, previously known as cot death) is the sudden and unexpected death of a baby where no cause is found. Thankfully it is uncommon, but it does still happen. It’s important to be aware of the steps you can take to lower the risk.

For more information go to: lullabytrust.org.uk(opens in a new tab)

From a campaign that began in a spare cupboard in St Thomas’ Hospital, Tommy’s is now the largest UK charity researching the causes and prevention of pregnancy complications, miscarriage, stillbirth and premature birth.

Saving babies’ lives | Tommy’s | The pregnancy and baby charity

Family Hubs will offer the right help, in the right place, at the right time by offering services and support for all families in Sandwell with children aged 0 to 19 (or 25 with SEND).

https://www.sandwellfamilyhubs.com/

Activity inspiration for all ages. Fun activities and things to do with your child to help with their communication skills.

Tiny Happy People – Activities

Benefits – GOV.UK

Child Benefit: How it works – GOV.UK

Benefits available during pregnancy – background information – GOV.UK

Healthy Sandwell offers support for all ages, families and individuals to get more active, eat better, and maintain a healthy weight for good. There is also support if you want to give up smoking or alcohol and they offer advice on a range of other health issues too. For further information please visit www.healthysandwell.co.uk or call 0121 569 5100 or 0800 011 4656.

First Steps Nutrition Trust is an independent public health nutrition charity. We endeavour to fill practical and policy-relevant information gaps and provide resources for health workers supporting eating well from pre-conception to five years.

First Steps Nutrition Trust

Welcome to Sandwell SEND IASS. offer impartial information, advice and support to children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.

Sandwell Sendiass :: Home

Vaccinations – NHS

Find out about vaccinations for babies, children and adults, including why they’re important and how to get them.