Health visits

Explore the topics on this page:

Health visiting team

The health visiting team work with families to give children the best possible start in life. At your appointment the health visiting team will:

help you understand the latest information and advice for new parents
discuss the basics of parenthood such as feeding your baby, how to cope when your baby is crying and keeping your baby safe
talk you through the common concerns that new parents have like how to build a relationship with your baby and helping your baby’s development
signpost you to useful resources such as educational support, where to find funding for further education and career advice
let you know about local events, groups and workshops for new parents in your area
answer any questions you have and signpost you to further support if needed

Back to top

Visits

You will see a member of the health visiting team on 5 occasions. Once during the pregnancy and then 4 times once your baby is born until they are 5 years old. We will visit you:

28 to 32 weeks pregnant
10 to 14 days old
6 to 8 weeks old
9 to 12 months old
2 to 2.5 years old

These visits are a great opportunity to ask questions and raise any concerns you have about parenthood. During their visits we will get to know you and find out about what’s important to you and your family.

The health visiting team is there to help you make informed choices that will work best for you and your baby.

The health visit is a safe space for you to ask questions. Your questions don't have to be related to what is being discussed.

The health visiting team will ask you a few questions to check-in on your mental health. Having a baby is a life-changing event. We want to check-in to see how you are doing physically and mentally. We want to make sure that you feel safe and supported.

If you notice any changes in your mental health or you are struggling, speak to your midwife, health visitor or GP for support.

Before your baby arrives you will have a number of appointments with your midwife. You will also be visited by a health visitor. This will be your introduction to our health visiting service. The first visit will usually be at your home.

During the visit the health visitor will talk to you about:
- your feelings, emotions and mental health
- your physical health
- parental relationships
- helping you prepare for parenthood
- baby's brain development
- preparing for your baby's arrival
- bonding with your baby
- feeding your baby
This will be the first health visit once your baby has been born. This visit will take place at your home.

The health visitor will talk to you about:
- your labour and the birth
- your feelings, emotions and mental health
- how you feel you are coping with a new baby
- advice and help on feeding your baby
- the development of your baby's brain
- observing your baby's weight, length and head circumference
- baby safety such as safety around pets
- reducing the risks of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) also known as cot death
- vaccinations and the immunisation programme
A member of the health visiting team will normally see your baby in a clinic when they are 6 to 8 weeks old.

A member of the health visiting team will:
- check how your baby is developing
- offer support with your baby crying
- explain safe sleeping for your baby
- discuss responsive feeding
- talk to you about responsive parenting
- explain how to keep your baby safe
- discuss your feelings, emotions and mental health
- how you feel you're adjusting to parenthood
- talk to you about vaccinations and the immunisation programme
You will see a member of the health visiting team in a community setting when your baby is 9 to 12 months old. A letter will be sent to you with information about the date, time and location. Remember to bring your baby's red book to the appointment.

At this appointment a member of the health visiting team will:
- complete growth monitoring including weight, length and head circumference
- discuss the ages and stages questionnaire that you have completed prior to the appointment
- discuss how your baby's brain is developing
- discuss feeding and weaning
- discuss you and your baby's sleep and safe sleeping
- discuss comforting your baby when they cry
- discuss playing and socialising with your baby
- discuss keeping your baby safe
- discuss vaccinations and the immunisation programme
- your feelings, emotions and mental health
- how you feel you're adjusting to parenthood
You will see a member of the health visiting team in a community setting when your child is between 2 to 2.5 years old. Remember to bring your child's red book to the appointment.

A member of the health visiting team will:
- measure your child's height and weight
- discuss toilet training
- discuss healthy eating
- discuss dental care
- discuss keeping active
- discuss sleep and naps
- discuss talking, communicating and socialising, this also includes bilingualism
- discuss emotional development such as tantrums and not sharing
- discuss keeping your child safe
- discuss preparing your child for nursery or preschool
- discuss vaccinations and the immunisation programme
- advise how to contact the 0 to 19 service if support is needed in the future

Back to top

Information for partners and co-parents

The health visiting service is for both parents, not just the parent giving birth. We warmly welcome any parent that wants to be involved during pregnancy and once your baby is born. We also welcome supporting family or friends that you wish to be involved.

We encourage you to join in during the visits and demonstrations and ask questions.

DadPad logo

If you're going to become a new dad, you may find downloading the DadPad app helpful. It has information for new dads that will help before and after the baby arrives.

Download the app from the Apple Store

Download the app from the Play Store

Back to top