Who are Health Visitors
Health visitors are registered nurses or midwives with a specialist qualification in public health. They work with families who have children between the ages of 0 and five.
Lewisham health visiting services are provided by Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust, and our health visitors work in five teams, across the Borough.
What your Health Visitor will offer you.
There are five key stages in your child’s development when you will be contacted by your health visitor:
- Before your baby is born (when you are around 30 weeks’ pregnant)
- New birth visit – between days eight and 14
- Six to eight week visit
- Seven to 12 month developmental review
- Two to two and a half years developmental review
Each health visiting team runs a child health clinic, which you can attend with your under five’s for advice, support and weighing. You do not need to make an appointment to attend the child health clinics, which are held in a variety of venues including GP practices and children’s centres.
Throughout your journey with your health visiting team you will have contact with:
- Health Visitor
- Health Visitor Assistant Practitioners
- Support Workers
Some of our health visitors have undergone further training to become specialist practice teachers. This means they help to educate student health visitors. You will be informed if a student health visitor is joining the visit.
Safeguarding children is an integral part of a health visitor’s role and we work closely with our colleagues from children’s social care, GP practices and voluntary services in order to support families.
If English is not your first language, or if your hearing or vision is compromised, your health visitor has access to a pre-arranged interpreting service.
Admin hub phone number
If you would like to arrange your child’s developmental review or have any general enquiries please call the health visiting Admin hub phone number – 02030491873
Health messages
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Baby Summer Safety
The weather is getting warmer, which can make following safer sleep advice more complicated. It is harder to keep baby cool and holidays and travel can disrupt routines. We have put together some tips on baby summer safety so you can enjoy the summer and keep baby safe when the weather gets hot…
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Baby summer safety tips
Travelling by car
Car seats are essential for safety when travelling but babies should not sleep in a car seat for long periods as many aren’t flat, which can mean babies are slumped over. We recommend on longer journeys that you take regular breaks where baby is removed from the car seat and if possible have an adult sit with the baby in the back of the car, or use a mirror so you are able so you are able to keep an eye on them. If a baby changes its
position and slumps forward, then parents should immediately stop
and take the baby out of the car seat.
Babies should not sleep in car seats when they are not travelling.
Following a safer sleep routine on holiday
To reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) babies should be slept on their back on a firm, flat, mattress for every sleep day and night. It is important that this routine is followed on holiday. If your baby is sleeping in a travel cot the mattresses are often thinner and feel harder but don’t be tempted to place folded blankets or a quilt under the baby to make them ‘more comfortable’. Ensure that the travel cot isn’t against a radiator, in direct sunlight, and is out of reach of blind cords and hazards.
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Keeping baby cool when out and about
Babies’ prams and buggies should not be covered with blankets, cloths or any cover that prevents the air circulating. Covering a pram or buggy with a blanket could lead to overheating, which increases the chance of SIDS. Using a cover also creates a barrier between parent and baby, which is slightly risky as parents won’t be able to see if their baby is having difficulties or monitor their temperature easily. We recommend attaching a clip-on sunshade or parasol to a pram or buggy and checking if baby is
getting too hot by feeling their tummy or the back of their neck.
Keep babies out of direct sunlight as much as possible.
Making sure baby has enough fluids
When the weather is hot it is important to make sure that your baby has plenty of fluids. If bottle fed, babies under six months should be given cooled boiled water or for babies over six months just water from the tap. Fully breastfed babies don’t need any extra water until they start eating solid food.
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Room temperature
Babies that get too hot have a greater chance of SIDS. We recommend keeping the room where your baby sleeps at a fairly cool temperature of 16-20°. This can be more difficult in summer months or when away somewhere warm. If the room where the baby sleeps is difficult to cool use lighter bedding and clothing and open the bedroom door and a window, if it is safe to do so. Baby sleep bags will have guidance on what tog to use for each season. You might also like to use a fan to cool the room, but don’t aim it
directly on the baby.
A thermometer can help you to make sure the room is at the right temperature.
Co-sleeping more safely
If you or your partner are having an alcoholic drink, smoking or taking medication that could make you drowsy on holiday (or at home) co-sleeping with your baby can be very dangerous and increases the risk of SIDS. In these circumstances your baby should be slept in a cot or Moses basket in the same room as you.
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Has your child had 2 MMR vaccines?
Public Health England is advising the public to ensure they have had 2 doses of MMR vaccine after outbreaks of measles are confirmed across England. If you are unsure if you or your child have had 2 doses of the MMR vaccine contact your GP.
In Lewisham your child is offered the first MMR at 12 months and second MMR at 15 months.
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Whooping Cough outbreak
Lewisham currently has a Whooping Cough outbreak!
How to prevent Whooping Cough:
- 5-in-1 vaccination at 8, 12 and 16 weeks old
- Pre-school booster vaccination at 3 years 4 months.
- If you are 16+ weeks pregnant you can get your free whooping cough vaccine too!
Contact your GP surgery for your baby or child’s next vaccination appointment.
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Kids II Recalls All Rocking Sleepers Due to Reports of Deaths
Name of Product: All models of Kids II Rocking Sleepers. Sold in the UK through Toys R Us.
Hazard: Infant fatalities have occurred in the Rocking Sleepers, after the infants rolled from their back to their stomach while unrestrained, or under other circumstances.
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the product and contact Kids II for a refund or voucher. www.kids2.com and click on “IMPORTANT RECALL INFORMATION” for more information.
