Who are Health Visitors and what do we do?

We have a universal offer for ALL families with children under 5 years. This may include:

  • A virtual antenatal group contact session – invitation from 28 weeks of pregnancy.
  • A new birth home visit when your baby is between 7 and 14 days old.
  • A 6–8 week contact to review parental mental health.
  • A virtual 4–6 month contact to discuss weaning and the Health Visiting (HV) service.
  • A 7–11 month developmental review.
  • A 2+ year developmental review.
  • Child health clinics, weaning groups and infant feeding hubs.
  • A home visit for any new family in the borough with children under 5 years.

Bonding and Attachment

Your relationship with your baby starts before they are born, and they begin getting to know you while they are growing. At around 8 weeks’ gestation, babies develop touch receptors, which continue to mature throughout pregnancy. Spending time gently stroking your bump can therefore be felt by your baby.

From around 15 weeks’ gestation, your baby can begin to hear (although sounds are a little muffled), and their hearing becomes clearer as they continue to develop. This means they can hear your voice, the voices of people around you, and even music.

Studies show that babies are able to recognise familiar voices and music after they are born. This is why talking to your baby during pregnancy is so important.

Emotional wellbeing

The baby blues are the most common and mildest form of low mood experienced after having a baby. A few days after the birth, you may feel elated one moment, then upset and emotional the next, and cry for no particular reason.

The baby blues may be caused by sudden changes in hormone levels after birth, the emotional impact of giving birth, the dawning realisation of the responsibility of caring for a new baby, and the many changes that you and your family are experiencing.

The baby blues usually improve within 14 days, and you should begin to feel more like yourself again.

If you or your partner have experienced emotional wellbeing or mental health challenges in the past, or are experiencing them now, rest assured that support is available throughout your health visiting journey. Please feel free to contact your health visitor if you would like to discuss this further before the birth of your baby.

Please click here for more information about mental health and the support available.

Feeding your baby

Pregnancy is a great time to think about how you would like to feed your baby. Deciding how to feed your baby is a personal choice that can be influenced by many different experiences and circumstances.

Your midwife should give you the opportunity to discuss the various feeding options available to you, and pregnancy is a great time to ask any questions you may have. Your midwife and health visitor will support you, whatever your feeding choice.

Did you know that your body starts producing colostrum (your baby’s first milk) from around 12–18 weeks of pregnancy?

Once your baby is born, help and support during the first few days are important for getting breastfeeding off to the best possible start. Many mothers find they need support with breastfeeding, and there are midwives and dedicated infant feeding staff in hospital who are there to help you.

You can find more information about feeding your baby on our website by clicking here.

Infant feeding support

There are several drop-in breastfeeding hubs across Lewisham where parents can access breastfeeding support. Support is provided by health visitors and trained peer supporters.

Expectant parents are also welcome to attend during pregnancy to ask any questions they may have about feeding their baby, or simply as an opportunity to meet other parents informally in their local area.

It is recommended that all pregnant and breastfeeding women take vitamin supplements. Breastfed babies should also receive vitamin supplements from birth. Formula-fed babies do not usually need additional vitamin supplements unless they are drinking less than 500 ml of infant formula each day.

You can find more information about breastfeeding hubs on our website by following the link.

Safe sleep

It is important that your baby sleeps as safely as possible to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Your health visitor will discuss safer sleep during your new birth visit, but here are some simple steps you can take to help keep your baby safe whenever they sleep, not just at night.

  • Always place your baby on their back to sleep.
  • Make sure your baby does not get too hot or too cold while sleeping. Use sheets and blankets (tucked in securely and no higher than shoulder height), or alternatively, use a well-fitting baby sleeping bag.
  • Avoid using soft or bulky bedding, such as quilts, pillows, duvets and cot bumpers, for children under 2 years of age.
  • Do not put hats or mittens on your baby while they are sleeping.
  • Never sleep on a sofa or in an armchair with your baby.
  • Do not share a bed with your baby if you smoke, drink alcohol, take drugs or medication that can make you drowsy, or if your baby was born prematurely or had a low birth weight.

Contact

If you would like to contact a health visitor, please use the following information below:

Useful links



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