You have open access to the health visiting service (Monday – Friday, 8.30am – 4pm) by calling the Single Point of Access 0191 282 3319 if you need support or guidance.
This appointment will usually take place within your home when your child reaches 9-12 months. We will send you an appointment letter in the post.
The appointment tends to last about an hour depending on what you wish to discuss.
We will review any previous and current health concerns you may have and provide support, guidance and information on relevant services available to you and your child.
Your baby will be weighed to monitor their growth and a review of your child’s progress will be completed.
We understand children will develop at their own pace. It is important to highlight this review is an opportunity for you to talk about your child’s progress, learn more about what you can do to help their development and make sure you have the support you need.
We will discuss infant feeding such as weaning advice, your baby should be building up to 3 meals a day, breakfast, lunch and tea in addition to their milk feeds.
You do not need to mash their foods any more, let your baby explore different textures and flavours. It is a good idea to offer your baby easy pick up foods.
We promote introducing a multivitamin around this stage if your baby is drinking less than 500mls formula a day. Breastfed babies should be on vitamin D supplements from birth.
You may wish to discuss continued breastfeeding or what to do on your return to work. We can support and guidance on this.
Your baby may soon be on the move and exploring the world! It is especially important at this stage to think of their safety. You may be starting to think about stair gates, baby locks and moving dangerous objects out of reach. The professional will discuss ways on how to make your home a safe environment.
You may wish to discuss sleep at this stage, it is normal for babies to wake through the night there are many reasons why they do this including wanting comfort, teething and the developmental leap they are experiencing. If broken sleep is affecting you, you may wish to discuss ways of improving this on the visit.
As with all developmental milestones caring for your child can be challenging and the health professional will sensitively review your emotional well-being, providing support and guidance where necessary to yourself and the family.
As with previous visits your health visitor will discuss generic health information including:
- Transition to parenthood
- Safe sleeping
- Immunisations
- Dental care
- Smoking cessation
- Diet and exercise.
Your next routine visit with a health professional will be when your baby reaches 24-36 months.
Useful links
BBC Tiny Happy People
Child development and milestones – BBC Tiny Happy People
Breastfeeding Network
Home – The Breastfeeding Network
Child Action and Prevention Trust
Child Accident Prevention Trust (capt.org.uk)
ERIC: Toilet Training
First Steps Nutrition
Health for Under 5’s
Health for Under 5s | For healthy, happy early years
ICON
Coping with the crying baby ICON – Ecosia
NHS
Children’s teeth – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
NHS Fussy Eaters
Fussy eaters – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
North East Autism Society
North East Autism Society (ne-as.org.uk)
Tel: 0191 410 9974
Solihull Approach
Free Downloads (solihullapproachparenting.com)
Start4life
Vaccinations & Immunisations – Start4Life
The Little Orange Book
Lullaby Trust
The Lullaby Trust – Safer sleep for babies, Support for families
UNICEF: Developmental Milestones
Your baby’s developmental milestones – UNICEF Parenting
UNICEF: Infant Feeding Support for Parents
Support for parents – Baby Friendly Initiative (unicef.org.uk)
