You have open access to the health visiting service (Monday – Friday 8.30am-4pm) by calling the Single Point of Access on 0191 282 3319 if you need support or guidance.

All children and families are entitled to a universal service and the level of support offered is assessed on each individual families health, development and social need.

When your baby reaches 3-4 months your health visitor will send you an appointment letter in the post as this visit will take place within your home. We know this is a time when there are many changes coming up for your baby developmentally which you may want to discuss.

On this visit, we will weigh your baby, review their progress and discuss any concerns you may have. This is a great opportunity to discuss your baby’s progress, as professionals we understand that every child’s journey is unique to them. Your health visitor will discuss ways in which you can promote your baby’s physical and emotional development through play and social interaction.

At this stage you may be starting to think about how to introduce your baby to solid foods, advice has changed over the years but research now states babies only need breast or formula milk for the first six months of life, this gives time for your baby to develop so they can cope with solid foods. Your health visitor will discuss weaning advice on this visit and support you with any concerns you may have.

You may wish to discuss sleep on this visit, it is important to remember every baby is different and will have their own personality! But, generally at this stage your baby will start to have a longer stretch of sleep through the night (sleeping through the night time feed). It is important to remember babies do not sleep all night every night until they are closer to one year old. Your baby’s brain is growing rapidly and we promote responsive feeding, we recommend keeping the baby in your room for the first 6 months of life to pick up on their cues and needs. We do not promote sleep training at this stage.

You may be starting to think of the teething process, all babies are different and the likelihood is your baby will probably get their first tooth during their first year of life. We recommend taking your baby to the dentist as soon as possible. Start brushing your baby’s teeth with fluoride toothpaste as soon as these milk teeth break through the gums.

As with all developmental milestones caring for your baby can be challenging and the health visitor will sensitively review your emotional and physical well-being, providing support and guidance where necessary to yourself and the family. You may be asked to complete a questionnaire on this visit called the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), this will give the heath visitor an indication of any signs of post-natal depression.

As with previous visits your health visitor will discuss generic health information including transition to parenthood, safe sleeping, accident and prevention, immunisations, smoking cessation and diet and exercise.

Your next routine visit with a health professional will be when your baby reaches 9-12 months.

Useful links

3 – 4 month visit

Useful links

BBC Tiny Happy People

Breastfeeding Network

Child Action and Prevention Trust

First Steps Nutrition

First Steps Nutrition: Children’s Food

Health for Under 5’s

Health for Under 5’s: Sleep

Health for Under 5’s: Teething Troubles

Health for Under 5’s: Lets Play The First Six Months

Hungry Little Minds

ICON

Solihull Approach

Start4life

Start4life: Vaccinations

Start4life: Weaning:

The Little Orange Book

Lullaby Trust

UNICEF: Support for Parents

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