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.

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.

This appointment will usually take place within your home when your child reaches 9-12 months, your health professional will send you an appointment letter in the post. The appointment tends to last about an hour depending on what you wish to discuss.

The professional 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. As a health visiting team, 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.

The health professional 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, the health professional will offer 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 and diet and exercise.

Your next routine visit with a health professional will be when your baby reaches 24-36 months.

Useful links

9 – 12 month visit

Useful links

BBC Tiny Happy People

Breastfeeding Network

Child Action and Prevention Trust

ERIC: Toilet Training

First Steps Nutrition

Health for Under 5’s

ICON

NHS

NHS Fussy Eaters

North East Autism Society

Solihull Approach

Start4life

Start4life: Vaccinations

The Little Orange Book

Lullaby Trust

UNICEF: Developmental Milestones

UNICEF: Infant Feeding Support for Parents