What is a health visitor?
A health visitor is a qualified nurse or midwife who has completed specialist training in children and family health. They offer support and advice to parents and carers about the wellbeing of your child from when they are a baby until they start school.
Health visitors build relationships with families through home visits, with time to discuss each child’s progress and give advice which aims to be caring, person-centred and supportive.
How can my child’s Health Visitor help?
Your health visitor can give specialist up-to-date advice and support on many health and wellbeing topics such as:
- your own support after the birth of your baby
- your child's development
- help with the various aspects of being a parent
- childhood immunisations
- breastfeeding
- formula feeding
- weaning
- dental care
- safety
- minor ailments
When will I meet my Health Visitor?
The health visitor will contact you between 32-34 weeks of pregnancy to introduce the service. Up to 11 home visits are offered to all families by the Health Visiting team from before birth to pre-school. Around 8 visits usually take place before a baby’s first birthday, with three Child Health Reviews which usually take place between 13 months and 4-5 years.
What can I ask my health visitor?
Please feel free to ask your health visitor any questions you have at any time. Health visiting teams spend a lot of time visiting families at home, however, all have answer phones and will aim to return any calls as soon as possible. If you have concerns and cannot get in touch with your health visitor immediately, contact your GP surgery or NHS24 on 111. Download the Health Visiting service leaflet and find out more.
Resources and further information
Parent Club
Parent Club is an online hub full of up-to-date resources and guidance for your child’s health and wellbeing, with tips, recipes and advice from other parents who have had similar experiences and have been there before. Find out more about Parent Club.Bookbug & the Scottish Book Trust
Bookbug is book-gifting programme that gives every child four free packs of books between birth and primary 1. It also runs free song and rhymes sessions in libraries and community centres across Scotland. Find out more about Bookbug & the Scottish Book Trust.Vitamin D for babies & children
There are free vitamins available for pregnant women, infants and breastfeeding mothers in Scotland. Find out more.
