6 – 8 week contact - Better Lives Healthy Futures
Emergency сontact

6 – 8 week contact

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When your baby is between six and eight weeks old we will see you again.

Routine screening reviews at 6-8 weeks during COVID-19

The Institute of Health Visiting (iHV) and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) have published a guide for parents about signs to look out for if you have been unable to get an appointment, or if it has been delayed. “We really want parents to attend this check-up, but we know that it may not always be possible due to the impact of COVID-19. If you’re a new parent who has struggled to get an appointment, or if it’s been delayed, we’ve produced some easy to follow signs to look out for while you wait to see a GP.”

What happens at this visit?

We’ll talk about your baby’s development, for example, are they smiling? We’ll also have a chat about how you respond and interact with your baby as this is really important for development and relationship building.

You might have lots of questions and we can talk about these, for example coping with a baby who is crying a lot, feeding your baby, what’s normal and what should you expect for this stage. We can talk about your concerns and any support you need.

At this visit we will talk about how you and the family are coping and do an assessment of your mood.

Before we see you – you may find the information below helpful

The topics below may be helpful in answering some of your questions. Take a look at them and use the links at the bottom of the page for more information

Your appointment

We’ll contact you to let you know about your appointment, this might be at home or in a clinic depending on where you live.

If you need to book or rearrange a visit, please contact the Health visiting service on: 01274 221223

Did you know? question

Registering with your GP

You should now have registered your baby with their GP. Around this time you and your baby should both have appointments with your doctor for a health check. You should also have been invited for your baby’s first injections to protect them from some serious infectious illnesses. If you have not been sent an appointment, please ring your GP.

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Further information

Caring for your baby at night

Becoming a parent is a special time. Getting to know your new baby can be one of the most rewarding experiences but it can also be challenging, especially when you’re tired. This Unicef leaflet provides some helpful advice.

Tiny Happy People

This BBC website offers a collection of learning activities and fun things to do with children from birth to three months.

Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH)
Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is a condition where the ‘ball and socket’ joint of the hip doesn’t properly form in babies and young children. Find out more information about it here and in your red book.

Support with breastfeeding
There is lots of support available to you if you need help breastfeeding. Visit this page for more information and links to support groups, advice and how to contact your on-duty health visitor.

Related topics

Maternal and paternal mental health
Feeling worried or stressed, or even feeling a little down throughout and after your pregnancy can be normal but it’s important to realise when these feelings become more serious.
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Caring for your crying baby
All babies cry, and some more than others. Crying is your baby’s way of telling you they need comfort and care.
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0-4

Safe sleep
Safe sleep is very important. You, and anyone helping you, needs to understand how to keep your baby safe whilst they sleep.
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0-4

Parent infant relationship
Your relationship with your baby starts much earlier than the first time you meet them.
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Infant feeding
Feeding your baby in the right way for you both can help get your baby get off to the best start in life.
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Bottle feeding
If you choose to bottle feed you may still want to give the first few feeds of colostrum (first milk) before going on to bottle feeding.
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Breastfeeding
There are many benefits to breastfeeding for both you and your baby and in the first few days you and your baby will still be getting to know each other.
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Red Book
The Personal Child Health Record (PCHR), also known as the 'Red Book', is given to parents or carers’ at a child’s birth to record their health and development.
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0-4

Immunisation and vaccinations
Immunisation is a way of protecting against serious infectious diseases.
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0-4

New baby, new feelings
During the first week after having a baby, many women get what’s often called the ‘baby blues’. Women can experience low mood at a time when they expect to feel happy.
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0-4

Home safety
There are lots of things that you can do at home to protect your family.
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Car seat safety
Shopping for a car seat can be an exciting time, there’s a lot to choose from but it’s nice to imagine taking your new baby home in it for the first time.
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0-4

Development
There’s lots of research that shows the amazing speed a baby’s brain is developing.
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0-4

Newborn health and what to expect
Information about newborn health
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Vitamins
Vitamin D helps keep bones and teeth healthy. It is needed to absorb calcium from the diet.
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Healthy start
Healthy Start is a scheme that enables eligible applicants to get free vouchers every week to spend on milk, plain fresh and frozen fruit and vegetables, and infant formula milk plus free vitamins.
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