Health visitors are one of the most important but least understood parts of the UK's support system for new families. Many new parents are unsure what their health visitor actually does, what the developmental checks involve, or how to get the most out of what can sometimes feel like a brief and slightly bewildering appointment. This guide aims to demystify the health visiting service and help you make the most of this valuable resource.
A health visitor is a registered nurse or midwife who has undertaken additional training in public health and child development. They work within the NHS and are responsible for supporting the health and wellbeing of children from birth to five years of age, as well as the families who care for them.
Unlike your GP, who sees you when something is wrong, health visitors take a preventive approach — visiting all families with young children to check development, offer support, and identify any concerns early. Their role encompasses child development, parental mental health, safeguarding, feeding support, and much more.
The Healthy Child Programme, which governs health visiting in England, sets out a schedule of contacts between health visitors and families. Similar programmes operate in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, with slight variations. The standard schedule in England includes:
Antenatal contact: Usually a home visit or group session between 28 and 32 weeks of pregnancy. This is an opportunity to introduce you to the service and begin building a relationship before the baby arrives.
New baby review (10 to 14 days): Typically a home visit shortly after your midwife care ends (usually around day 10). The health visitor checks your baby's health and feeding, discusses postnatal mood, and answers early questions.
6 to 8 week contact: Often timed to coincide with your baby's 6 to 8 week GP check, though this varies by area. Covers feeding, development, sleep, and postnatal wellbeing.
3 to 4 month review: A check on development and feeding, often including a discussion about weaning preparation.
9 to 12 month developmental review: A more structured developmental assessment, typically at your local children's centre or GP surgery.
2 to 2.5 year developmental review: The final scheduled contact in many areas, assessing development and school readiness.
In addition to these scheduled contacts, health visitors are available for drop-in clinics, phone consultations, and additional home visits if you have concerns or need extra support.
Developmental checks are not tests that your baby can pass or fail — they are opportunities to check that development is broadly on track and to pick up any areas that might benefit from extra support or investigation. What is assessed varies by age, but typically includes:
This is the most detailed developmental check in the first year and usually covers:
The Personal Child Health Record — universally known as the "red book" — is the document that records your child's health from birth to early childhood. Your health visitor will use it at every contact to record measurements and observations. Bring it to all health appointments, including GP visits, A&E, and any specialist appointments, as it provides an invaluable continuous health record.
One of the most important things your health visitor does is check on your mental health. Postnatal depression affects around 1 in 10 mothers and a significant number of fathers and partners. It is often underdiagnosed because parents feel they "should" be happy, or worry about the consequences of disclosing difficulties.
Your health visitor is not there to judge you or take action against you for struggling. They are there to help. Being honest about how you are feeling — even if you feel embarrassed or uncertain — means you can access support much sooner. This might include talking therapies, peer support, medication, or referral to a specialist perinatal mental health team.
Most areas now use a validated screening tool (such as the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale) at routine contacts. Answering these questions honestly is the most important thing you can do.
Between appointments, jot down anything you want to ask. It is very easy to forget questions in the moment, especially with a baby in your arms. Common topics parents want to cover include sleep, feeding, introducing allergens, developmental milestones, and postnatal mood.
Your health visitor has heard everything. They are not shocked by chaos, difficult feelings, or imperfect parenting. The more honest you can be about what is really going on — including difficulties with your relationship, financial stress, or feelings about the baby — the more effectively they can support you.
Most health visiting teams run weekly drop-in clinics (baby weighing clinics or "baby cafes") where you can see a health visitor informally, get your baby weighed, and ask questions without needing an appointment. These are often more accessible than formal home visits for day-to-day concerns.
Find out the name, phone number, and any email address for your health visiting team before you need it. In many areas, you can call or message the team directly during working hours for advice.
Your health visitor is one of the most experienced sources of support available to you in the first year of your baby's life. Making the most of that resource is one of the smartest things you can do.
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