6 to 8 week review

The 6-8 week review appointment is an important opportunity to speak with a health visitor to discuss your baby’s development and progress, as well as your health and wellbeing.

The date and time of the appointment will be given to you at your new birth visit and you should bring your baby’s Red book with you.

The Surrey-wide 0-19 Advice Line on 01883 340 922 is available from 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays) and provides support on all aspects of child health, development and parenting.

Please visit the emotional wellbeing and mental health page to read about the support available for you.

We will talk to you about:

Your baby's feeding
Sleep and your baby and Safer sleep
Introducing family foods
Talking to your baby (BBC Tiny Happy People website)
Minor illnesses and managing high temperatures
Immunisations
Unicef guide to 'building a happy baby'
The effects of smoking on your child's health and support to quit smoking
Safety advice
Pelvic floor advice

Do you know why Vitamin D supplements are important for you and your child?

Please read more on our Vitamin D page where you can also find information about the Healthy Start Scheme.

You may have physical problems after having a baby. These can be related to pregnancy or birth, or the things you do while caring for young children, such as lifting and bending.

For some problems, you can do a lot to help yourself. For example, if you have a leaky bladder (incontinence) or a heavy feeling between your vagina and anus, you may need to strengthen the muscles around your bladder by doing pelvic floor exercises. Find our more on the NHS website (incontinence).

Pelvic floor muscle exercises don't just help to stop incontinence, they can improve prolapse symptoms and make sex better too. To find out more about prolapse visit the NHS website (prolapse).

You can also visit the the Pelvic Obstetric and Gynaecological Physiotherapy website for further information including:

Pelvic floor exercises for women leaflet: A guide on how do to pelvic floor exercises
Exercise and advice after pregnancy leaflet: Advice on returning to exercise after birth including some simple exercises for the first few weeks after birth.
Pelvic Organ Prolapse - A physiotherapy guide for women leaflet: Prolapse is very common affecting about 1 in 3 women who have had children. This guide can help you understand what a prolapse is. It will also explain possible causes and what you might be able to do to improve the symptoms you are experiencing.

The Squeezy app supports your pelvic health and is designed by physiotherapists. Please note there is a cost to this app.

If you and/or your children are scared, frightened, being controlled or hurt by someone you know or live with please contact:

Surrey Domestic Abuse Helpline on 01483 776 822 (9am to 9pm, 7 days a week)
Surrey-wide 0-19 Advice Line on 01883 340 922 (8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday excluding bank holidays) to contact the Health Visiting team
Your GP

In an emergency, call 999.

Visit the Healthy Surrey website for advice, advocacy, practical help and support.

Baby Buddy is free a pregnancy and parenting app which provides trusted, evidence-based information and self care tools for parents, co-parents and caregivers in Surrey.

It aims to empower you to build your knowledge and confidence, from early pregnancy to your child’s first birthday with:

Fun, engaging interactive features to ‘learn without the burn’
A huge video library – including tips on breastfeeding and the Small Wonders Change Programme for premature and low birthweight babies
Out of the Blue – videos promoting mental health
Support and advice particularly tailored to dads
‘Today’s information’ - personalised, bite-size daily updates

Watch the video to find out more