Our health visitors offer every family a new birth visit appointment this is normally between 10-14 days after your baby is born. This appointment maybe offered at your local health clinic or at home and normally after your midwife has handed over your care to your local health visiting team.
During this visit we will offer you and your family information and advice on becoming a parent, infant feeding, safer sleep, immunizations, our advice lines, local child health drop ins and infant feeding support available in your area. Our health visitor will discuss how you are feeling emotionally and support you have around you.
You will also be given information about your local Children's Centres.
You will receive your personal child health record/ 'red book' from your midwife. This is your book to record details about your child's health, growth, immunisations and development milestones. If you haven't already received your child's red book, your health visitor will give you one at this new birth appointment.
Vitamin D
It recommended that everyone over 1 year of age should take a 10 micrograms of Vitamin D supplement daily including pregnant mothers. And as a precaution, breastfed babies from birth up to 1 year of age should also be given a supplement of 8.5 to 10 micrograms of Vitamin D every day.
Babies who are formula fed do not require vitamin D supplement if they having 500ml per day of infant formula or more.
Vitamin D supplementation is important because we and our children are unable to get enough Vitamin D from sunlight in this country, or from diet alone.
Speak to your health visitor or nursery nurse for more information about why Vitamin D is important.
Healthy Start vitamins are available to buy or exchange for healthy start vouchers at every Children's Centre in Surrey.
Our Health Visitor advice lines and Child health drop ins provide support for you and your family on all aspects of child health, development and parenting. On these pages you will find all information and contact details.
For further information
- To follow up a referral
For example, for developmental paediatrics or therapy services such as speech and language therapy. Contact the One Stop referral centre (tel: 0300 222 5755, Option 2) and they will be able to advise.
- For advice or questions about your child's health
Contact your local Health Visiting team or call their Advice Line
- 2 year development checks
Contact your local Health Visiting team or call their Advice Line
- Referrals for ASD, ADHD or another neurological/developmental condition
Your GP will need to make a referral. Visit the Developmental Paediatrician service page for more information about these services in Surrey.
- Access to mental health services
Your GP needs to refer your child via MINDSIGHT Surrey CAHMS
- Hearing concerns
Contact the Audiology service
- Concerns or complaints about a Children and Family Health Surrey service
Go to https://childrenshealthsurrey.nhs.uk/feedback to read about our approach and who to contact. You can also email the Patient Experience Team directly using csh.patientexperience@nhs.net
If your query is not covered by the routes above, please use the form below to contact us. Your query will be passed to the relevant team who will aim to respond within 7 working days.