There are some GOOD HV's too...

[Tangle]

There are so many threads on "problem" HVs I thought it would be an idea to have a thread for those that are worth their weight in gold.

DD's just had her 8ish month check (at nearly 11 months). I'm still breastfeeding (got told I'm amazing ) and did BLW (positive response). DD climbed from the 75th centile to the 95th at 4 months, but is now between the 50th and 75th. HV wasn't worried as DD is bright, curious, etc, in fact said it was fairly normal for BF babies. It was all very positive and I left feeling like I could always ring them for support if I needed it. I am fortunate in that the leader of my HV team is an NCT breastfeeding counsellor - but she can't be the only one out there.

So lets hear it for the GOOD Health Visitors, and remember that they do exist

[Caz10]

great idea tangle! and i am ha ha!

[StealthPolarBear]

Glad to hear it!
I have a good one too, DS lost weight at about 19/20 weeks, HV said she wasn't worried, just bring him back to check the next week, no mention of formula, when I asked if I should start weaning, she said "No, no need until maybe the end of next month" (when he would be about 6mo).
However, she is quite old fashioned - said I should "fill him up" with feeds and expect him to always go the same length of time between feeds - completely contradicting my MW's advice - she mentioned big feeds/small feeds/snacks/quick drink. I wouldn't dare mention that I'm doing BLW to the HV either!

[Caz10]

is it just you two then?!

[hannahsaunt]

No! I love my HV and in fact have had good experiences with the whole team of HVs at my GP practice. They are very down to earth, lots of common sense, very supportive of BF etc and always make heaps of positive comments to bolster self esteem.

[StealthPolarBear]

Well me again, at the breastfeeding support group I go to there's a health visitor there, yesterday she mentioned:

• No need to wean before 6 months, you can leave it until then or after
• She weaned before 6 months and, looking back, wishes she'd waited (guidance was different then)
• Weaning before 6 months is a faf as there's a long list of food you have to avoid - after 6 months you can give almost anything apart from a few important exceptions
• Weaning at or after 6 months means the baby's more likely to be ready - sitting up, lost tongue reflex, interested in food

I almost asked if she was an MNer!

[DontCallMeBaby]

Mine were great - team of three. Were up to date with weaning advice (the change from 18 to 26 weeks was fairly recent at the time), never tried to push me into anything. For instance, it was me who wanted to spread feeds further apart (was just talking a friend about it the other day, cos I couldn't for the life of me remember why), one HV just said 'yes, you can do that, there'll be a lot of crying though'. No magic bullet, no encouragement to do this, just an entirely honest response. Delivered in a pleasant and supportive manner, not as blunt as it looks written down!

A few weeks ago I had to call to reschedule DD's preschool boosters, and having not seen or spoken to the HVs in an absolute age, I just spoke to the one who answered the phone in a professional, impersonal manner, thinking our places in her brain would have been long replaced by other mums and babies. As soon as I said my name though (not even in conjunction with DD's, and my name is very unremarkable) she said 'oh, how are you?' and continued to talk in a way that made it clear she DID remember us.

Now, it would be nice to be remembered for reasons other than 'had horrible PND and seriously worried entire team of health professionals', but it was still nice to be remembered.