Not sarcastic I promise - what are HVs for?

[PaulinePetrovaPosey]

I know health visitors don't always get much love on MN, but I have friends who have found theirs invaluable.

We only saw DD's once before lockdown, when I was in a newborn fog and I don't remember much that she told me.

I called her once a few months ago about a health concern and was told (rather abruptly) to call the GP.

I've now got some Qs about feeding and sleep - are these the sorts of things I can ask the HV? Do I just call her (I have a mobile number) and ask?

Yes, they can give advice on feeding and sleeping. Anything but minor health concerns (e.g cough/cold) should probably go to a GP or pharmacist.

I think they're mainly there for baby care advice and to make sure your baby is growing and developing as expected.

They now target their services to looking out for the health and development of children that have an increased "risk". So a Mum with health issues, previous DC failed to thrive, young Mums, history of homelessness, previous contact with SS

They also exist to do referrals for delays such as delayed walking or speech, or if their are hearing concerns but the chances of being seen by one are pretty slim!!!

Pre Covid they held weekly weigh in clinics so baby could be weighed to check they were "thriving"

I've had some great ones and one that I had to report for repeated breaches of confidence (which she utterly denied - despite having an independent witness)

I didn’t really see the point in all the HV checks until I had a child with some developmental delays and then my HV was really helpful and made it easier for me to get a referral to a paediatrician. Definitely call about feeding and sleeping! That’s what they are there for. Agree that some are awful and some are fantastic, I guess that’s like all people in all jobs.

For me, my hv was invaluable. I had a baby who has minor health issues that made him very tough to look after. He had a few hospital appointments, developmental concerns and I fell pregnant with my second very quickly.

We still get semi regular calls and visits now and he is 3.5. He is brilliant but all along there has been "something". Thankfully this now seems to be passing

I remember having the home visits (basically weighed baby and talked about feeding and any worries) - I think there was a couple of visits and then I used them local health visitor team who ran (and I believe still do in non covid times) the weekly drop in weight clinic where you went to get baby weighed and recieved help and advice on issues you may have. They also ran a new mum and baby group which did sessions on weaning, sleep, first aid etc.
I read a lot of hatred for HVs on Mumsnet and I have never understood why. They were just a regular part of my child's early days along with doctors, nurses and the people who ran the Stay and Play sessions.

I read a lot of hatred for HVs on Mumsnet and I have never understood why.

I don't have hatred for them, but I once rang the HV crying, baby screaming in the background, I had serious PND and was suicidal. I was told to call back in a few days once the "phase has passed".
After that I had no interest in her opinion on anything tbh.

I have spoken to a great HV at weigh in clinics but mine was not great. The nursery nurse for my HV is lovely and really helpful. For the vast majority of people HV arent necessary but for a few people they are invaluable for children or parents who need extra support. A lot of their work at the moment is child protection.

HVs are mainly there to spot problems and refer you to appropriate help or notify the authorities. Otherwise it would be very easy for a child to struggle or suffer for five years until they started school and nobody would know.

I would never trust a HV again regarding questions about feeding and sleeping. I trusted mine at the start- because why wouldn't I- but I later realised she was totally misinformed and prejudiced.

Thanks all. I think my confusion comes because so much of what they're supposed to do is watching out for problems and spotting them early - which they obviously can't do if they're never seeing the babies thanks to this ducking virus. I've had no proactive contact from them at all which doesn't feel right.

As DD is my first and my family and close friends are too far away to see regularly I'm not totally sure what's normal so it feels a terrifying responsibility to know whether all is OK on my own.

There are useful online resources, including MN, which can be helpful for sleeping and feeding issues. I found HVs utterly pointless. I engaged with them the minimum amount (I know you can decline all engagement but I figured it was easier to have one visit to "tick the box") and got on with my life.