Health visitors, are they all useless?

[1738hey]

In my experience and many others on here, health visitors know very little, a lot of what they do know is opinion based or old fashioned.
Mine actually told me completely incorrect information about the milk I decided to put my baby on and would've caused baby a lot of stress if I hadn't done my own research on Aptamil website then spoken to GP, so I don't have contact with her anymore.
Can I hear positive HV stories?
No offence to any HV's, perhaps more up to date training is needed? Or maybe I and a few others have just had very bad experiences and the majority know their stuff!

Ps I'm asking as I'm wondering whether to request another HV or just do my research and ask gp if I have any real problems in future

You have no idea do you? A GP doesn’t really know anything about kids - all they’ll do is Google up problems or refer you. A HV is usually a qualified Midwife or occasionally Nurse who has a degree and has studied to become a HV for at least a year (full time).

Also, aside from specialist formulas, there aren’t differences between different types of milk

@GrumpyHoonMain

You have no idea do you? A GP doesn’t really know anything about kids - all they’ll do is Google up problems or refer you. A HV is usually a qualified Midwife or occasionally Nurse who has a degree and has studied to become a HV for at least a year (full time).

Also, aside from specialist formulas, there aren’t differences between different types of milk

The limitation of using GPs for pediatric issues is why many areas are now directly referring children to pediatricians.

Eurgh ancedotally between me and other parents I know, yes.

My HV was amazing. She was so friendly, patient, non judgemental and really supportive of me and my decisions with things such as BF/FF. I suffer from social anxiety and the thought of baby groups terrified me, she always encouraged me to attend and was never pushy about it. I did eventually attend some with her by my side with her telling others she wanted to see what the groups about to tell other new parents so I didn't look silly to other people there.
On the flip side I saw a different HV when she was on sick leave and she was horrible, I refused to see her again.
Definitely try another HV if you can.

As so much seems to go through them (referrals to different places etc) I think it’s a good idea to keep them on your good side but do your own research too & take what they say with a pinch of salt if you’re not convinced. I would never rely on them heavily for anything but if they were the way for my child to get a referral to a service they needed then I would nod & play along.

Mine is brilliant, supportive, kind, knowledgeable. Definitely try to swap to another if you can.

This is a long time ago, but mine were very good.
Kind and experienced and helpful.

Didn¨t always recognise it at the time: got very cross when one of them suggested that my dd΄s lack of weight gain was worrying- I had totally swallowed the idea that as long as you fed on demand and your latch was right and your lo did not have tongue tie, nothing COULD go wrong and any suggestion that it might was an insult. Dd ended up in hospital with malnutrition.

Mine never answers the phone anymore - I haven't spoken to her in weeks, despite leaving several messages asking her to call me about some minor concerns I have over my DS.

I had several over the years.

Most were lovely and very good at their job.

One however, was an actual twat and her incompetence still makes me angry. I wasn't the only one who felt that she was awful, she was notorious in my local area.

I had several. One was excellent and gave me much needed advice on a personal level rather as well as help with DC. The others were either nice but useless or didn't seem to care at all.

I’ve had 4 children in the last 9 years and every HV has been useless. Nice, pleasant.. but useless. The info they give out is just box ticking and years out of date. They are there for parents who seriously don’t have a clue and need all the support they can get, or for neglectful people with serious problems. I think they are an essential service for that reason but those of us with a brain who can do our own research, buy the books, research on the internet, have a support network etc... well I just humour them as a box that needs ticking. My last HV this year advised me to give my child baby rice when he turns 6 months. Baby rice?! They are full of nonsense, the nhs invests nothing in their training.

@GrumpyHoonMain

You have no idea do you? A GP doesn’t really know anything about kids - all they’ll do is Google up problems or refer you. A HV is usually a qualified Midwife or occasionally Nurse who has a degree and has studied to become a HV for at least a year (full time).

Also, aside from specialist formulas, there aren’t differences between different types of milk

Get off your high horse. It was specialised milk. I know that also, doesn't mean I had a bad experience like many others I see posting

I am a wonderful HV

(Will be back - being called to help move furniture )

@MrsPatrickDempsey

I am a wonderful HV

(Will be back - being called to help move furniture )

Can you be mine?!😩

I found them pretty useless. Took myself off to one when I clearly had PND, said I felt awful, crying constantly and had dragged myself to the clinic. HV said come back if you think you’ve got PND.

Left feeling confused and didn’t go back.

My health visitor is lovely and supportive and anything she doesn't know about she tells me let me do some research and get back to you, only problem is I've never actually seen her due to covid and haven't actually heard from her for about 6 months! DS is 7 months

Mine was brilliant and so supportive and helpful when ds had several issues as a baby. Without her I'd have crashed and burned I think. She was very good at being contactable too. When we needed a referral to a dietician (feeding difficulties and intolerances) she told the GP what we needed and organised it all for us.

My HV was like an annoying aunt giving unsolicited out of date advice and scaremongering. Topped off with lying to cover her back.

No, I had a wonderful HV who immediately and persistently got me help after I had a perinatal mental health crisis. She didn't dismiss me, or wait to see if things improved, she was straight on the phone demanding help and was brilliant.

No of course they're not all useless.

Mine was phenomenal.

The few I've had have been amazing. One stayed with me for over two hours?(in the lockdown) until by baby succesfuly latched. Hes now 6 months and is amazing at feeding, even helps himself! I have a lot to thank her for.
Another called me a few times to check in on me (I'm dealing with grief). And every HV I've dealt with has been professional, kind and patient.

I didn’t like my HV. But I went to the clinic and the ones there where much more helpful I found. It’s like any job role you’ll find someone you like and someone you don’t

@1738hey
Would be delighted!

Our service has obviously been hit by lockdown but I have been doing phone and video calls as much or as little as mum's want.
We are stretched beyond believe and our safeguarding cases often have to take priority at the drop of a hat.
But I can honestly say, where I am, we are still carrying out over 97% of the core healthy child program contacts.
It is unacceptable that there is disparity in the level of service provision.

At the end of the day, people don't always gel/get on/click. Advice should be evidence based and balanced so families make the decisions that's best for them. It's not about my agenda.
I get very upset when people feel they haven't been supported by their HV.