Shock horror! A nice health visitor with sensible advice!

[TattooedGrrrl]

They DO exist!

DS2 had his developmental check (6mths) today, and HV asked about weaning. i started trying to explain BLW, thinking she'd think i was a martian, but she knew what i meant, and thought it was great. Didn't tell me off for him sleeping with us, and when i said he tended to vomit up food so i wasn't bothering to give much at all, she just said he probably wasn't ready yet and not to worry because there's plenty of time.

And she said i'd made her day as i was still breastfeeding, because she rarely meets anyone who is at this stage, so i'm a star apparently.

So, good HVs do exist ladies!

That's excellent! My HV was like that as well, v supportive of bfing, told me she wasn't allowed to recommend cosleeping but was fine with it, happy for us to do BLW. It's motivating to have someone praise you for what you are doing isn't it?

I had one too! Cripes - that's THREE!!

Me as well- eek! four of the buggers- do you think its the same one

I liked the one who just laughed when DS1 proudly presented her with a dead mouse the cat had brought in...

what does BLW stand for?

BLW Baby Led Weaning

ah thanks for that knew it'd be something I was doing but couldn't work out what it stood for... it's been a long day

I had a lovely one, alas she has moved on now but still lives in the village, God knows what my next one will be like, will find out next month.

Hi all, so pleased to read this. i am a health visitor and mum to 2 ds (2.5 and 6yrs). It is so lovely to read something postive. I must say it really makes my day when I see a mum who is still breastfeeding, hasn't started weaning at 12 weeks and is doing BLW. Well done!!

Mine's nice too (and has some useful advice)

Sorry I know I asked this in another thread...

We are not locals (am from Australia) and are considering having our next baby here.

Do you HAVE to sign up for a HV if you have a baby in the UK? I am not that interested and would prefer to be left to my own devices!

Morloth

A HV come to see you whether you like it or not I'm afraid. Usually they come a week to 10 days after the birth/you get home. they check the babies weight and check everything is alright with you. I also had a visit form the local midwife to check stiches etc.

If everything is going fine you will probably only get 1 visit or maybe 2.

After that it is up to you if you want to take you baby to the clinic for weighing and general advice.

Thanks Lazycow. I think I will hold off on this baby business until we go home, the reasons just keep stacking up!

(Not that there is anything wrong with the way things are done here, it is just different!)

I like to be left alone as much as possible for everything including pregnancy, birth, babies, kids etc. Obviously if something is wrong we go to the docs or whatever but otherwise I just like to be independant and would find being FORCED to see someone or have them handle my baby quite icky.

I know I am weird but there you go, different strokes etc...

I had a very nice one come out a few months ago and do a 3 year check on DS. Naturally this was a one-off visit, as she's covering for a lady who has been off sick. typical.

Actually, i don't think you do have to have an HV- theres a bit you sign on the GP registration form for 'child health surveillance' that opts you in or not. No one can force you to let you handle the baby without a court order either, and you don't have to let them in if they do turn up.

Morloth, you don't have to have a HV, the service is offered to everyone but is not compulsory. We usually send out a letter to those who decline saying that our service is always available if you change your mind and that's it.

i had one of those here in London...then she told me she was moving to leeds

she might be a fraud like that lady doctor on neighbours who was carrying on with the fruad psychic

to the op.
what you have described isnt necessarily a good hv. but one who agrees with everything you do. they are not necessarily the same thing.
fwiw, i have three children, and everyone of my hv's was wonderful.

My Health Visitor Veronica Bankole from Westminster PCT was fantastic!

That is interesting cmdibbler. I never knew that. I din't find it too annoying and I had always assumed that the visit was more about checking the baby was OK etc than . If I had a lot of children though I can understand that it might be really annoying.

Looks like one of your reasons for not coming has dropped off the list Morloth [gtin]

we have a great HV
she gets the measure of the mum very quickly and those who need hand holding through everything get alot and those who need a quick word from time to time get that.
she encourages breastfeeding if it is what you want to do but doesn't judge those who don't.
same with weaning. she supports your decisions whilst guiding about health issues.

I have a very good HV - apart from a bit of advice about bf in the early days she has been very supportive since. Also encouraged me to wait until 6 months to wean when DS was losing weight ata bout 17 weeks. Her take on it was - we know why it's happened (D&V bug) - keep an eye on it but don't worry.

haha Lazycow - I regularly talk myself into and out of having another baby and the whens and wheres and whys.

My poor DH doesn't know if he is coming or going (no pun intended) ;)