HV visit

[Sushirolls]

Afternoon

DD has a visit from her HV tomorrow morning and I was wondering what to expect? When I had my children, they didn't visit until after the birth.

Is it like your booking in appt with the mw?

Hope everyone has had a good weekend x

When I had my DD 6 years ago the HV came over after birth. Now they do it before baby is due. When I was 36 weeks, my HV gave me baby’s red book and go through any concerns you have, give you some info on feeding baby and what signs to look out for regarding emotions after birth.
Not sure if this is the same for everyone but that’s what happened for me. X

Thank you for your reply @LottieLou90

DD is 36 weeks, so I expect the same will happen tomorrow too, then? X

Mine visited at 36 weeks, asked about family health, how i intended to feed the baby, told me not to bed share (I told her I'd probably would resort to bed sharing), she asked me how I felt about pregnancy (planned and very pleased, but also bit late to ask now!) and said that the services were cut short so there wouldn't be a huge amount of support unless I really needed it. Didn't give me the red book yet.

Hi Sushi. Had mine recently. This is my second pregnancy but in a different area - both were the same sort of thing. It's largely a getting-to-know-you exercise.

A few health questions - smoking, alcohol, substance abuse, mental health (wrt the father as well if applicable).

Any concerns or questions the mother-to-be may have for once the baby has arrived.

Intentions on feeding method (and discuss vitamins for the baby if breastfeeding), sleeping arrangements.

Sharing of any leaflets they want to provide.

I imagine it saves on paperwork once the baby has arrived and you shift from midwifery team to HV team.

Quite easy, nothing to worry about. It's not an exam or anything!

HV came when I was 34 weeks kept talking about different shape of nipples, asked if pregnancy was planned, wasn’t able to answer my question about car seat and left.
Didn’t really see the point of that visit tbh

Wow lots of replies, thank you all

Not worried, just wasn't sure what would happen as things were different when I had my DC.

DD has decided to bottle feed, I hope the HV won't put her under pressure to BF 😞 x

I can't answer as to whether they would put any pressure on her or not - I breastfed my first and intend to do the same with this one.

What I would say is that if she'd wanted to give breastfeeding a go then of course that would have been great. There's no exact substitute for human milk. Formula these days however comes pretty damn close, and if she has chosen to bottle feed then that's great too. From experience, it's important that the mother is comfortable with her feeding choice - and if breastfeeding is not for her there is nothing wrong with that at all. Attempting to breastfeed if you either can't or don't want to can be disastrous for mental wellbeing.

She can do none at all, but there's also the option of giving the first feed, or the first few, just for the colostrum if she likes. Obviously it's entirely up to her. There's no hard and fast rule.

She may want to read up on paced bottle feeding as it can help fend off wind and can help the baby learn when they're full.

As for any pressure from the HV, whilst it's advisable to have health visits, they aren't mandatory. It's a service provided to you, not a requirement from you. So the trick is to take the advice that's useful and disregard the rest.

Thank you for your information post @MangoesandMatchsticks

DD has tactile aversion and doesn't feel comfortable BF. I BF all 4 of mine (my youngest DD until she was 3.5yrs), but am very much of the train of thought "happy mum, happy baby".

She has bought a pump and will try and express, but has formula as back up just incase. Obviously, I'd love it if she BF my DGS, but I wouldn't put any pressure on her and don't want the HV to. I've told her to keep an open mind as she doesn't know how she'll feel when he's born & they're having skin to skin, she may surprise herself. I just don't want her to feel pressured.

I've not heard of paced feeding, I'll look it up X

*informative (stupid phone!)

Sushi No reason was necessary but I completely understand tactile aversion. If she does want to express it can be easier to hand express onto a small medicine spoon. Colostrum is in such tiny amounts - a couple of teaspoons for the first feed I believe.

Hand pumping is hard work, especially with a newborn - if she's so inclined then an electric pump would be much easier, albeit a far more expensive purchase - I'm not sure from your post which she has.

But with you being such a loving mum yourself, I'm sure that she will be as well, and that's all her baby really needs. She will be no less bonded to her child than any other mother just because of her feeding method. And with aversion it's not exactly a choice. It must be physically excruciating to try if you suffer from it - I know it's agonising to see someone put themself through it.

Will she be alone with the HV at the appointment, or is there someone who can be there with her for moral support in case it comes up? It shouldn't of course, but just in case.

Paced feeding makes the baby work for his/her milk, as he/she would at the breast. It's slower and more cuddly as well. She should use it alongside feed on demand, rather than scheduled feeds. There are loads of videos on Youtube.

I wish your daughter all the best

My HV just came, chatted about me, DH and my health. Asked how we was feeding DS and I said bottle and she didn't bat an eyelid. Asked if I need any help with anything and if I wanted baby group info and then she went x

Totally agree "happy mum, happy baby" I was devastated at 6 weeks when my milk supply diminished and ended up mix feeding. But your words are so true and was exactly what the paediatrican said to me. Your DD should stick to what's best for baby and her!

I had my visit last week. I think it is to identify vulnerable families as early as possible. The lady who visited me was lovely - was mainly just a general chat about local services, any mental health issues, whether I had a support network, keeping baby safe from my pets, safer sleeping etc.

She also asked about feeding - I said I wasn’t sure yet as I’m not. If I’m honest, I’d rather just bottle feed (I have some sensory sensitivity and am also incredibly self-conscious so not sure how I’d feel breastfeeding. It’s bizarre I feel that way as I don’t bat an eyelid when I see someone else feeding, I’m just not sure it’s right for me). She gave me two change for life books - one on breastfeeding and one on bottle feeding which was nice as I didn’t feel pressured at all.

It probably depends on who you get and what you circumstances are as to how the meeting goes.