You will be offered regular health and development reviews (health visitor checks) for your baby until they are around 2. The reviews may be done in your home or at a GP surgery, baby clinic or children’s centre. It is helpful, where possible, for both parents to attend. This gives you both a chance to ask questions and talk about any concerns you have.
If your baby was born prematurely, their developmental age will be calculated from your original due date, not from the actual date they were born, until they are 2 years old.
Your personal child health record (Red Book)
Shortly before or after your baby is born, you will be given a personal child health record, also known as the “red book”. It’s a good idea to take your baby’s red book with you every time you see the Health Visitor or GP. They will use it to record your child’s weight and height, vaccinations and other important information. You can also add information to the red book yourself, such as illnesses or accidents your baby has, or any medicines they take. You’ll find it helpful to keep the developmental milestones section of the red book up to date too.
Shortly after birth
Your baby will be weighed at birth and again during their first week. They will also have a thorough physical examination within 72 hours of being born. A health professional will usually check your baby’s eyes, heart, hips and – for baby boys – testicles.
Read more about the newborn physical examination.
Blood spot test
At between 5 and 8 days old, your baby will have a blood spot (heel prick) test that screens for several rare diseases, including cystic fibrosis and sickle cell disease. Screening your baby for all these conditions is recommended but it is not compulsory. Early screening is best as treatment can be started as soon as possible if needed.
Read more about the newborn blood spot (heel prick) test.
Newborn hearing test
Your baby will also have a hearing test soon after birth. If you have your baby in hospital, this may happen before you leave. Otherwise, it will be done some time in the first few weeks in your home or at an outpatient clinic. The newborn hearing test is highly recommended, but it’s not compulsory. If you decide not to have the screening test, you’ll be given checklists to help you check on your baby’s hearing as they grow older.
Find out more about the newborn hearing test.
New baby review with Health Visitor
A Health Visitor will complete a new baby review within 10 to 14 days of the birth. A Health Visitor can give you advice on: safe sleeping, vaccinations, feeding your baby (breastfeeding and bottle feeding), adjusting to life as a new parent, your baby’s development and immunisation needs, including BCG vaccination.
To contact the Westminster Health Visiting team, please call 0208 200 2500 Monday – Friday, 9am to 5pm. For local baby clinic locations, please scroll to the bottom of the page.
GP 6 to 8 week baby check
In most cases, the Practice will contact new mums to arrange for a 6 to 8 week check with a GP. On rare occasions where we are unaware of the birth, we ask that you give us a call and arrange your baby’s 6 to 8 week check. This will include a physical examination and a review of development (feeding and weight gain; vision and hearing, social behaviours). This will also be a good time to receive health promotion advice and discuss any future immunisations your baby will need.
Health Visitor 9 to 12 month health and development review
In the review, the Health Visitor will look at, among other things, language and learning, safety, diet and behaviour. Your Health Visitor will send you an ASQ-3 questionnaire to fill in before the review. This helps you and your Health Visitor understand how your baby is developing and discuss any concerns you may have. Please do not worry if you cannot fill in the whole questionnaire – the Health Visitor will help you complete it.
For local baby clinic locations, please scroll to the bottom of the page.
Health Visitor 2 to 2-and-a-half years health and development review
This is usually done by a nursery nurse or health visitor, and may happen at your home, baby clinic or the children’s centre. If your child has started going to nursery, playgroup or a childminder, the review may be done there. You, a Health Visitor, keyworker or childminder will all do the review together. The review will include general development, including movement, speech, social skills and behaviour, and hearing and vision; growth, healthy eating and keeping active; managing behaviour and encouraging good sleeping habits; tooth brushing and going to the dentist; keeping your child safe; and vaccinations.
For local baby clinic locations, please see below.
Health Visitor Baby Clinic at Portman Early Years Centre
Portman Nursery School, 12-18 Salisbury St NW8 8DE
- Pre-book (please call 0208 200 2500 Monday – Friday, 9-5pm) or drop-in
- One on one appointments with a Health Visitor
- Baby play areas and parenting support classes
Health Visitor Baby Clinic at Lisson Grove Child Centre
Lisson Grove Child Centre, Gateforth St NW8 8EG
- Pre-book only (please call 0208 200 2500, Monday – Friday, 9-5pm)
- One on one appointments with a Health Visitor
- Collection of vitamins; Sure Start referrals offers
Health Visitor Baby Clinic at Westbourne Park Baptist Church
Westbourne Park Baptist Church, Porchester Rd W2 5DX
- Pre-book (please call 0208 200 2500 Monday – Friday, 9-5pm) or drop-in
- One on one appointments with a Health Visitor
- Baby play areas and parenting support classes
Health Visitor Baby Clinic at Woodfield Road Child Centre
Woodfield Child Centre, 7A Woodfield Rd W9 2NW
- Pre-book (please call 0208 200 2500 Monday – Friday, 9-5pm)
- One on one appointments with a Health Visitor
- Collection of vitamins; Sure Start referrals offers