Lewisham Health Visitors

29/04/2026

Hello Lewisham Families 😊

Due to the Spring Bank Holidays our Monday Breastfeeding group at Downham Family Hub, Shroffold Road, Downham BR1 5PD will be closed on the 4th and 25th of May. The sessions between 1-3pm on the 11th and 18th remain unaffected. Look forward to seeing you then and please arrive by 2:30pm for the best chance of being seen.

27/04/2026

Did you know that 90% of brain growth happens before age 5. Swapping screens for shared activities - like reading together at bedtime - is one of the simplest ways to support your child's development and help them establish healthy screen habits right from the start.

Creating screen-free time doesn't have to be complicated. Simple activities like sharing a book together can have a genuinely positive impact on your child's growing brain.

Bedtime stories instead of bedtime screens - it's a small change that can make a real difference to your little one's sleep and development.

Visit the Best Start in Life page to find out more: https://beststartinlife.gov.uk/screen-time-under-5s/

24/04/2026

The Suzy Lamplugh trust is a national personal safety charity with a mission to reduce the risk of violence, aggression and abuse through campaigning, education and support.

Follow the for information, resources, and support around stalking awareness and safety.

The National Stalking Helpline on 0808 802 0300 is open between 09:30-20:00, Monday & Wednesday and 09:30-16:00 on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

23/04/2026

Lewisham Health Visiting Team is just one out of a number of services that work in the Family Hubs. Lewisham Best Start Family Hubs have created a video showcasing the amazing work by their network of partners who support families and children in Lewisham.

Find out how you and your family can access local support, services, and activities all in one place.

Watch now and see what’s available near you!

https://youtu.be/MgHZJR2n6us?si=GNrjz8aXEP_1xS40

22/04/2026

Little brains grow fast - and how they spend their screen time matters more than you might think. We've pulled together simple, practical tips to help your under-5 build healthy habits from the start. Visit Best Start in Life for more.

Being a parent of a young child can be challenging. Screens are part of modern life - but knowing what to put on, when to switch off, and how your own screen habits shape your child's can make a real difference to their development. Visit Best Start in Life for practical guidance.

Helping your child develop a healthy relationship with screens starts earlier than you'd think. Explore our friendly, practical screen time guidance for under-5s - visit Best Start in Life link for more below

https://beststartinlife.gov.uk/screen-time-under-5s

08/04/2026

27/03/2026

Whether you're just starting out or deep into the baby phase, these four tips can make a big difference in your little one’s development and health:

🧠 Tummy Time from Birth
“Even a few minutes of tummy time daily helps build your baby’s head and neck strength—great from day one!”

☀️ Vitamin D Guidance for Babies
“All breastfed babies need 8½–10 µg of vitamin D daily; formula-fed only need it if having less than 500 ml/day.”

🧷 Encourage Crawling (7–10 Months)
“From about 7–10 months, your baby may start crawling—place favourite toys just out of reach to help encourage movement!”

💉 8-Week Immunisations
“At 8 weeks, babies get their first vaccinations—helps protect against 6 serious illnesses like polio and whooping cough.”

24/03/2026

20/03/2026

Tummy time is when your little one spends a short while on their tummy while awake, they are exploring a whole new world of movement.
-
Tummy sleeping is a no-go so keep them wide awake during tummy time to ensure their safety.
-
The benefits of tummy time range from stretching and moving, to honing your baby’s back, neck, and shoulder muscles, while mastering coordination in a fresh position.
-
You can start right from birth. To begin with, you can put your baby on your chest for the calming sound of a heartbeat. Remember to stay cool and awake. At around 3 months, you can roll a towel under their armpits if head lifting is a challenge.

At first, just a few minutes daily is enough. You can gradually extend this time as they get used to the position.
-
It is perfectly normal for your baby not to like it at first. The sensation of coordinating multiple muscles can be a learning curve.
-
Remember, Tummy time is playful! So sing, touch, and make faces for interactive fun.

18/03/2026

Babies and children should never be left unattended in or near water including baths even for a minute. This includes when they are in a bath seat or in the bath with an older sibling.

We know it takes approximately 20 seconds for a child to drown, it can be as little as 5cm of water and there is unlikely to be any splashing about, it tends to be silent.

So please advise parents to take everything they need into the bathroom including their phone.

Even popping out for a towel is too long. Have a look at the following website for more information: https://capt.org.uk/drowning/

13/03/2026

Babies cry for many reasons. They are hardwired to cry whenever they need a parent to help them. This is because their brains have yet to develop the circuits that allow for self-control or understanding. Crying is meant to be upsetting for a parent. Crying is Nature’s way of making sure they pay attention quickly.

A cry might signal many things, discomfort and startle are common examples. Sometimes, babies cry for no reason at all and sometimes they cry and just cannot be settled. This may be upsetting for both baby and parent, but it causes no harm and will eventually stop.

After about 5 months the experts say that crying becomes more ‘purposeful’. That means after 5 months of age, your baby is more likely to be crying for a reason.

If you think your baby is unwell contact your Health Visitor, call NHS 111 or your GP.