Lewisham Health Visitors

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.
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Tummy sleeping is a no-go so keep them wide awake during tummy time to ensure their safety.
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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.
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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.
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It is perfectly normal for your baby not to like it at first. The sensation of coordinating multiple muscles can be a learning curve.
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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.

11/03/2026

Babies under 12 months do not need snacks; if you think your baby is hungry in between meals, offer extra milk feeds instead.

Once your baby is 1 year old, they may need 2 healthy snacks in between meals.

For more information, visit: https://ow.ly/nvfI50VbIk2

06/03/2026

Becoming a parent can be exciting, challenging and sometimes overwhelming.

Baby basics includes practical tips on everything from changing your first nappy to coping with lack of sleep.
Remember to ask your midwife or health visitor if you need any help or advice.

Visit Start for Life for more tips and advice on baby sleep, bonding with your baby, caring for your baby, baby myths and facts as well as help and support.

https://www.nhs.uk/start-for-life/baby/baby-basics/

04/03/2026

Are you a Lewisham resident with a child under 7?

Lewisham Council want to understand how they can better support parents and carers with their child’s early learning at home.

Please take a minute to complete this short survey.

Everyone who enters has a chance to win a £50 voucher. Just include your contact details at the end.

Deadline: 6 March.

Fill it out here 👇
https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=4Q7UyJL6ukOh9lwu45U1YTk4g9t4QcdPg4A5hEZMhMNUNzlJRlpIVEcwQzhORzBQNE4xTkhIWEhTVC4u

27/02/2026

Had a baby with a tongue tie? Share your experience to help improve local care. Parents and carers in south east London can take part if a baby was assessed or treated for tongue tie. The survey asks about referrals, waiting times, and feeding support. It helps show what works well and what needs to change across south east London.

Find out more and take the survey here: selondonics.org/NHS-tongue-tie

Sharing your experience can help improve care for other families.

06/02/2026

In babies with darker skin tones, jaundice can be harder to spot but it’s just as important to recognise early.

Look beyond skin colour: check the whites of the eyes, gums, palms, soles, and use natural daylight when assessing.

If something doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts and seek medical advice. Early checks can make a big difference.

30/01/2026

The Health Visiting service run a monthly virtual weaning hub on Microsoft Teams. Your health visiting hub will determine which day of the week this will be.

During your new birth visit you will be given an appointment and a team’s link will be sent nearer the time.

This is open to everyone, and we recommend you attend when your baby is 4 or 5 months old, ready to commence solid foods at around 6 months old.

The session will cover signs of when your baby is ready for solid foods, what foods to give and what to avoid, healthy meal ideas and much more, as well as a chance to ask us any questions.

28/01/2026

Calling all parents and carers!

Check out the localised content on our Lewisham Health Visitors website. Providing tips and advice for your little ones.
Find out more: https://myhv.lgt.nhs.uk