Lancashire Health Visiting and School Nursing

14/11/2025

Expecting a baby? 👶
Have you accessed one of our virtual groups yet?🤩 🖐

If you have any questions, or would like to book your place on one of our live groups, please contact a member of our Healthy Family Team and include your child’s DOB and full name.

Alternatively, access one of our pre-recorded sessions on the website or download our new app for helpful information and support during your parenting journey.

☎️ 0300 247 0040
📧 vcl.019.SinglePointOfAccess@nhs.net
🌐 https://lancschildandfamily.co.uk/services/virtual-groups/
📱Download the app 'Lancashire Child and Family'

Check your junk folder and if you haven't received an email link 48 hours prior to the group then please give us a call.

13/11/2025

It was wonderful to host local Burnley Oliver Ryan MP at Burnley Wood Family Hub (Burnley Family Hub), on Friday, 7 November so that he could meet members of the Lancashire Health Visiting and School Nursing service.

During the visit, Oliver was shown around the hub’s early years facilities and observed a 2-year developmental assessment in action from the Lancashire Health Visiting and School Nursing team, gaining an insight into how our team supports children’s health, growth, and development.

Oliver described the visit as uplifting and informative, praising the team’s professionalism, warmth, and the positive impact their work has on local families.

Thanks also to Oliver for his enthusiasm and for his continued support of the service providing care to neighbourhood communities.

A big thank you to our dedicated team and our partners at Lancashire County Council and Family Hubs for continuing to make such a positive difference in children’s early development across Lancashire.

12/11/2025

Placing your baby on their back for every sleep, day and night, is the safest position for them to sleep. 👶

There’s a lot of evidence from around the world showing that placing your baby to sleep on their back, day or night, lowers the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

Research has shown that babies who are usually slept on their backs but sometimes slept on their fronts or sides have a higher risk of SIDS. This means it’s best to make this a routine and place your baby on their back for every sleep, day or night.

Some parents worry that by sleeping their baby on their back they could choke on their own vomit. No research has found this to be the case, and we now know that babies are far safer sleeping on their backs.

Learn more on our website 👉 https://bit.ly/4krzvRj

11/11/2025

Here are our groups!✨

💚 no need to book
🚸 siblings welcome
🤰 antenatal parents welcome
🤱🧑‍🍼 postnatal parents welcome
👄 Chat, socialise and connect
☕ drinks available at most
👶 breastfeeding and infant feeding support
🆓free to attend
💚 hosted by NCT peer supporters

💻Our online group is every Monday, 13:00 via Zoom
↗ https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83685541482

10/11/2025

This week is Anti-Bullying Week and it’s a reminder that kindness matters - in our classrooms, playgrounds, and online spaces 🌈

Bullying can affect a child’s confidence, friendships and wellbeing, but no one has to face it alone.

Your School Nurse can help:

💙 Listen if your child is struggling with bullying or friendship issues
💙 Offer advice on building confidence and coping strategies
💙 Support with emotional wellbeing and mental health
💙 Signpost to further support in school or the community

If you’re worried about your child, or if a young person wants to talk in confidence, contact your local School Nursing team. They’re here to listen and help.

Find out more about Anti-Bullying Week and access helpful resources: https://bit.ly/3J3tZqs

Let’s make kindness our superpower, this week and every week 💫

08/11/2025

Most 11-year-olds have a mobile phone, but do they know how to protect themselves from cyberbullying?

On November 20th 2025, Kooth UK are inviting parents to join them for a free 45 minute webinar.
They will share practical tips on how to help children deal with potential problems, how parents can spot signs of cyberbullying and what action to take.

You can register here: https://connect.kooth.com/events/event/for-families-smartphone-safety-and-cyberbullying-20-nov

Lancashire SEND Information Advice and Support Team
Lancashire Parent Carer Forum
Lancashire Family Hubs

07/11/2025

06/11/2025

🤱 Need a bit of support with feeding your baby? We’re here to help! 💛

Whether you’re breastfeeding, bottle feeding, or a mix of both - every family’s feeding journey is unique, and support is available in your community.

Our local services can help you with:

💗 Latching and positioning
💗Expressing and storing milk
💗 Combination feeding
💗 Responsive bottle feeding
💗 Building confidence and bonding with your baby

Find your nearest Child Health Clinic: https://bit.ly/4oh24Cm

Join one of our virtual groups: https://bit.ly/43iyjc3

You can also find trusted information and guidance here: https://bit.ly/4llIJi4

Remember, there’s no one “right” way to feed your baby. What matters most is that you and your baby are happy, healthy and supported.

05/11/2025

As the nights grow darker and colder, it’s natural to want to keep your baby warm. But remember if you’re using a baby sleeping bag or suit, you shouldn’t add extra blankets on top.👶

Baby sleeping bags are designed to help reduce the risks associated with loose, bulky bedding. If you're worried that your baby is too cold, you could instead add a layer of clothing underneath the sleeping bag or switch to one with a higher TOG rating.

Remember, it’s safer for your baby to be a little cool rather than too warm.

To check that they’re comfortable, feel your baby’s chest or the back of their neck. If they feel clammy or sweaty, these are signs they’re getting too hot, so remove a layer of clothing or adjust the sleeping bag tog.

Note: Carefully selected partnerships like this one with Love To Dream on their Stage Three range ensure the sustainability of our work and allow our impartial, evidence-based advice and support to remain accessible.

03/11/2025

Bonfire Night can be exciting, but it’s important to keep everyone safe while enjoying the fun!

Here are some top tips for families:

🎇 Keep children at a safe distance from bonfires and fireworks.
🎇 Always follow the Firework Code and only buy fireworks marked with CE or UKCA.
🎇 Never give sparklers to children under 5.
🎇 Keep pets indoors and curtains closed to reduce noise and flashes.

For children with sensory needs, the sights, sounds and smells of Bonfire Night can sometimes be overwhelming. You could try:

🎆 Watching fireworks from indoors or on TV.
🎆 Using ear defenders to reduce noise.
🎆 Preparing children in advance with photos or social stories about what to expect.

Find out more from the Child Accident Prevention Trust: https://bit.ly/4nVitN7

Stay safe and enjoy a sparkling (and stress-free) night! 💫

03/11/2025

👶Newborn Nappy Output👶
As peer supporters, we love to know about babies' nappy output - especially 💩
We may ask about how often baby has wet and dirty nappies.
We may ask about colour.
We may also also about consistency.
👈Before 6 weeks, we are looking for at least 2 poos a day, roughly the size of a £2 coin, yellow (mustard), and seedy. If baby isn't having this, we would recommend reaching out for qualified support. Babies' first poo is called meconium, and this is usually black and tar like. Over the next few days, we usually see a transition from black to dark green and then to that yellow poo, usually by day 5-6.
👉 After 6 weeks, babies poo frequency can change. This can mean they go longer between poos, as long as little one is still having plenty of wet nappies and is still content or falling asleep after feeds - this sounds good. We don't want baby to be in pain when they do go, and we are still looking for a soft consistency. If, around day 10, the baby has not pooped or you are worried before then, please do reach out to your health visitor or GP for further support, too.

↗ https://www.nct.org.uk/information/baby-toddler/caring-for-your-baby-or-toddler/newborn-baby-poo-nappies

31/10/2025

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