Frequently asked questions

Every child is different and would develop at different stages. We offer developmental reviews at different stages. A review will be offered to your child when they are between 10-12months old and another when they are between 2-2.5years old. At these reviews, you would have the opportunity to raise any concerns you have.

The developmental reviews involve the use of an Ages and Stages Questionnaire which are specific to your child’s age at the time of the review.

The review covers several areas of your child’s development including:

• • Communication skills (talking, understanding speech)

• • Gross motor skills (walking, standing, sitting ~ big movements)

• • Fine motor skills (use of hands and fingers; hand and eye coordination)

• • Problem-Solving skills (learning through trying things out ~ trial and error)

• • Personal-Social skills (interaction with others, independence)

• • Social and Emotional skills (understanding who they are; what they are feeling and how to express this in an acceptable way; forming relationships and friendships)

We will contact you when this review is due to arrange an appointment.

In addition, in Medway we offer an online review at 3 ½ plus years which can be completed when applying for a school place.

If you need support or advice about aspects of parenting, health concerns, your child’s development or behaviour, or if you need support yourself please contact our duty line on 0300 123 3444. For health concerns you can also access the NHS website (www.nhs.uk), contact your GP, ring 111 or attend A&E if necessary.

We also have several support groups or single sessions available for specific aspects of child-rearing:

• • You and Your New Baby

• • Introducing solid foods

• • And So To Bed (developing healthy sleep habits)

• • Managing behaviour

• • Toileting

Here is a helpful link: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/breastfeeding-and-bottle-feeding/bottle-feeding/making-up-baby-formula/

After birth, your baby will be examined and part of this examination involves assessing for signs of jaundice. If after being discharged from the hospital you notice signs of jaundice, speak to your midwife, health visitor or GP as soon as possible.

You can find out more information on jaundice here: (link: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/jaundice/)

In the first two weeks after delivery the midwife can weigh your baby if needed. The health visitor can discuss your baby’s feeding, growth and monitor weight if necessary when they visit you.

If you have concerns about your baby’s growth or weight, please contact the duty line on 0300 123 3444 where we can discuss your concerns and book an appointment for a clinic if required.

All babies cry and some cry a lot. Many babies are particularly unsettled in the evenings. This is how your baby tells you that something is wrong and that they need something or comforting. It is normal and you will learn what some cries mean over the first few weeks, but we do not always know why. Excessive crying is sometimes called ‘colic’. You can find out more and get tips to soothe a crying baby on : [https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/caring-for-a-newborn/soothing-a-crying-baby/]. If you think your baby’s crying is excessive the health visitor duty line is available for further advice on: 0300 123 3444.

Cry-sis are able to offer help and support parents with babies who cry excessively or have sleeping problems. You can contact them on 08451 228 669 (7 days a week between 9am-10pm).

A crying baby can be really frustrating and upsetting for a parent, so if you feel this was put your baby down or give them to someone else to hold.

You will have a named health visitor who can provide support, guidance and advice from birth until your child turns 5years old. We run a You and Your New Baby Group for first time parents or those that have a big gap between babies. The group consists of other parents which can be used to make friends with other new parents, share ideas and support each other.

The local children centre provides activities and groups which can be accessed on the Children and family hub site (https://www.medway.gov.uk/info/200390/children_and_family_hubs_timetable)

Having a baby is a big life change and the transition from pregnancy to being a parent can be a huge adjustment. It can impact you physically and emotionally. It is common to sometimes feel down a few days after you have had your baby and this usually lasts for a short period of time and is commonly referred to as ‘baby blues’. In some cases, this low mood can continue longer and the joy may seem to have gone out of life. Around 10-15 in every 100 women may be affected by post-natal depression. Some women find that when their baby is born they feel overwhelmed or anxious with an sense of hopelessness and despair. Research has also shown that around one in 10 men also become depressed after having a baby.

If you need a little more help, your health visitor, GP and midwife can support you and/or refer you on for personal counselling, group workshops or medication.

In Medway we have three psychological providers who can work with you. You can also self-refer to them online or by telephone.

Insight – 0300 555 5555 www.insighthealthcare.org.

KCA – 01634 298580 www.kca.org.uk

KMPT – 0800 2799 500 www.kmpt.nhs.uk/pcptmedway