Health visitors: who they are and what to expect at each visit
Most new parents have heard of health visitors but are not entirely sure what they do, when they visit, or what to expect. Health visitors are a core part of the NHS support system for families with young children, and their visits are an important safety net in the first few years of your baby's life. This guide explains who they are, what the NHS pathway looks like, and what you can expect at each contact.
Who health visitors are
Health visitors are qualified nurses or midwives who have completed additional specialist training in public health and child development. They are registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and work to a professional standard set by Public Health England and NHS England.
They work as part of a team alongside GPs, midwives and other community health services to support families from birth until a child starts school (0 to 5 years). Some teams also offer an antenatal visit before your baby is born.
What health visitors are not
It is worth saying clearly: health visitors are not inspectors or social workers. Their role is to support you, not to assess your fitness as a parent. Everything you discuss with your health visitor is treated with professional confidentiality, subject to the same limits that apply to all health and social care professionals. Asking for help or being honest about struggles will not be used against you.
The Universal Health Visiting Pathway
The NHS operates a Universal Health Visiting Pathway, which sets out a minimum number of contacts every family should receive. These contacts are designed to catch developmental concerns early, support parental wellbeing, and connect families with additional services when they need them. The pathway is a minimum: your local team may offer more contacts depending on your needs.
1. Antenatal visit (28 weeks or later)
This is an optional home visit, usually offered from around 28 weeks of pregnancy. The purpose is for your health visitor to introduce themselves, find out about your circumstances, discuss any concerns you have about the birth or parenting, and explain what support is available in your area. Not all areas routinely offer this visit, but it is worth asking your midwife if one is available to you.
2. New baby review (10 to 14 days)
This is the first post-birth contact and takes place at home, usually between 10 and 14 days after your baby is born. It marks the handover point between your community midwife and your health visitor. At this visit your health visitor will typically:
- Check your baby's weight and general physical wellbeing
- Ask about feeding, whether breast or formula
- Assess how you are recovering from the birth
- Screen for signs of postnatal depression using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS)
- Check that you have the information and support you need at home
- Ask about your baby's sleeping arrangements (in the context of safe sleep guidance)
3. 6 to 8 week review
At around 6 to 8 weeks, you will have a developmental review. This may be carried out by your health visitor or as part of your GP's 6-week check. In many areas both appointments are offered around the same time. The health visitor's focus at this stage includes:
- Your baby's growth, feeding and sleep
- Developmental milestones such as visual tracking and social smiling
- Continued assessment of your mental health and emotional wellbeing
- Questions about your home environment and support network
4. 3 to 4 month review
By 3 to 4 months your baby is likely changing rapidly. This review looks at how your baby is developing physically and socially, how feeding is going (including the introduction of solids, which will be relevant as they approach 6 months), the quality of the relationship between you and your baby, and how you are coping day to day. Many parents find this an important visit for getting honest advice on sleep.
5. 9 to 12 month review
At around 9 to 12 months, your health visitor will assess your baby's development across several domains:
- Mobility: are they crawling, pulling to stand, or beginning to walk?
- Communication: are they babbling, pointing, showing interest in others?
- Play: how are they interacting with toys and people?
- Diet: have they moved to solid foods alongside milk, and are they getting a balanced diet?
- Safety: home safety review as your baby becomes more mobile
Concerns identified at this stage can be referred to speech and language therapy, physiotherapy, or other specialist services early.
6. 2 to 2.5 year review
The final scheduled contact in the pathway is the 2 to 2.5 year review (also called the 2-year-old check). This is an important developmental assessment looking at:
- Language: is your child using words and short sentences?
- Behaviour: how are tantrums and emotional regulation developing?
- Social skills: how do they interact with other children and adults?
- School readiness and any early years education needs
- Your own wellbeing as a parent
This review often coincides with the Local Authority's 2-year progress check from a nursery or childminder. Your health visitor can coordinate with early years settings if appropriate.
What health visitors check at every visit
Across all visits, your health visitor is looking at a consistent set of factors:
- Your baby's weight and growth, plotted on centile charts in your red book
- Feeding: whether your baby is getting enough and growing as expected
- Development: physical, language, social and emotional milestones
- Your mental health: the Edinburgh scale is commonly used, but they will also pick up concerns through conversation
- Home safety as your baby's mobility increases
- Your support network: whether you have enough practical and emotional support around you
What health visitors can help with
Beyond the scheduled pathway, your health visitor can help with a wide range of concerns:
- Breastfeeding difficulties and combination feeding
- Postnatal depression and anxiety
- Baby sleep problems
- Weaning and introducing solids
- Toddler behaviour and boundaries
- Referrals to speech and language therapy, physiotherapy, parenting programmes, or other specialist services
- Signposting to local family support groups and children's centres
How to contact your health visitor
You can reach your health visitor team through your GP surgery, who will have their contact details. Many areas also have a dedicated health visitor drop-in clinic at a children's centre or GP surgery, where you can attend without an appointment. You can also call NHS 111 for advice outside working hours.
You do not need to wait for a scheduled visit if something is worrying you. Health visitors expect and welcome contact between appointments.
Frequently asked questions
What does a health visitor do?
Health visitors are trained nurses or midwives specialising in public health and child development. They support families from birth to age 5, monitoring growth and development, assessing feeding and wellbeing, checking on your mental health, and connecting you with other services when needed.
When will my health visitor first visit?
The first scheduled post-birth visit is the new baby review, which takes place at home between 10 and 14 days after the birth. Some areas also offer an optional antenatal visit from around 28 weeks of pregnancy.
What happens at the 6 to 8 week check?
The health visitor reviews your baby's growth, feeding, sleep and early development, and continues to monitor your mental health. In many areas this visit runs alongside or close to your GP's 6-week postnatal check, which focuses on your own physical recovery.
Can I contact my health visitor between scheduled visits?
Yes. Contact your health visiting team through your GP surgery or by attending a local drop-in at any time. You can also call NHS 111 outside working hours. You do not need to wait for a scheduled appointment if you have a concern.
Are health visitors the same as midwives?
No. Midwives support you during pregnancy and the first 10 to 14 days after birth. Health visitors take over from around 10 to 14 days postnatally and stay with your family until your child starts school at age 5. Both are registered healthcare professionals but cover different phases.
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