Health, Wellbeing and Development of the Child
Health and Wellbeing
There are many aspects to keeping your child healthy and promoting their wellbeing such as feeding, immunisations, sleep, dental hygiene, play and exercise to name a few.
Please find below brief descriptions and leaflets to aid keeping your child healthy.
Feeding
Visit gov.im/breastfeeding for more information.
Vitamins
See the leaflets below.
Immunisations
Seasonal flu for children aged 2-3 years (new for 2020 – 2021)
Dental Hygiene
Evidence tells us that tooth brushing with fluoride toothpaste is one of the most effective ways of preventing dental decay. Gum disease can also be prevented by regular, thorough tooth brushing to remove plaque.
Top tips for tooth brushing:
- Start brushing your child’s teeth as soon as the first baby tooth appears
- Parents / carers should brush or help their child in brushing their teeth until the child is able to tie their own shoe laces
- Brush the teeth at least twice a day, last night at night before bed, and at least on one other occasion
- Brushing at bedtime ensures the fluoride continues to work whilst your child is asleep and when saliva flow decreases
Ensure your child is registered with a dentist.
You can find the list of NHS Dental Practices on gov.im/dentists, where you will also find an indication as to which practices are currently accepting new NHS patients. In the event no practices are showing having NHS availability and you would like for your child to join one, please contact Dental@gov.im with your child’s name, date of birth, address, a contact email and telephone number, and you will be added to the allocation list held by Primary Care Services.
Also see www.gov.im/oralhealth.
Sleep
Sleep is important for children as it can directly impact their physical and mental development.
Top tips for sleep:
- Develop a regular daytime and bedtime schedule which works for your family
- Create a consistent and enjoyable bedtime routine:
- Avoid watching television at least 1 hour before bedtime
- The majority of children fall asleep within 45 minutes
- Establish a regular and sleep friendly environment:
- Keep room calm, comfortable, cool and dark
- The optimum temperature for safe sleep is between 16-20 degrees (see ‘Safe Sleep’ and Lullaby Trust webpage)
- Encourage children to fall asleep independently
Toddlers require about 11-14 hours of sleep in a 24-hour period. When children reach about 18 months of age, their naptimes decrease. At the age of 2, children tend to nap once a day lasting 1-2 hours.
Safe Sleep
Safe sleep advice gives simple steps for how to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) for your baby.
Always follow safer sleep for your baby:
- Always place them in their own space (and in parents’ room till 6 months)
- Put them on their back for every sleep
- In a clear, flat sleep space
- Keep them smoke free day and night
Leaflets
Links
- ERIC
- Lullaby Trust
- In car safety
- Child car seats
- Crying and sleeping
- Cleaning children’s teeth
- Oral Health
- Sleep sheet
- Vitamins
Development
Your childs development is a continuous process which is unique to them, your health visiting team will:
- Support and empower you to help your child achieve their potential
- Monitor your child’s development to ensure support can be put in place for your child if they need support meeting their expected milestones.
From the moment your child is born, they are ready to interact with the world. Brain development is most rapid in preschool children, and 90% of brain development has happened by the age of 5.
The Healthy Child Programme is the basis of our service, and focuses on the health, wellbeing and development of your child. During your child’s reviews, your health visitor will ask you how your child is doing, and about any concerns you may have.
Please note: If your baby was born prematurely, their developmental age will be calculated from your original due date, not from the actual date they were born.
We will contact you to review your child’s health, wellbeing and development at the following key stages:
- 6-8 weeks
- 3-4 months
- 7-9 months
- 2.5 years
- School readiness
Developmental Concerns
As your child grows, they are learning new skills and developing socially and emotionally. Sometimes development can be slower than you expect (physically or emotionally), or you notice something different about your child or young person.
If you have any concerns regarding your child’s development, please, contact your local health visiting team to seek support.