Health and Wellbeing

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Sleep advice 

Your child’s sleep plays an important part in their development. It is common for young children to experience sleep difficulties and this can become a source of stress for tired parents and carers. Here you can find information on how much sleep your child needs, common sleep problems and how to help your child sleep better.

Your child is now busier than ever, they may have started pre-school or be preparing to start primary school. They need a healthy, varied diet to get all the energy and nutrients they need. They are also learning about food and eating and this is the perfect time to help them build healthy eating habits. You can find lots of helpful information on feeding your growing child in these resources.

Looking after your child’s teeth helps to protect them from dental decay, you can look after their teeth by brushing them twice a day and taking them to the dentist. It’s important to brush your child’s teeth for them until they are at least 7 years old to make sure they are thoroughly cleaned.

Here are some helpful resources on how to look after your child’s teeth and how to access a dentist.

If you would like more information or advice about any of these topics you can contact your local health visiting team.

Positive parenting

On the NSPCC's Positive Parenting resource you can find information on managing your child's needs and positive parenting advice for all ages from babies to teenagers. This includes boundary setting, rewards and discipline, keeping cool and building positive relationships.

If you have any questions or want to discuss your child's behaviour you can contact your local health visting team.

Temper Tantrums

This NHS resource provides information on why Toddlers express themselves through Temper Tantrums and how you can cope with them in a way that supports your toddler.

Toddler anxiety

This resource developed by the Anna Freud Centre provides information on fear and anxiety in babies and toddlers. 

Topics include:

  • General anxiety in toddlers and preschoolers
  • Stranger anxiety
  • Separation anxiety
  • Fear and Phobias
  • Impact of a health crisis

Toileting

Resources to support toileting 

Anna Freud Centre - Toileting

NHS Potty Training

ERIC Top tips for toilet training

Coronavirus

The Anna Freud Centre have developed this resource on Supporting your child back in to childcare called Returning to nursery.

Find advice for parents of babies on Coronvirus from these NHS Start4life resources.

Topics include:

  • Your mental health
  • Safety at home

iHV Top Tips

The Institute of Health Visiting having developed a selection of resources for parents and carers can be found here.​

Topics include:

  • Mental Health
  • Healthy Weight, Healthy Nutrition
  • Minor Illness and Reducing Accidents
  • Health and Development of your toddler

The Department of Health recommends that all children ages 6 months to 5 years are given vitamin supplements containing vitamins A, C and D every day.

NHS Vitamins for children

Families who are entitled to Healthy Start can receive free vitamin drops. 

Healthy Start Application

Your health visiting team can provide more information on vitamins.

Immunisations also known as vaccinations are important for protecting your child against serious infectious diseases. Once we have been immunised, our bodies are better able to fight those diseases if we come into contact with them. You can learn more about immunising your child in this leaflet.

Staying active and helping your child to become active is important for keeping you both healthy. It’s good to build this into family life as it will help you all with feeling healthy and happy and supports sleep.

Get top tips for helping your baby/child to start building their strength through play and family activities.

PHE Physical activity for early years

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