Dear parents: We recognise being a new parent can be daunting. If you are struggling with your new role or have any mental health concerns, please make an appointment to discuss with any of our trained healthcare professionals.
Please see below for more information
What to expect at your 6-8 week baby check
Your baby will have had a complete initial physical check during his/her first 72 hours. At around 6-8 weeks, your baby will be invited for another physical health check. During the 6-8 week baby check, a GP will be examining the following:
- Weight check
- Measurement of head circumference
- Fontanelle (soft spots on the head)
- Face, nose, mouth (including palate) and general symmetry of the face
- Heart and lung sounds
- Groin (femoral) pulses
- Abdominal (tummy) organs and belly button
- Genitals (in boys to make sure the testis have descended)
- Feet, spine and hips
- Ears and eyes
- Reflexes
- Skin
Childhood Immunisation Schedule
The best way to protect your child from diseases such as measles, mumps, rubella, meningitis etc., is through vaccinations. By protecting your own child, you're also protecting other children from catching and spreading such diseases.
To book in for your child's immunisations with our Practice Nurse, please call our reception team on 01926 333500.
Chickenpox
Chickenpox is a common childhood contagious infection that usually causes fever and a rash. it is caused by the Varicella-Zoster Virus.
Signs & Symptoms
Chickenpox usually starts with bumps that bewcome small, yellowish blisters affecting the whole body - including the mouth and genitals (which can be very painful). they then open before scabbing over.
they may also have a temperature, headache, sore throat and a stomach ache alongside.
Children are contagious from the day before the rash appears until all the blisters have scabbed over.
How is Chickenpox spread?
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Through droplets in the air by someone infected coughing or sneezing
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Contact with an infected individual's mucus, saliva (spit), or fluid from the blisters
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The virus may be transferred by touching the surface or object in the environment that has been contaminated, then touching your face.
School exclusion: You should keep children off school or nursery until all their spots have crusted over. This is usually around 5 days after the spots appeared. This will help stop chickenpox being spread.
Treatment
Seeing your child unwell with chickenpox can be very distressing for a parent and while there is usually no treatment for the virus itself, there are simple things you can do to make your child more comfortable.
- Regular Calpol for fever/pain (As per instructions on the packaging)
- Antihistamines (e.g. Piriton) can help with relieving symptoms of itch
- Drink plenty of fluid and try ice lollies if your child is drinking much
- Calamine lotion for itch
- Instead of rubbing, pat the area dry after a bath
- Dress in loose comfortable clothes
- Dont give ibuprofen in Chickenpox unless advised to by a doctor as this can increase the risk of further complications
- Cut nails/apply hand mittens at night to reduce damage to skin and try to avoid too much scratching if possible
Parental guide to coughs, colds, earaches and sore throats – when should I worry
It is normal for children to have up to 8 or more colds a year. This is because there are hundreds of different virus' and children do not have immunity to them, by catching and fighting off colds they are helping build their own immunity. Most colds get better in 5 to 7 days but can take up to 2 weeks in children.
Please click the link below for further information on common colds, ear aches, sore throat and so on, including when you should worry.
Please note: This booklet is for parents (and older children) and deals with common infections in children who are normally healthy. It is not meant for children who have ongoing health problems such as asthma, heart, or kidney problems.
You should not rely on the advice in this leaflet for children who are less than 6 months old. Babies younger than this can respond differently to infecions.
Childhood Autism & ADHD information and support
Autism
Autism Spectrum Disorder, or Autism, is a set of lifelong developmental differences. Developmental differences affect how someone perceives and processes information, and responds and learns as they grow up. Autism can affect how a person experiences and copes with the world around them.
Further information can be found below:
ADHD
ADHD is differences with attention and need for movement and impulsivity. Symptoms of ADHD tend to be noticed at an early age and may become more noticeable when a child's circumstances change, such as when they start school.
Further information can be found below:
If you feel your child may be displaying signs or symptoms of Autim or ADHD, please arrange an appointment to discuss with a GP. We also strongly recommend talking to your child's school about this.
Croup
Croup is a viral condition that affects the windpipe and the voice box. It mainly affects babies and young children. Most cases are mild, although it can occasionally be more serious by causing a child to have trouble breathing.
Symptoms
- Hoarse voice
- Difficulty with breathing
- High temperature
- Runny nose
- Sore throat
- Noisy harsh sound when breathing in, also known as stridor
Further information regarding Croup and its management can be found below.
If you are worried about your child displaying symptoms of Croup, please arrange an urgent GP appointment.
If your child has any of the following symptoms please seek urgent medical attention by calling 999 or attending A&E:
- Struggling to breath (you may notice grunting noises, see their tummy sucking under their ribcage, or their breathing may sound different)
- Has blue, grey or blotchy skin, lips or tongue - on brown or black skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of the hands or the soles of the feet.
- Is sleepier than normal or difficult to wake
- Is unusually quiet and still
- Is limp, floppy or not responding like they normally do (their head may fall to the side, backwards or forwards, oor they may find it difficult to lift their head or focus on your face)
- Is very upset or restless, is having difficulty breathing and can't be calmed down
- Is unwell and drooling more than they normally do, finding it hard to swallow, or wants to sit rather than lie down
Nursery/School exclusion for common infectious diseases
Follow the link below to see the nursery/school exclusion table for common infectious diseases
Mental health support for children & young people
If your child is struggling with their mental health, please make an appointment to discuss this with a Doctor.
If your child is displaying any signs of suicide or self harm, please urgently contact the CRISIS team on: 0300 200 0011.
We recognise this can be difficult to cope with and manage, below are useful links for mental health support, for both you and your child.
