A clear timeline of what the NHS offers in the first months of your baby's life.
Before you leave hospital (or at home if you had a home birth), your baby will have a physical examination, a heel-prick blood test (screening for nine rare conditions), and hearing and eye checks. A midwife will be in touch to check on you both.
Your NELFT health visitor will come to your home to check on your baby's feeding, weight, and development — and on how you're doing too. This is also the moment to ask anything you haven't had a chance to yet.
You'll be invited to bring your baby to the surgery for a full head-to-toe examination. You'll also have your own postnatal check at the same appointment. This is when your baby's first vaccinations are given.
Your baby's vaccinations start at 8 weeks and continue through the first two years. We'll send you reminders. BCG vaccinations in Havering are delivered by Vaccination UK — a separate appointment arranged by your health visitor or GP.
NELFT health visitors offer reviews at 6-8 weeks, 12 months, and 2-2.5 years. You can also drop in to child health clinics across Havering for weighing and advice at any point.
Who to call for what — in the early weeks and beyond.
NELFT Health Visiting Team
For questions about your baby's development, feeding, weight, and health visitor appointments.
0300 300 1635Vaccination UK — BCG
BCG vaccinations in Havering are delivered by Vaccination UK (from September 2024). Call to book or check your baby's BCG status.
0208 214 1380Queen's Hospital 24-hour maternity helpline
For concerns about you or your baby up to 10 days after birth.
01708 503 742NHS 111
Available 24 hours a day if you're unsure whether your baby needs to be seen urgently. Free to call.
111Beyond your GP and health visitor, there's a growing network of local services for new families.
A new hub at St Kilda's, Romford (open from April 2026), bringing together health, family support, and children's services under one roof. Satellite hubs at Ingrebourne and myplace Harold Hill. For families with children 0-18.
A local peer support group for parents experiencing perinatal mental health difficulties — including postnatal depression, anxiety, and birth trauma. Free to attend, no referral needed.
Live Well Havering (opens in a new tab)NELFT runs drop-in child health clinics across Havering where you can have your baby weighed, ask questions, and get advice from a health visitor. No appointment needed.
NELFT Child Health Clinics (opens in a new tab)A new joined-up service bringing together BHRUT, NELFT, and primary care for children aged 0–18. GPs can refer children directly via the JOY app for faster, coordinated support.
Plain-English answers to the questions we hear most often in those first weeks.
Get them set up with a GP so their checks and vaccinations can be booked from day one.
