"Closing weigh in groups in Ashfield is really unhelpful"

I was very surprised to hear that the local baby weigh in group was to finish. This group has always been very busy and I have personally found it essential. My daughter was put on a failure to thrive at 2 weeks old. She was referred to our local paediatric consultant who advised a course of action that included regular weigh ins. This was carried out firstly by my midwife and then handed over to the health visiting team, I was advised by my health visitor to attend the weekly weigh ins, these became fortnightly and as my child got older monthly as the development graph dictates. Even now at 19 months old my daughter still has to be weighed every month so her paediatrician can follow her development accurately and assess the next course of action (her condition is still un diagnosed).

My personal desire to keep the clinics open aside, I feel that their closure will leave children and new mothers vulnerable. New mothers need as much support as possible and having a place to go and have your child's development assessed on a fortnightly or even monthly basis is reassuring it also gives the opportunity for the weigh team to raise any concerns, chase hospital referrals and make other enquiries about local facilities etc. it also gives mothers a base to go to for help with behaviour, weaning or for a confidential chat about domestic issues. Removing this service and placing even more pressure on an already stretched health visiting team seems nonsensical. I have only seen my assigned health visitor a handful of times despite my child needing a little more support.

I think until there is a strong and efficient team ready to take on the ever expanding net of mothers new and experienced. It would be far wiser to keep the health clinics for babies and small children open.