As a health visitor you play a vital role in the field of post-childbirth care, directly delivering your expertise to parents in order to provide them with the skills necessary to give their newborn infants the best possible start in life. A large part of meeting children’s developmental needs is nutritional, and your patients look to you for advice and instructions.
At Nutricia Early Life Nutrition we are dedicated to helping healthcare professionals support parents during the critical window of opportunity that is the first 1,000 days. To showcase some of the educational and scientific materials available to you on the frontline of care for parents, we have collated a list of our five key resources that relate to this specific period.
E-Learning modules
We have a number of useful e-learning modules designed to increase your knowledge of infant nutrition and common feeding problems, as well as developing skills to empower your dialogue with parents. There are seven in total covering breastfeeding and formula feeding, reflux and regurgitation, colic, constipation, cows’ milk allergy, lactose intolerance and weaning. Each one is CPD accredited and upon completion we issue certificates in order for you to update your records. READ MORE.
Guidance on infant feeding problems
In this guide we highlight the crucial role nutrition plays in the management of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) in infants. 30%¹ of infants under 12 months old experience regurgitation and it can be an incredibly stressful time for parents of babies suffering from FGIDs. From highlighting the recommended NICE guidance on regurgitation to showcasing how to support parents when their child is suffering from colic, you will find this practical guide useful when trying to manage infant feeding problems. You can either read this guide online, or visit our Free Printed Resources page to order a copy online which we will send directly to your door. READ MORE.
aSTAR: An evidence-based approach to the management of infant regurgitation
We’ve worked with a panel of experienced healthcare professionals to develop the aSTAR: An Evidence Based Approach to the Management of Infant Regurgitation video and accompanying infographic. This approach supports health visitors by increasing awareness of the NICE guideline stepped care approach to management of frequent regurgitation in bottlefed infants. READ MORE.
Weaning fact sheet for healthcare professionals
Guidance from the Department of Health recommends starting weaning at around six months of age and, although babies will still be getting most of their nutrients from milk, the introduction of foods is an important step in a baby’s development. During the weaning period, infants learn how to chew, swallow and even how to feed themselves, and although it can be a rewarding experience for parents, there are times when patients may look to health visitors for guidance. In this parent-friendly PDF, you will find bite-sized information about when to start weaning, signs a baby is ready, and an easy-to-navigate three-step weaning process. READ MORE.
Food for Thought – Cows’ milk allergy recipe book
Food For Thought is a free, printed recipe book that you can order and give directly to parents, containing 23 recipes for children who have been diagnosed with cows’ milk allergy. Written by Tanya Wright (Bsc Hons, Msc Allergy) — a registered dietitian specialising in paediatric and adult food allergies and intolerances — it contains recipes with a range of flavours and textures for babies weaned onto a mixed diet, and is packed with nutritional analysis, help, information and advice for parents. All the meals are easy to prepare, have no added salt or sugar, and are designed to promote healthy eating habits from a young age. READ MORE.
Our Careline
All of the scientific-based materials above are designed to help healthcare professionals support parents during the first 1,000 days, but if you still need assistance, at Nutricia Early Life Nutrition we have two carelines with two dedicated phone numbers; one for your patients to call directly, and the other specifically for healthcare professionals. The Nutricia Early Life Nutrition healthcare professional helpline is staffed by people who understand what it’s like to be on the frontline of healthcare. Our team has over a hundred and fifty years’ cumulative experience, including hands-on experience in midwifery, as well as paediatric and neonatal nursing.
Our free healthcare professional helpline is open from 8am to 8pm, Monday to Friday. Just phone 0800 996 1234 for expert advice on infant feeding and nutrition, including common infant feeding problems such as cows’ milk allergy, colic, constipation and reflux.
“We take calls from GPs, nutritionists, dietitians, midwives, health visitors…”
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Breastfeeding is best for babies. Infant formula is suitable from birth when babies are not breastfed. Follow-on milk is only for babies over 6 months, as part of a mixed diet and should not be used as a breastmilk substitute before 6 months. We advise that all formula milks including the decision to start weaning should be made on the advice of a doctor, midwife, health visitor, public health nurse, dietitian, pharmacist or other professional responsible for maternal and child care. Foods for special medical purposes should only be used under medical supervision. May be suitable for use as the sole source of nutrition for infants from birth, and/or as part of a balanced diet from 6–12 months. Refer to label for details.
