Your health service
Once your child reaches the toddler stage, you probably won’t see so much of your health visitor but you don’t have to struggle on your own – there is still professional help and advice when you need it. Your first stop to check your little one is up-to-date on her jabs could be to check tot’s immunisation timetable.
There are two routine immunisations during the toddler years, your booklet A Guide to Childhood Immunisations provides information on these, including describing what they are being protected against, and also answers some of the most common questions about immunisations. Your health visitor will also be able to help answer any questions you might have or visit www.immunisationscotland.org.uk for further information.
There is also one health check-up during the toddler years. If your health visitor feels your child needs any more, they will discuss this with you. Assessing your child’s wellbeing and needs within the context of your family and your wider environment is at the centre of your child’s health check-up.
Visit www.immunisationscotland.org.uk for information about the vaccines available to your toddler.
My toddler’s ill – who should I contact?
What questions will the health visitor or doctor ask me about my toddler?
What check-up and vaccination questions might I want to ask the health visitor or doctor?
12 TO 13 MONTHS
- Hib/MenC - Protects against Haemophilus influenzae b and meningococcal C infections, which can cause meningitis and blood poisoning (septicaemia).
- MMR - Protects against measles, mumps and rubella.
- Pneumococcal (PCV) –Protects pneumococcal infections, which can cause meningitis, ear infections, pneumonia and other serious diseases.
- Men B – Protects against meningococcal B infections which can cause meningitis and blood poisoning (septicaemia).
- To assess if your child is the appropriate weight for their height.
- To observe your child’s speech, language and communication development.
- To answer any concerns about your child’s development, health or wellbeing.
- To discuss your child’s personal, social and emotional development.
- To observe your child’s vision, hearing and oral health.
- To discuss your child’s level of physical activity and play.
- To discuss with you your health and your families relationships and circumstances.
The flu vaccine is offered to all children in Scotland aged 2–5 years (and not yet in school) at their GP practice between October and December (children must be aged 2 years or above on 1 September 2016 to be eligible). It is also offered to all primary school children at school.
For more information visit the Immunisation Scotland website.
3- 5 YEARS
- DTaP/IPV: Protects against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough) and polio.
- MMR: Protects against measles, mumps and rubella
- From age 2-5 years – your child will be offered flu immunisation each year to help protect them against the flu virus.
My toddler’s ill – who should I contact?
probably left their number when you first saw them or you can find it in your child’s red book, if you have one. The red book is a record of your child’s health checks and immunisations and your health visitor should be able to supply you with one.
- The best time to call your health visitor is first thing in the morning or towards the end of the working day. They will usually have an answering machine, so leave a message if they’re not in.
- Weekly baby clinics are often held in the GP surgery and are a good way of reaching your health visiting team. You can also contact them through local parent and child groups, nurseries and children’s centres.
- Your family doctor is there to help you if your child is ill or if they have a chronic condition such as eczema or asthma. You won’t always come away with a prescription. Your tot’s illness may get better on its own and overuse of antibiotics can lead to them being less effective.
What questions will the health visitor or doctor ask?
Don’t forget to take your child’s red book and be ready to answer the following questions:
- How long has your child been ill?
- What are the symptoms – rash, coughing, diarrhoea?
- If there is a rash, where is it and is it itchy?
- Has your child been in contact with anyone with a similar illness?
What questions might I want to ask the health visitor or doctor?
- Can I expect any side effects from this vaccination and if so what can I do to ease them?
- Is my child walking properly?
- Can you explain the weight chart? Is my child the expected weight for their height and age?
- Do you think my child is developing normally?
- Are there any local support groups, networks or contacts that would be useful for me?
- When do you next want to see my child?
- Plus any questions you may have about food and nutrition, safety, looking after their teeth or anything else you’re worried about.