"Terrible experience with health visitor"

Due to recently giving birth to a baby girl I was worried about the health visitor which I would be put under, due to a previous health visitor in 2010 I have in general been put off health visitors.

The health visitor for my eldest son in 2010 behaved in my home and towards my son in a way which was appalling and extremely unprofessional. I want to raise the issues although it has almost been 5 years, I want to prevent other young mum and older parents from being treat in the same way.

I believe she prevented me from building a bond with my son as she would interfere with my parenting skills, in which also stopped me from developing and maturing not only as a young mum (only being 17) but also being independent. She had on one occasion attended my sons nursery whilst I was at college without my permission, this itself is disgusting and now at the age of 21 I realise that without your consent actions like this must be raised. She would also make her views towards young mums clear, by making comments such as 'young mums' 'she's only 17' whilst being in my home.

On more than one occasion she would make me feel as though I was worthless and not capable of being a parent, by coming into my home and demanding me to go and make a bottle as my son needed one although she had witnessed me give him the last part of his bottle. She I believe also prevented me from helping my son develop due to him being premature and his weight being behind, she would tell me when and how often to feed him instead of allowing me to build a natural routine in which met my sons needs instead of her beliefs.

My experience overall was traumatic and 5 years later I can still picture her and the way in which she degraded me in front of others such as students in my own home.

I would like to prevent this from happening to other mums and I would like to make it aware that it is NOT acceptable to be treat this way. As a mother you have a say and you know naturally what is best for your child with the right guidance, but with some within the health care service such as this health visitor, many mothers may feel as though they are not doing right by their children. The health care service needs to be aware that some of those working within their service are not working at a professional level and think they have authority and power over mothers.