Q: My health visitor and friends are upsetting me. I like to do things my way with my son. He is not a difficult baby so I like to let nature take its course. However, my friends tell me I am wrong for ignoring the health visitor's advice. Additionally, on the occasion that I do take him to weigh in, the health visitor tells me off for not going enough! Am I wrong to do things my way? And why should I bother with a health visitor anyway?

A: If your baby is eating, growing and is healthy, happy and developing well, then you are not wrong to want to do things your own way. Additionally, as long as you are feeding him the appropriate milks and foods, then you have probably minimised all obvious risks and have all the bases covered.

However, while it is not compulsory to use the health visiting service, or visit the child health clinics that health visitors run, it may be a good idea not to completely dismiss their expertise. They are after all qualified nurses who have completed extra study and training in the field of child health.

As well as being able to help with issues such as breastfeeding, weaning, sleeping and weighing, they are also able to advise on other important areas such as avoiding illness and keeping your young family healthy. Additionally, they can advise on how to manage the standard childhood illnesses that all children develop, such as ear infections, chicken pox etc, which many mothers do find very helpful.

Another very important role they perform is to keep an eye on your own health. If you began to feel unable to cope or depressed, your health visitor is there to provide support and guidance for you - just as much as your baby - and can advise on where and how to find help.

They can also put you in touch with other mothers and baby groups if you feel you would like to expand your parenting friends network.

Finally, it is worth noting that a health visitor will come to your home if you feel you need to access the health visiting service, but are unable to leave the house for whatever reason.

With regard to your friends, it is unfair of them to say that you are wrong to ignore the advice of the health visitor. If you have been given advice and do not want to follow it, that is your decision, but do make sure you keep fully up to date with developments in child health via the internet or books.

Do you see the health visitor regularly? Do you find it useful or a waste of time?