Healthy Child Development

The goal of the Healthy Child Development Program is to promote health and well-being for pregnant women and families with infants and young children ages 0-6 years.

Who assists with the program?

Our Maternal and Child Health Nurse, along with the Program Assistant, can assist with your questions regarding healthy child development, parenting strategies, education, and support. The programming activities can include education sessions on parenting, play groups, and creative parenting support groups.

How can a Maternal and Child Health Nurse assist me?

A Maternal and Child Health Nurse can provide information on developmental milestones, parenting strategies, well baby home visits, immunizations, and referrals to specialized services.

The Goal of the Healthy Child Development Program

To support pregnant women and families with infants and young children so that they may reach their fullest developmental and lifetime potential

To improve pregnancy outcomes and child health by creating awareness of healthy choices

Services Offered:

  • Home visits
  • Support before and after childbirth
  • Assist with coordinating specialized services
  • Community education
  • Parenting groups
  • Parenting strategies

To register or for more information contact the Maternal and Child Health Nurse at 705-368-2182 ext. 213 or the Program Assistant at ext. 208

Healthy Babies, Healthy Children

The purpose of the Healthy Babies, Healthy Children program is to provide support to mothers and families with young children up to the age of six years.

What is a Maternal and Child Health Nurse?

A Maternal and Child Health Nurse is a registered nurse who specializes in the health and development of newborns, babies, toddlers, children, and pregnant/postnatal women.

How can a Maternal Health Nurse assist me?

A Maternal and Child Health Nurse can provide information on developmental milestones, breastfeeding, parenting strategies, well baby home visits, immunizations, and referrals to specialized services.

The goal of the Healthy Babies, Healthy Children program provides information and support about parenting to parents so that they can provide their young children with a healthy start in life. Opportunities are provided for families to socialize and share with other families while learning new parenting skills. Families are also assisted in finding other support and resources within their communities.

Services offered:

  • Community Health Nurse support
  • Prenatal and postnatal education
  • Preparation for parenting
  • Car seat clinics
  • Breastfeeding support and assistance
  • Baby massages
  • Parenting support
  • Home visits
  • Learn and play
  • Screening and assessment for risks to your child’s healthy development
  • Referrals to services and resources, service coordination

What’s in it for you and your child?

  • Building relationships
  • Fun activities and events
  • Story telling
  • Learn and play

To register or for more information, please contact the Maternal and Child Health Nurse at 705-368-2182 ext. 213

Additional Resources

Caring for Kids provides reliable information for parents from Canada’s pediatricians.

caringforkids.cps.ca

Best Start Resource Centre provides information on topics such as preconception health, teen pregnancy, preterm birth, breastfeeding, Indigenous child development and so much more.

beststart.org

On the Breastfeeding Resources Ontario website, you can scroll through to find many pamphlets and videos addressing the importance of skin to skin contact, guides to breastfeeding, and breastfeeding after caesarean section among others as well as providing links to other breastfeeding resources.

breastfeedingresourcesontario.ca

Health Canada provides general information about safety for children as well as specifics about safety for sleep and play.