Parenting Support
Being a parent is a big responsibility. Raising children is complicated and most parents could use a bit of help from time to time. We can help! We offer information, education, and support for expectant parents, caregivers, and families with young children to help build confidence and create strong families.
We can provide support in any of the following areas:
- Attachment
- Breastfeeding, infant feeding and healthy eating
- Growth and development
- Preconception health
- Healthy pregnancies
- Healthy parent-child relationships
- Parental health and well-being
- Preparation for parenting
- Parenting support
- Support to access other community programs and services
If you have questions or would like to speak to a Public Health Nurse about your baby’s growth and development, contact us!
- Call 1-800-465-4377
- Email hbhc@nwhu.on.ca
- Complete our Healthy Babies, Healthy Children Referral Form
- Visit your local NWHU office
Les clients préférant un service offert en français peuvent y faire demande en composant le 807-934-2236.
Infant Hearing, Speech and Language, Visual Health, and Dental/oral health services are also available.
What we do
Some of Northwestern Health Unit’s (NWHU) programs for new parents, caregivers and families with children 0-6 include:
- Parent education and support groups
- Breastfeeding, Infant Feeding, and Child Nutrition
- Healthy Babies Healthy Children program
Parent education and support groups
Parenting classes and support groups give you a chance to learn more about your important role as a parent and about taking care of yourself! We offer information, education, and support for all caregivers. The following education opportunities may be available in your community:
To find out what’s available in your community, or if your agency is interested in partnering to offer a parent education session, contact your local NWHU office or call our toll-free number 1-800-465-4377.
Breastfeeding, Infant Feeding, and Child Nutrition
Breastfeeding and infant feeding
How you feed your baby is an important decision. Exclusive breastfeeding is important up to 6 months of age, with continued breastfeeding along with appropriate complementary foods up to two years of age or beyond. We provide breastfeeding and infant feeding information, and workshops, and can connect you to other supports available near you!
Starting Solids and Baby Food Making workshops
You can introduce solid food to babies at 6 months. Solid foods give your baby extra energy, iron, and other nutrients needed for healthy growth. We offer workshops that provide information on signs of readiness, how to introduce solids, and how to make homemade baby food. Information is also provided on allergies, vitamin D, and offering cow’s milk, and other beverages.
Feeding your growing child
We offer a variety of resources and workshops relating to child nutrition that can build food skills and increase confidence. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to contact us for more information or if you have questions about feeding your growing child.
To find out what’s available in your community, or if your agency is interested in partnering to offer a workshop, contact your local NWHU office or call our toll-free number at 1-800-465-4377.
Healthy Babies Healthy Children program
Healthy Babies Healthy Children is a free program that offers support to families with newborns and children up to 6 years old. Families can self-refer to the program at any time or can be referred by any care provider.
After the delivery of your baby in hospital, you will be asked if you’d to be referred to the Healthy Babies Healthy Children (HBHC) program. Once we receive the referral from the hospital, we offer the following:
A phone call
An HBHC Public Health Nurse will call within 48 hours of discharge from the hospital. Nurses are trained to offer support during the postpartum period and can answer your questions, support your infant’s feeding choices, and provide up-to-date information.
In-person supports
An HBHC Public Health Nurse can visit you in your home, in our office, or in a community location to support you with:
- Adjusting to parenthood and ways to care for yourself
- Infant feeding
- Monitoring your baby’s growth and development
- Understanding emotional changes and postpartum recovery
- Establishing infant care routines
- Sharing information about parenting and health-related topics
- Connecting you with community resources
Home visiting program
If you need support beyond the postpartum period, we can offer a home visiting program up until your child starts school.
We are here to help! For more information:
- Call 1-800-465-4377
- Email hbhc@nwhu.on.ca
- Complete our Healthy Babies, Healthy Children Referral Form
- Visit your local NWHU office
Need more information?
- EarlyON Child & Family Centre – FireFly
- Early Years Check-In: Check-In – Health HQ
- Example meal and feeding schedules – ellynsatterinstitute
- Find Licensed Child Care – Ontario Ministry of Education
- Give your children the best possible start in life – Make the Connection
- Home: Caring for kids – cps.ca
- Play & Learn: Games and Activities-Early Child Development – Health HQ