New Parent Resources

Car Seat Safety

Car Seat Installation Guides: Parachute Canada

Parachute Canada has videos on how to install your car and booster seats correctly.

Rear-facing Car Seats: Keeping Kids Safe

Transport Canada's brochure provides tips on properly installing a rear-facing seat.

Dad Central

Dad Central Ontario

Dad Central is a place where fatherhood matters in the healthy development of children. They also have a Facebook page you can follow.

Feeding Your Baby

Breastfeeding Phone Support and Clinics

Call the Family Health Information Line 1-800-563-2808 ext. 5351  Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for breastfeeding support over the phone or to book a breastfeeding clinic appointment (breastfeeding clinics offer one on one support). For breastfeeding clinics visit our breastfeeding page.

Email the Healthy Families Team at: healthy.families@healthunit.ca

Health Connect Ontario

(Formerly Telehealth) 24/7 breastfeeding support online or by phone at Health811 (TTY:  1-866-797-0007)

Breastfeeding Matters Booklet - From Best Start 

An important guide to breastfeeding for women and their families. 

Introducing Solids

Nutrition Connection's guide to helping you introduce solid foods from six months to one year. 

Growing and Developing 

Healthy Babies Healthy Brains 

 The Best Start Resource Centre provides parents practical ways to support their young child's brain development. 

LookSee - Developmental Checklists

The Looksee Checklist is a simple, easy-to-use developmental tool designed to help monitor a child’s development from 1 month to 6 years of age, featuring a short list of yes-or-no questions about the child’s abilities.

Local Parenting Support

Healthy Babies Healthy Children (HBHC) Home Visiting Program

The HBHC Home Visiting Program offers home visits by a Public Health Nurse and Family Home Visitor to expectant mothers and families of young children who would benefit from HBHC in-home support. 

To find out more, please call the Family Health Information Line 1-800-563-2808 ext. 5351 or email healthy.families@healthunit.ca

Parenting Workshops: Triple P^© Positive Parenting Program

Click the link for information related to Triple P Positive Parenting, including the schedule of workshops available in the North Bay and Parry Sound districts Triple P Positive Parenting at the Health Unit. (Currently on hold.)

Please check out the following website for other Triple P Positive Parenting Programs near you.

To speak with a Public Health Nurse, please call the Family Health Information Line 1-800-563-2808 ext. 5351 or email healthy.families@healthunit.ca

Local Playgroups

Ontario EarlyON Centres

An interactive drop-in program for children and their families, from birth to six years of age.

• Nipissing Area (including North Bay)   
• West Nipissing
• East and West Parry Sound Area

Postpartum Mood Disorders (Depression and/or Anxiety)

Bringing home a new baby can be exciting but can also be overwhelming. It is helpful to understand the differences between the postpartum mood disorders and to know what to do if they happen. 

 Safe Sleep

The safest place for your baby to sleep is on his or her back, in a crib, cradle or bassinet.

Health Canada recommends room sharing for the first six months of your baby's life. Your crib must meet current Health Canada Consumer Products Safety standards, have a firm mattress and a fitted sheet. Nothing else should be in the crib or bassinet.

If a blanket is needed, your baby is safest with a  light weight and breathable blanket. Place infant in a fitted one-piece sleepwear that is comfortable at room temperature (not to overheat).

Health Canada, 2012.  Is Your Child Safe? Sleep time.

Government of Canada. Safe Sleep For Your Baby Brochure (Revised 2021)

Smoking Cessation Support

Smokers' Helpline

Smokers’ Helpline is a free, confidential service offering support and information about quitting smoking and tobacco use.

At the Health Unit, we are here to support you and the community in becoming smoke-free. For more information, visit the Smoking, Vaping and Tobacco webpage

Tummy Times & Plagiocephaly

Positional Plagiocephaly (flat head) is a change of shape of the head. The most common cause for babies is spending a large amount of time on their backs.

Prevention:

• Place your baby’s head at the foot of the crib one day, and at the head of the crib the next day. 

• Provide lots of supervised tummy time when your baby is awake. Try placing a small rolled towel under his chest or lay him on your chest. 
• Positional Plagiocephaly and Muscular Torticolis  

Your Health Between Pregnancies

After the birth of a baby, it is best to wait at least 18 months before trying to get pregnant again.

• This gives a woman’s body time to recover and the next baby is more likely to be healthy.

Health Before Pregnancy

• Understanding your birth control options is important:
  • To prevent pregnancy and when you want to space your pregnancies.
  • Talk to your health care provider about the method of birth control that’s right for you.

Ready or Not Alberta

• Being healthy prior to pregnancy is important for both men, women and your next baby.
  • A healthy mind and body now means a healthier pregnancy and baby in the future