The Healthy Babies Healthy Children Program (HBHC) is a free and voluntary program that supports pregnant individuals and families with children 0-6 years of age. The HBHC Program can help you:
- Have a healthy pregnancy
- Build a positive relationship with your child
- Promote your child's healthy growth and development
| Contents |
|---|
| Prenatal HBHC Services |
| HBHC Support After Baby is Born |
| HBHC Home Visting Program |
| Family Home Visitors |
| How to Access HBHC Services |
Prenatal HBHC Services
A public health nurse will contact you by phone and talk about how the HBHC program can support you.
The public health nurse who is supported by family home visitor may:
- Answer any questions you have
- Give you some information about healthy eating for you and your baby
- Can help you prepare for your baby and provide information on infant care
- Talk about what to expect during pregnancy and how to care for yourself
- Help you find services in your community
- Suggest some prenatal education resources and classes
- Give you information about childbirth and your baby's arrival
- Provide you information about lactation and breastfeeding/chestfeeding
HBHC Support After Baby is Born
With your consent, the HBHC Screening Tool will be completed by a nurse, midwife, social worker, or physician after the birth of your baby and will be sent confidentially to the Thunder Bay District Health Unit, Healthy Babies Healthy Children Program.
Adoptive parents may contact the HBHC Program directly at (807) 625-8814 to arrange for screening.
(For parents who live outside the Thunder Bay District your HBHC screen will be forwarded to the Health Unit or Health Authority responsible for delivering the HBHC program in your community). You will get a phone call from a public health nurse about 48 hours after you and your baby leave the hospital. If your baby was born at home, you will receive a phone call within about 48 hours after we receive the HBHC screening tool or referral from your midwife or health care provider.
The public health nurse will:
- Answer any questions you have about the health of you and your child/children
- Ask you some questions about the health of you and your baby
- Connect you with breastfeeding/chestfeeding supports in your community if needed
- Talk about mood changes after birth
- Ask if you are experiencing post-partum blues
- Ask if you have support at home
- Answer questions you have about parenting your newborn
- Connect you to local community services that may give you more support in your parenting role
HBHC Home Visiting Program
The Healthy Babies Healthy Children (HBHC) program is a free, voluntary program for families in Ontario. It provides support to pregnant individuals and families with young children (from birth to school entry). Through regular home visits, Public Health Nurses and Family Home Visitors offer information and support on healthy pregnancy, child development, parenting, and community resources to help children get the best start in life.
HBHC staff can support families with a wide range of topics, some examples include:
- Healthy growth and development
- Building healthy attachment and bonding
- Introducing solids and healthy nutrition
- Positive parenting strategies
- Parental mental health and well-being
- Infant sleep and routines
- Breastfeeding and infant feeding
- Accessing local programs and community resources
Family Home Visitors
A family home visitor works with the public health nurse to participate in activities that support:
- Healthy attachment with your child
- Understanding the stages of your child's growth and development
- Showing you healthy ways to play and interact with your children
- Guiding and teaching your child
- Building confidence in your parenting skills
- Developing skills in budgeting, meal planning
- Finding childcare within your community
How to Access HBHC Services
- You can refer yourself by calling 807-625-8814, or toll-free, 1-888-294-6630.
- Physicians, socials workers, midwives, nurse practitioners, or other health professionals can refer you to the program with your consent.
- Please complete the referral form (PDF) and have your health care provider fax the completed form to 807-628-8664.
For more information about the Healthy Babies Healthy Children Program, please visit The Ministry of Children, Community Social Services.