The Well Baby Program structures our care and monitoring of child development (ages birth – 3 years) and supports effective parents as the foundation of child wellness.  The Program is implemented by Nurse Practitioners, working in partnership with family physicians, and has available the resources of pharmacy, social work, nursing and a consulting Child Psychiatrist.

Goals and objectives of the Well Baby Program include:

• To maintain accurate knowledge of the stages of development for each child enrolled in the Program through the regular application of standardized measures.
  • To complete the Nippising District Developmental Screen at 1 & 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 9 months, 12 months, 15 months, 18 months, 2 years, 30 months and 3 years (later to be completed at 4 years, 5 years and 6 years)
  • To complete the Rourke Baby Record within one week of birth and at months 2, 4, 6, 12, 18 and between 2-3 years.   (The Rourke Baby Record will later be completed between 4-5 years of age with the option exists to complete the Rourke Baby Record additionally at 2 weeks, 1 month, 9 months, and 15 months.)
• To respond to any identified developmental concerns through appropriate investigations, interventions and, where necessary, referral to auxiliary services.
  • To maintain accurate knowledge of specialized community services for children including, but not limited to, those for speech and language, mental health, and child protection.
• To promote the physical wellness of young children.
  • To provide childhood immunizations consistent with the recommended pediatric schedule.
  • To encourage the provision of adequate childhood nutrition and activity, including support of breast feeding as the best possible choice for infant nutrition.
  • To make parents aware of injury prevention strategies including environmental safety and prevention of baby shaking.
• To promote & support successful parenting of young children.
  • To inform parents of strategies that support literacy including use reading and music.
  • To promote secure parent-child attachments through education and targeted intervention when indicated.
  • To recognize maternal wellness as essential to successful parenting by recognizing and, if necessary treating, postpartum depression and other maternal health concerns.