The Healthy Pregnancy Guide

Resources

• Healthy Pregnancy
• Physical Activity
• A Parent's Guide to Immunization
  

• Canada's Food Guide
  
• Kids' Health and Safety
  

• Portal for New Parents

Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program (CPNP)

The Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program (CPNP) is a comprehensive community-based program that supports pregnant women facing circumstances that threaten their health and the health and development of their infants. CPNP aims to improve maternal and infant health; reduce the incidence of unhealthy birth weights; promote and support breastfeeding; build partnerships; and strengthen community supports for pregnant women. As a comprehensive program, services include food supplementation, nutrition counseling, support, education, referral and counseling on health and lifestyle issues.

Breastfeeding

Today, most mothers breastfeed their babies. Breast milk is the best food you can offer your baby. For the first six months it is all the food and drink your baby needs for optimal growth and development. Breast milk is specifically designed for your baby and constantly changes to meet your child's needs. It is easy for your baby to digest and can protect against infections and disease - benefits that last a lifetime. Breastfeeding has many benefits for the mother too and nurtures a special relationship between mother and baby.

Breastfeeding is natural but may take time for both you and your baby to learn. Talk to a doctor, nurse, midwife or lactation consultant for help. Contact with other breastfeeding mothers can also help build your confidence in breastfeeding.

Enjoy your baby and the special closeness that breastfeeding brings.

For More Information

Public Health Agency of Canada
www.publichealth.gc.ca/breastfeeding

Get all the facts

All parents have questions about the benefits and risks of vaccinating their child. If you have questions about immunization programs or about your child's recommended immunization schedule, talk to your local health care provider or public health nurse.

For information on routine childhood vaccines visit the Public Health Agency of Canada at www.publichealth.gc.ca/immunization.

Immunization

Immunization and your baby's health

Routine childhood vaccination is one of the best ways to protect your baby from common childhood diseases that can cause serious complications and sometimes even death. Provincial immunization programs protect all our children from diseases such as whooping cough (pertussis), tetanus, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, meningitis, pneumonia, chicken pox (varicella) and Hib disease (haemophilus influenza).

Vaccinate on time for maximum protection

For maximum protection throughout childhood it is important to make sure your child gets all the vaccines at the right time. Some vaccines need to be given more than once to build your baby's immunity; others require revaccination at a later age to boost immunity. Children should get vaccines at 2, 4, 6, 12 and 18 months of age; and again later, between the ages of 4 and 6 - before they start school.