I Can Breastfeed My Baby Even if He is Very Fussy or Easy-Going

Before you welcomed your little one into your family you had visions of sitting quietly in a rocking chair blissfully holding your calm, smiling or sleeping baby. But now you are finding that your 3- week old has never smiled and even more distressing, they seem to be either crying or fussing whenever they are awake and not eating. Sometimes … Read More

I Can Breastfeed My Baby on Cue Rather Than on a Schedule

Do babies need to be fed on a schedule? Absolutely not! All babies are different and so are all mothers. Babies feed best when they are hungry. Feeding your baby when they cue to feed, helps mothers maintain a good milk supply and ensures that your baby will be satisfied and gain weight normally. Placing them on a strict schedule … Read More

I Can Breastfeed My Baby During a Growth Spurt

Most babies have several growth spurts during the first 6 months of life. Typically, growth spurts will happen around 7-10 days, 2-3 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months. These are times when your baby’s brain and body are developing at a rapid pace! You may notice that your baby is fussier, not sleeping as often and showing feeding … Read More

I Can Include My Partner in the Care of My Baby

Picture this: You awake in the morning, after a sleepless night, where your baby wanted to feed every hour, on the hour. You are tired and have just enough energy to get your baby latched to feed one more time but there are so many things that need to get done. So, what do you do? Sometimes it’s difficult to … Read More

I Can Cope with Advice Given by Those Unsupportive of Breastfeeding

moms feeding babies outside while chatting

What?? You’re still breastfeeding that baby?  Some women will hear that when their babies are 2 months old or when they are 2 years old.  It can be hard to hear those negative comments from those that are closest to us.  Here are some tips to dealing with those backhanded remarks from the misinformed: o   Let’s educate them!  Inform critics … Read More

Tara’s Story

Family Photos on a wall

Immunizations are important in all stages of life. Infants and young children need shots because their immune systems are not mature enough to fight infection. They need their shots given on a well – timed schedule. Older children and adults also need shots to restore fading immunity or to build new immunity against different diseases. So, please, choose to immunize, … Read More

How can I reduce the pain of vaccinations for my baby or child?

Picture of family meeting with doctor

Vaccinations are important in order to prevent disease and illness in your child, however they can at times cause anxiety for both you and your little one. Below are some tips to reduce pain from shots and make the experience better for the both of you. Have your baby/child sit on your lap for a cuddle during the immunization If … Read More

Do you have a child enrolled in a childcare centre?

Image of two boys playing with blocks

  Chatham-Kent Public Health is required by law in Ontario to maintain immunization records for every child attending a licensed childcare centre. The health unit assesses immunization records to ensure they are accurate and up to date. This is done to protect your child in the event of an outbreak of a vaccine preventable disease. Many parents think their healthcare … Read More

What is Pertussis and how can I prevent it?

  Pertussis (also called whooping cough) is a respiratory infection that can cause spells of violent coughing for weeks or months. It is spread easily through coughing and sneezing. Pertussis can also cause pneumonia, ear infections, seizures, swelling of the brain and death. Children younger than one year of age have the highest risk of complications. However, pertussis protection is … Read More

Every Child Needs Protection

Picture of two boys playing

Children in Ontario receive immunizations to help protect them from serious childhood diseases.  Vaccines help the immune system learn how to recognize and fight the germs that causes diseases.  Children begin immunizations at the age of 2 months.   Many vaccines require more than one injection before they can offer protection, so it is important to receive all shots. Any immunization … Read More

Do you have a child enrolled in Daycare?

Children Silhoutte illustration

Did you know… Chatham-Kent Public Health is required by Ontario law to maintain immunization records for every child attending daycare and school. The Health Unit assesses immunization records to ensure they are accurate and up-to-date. This is done to protect your child in the event of an outbreak of a vaccine preventable disease. By law, these immunizations are mandatory: diphtheria, … Read More

Your Baby’s Sleep

Image of newborn in crib

Sleep is very important for a child’s growth and development. Newborns when awake are usually feeding and when done want to go back to sleep. Playtime is short at this age. For new parents it is difficult to know how often and how long a newborn should sleep. The average newborn sleeps much of the day and night but sleeps … Read More