Healthy Babies, Healthy Children
Healthy Babies, Healthy Children (HBHC) is a voluntary, in-home visiting program led by a nurse and supported by a social worker and family home visitors. This program is mandated by the Ministry of Community and Social Services and aims to improve pregnancy and early childhood development outcomes.
In 2023, 3,743 screens were completed for the HBHC program in collaboration with local birthing centres. As a result, 609 families with infants received in-home assessments and education from an HBHC nurse and 321 of these families continued with the home visiting program to support their parenting goals. The team helps clients:
- Prepare for childbirth and care for their newborn.
- Breastfeed, formula feed, and introduce complementary foods.
- Support their own mental wellness and resilience.
- Monitor and support their child’s growth and development.
- Access food, housing, baby essentials, if needed.
In 2023, the WECHU’s nurse practitioner provided essential, transitional healthcare for families without a primary health care provider. The nurse practitioner provided care at 205 prenatal visits and 1,056 pediatric visits.
Prenatal, Postnatal, and Breastfeeding Supports
The Healthy Families department delivered perinatal health education to 167 women and supplied prenatal multivitamin supplements to 133 of these women in partnership with Building Blocks for Better Babies. The department also delivered parenting education for 523 families in collaboration with Triple P. Other support and initiatives included:
- 108 families attended the WECHU’s prenatal breastfeeding class.
- 510 families received in-person breastfeeding support from a lactation consultant.
- 530 families received growth and development education from a nurse, dietitian, or social worker through the WECHU’s partnership with eight EarlyON centres.
- 743 mothers received infant feeding assessment and consultation.