Pregnancy and Parenting Supports

Pregnant or planning for a baby?  Bump to Baby is a self-paced online prenatal program made by Canadian experts, designed to support you through pregnancy, labour and delivery, and life with your newborn. It’s flexible, fun, and totally on your schedule! You can go through the topics in order, or jump around and pick what information you need. Your access does not expire.

All information contained in this program is for general information purposes only. Bump to Baby does not provide medical advice. The information is not intended to replace or be a substitute for consultation with a qualified professional.

Register Here

Having a baby can be both an exciting and challenging time, and you may have a lot of questions. Some families may benefit from extra support. See below for more information on Healthy Babies Healthy Children or Nurse Family Partnership. 

In addition to the prenatal information provided in Bump to Baby, you may be interested in the following community programs or websites of trusted Canadian organizations supporting maternal health, child health and parenting.

• pregnancyinfo.ca
• oMama
• Postpartum Support International
• Canadian Paediatric Society (Caring for Kids)
• SickKids (About Kids Health)
• EarlyON Child and Family Centres (find a centre near you)
• Lakeland Public Health Mental Health Support: Pregnancy, Postpartum, and Parenting

The Feeding and Nutrition Clinic is available in person by appointment at the Port Hope office location only Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. 

The Feeding and Nutrition Clinic helps parents develop skills to feed their baby, child, or themselves. One-on-one appointments can also support parents to make food choices that are best for their family. Our Public Health Nurses or Registered Dietitians can give support in person, online, or over the phone. 

How to Register

If you would like to participate in the clinic fill out the self-referral form or call 1-866-888-4577 ext. 5003.

Support Information

For breastfeeding support after hours, please visit Health811 online or call 8-1-1.

The Healthy Babies Healthy Children (HBHC) Program is a free, confidential and voluntary program for pregnant women and families with children up to age six. The Program provides you with advice and support at various stages to help you give your children the best start in life.

Eligibility

• Live in Haliburton, Kawartha Lakes, the City or County of Peterborough, or Northumberland County.
• Are pregnant, have recently given birth, or are caring for a preschool-aged child.
• Are the legal guardian of the child(ren).
• Actively parent the child(ren) in the family's residence.
• Are available for home visits during Health Unit operating hours.

How to Register

• If you would like to participate in the program fill out the self-referral form.
• If you have any questions please call 1-866-888-4577, ext. 5003.

NOTE: The HBHC program offers support to newcomers, parents with child development concerns, isolated individuals, and families facing challenges like homelessness or domestic violence.

Lakelands Public Health sends parents in Northumberland, City of Kawartha Lakes and Haliburton County a text message at 6- and 12-months post-partum regarding an Infant Feeding Survey.   The email or text message link will be similar to this:

Dear 

When you first had your baby, we either spoke to you or sent you a letter about our infant feeding survey that will help us to improve services for mothers and babies in your area. At the time we spoke to you, you agreed to participate and provided us with your email address so that we could email you the link to the survey. If you received only our letter and did not call to decline your participation in the survey, then we assumed that you wish to participate and would like to thank you. 

Just as a reminder, participation in this survey involves answering some questions about how you have been feeding your baby and some questions about you. If you agree to participate you can choose to end the survey at any time, and you can also choose to skip any question that you do not want to answer. Please be assured that if you end the survey at any stage, it will not affect the services that you receive from the Health Unit. This survey is anonymous and the answers you provide will be kept private and confidential. Your name will never be used in any reports about the results of the survey. 

If you have any questions about the survey link you have received, please call 1-866-888-4577 ext. 5003

The Nurse Family Partnership® (NFP®) Program is a free home visiting program where public health nurses visit young, first-time parents during their pregnancy and the first two years of their child’s life. NFP® can help parents: have a healthy pregnancy, have healthy children, and meet school and/or work goals.

Eligibility

• 24 years old or younger
• Pregnant with your first child and/or first-time parenting
• Pregnant 28 weeks or less
• Experiencing financial hardship or limited resources
• Living in Northumberland County, City of Kawartha Lakes, County of Haliburton, or the City or County of Peterborough.

How to Register

• If you'd like to participate in the program fill out the self-referral form.
• If you have any questions please call 1-866-888-4577, ext. 5003.

What will you talk about during visits?

• Having a healthy pregnancy and healthy baby
• Developing your parenting skills
• Building a strong network of support for you and your baby
• Talking about your goals in life
• Supporting you to create a safe and nurturing environment for you and your baby
• Accessing other community resources that feel right for you
• Building life skills such as budgeting, managing stress, and preparing healthy meals

Questions

If you have any questions about the Nurse-Family Partnership® (NFP), please call 1-866-888-4577 ext. 5003. Your personal information is needed to determine eligibility for this program.

If you need a pregnancy test or birth control, you can visit our Sexual Health Clinics, speak with your health care provider, or buy one from a pharmacy.  A pregnancy test is most accurate a few days past after you were expecting your period. The best time to do a test is with your first pee of the day.

Appointments are required, as walk-ins are not currently available. Book an appointment online, or to speak to a Sexual Health Nurse, call 1-866-888-4577, ext. 1205.

Program Description

The City of Kawartha Lakes Prenatal Support Program is a team of Public Health Nurses, Family Home Visitors and a Registered Dietitian who are available to provide prenatal supports, including:

• One on one nursing phone consultations
• Prenatal infant feeding consultations
• Prenatal nutrition education
• Education related to the birth and labour process
• Preparation to parent, and parenting resources
• Access to a free online prenatal education
• Referrals to community programs
• Home visiting supports to eligible families

Eligibility

• Live in the City of Kawartha Lakes
• Are pregnant

How to Register

• If you would like to participate in the program fill out the self referral form
• If you are a community partner looking to refer a client to the program fill out the patient referral form
• If you have any questions, please call 1-866-888-4577, ext. 5003