Parenting Supports
Parenting Babies
Routine Appointments for Your Baby
Babies should have regularly scheduled appointments with a health care provider. The below are general guidelines, and you should always speak with a health care provider as everyone’s needs will be different.
- Baby’s First Check-up
2 to 3 days after birth with your health care provider - Mom’s First Appointment
6 weeks post-partum with your health care provider - Baby’s Hearing Test
By 8 weeks of age
Learn more at Infant Hearing Program - Baby’s First Vaccine
2 months of age with your health care provider - First Eye Check-up
6 months of age with your optometrist
Learn more at Visual Health - First Dental Check-up
1 year of age with your dentist
Learn more at Children's Dental Health - Enhanced Well-baby Visit
18 months of age with your health care provider
@HealthyFamiliesHamilton
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Being a parent and caregiver can be an exciting and often overwhelming time. Sign up for our free online classes to learn about newborn care, breastfeeding, the transition to parenthood, and more. Review the following health information to help with taking care of you and your baby from 0 to 12 months.
Taking Care of Your Baby
Attachment is the deep emotional bond between you and your baby. And it starts right at birth. This bond grows stronger as you respond to your baby’s needs in a warm, sensitive, and consistent way. This is so important when they are sick, sad, scared, or hurt. Attachment also deepens through daily routines, playing, reading, and interacting with your baby.
Skin-to-skin contact is a great way to begin to build this bond. Parents, caregivers, and loved ones can hold your baby bare chest-to-chest to help them:
- Adjust to life outside of the womb
- Steady their heart rate, breathing, and temperature
- Connect with you and feel calm
Learn more about building attachment between you and your baby
- A baby’s skin is thinner and more sensitive than adult skin, so it is important to care for it gently.
- Wash your baby’s face, hands, and neck every day and clean their genitals at each diaper change. You can use a mild, scent-free soap, but it is not necessary. Soap can dry out your baby’s skin.
- If your baby has dry skin, use hypoallergenic and scent-free lotion to keep their skin moisturized and soft.
- In the winter months, keep your baby’s skin covered to protect them from frostbite.
- Dress your baby in warmer layers and a hat to protect their head from heat loss
- In the summer months, keep your baby out of direct sunlight, especially during peak hours of the day (11am to 3pm).
- Dress your baby in light-weight long sleeve shirts and pants, and a brimmed hat
- Do not put sunscreen on a baby less than 6 months old
- Babies 6 months and older, should have 30 SPF (or more) sunscreen applied to their exposed skin
- Keep your baby well hydrated to prevent dehydration or illness
- Your baby’s nails may grow quickly. You can start to trim their nails 1 week after they are born, using a file or baby nail clippers. It helps to trim nails after a bath or while they sleep. Be sure to:
- Pull skin pad away to avoid cutting their skin.
- Cut fingernails along the curve and cut toenails straight across.
- Your baby’s umbilical cord should fall off in 1 to 3 weeks after birth. Keep the area dry and fold the diaper below it. Call your health care provider if your baby has a fever, or there is pus, redness, tenderness, bleeding, or a bad smell from the skin around the cord.
- Bathe your baby 2-3 times a week as needed using warm water. Bathing too often can dry out their sensitive skin.
- If you choose to use soap, use a small amount of mild, scent-free soap. Otherwise, warm water is fine too.
- Use a cloth to wash from cleanest to dirtiest areas, cleaning their genital area last.
- Clean female genitals from front to back and be sure to clean the creases.
- Wash male genitals gently (for uncircumcised boys, do not pull back his foreskin).
- Always make sure you have one hand on the baby for safety reasons. Never leave your baby alone in a bathtub! If you need to leave the room, take your baby with you.
- If your baby has dry skin, use hypoallergenic and scent-free lotion to keep skin moisturized and soft.
- Diapers tell you how well your baby is feeding and if your baby is getting enough to eat. It is helpful to keep track of how many wet (pee) and dirty (poop) diapers your baby has each day. Learn more about diapering and how many wet (pee)/dirty (poo) diapers to expect.
- Change your baby’s diaper whenever it’s wet (pee) or dirty (poo) to keep them comfortable. Babies have sensitive skin, and it is important they aren’t wearing a wet or dirty diaper for a long time to prevent diaper rash.
- Make sure you have all the supplies you need nearby before you start, and never leave your baby alone on the changing surface.
- Clean your baby’s diaper area with a wipe or cloth and let the skin dry before putting on a new diaper. When wiping:
- Clean female genitals from front to back and clean the creases
- Clean male genitals gently, under the scrotum without pulling back the foreskin
- Always wash your hands well with soap and water after changing a diaper.
- Diaper rashes are common. Prevent them by:
- Changing diapers often
- Letting the skin air dry
- Using a barrier cream
- Avoiding baby powder
- Giving diaper-free time
Breastmilk offers many benefits to you and your baby, and exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for the first 6 months of your baby’s life.
- Continue breastfeeding for 2 or more years, or as long as it is comfortable for you and your baby.
- Begin to introduce solid foods at 6 months of age, while continuing to breastfeed. Your baby is ready for solids when they can:
- hold their head up and turn towards or away from food
- sit up and lean forward and backward
- open their mouth wide when offered food
- follow food with their eyes
- If not offering breastmilk to your baby, give them store-bought iron-fortified infant formula until they are 12 months of age.
Learn more about Breastfeeding
Learn more about Feeding Your Baby & Children
If you are pregnant and looking for support, join our free Welcome Baby Prenatal Nutrition Program.
Good dental health for children leads to good overall health. Start good oral hygiene habits early.
- From birth, wipe your baby’s gums and teeth with a clean, wet cloth after each feeding.
- Lift you baby’s lip once a month to check their teeth and gums. Babies get their first teeth between 3 and 12 months, which can cause pain and swelling.
- To help with teething pain, offer a firm rubber teething ring or a cold, wet cloth. Avoid numbing gels.
Parents and caregivers can help their babies grow strong and develop in a healthy way. Support your baby to be active by:
- Providing opportunities for them to move their bodies every day through tummy time and floor play
- Limiting the time spent sitting or lying down in a stroller or highchair
- Avoiding screen time for children under 2 years of age
Video: Watch How To Do Tummy Time
Vaccines, also known as ‘immunizations’, are the best way to protect your baby from serious diseases that can cause illness, disability, and death. They also help protect other people in your community.
Your baby should receive their first vaccines at 2 months of age from your health care provider.
Learn more about the immunization schedule for children
Health care providers do not report immunizations to their local public health unit. Parents and caregivers are responsible for reporting all immunizations to Hamilton Public Health.
You can report online, by mail, or by phone. Learn more at Reporting Vaccinations
A fever can be a sign that your baby is sick with an infection. Checking your baby’s temperature is an important part of caring for them. It is also important to pay attention to how your baby looks and acts.
- If your baby has a fever, they may:
- Be flushed, pale, sweaty, or hot on the back of their neck
- Feed poorly
- Be less interested in usual activities
- Be extra sleepy
- There are different ways to check your baby’s temperature, the right way depends on their age.
- To prevent the spread of germs, ask anyone who holds your baby to wash their hands and avoid bringing your baby around people who are sick.
- If you are concerned about your baby’s temperature or health, call your health care provider.
At Home
Most injuries for babies occur in their own homes. Injuries are most often caused by falls, burns, poisoning, choking, strangulation, and drowning.
Download the Home Safety Checklist for Parents
To prevent injuries at home:
- Supervise your baby. Avoid distractions and don’t rely on safety devices to keep your baby safe.
- Role model safe behaviours. Your baby will copy your actions, so do what you would like to see your baby do.
- Be aware of milestones. Know your baby’s stage of growth and development and the hazards that come with their stage.
Learn more about newborn baby safety
Find tips for home, electrical, and play time safety
In the Car
In Canada, babies and children in vehicles must be properly secured. Choosing, installing, and using the correct car seat keeps your child safe while travelling.
- Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and vehicle owner’s manual.
- Note: All car seats must be tested to meet government safety standards to be sold in Canada. The National Safety Mark sticker is proof that the car seat meets Canadian safety standards.
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