Do you have a baby?

This is the beginning of your parenting journey. It’s an exciting and a challenging time.

Over the next few months, you and your baby will learn a lot about each other! As your newborn develops and grows, you will grow as a parent too. This information can help.

Our resources in English

We also carry a list of Indigenous resources, of resources in French and of resources for newcomers to Canada.

Alcohol and Drugs
	Risks of Cannabis on Fertility, Pregnancy, Breastfeeding and Parenting - Booklet Best Start Resource Centre, 2019 This resource is for women and men, who are thinking about becoming parents, are pregnant, or who are new parents. It provides information about the effects of cannabis on fertility, pregnancy, breastfeeding, on children and adolescents when their mothers used cannabis during pregnancy and on parenting. This resource summarizes the current knowledge about the effects of cannabis. See also: Thinking about using cannabis before or during pregnancy? Thinking about using cannabis while parenting?
	Mocktails for Mom - Recipe cards Best Start Resource Centre with support from the LCBO, 2012 This brochure has recipes for delicious non-alcoholic drinks, also called Mocktails.
Breastfeeding and Nutrition
	Breastfeeding Your Early Preterm Baby - Booklet BFI Strategy for Ontario 2016 This Early Preterm breastfeeding booklet supports families who have an early preterm baby born prior to 34 weeks gestation who plan to breastfeed and/or provide breast milk to their baby. Topics include: breastfeeding your preterm baby, skin-to-skin contact and Kangaroo care, tips to getting off to a good start, pumping, feeding your baby at the hospital and tips for when you take your baby home. also available in French, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese (Simplified), Farsi, Gujarati, Korean, Hindi, Punjabi, Russian, Serbian, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog, Tamil, Urdu and Vietnamese.
	Breastfeeding Your Late Preterm Baby - Booklet BFI Strategy for Ontario 2016 This Late Preterm breastfeeding booklet supports families who have a late preterm baby born between 34 and 37 weeks gestation and who plan to breastfeed and/or provide breast milk to their baby. Topics include: breastfeeding your late preterm baby, skin-to-skin contact and Kangaroo care, tips to getting off to a good start, pumping, feeding your baby at the hospital and tips for when you take your baby home. Also available in French, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese (Simplified), Farsi, Gujarati, Hindi, Korean, Punjabi, Russian, Serbian, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog, Tamil, Urdu and Vietnamese.
	My Breastfeeding Guide - Booklet Best Start Resource Centre, 2015 My Breastfeeding Guide has information and answers questions you may have as an expectant parent or as a new parent. You can share this guide with the people who are supporting you. Available also in French, Arabic, Bengali, Filipino, Gujarati, Hindi, Korean, Persian, Punjabi, Russian, Serbian (Cyrillic), Somali, Spanish, Simplified Chinese, Tamil, Urdu and Vietnamese
	Bilingual Online Ontario Breastfeeding Services Directory - Website Best Start Resource Centre, 2014 Breastfeeding mothers benefit from the support of other mothers. Visit the Bilingual Online Ontario Breastfeeding Services Directory at www.ontariobreastfeeds.ca to connect with and receive help and support from peers, professionals and experts.
	Breastfeeding Matters: An Important Guide to Breastfeeding for Women and their Families - Booklet Best Start Resource Centre, revised 2017 This guide will help you and your family to explore breastfeeding. Topics include: the importance of breastfeeding, making an informed decision, helping your baby get a good start, learning to breastfeed, frequently asked questions and where to get help. The guide was tested by many pregnant and breastfeeding families and contains some of their quotes. Also available in French, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese (Simplified), Farsi, Gujarati, Hindi, Korean, Punjabi, Russian, Serbian, Somali, Spanish, Tamil, Tagalog, Urdu and Vietnamese. The fact sheets below complement the Breastfeeding Matters booklet and offer additional information on the following topics: Blocked Ducts Breast Infection (Mastitis) Expressing and Storing Breastmilk Thrush
	Mixing Alcohol and Breastfeeding - Printer-ready Handouts Best Start Resource Centre with the support of the LCBO, 2013 The handout is a resource for mothers and their partners to help them make an informed choice when it comes to drinking alcohol while breastfeeding. Also available in French, Arabic, Cree, Hindi, Ojibway, Punjabi, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, Tagalog, Tamil and Urdu
	Mixing Alcohol and Breastfeeding - Brochure Best Start Resource Centre with the support of the LCBO, revised 2016 The brochure is a resource for mothers and their partners to help them make an informed choice when it comes to drinking alcohol while breastfeeding.
	Breastfeeding Your Baby - Guidelines for nursing mothers - Chart Best Start Resource Centre, revised 2016 This 13 cm by 18 cm fridge magnet is a teaching aid for new mothers and their families. It is a good reminder for mothers on how to assess their infant’s breastfeeding effectiveness during the first three weeks. Colourful graphics and photographs with minimal text provide an at-a-glance look that new parents find particularly helpful. Available also in French, Arabic, Bengali, Filipino, Gujarati, Hindi, Korean, Ojibway, Persian, Punjabi, Russian, Serbian (Cyrillic), Somali, Spanish, Simplified Chinese, Tamil, Urdu and Vietnamese.
Child Development
	What to Expect in the First Three Months : Information for New Parents - Booklet Best Start Resource Centre, 2016 This handout will provide you with some important information on what to expect in the first three months after your baby is born. The websites and resources in this handout are intended to guide you and your family on what to expect in the first three months of your baby’s life at home.You will find answers to questions you may have regarding healthy newborn care and care of the mother and of the family.
	Daddy and Me On the Move - Booklet Best Start Resource Centre, 2015 Aimed at fathers of children aged 0 to 6, the goal of the booklet is to encourage strong father-child relationships right from the start. It highlights activities that fathers can do with their children. The booklet is easy to read. All the activities presented are meant to be fun and done easily.
	Did You Know? Healthy and safe sleep tips for infants 0-12 months - Handout Best Start Resource Centre, 2015 These tips for parents and caregivers of infants aged 0-12 months provide practical suggestions on healthy and safe sleep. The tips support the current recommendations on how to reduce the risks of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and other sleep-related causes of infant death. These messages are consistent with the information provided in the Sleep Well, Sleep Safe - Booklet.
	Sleep Well, Sleep Safe - Booklet Best Start Resource Centre, revised 2017 This booklet is for parents of infants from 0-12 months and for all who care for infants. The booklet provides information on healthy sleep tips for infants and for parents. It also provides information on safe sleep tips on how to reduce the risks of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and other sleep related causes of infant death.
	When Children Speak More Than One Language - Booklet Best Start Resource Centre, 2014 As a parent of a child who will learn two or more languages, you may have questions. This guide will give you information based on research to help you. Language is the best tool to help a child do well later in shool and in life. Also available in French, Arabic, Chinese, Cree, Hindi, Ojibway, Punjabi, Spanish, Tagalog, Tamil and Urdu
	Healthy Baby. Healthy Brain - Website Best Start Resource Centre, 2012 As a parent, you play an important role in the development of your baby’s brain. You are your baby’s most important connection to the world. You interact daily with your baby. These interactions have a life-long effect on your baby’s ability to reach full potential. This website will help you support your baby’s brain development. www.HealthyBabyHealthyBrain.ca
	Brain Development : Tips for Parents - Webpages/Handouts Best Start Resource Centre, 2013 A series of 15 lists of tips for parents on topics associated with brain development. The tips can easily be shared through social media or distributed as handouts. They cover preconception, pregnancy and child development ages 0-3. For more information click here.
	Learning to Play and Playing to Learn: What Families Can Do - Booklet Best Start Resource Centre, 2012 This booklet helps parents and all who care for children, support play-based learning at home, in child care and preschool settings and Kindergarten. Particular attention is given to attachment, self-regulation and play. Checklists relating to growth, development, health, nutrition, routines and self-help, including the revised Nipissing District Development Screens are included in the booklet. The Nipissing District Developmental Screens (NDDS) have been blurred in the online PDF of the booklet to protect the NDDS copyright. Printed copies will have readable screens. If you are not purchasing printed copies, you can access the screens at www.ndds.ca.
	Building Resilience in Young Children, for parents of children from birth to six years - Booklet Best Start Resource Centre, 2017 This booklet is for parents of children from birth to six years and anyone who cares for children – like grandparents, relatives, foster parents and other adults. Many of the ideas will also help families with older children. It will help caregivers boost a child’s ability to bounce back from life’s challenges and thrive.
	Baby Wants - Booklet Best Start Resource Centre, 2010 This booklet for parents encourages them to do simple things to help develop their young child: playing, reading, singing, etc. The text is simple and the images describe the activities suggested. Also available in French, Arabic, Chinese (Simplified), Hindi, Punjabi, Spanish, Tagalog, Tamil and Urdu
Mental Health
	Pregnancy and Life with a New Baby – Tear-off Pad Best Start Resource Centre, revised 2017. This sheet provides information to help women recognize if they have symptoms of depression or anxiety during pregnancy or postpartum. It also provides brief information on where to get help.
	Managing Depression : A Self-help Skills Resource for Women Living With Depression During Pregnancy, After Delivery and Beyond – Workbook Best Start Resource Centre, 2014 This workbook is for women living with depression during pregnancy, after delivery and beyond, and their clinicians or service providers. It provides information about depression and healthy lifestyle behaviours, and skills for managing depression. Concerned partners, family members or friends may also find this resource helpful.
	Life With a New Baby Is Not Always What You Expect - Brochure Best Start Resource Centre, revised 2015 This 12 page brochure provides pregnant women and new parents with information on the baby blues and postpartum mood disorders. Parents are encouraged to seek help and use strategies for self-care. Also available in French, Arabic, Chinese (Simplified), Hindi, Punjabi, Spanish, Tagalog, Tamil and Urdu
	Life With a New Baby : Dealing with Postpartum Mood Disorders - Videos Best Start Resource Centre, 2011 The 17 minute video introduces the topic of postpartum mood disorders. Interviews with real mothers and their families make this an appealing resource for pregnant women and new mothers. The 17 minute English version can be used in prenatal or parenting classes, hospitals or home visits. Available to view online: YouTube or Vimeo
Tobacco Misuse
	Information on Second and Third-Hand Smoke - Handout Best Start Resource Centre, 2010 This document contains information on second and third-hand smoke, a summary of the strategies and sources of supplementary information.
	Smoke-Free Home - Image Best Start Resource Centre, 2011 Originally created as a sticker, this image can be applied on a door or window, indicating that the environment is smoke-free. Size: 7.6cm X 7.6cm or 3" X 3" Also available in JPG format.
	Creating a Smoke-Free Environment for Your Children - Video Best Start Resource Centre, 2010 This 24 minute video is on the social impact of second-hand smoke on young families. It contains testimonies of situations related to second-hand smoke experienced by families. Many strategies to reduce the exposure of young children and pregnant women to second-hand smoke are provided. Available online on YouTube or Vimeo