The following pregnancy and parenting resources are Ministry of Health publications that support health professionals and families to raise healthy children. Based on best practices, these evidence-based documents provide new parents with information on having a healthy pregnancy and providing information they need to give their baby the best start in life.
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Overview
Baby's Best Chance
Your baby’s development is very important for your child’s future health and well-being. Baby’s Best Chance is a parents’ handbook and reference guide for pregnancy and baby care. It provides easy-to-read tips on having a healthy pregnancy and giving your baby a good start in life. It also provides you with information on how to take care of your own well-being.
If you are about to become a parent, or you’ve just had a baby, this handbook is for you. Topics covered include pregnancy, birth and parenting a baby up to six months of age. It has detailed information on:
- Pregnancy
- Birth
- Life with your baby
- Baby care
- Baby development
- Feeding your baby
- Healthy eating recommendations
- Additional parenting resources
Learn more about Baby's Best Chance and read the guide by topic.
The 2024 edition of Baby's Best Chance is now available and includes additional information. The previous translated 2021 editions are still available.
Toddler's First Steps
Toddler’s First Steps provides trusted information on how to nurture the healthy development of your child from ages 6 to 36 months. As your child grows, they will learn and change at an amazing speed. This resource provides guidance on how to support your child as they go through the many stages of toddlerhood and encounter new experiences such as the arrival of a new baby or entering childcare. You will also find information on where to find additional resources to support you and your family.
There is information on:
- Toddler development
- Feeding your toddler
- Your toddler’s growth, learning and health
- Parenting your toddler
- Toddler safety
- Healthy eating recommendations
- Additional parenting resources
Learn more about Toddler's First Steps and read the guide by topic.
The 2024 edition of Toddler’s First Steps is now available and includes additional information. The previous translated 2021 editions are still available.
Child Health Passport
The Passport helps parents plan their child’s vaccinations to ensure the best protection against serious childhood diseases. It includes an area to record height and weight, illnesses, injuries, allergies, hospitalizations and vaccinations and safety tips. Space is also provided to easily record findings of hearing, dental and vision checks.
Parents typically receive a Child Health Passport in their birth packs, or they can be obtained through your local public health units as part of immunization services.
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Safer Sleep for My Baby
This safer sleep resource informs parents about how to provide a safe sleep environment to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and accidental sleep related deaths in infancy.
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Getting your Pregnancy Passport
Pregnancy is a special kind of journey - and you can get a special kind of passport to help. The Pregnancy Passport is a booklet to support you in having a healthy pregnancy, tracking your progress, and preparing for your baby. The Pregnancy Passport includes:
- Information for you to think about and discuss with your care provider relating to your needs throughout your pregnancy, birth, and after your baby is born
- Information about the care you can expect during pregnancy, birth, and the first weeks after your baby's birth
- A place to record check-ups and tests
- Places to write down goals, questions, ideas, decisions, and hope and dreams for your baby
- A list of resources for more information
Download the Pregnancy Passport (PDF, 6.9MB).
The Pregnancy Passport is published by Perinatal Services BC in partnership with the Ministry of Health and health authorities.
Indigenous Pregnancy Passport
Our Sacred Journey: Indigenous Pregnancy Passport can help take you and your family through your sacred journey of pregnancy, birth, and baby’s first few weeks. The Indigenous pregnancy passport provides:
- Information for you to think about and discuss with your care provider relating to your needs throughout your pregnancy, birth, and after your baby is born
- Information about the care you can expect during pregnancy, birth, and the first weeks after your baby's birth
- Traditional teachings
- Growth charts, checklists, and a place to record check-ups and health information
- A place to write down goals, thoughts, ideas, and dreams for your baby
Download the Indigenous Pregnancy Passport (PDF, 6.6MB).
The Indigenous Pregnancy Passport is published by Perinatal Services BC in partnership with the Ministry of Health and health authorities.
