The Looksee Checklist

The Looksee Checklist, formally called the Nipissing District Developmental Screen (NDDS), is a checklist designed to be completed by a parent or caregiver. It provides a snapshot of your child’s development to discuss with your health care and/or child care professional. The screens identify key developmental stages up to age six.

If you answer “no” to any question or have any concerns about your child’s development, follow-up with your health care and/or child care professional.

Click on the following link for community resources available in Renfrew County and District.

• Community Resources

Breastfeeding Support

To learn more about breastfeeding support:

• visit: our “Infant Feeding” web page

Breastfeeding Matters

The resource below is an important guide to breastfeeding for women and their families.

• Breastfeeding Matters
• L’allaitement, ça compte (Français)

Infant Formula

After making an informed decision about using infant formula, the booklet below will help parents, families, caregivers, and childcare providers prepare, feed and store formula safely.

• Infant Formula: What You Need to Know
• Les préparations pour nourrissons: ce qu’il faut savoir (Français)

Ontario’s Routine Immunization Schedule

Routine immunization begins at two months of age and continues throughout life according to Ontario’s routine immunization schedule.

• Ontario’s Routine Immunization Schedule

Personal Immunization Record

At two months of age, when your child receives his/her first immunizations from their physician or at RCDHU, you will be given a yellow “Personal Immunization Record“. This is where you can keep track of your child`s immunizations. The “Personal Immunization Record” also includes a guide that indicates at what age or grade you child is due for their next immunization.

RCDHU’s Immunization Clinics

All of the routine vaccines are free and are available at RCDHU’s immunization clinics (does not include a Healthy Growth and Development component), Let’s Grow Clinics (includes a Healthy Growth and Development component), or from your family physician.

• RCDHU’s Immunization Clinics
• See “Let’s Grow Clinics” accordion below

Immunization Connect Ontario (ICON)

You can now update, view and/or print your child’s immunization record through the ICON portal. ICON is a secure tool for submitting updates and viewing your child’s immunization information on file at RCDHU.

• ICON

For more information:

• phone: 613-732-3629 Ext. 609 OR 1-800-267-1097 Ext. 609, or
• visit: our “Immunization” web page.

The Healthy Babies Healthy Children (HBHC) Program is a FREE voluntary program that provides supports and services during pregnancy and to families with children from birth to school entry.

To learn more about the HBHC program at RCDHU:

• visit: our “Parenting” web page and click on “At Home Support”;
• email: familyhealth@rcdhu.com; or
• phone: Family Health Intake Line at 613-735-9774 (direct line) OR 1-800-267-1097 Ext. 589 (toll free).

Prevent Child Injury

Children grow and learn so much during their early years of life. They are learning to do new things all the time by playing and exploring in their home. They also learn from you. As they learn, they may also be at risk for an injury. The site below is designed to guide you through the many ways to create a safer home for your child zero to 36 months of age.

• Prevent Child Injury

Safe Sleep

The resource below is designed for parents of infants from zero to 12 months and for all who care for infants. The resource is divided into three sections:

1. healthy sleep tips for Infants and for parents;
2. safe sleep tips from infants zero to 12 months;
3. and frequently asked questions.

• Sleep Well, Sleep Safe (Best Start)
• Dors bien, en toute sécurité (Français)

Additional resource:

• Safe Sleep for Your Baby (Public Health Agency of Canada)
• Sommeil sécuritaire pour votre bébé (Français)

Pet Safety

• To learn about pet safety, visit our “Child Health” web page, click on “Child Safety” and scroll down to “Pet Safety”.

Car Seat Safety

• To learn about child car seat safety, visit our “Child Health” webpage, click on “Child Safety” and scroll down to “Safe Travel”.

Spend one-on-one time with a Public Health Nurse and get support as well as answers to your questions about feeding, sleeping, crying and other parenting topics. Open to families with children age zero to transition to school by appointment. Children 0-18 months can also receive their routine immunizations at Let’s Grow clinics.

For more information:

• email: familyhealth@rcdhu.com, or
• phone: Family Health Intake Line at 613-735-9774 (direct line) OR 1-800-267-1097 Ext. 589 (toll free).

Note: Clinics do not replace an assessment by a health care provider.

We often hear about postpartum (after birth) depression, but depression can actually begin in pregnancy. One in five women report feeling depressed and/or anxious during pregnancy. Pregnant women who are worried about their moods are encouraged to talk to their health care provider. To learn more about depression and anxiety during and after pregnancy, click on the links below.

• Pregnancy and life with a new baby are not always what you expect
• Durant la grossesse et avec un nouveau bébé, la vie n’est pas toujours rose (Français)
• Managing Depression – A Self-help Skills Resource for Parents Living with Depression During Pregnancy, After Delivery and Beyond
• Surmonter la dépression – Un guide de stratégies d’auto-assistance destiné aux parents souffrant de dépression durant la grossesse, après l’accouchement et au-delà (Français)

Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale

The Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale is a short questionnaire that checks for postpartum depression. New mothers can easily complete and score it at home and then take it to their health care provider to talk about how she is feeling. It is important for a woman to tell their Health Care Provider all the symptoms she is experiencing so that all available support and treatment options are considered.

• Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale

Coping After Baby: A Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)-based Workshop

Pregnant and new birthing parents with babies up to 18 months of age, who have been experiencing feelings of sadness, worry, or anger, may be eligible to participate in a free, one-day, virtual CBT-based workshop that is group-structured and lead by Public Health Nurses (PHNs). During this workshop you will explore practical strategies to manage symptoms of depression and anxiety by recognizing and gaining control over thoughts, feelings, and behaviours.

For more information, available dates, and to determine eligibility, please contact RCDHU’s Family Health intake by:

• phone: 613-735-9774 (direct line) OR 1-800-267-1097 Ext. 589 (toll free), or
• email: familyhealth@rcdhu.com.

To learn more about Mental Health:

• visit our “Mental Health” web page and click on “Perinatal Mood Disorders”.

To learn more about Substance Use:

• visit our “Alcohol & Other Drugs” web page.

Tummy time is essential for infants’ core, motor, and sensory development and achievement of milestones. The resource below includes tummy time activities (including pictures!) by age, tips for making tummy time fun for baby, like practicing tummy time at baby’s happiest time, and a checklist for developmental milestones baby should reach at three and six months.

• Tummy Time

The resource below is to help you better understand, cope with and/or support someone with ‘difficult to comfort’ crying.

• Understanding and Coping with Your Baby’s Crying

Woman abuse is a serious issue. One in three women will be abused at some point in their life.

Abuse against women is never justified or acceptable.

Plan for your safety:

• Your safety and the safety of your children is most important.
• Call 911 if you or your children are in danger.
• Tell someone you trust about what is happening in your relationship.
• Keep in touch with family and friends.
• Seek legal advice.
• For assistance with making a safety plan, contact Bernadette McCann House (local):
  • call: 613-732-3131 or 1-800-267-4930 (toll free) for immediate assistance;
  • email: help@wsssbmh.org (messages are monitored regularly, response time may vary);
  • text: 613-639-1233 (messages are monitored regularly, response time may vary); or
  • visit: http://www.wsssbmh.org/en/.
• Keep important documents ready to take with you (birth certificates, passports, health cards, bank account numbers, and keys).

Help is available (24 hours a day, 7 days a week):

• Emergency Medical Services, call: 911
• Bernadette McCann House (contact information listed above)
• Renfrew Victoria Hospital (RVH) – Regional Assault Care Program, call: 1-800-363-7222 or 613-432-4851 Ext. 224 or visit their website
• Assaulted Women’s Helpline (Crisis line for assaulted women across Ontario/Translations in 150 languages), call: 1-866-863-0511 or visit their website
• Ligne de soutien pour femmes victimes de violence: 1-877-femaide (366-2433) or visit their website