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It is amazing how fast your baby grows and develops. Even before you knew you were expecting, your baby was changing from just a few cells to the start of a new life. This is known as fetal development.
Your baby's physical health and growth
Having a new baby, you might have many questions, such as whether your baby is healthy and doing well. There are a few ways to know this. At your baby's routine appointments, called Well Baby Visits, your doctor or nurse will check your baby's physical health. They will also measure your baby and use Growth Charts to see how your baby is growing.
Checking on your baby's development
Physical health and growth is only one way we see that babies are doing well. It is also good for you to know if your baby is learning the skills that they should be at their age. Your family doctor may use a tool called the Rourke Baby Record to see if your baby is doing what they should be.
You can also see how your baby is developing by using the Looksee Checklist, a parent-friendly tool that you can use at home. It gives you a checklist of questions about your baby based on their age. If your baby is doing everything the tool asks, your baby is doing well. If your baby is not doing everything, it would be a good idea to talk to your doctor about what you can do to help your baby. The tool also gives you tips on how you can help your baby to develop and meet the skill questions at each age. It is available for a range of ages and languages.
Learn more about development and what's coming next
- Best Start: On Track Guide
- Canadian Pediatric Society: Your Child's Development - What to Expect
- Hospital for Sick Children: Physical, Social-Emotional or Cognitive (Mental) Development in Babies
Community resources for healthy development
- EarlyON Child and Family Centres (905-524-4884)
- Hamilton Public Library (905-546-3200)
- Storytime at the Hamilton Public Library (Library Events Calendar)
- City of Hamilton Recreation
- Parent and New Baby Network Drop in at the EarlyON Child and Family Centres
Help and Support
If you have questions or concerns about your baby's growth or development, here are some places where you can go for answers besides your family doctor:
- Check it Out drop-ins (905-524-4884)
- City of Hamilton: Health Connections phone line and/or Healthy Babies Healthy Children home visiting (905-546-3550)
- Contact Hamilton (905-570-8888)
- Chedoke McMaster's Infant Parent Program (905-521-2100 ext. 77406)
Other Development Links
- Hamilton Preschool Speech and Language Program (Early Words)
- Read, Speak Sing - Encourage Literacy Beginning at Birth (Factsheet)
- Central South Infant Hearing Program
- Blind-Low Vision Early Intervention Program
- C.N.I.B. Hamilton/Halton/Niagara
- Eye See Eye Learn Program
- Eye See Eye Learn - Free Yearly Vision Checks for Children 19 and Under
- Eye See Eye Learn - Free Glasses for Children in Junior Kindergarten
- Healthy Baby Healthy Brain
- Brain Hero - Centre on the Developing at Harvard University
- Foundation Chagnon
- City of Hamilton - Getting your child ready for school
- City of Hamilton - Getting Your Child Reach for School (French Version)
- City of Hamilton fact sheet - Toilet Learning
- City of Hamilton fact sheet - Toilet Learning (French version)
- Parents 2 Parents - My Child's Development
- Healthy Babies Healthy Children (HBHC) brochure
- Nurse Family Partnership (NFP) brochure
- Omama - This website gives tips on how to care for yourself and baby from pre-pregnancy to newborn care
- Tummy Time Resource
EarlyON Child and Family Centres
EarlyON Child and Family Centres are places where parents and caregivers can:
- take part with their children in a range of programs and activities
- get answers to questions
- get information about programs and services that are available for young children and their families
- talk to early years professionals, as well as other parents and caregivers in the community
- view this video to get a glimpse of what you can expect to see and learn at an EarlyON Child and Family Centre- EarlyON experience video
If you live outside of Hamilton you can find a location near you to visit with your child.
These centres are spread out across the Hamilton area. This map shows locations, hours and contact numbers in Hamilton.
Reading To Your Baby
Did you know that learning to read starts from birth? Reading to your baby (even while he or she is still in the womb) can do many things to help your baby eventually learn to read printed words. The more you use words and books with your baby, the more you help their brains to develop so that one day, they can be good readers, writers, and speakers. Reading is also a great way to spend time being close with your child.
Many of our doctors offer information about how to get a library card and/or a free children's book when you bring your child for their 18-month checkup. This can help to make reading a normal part of your day with your child.
For more information about the importance of reading, and some tips on how you can help to make sure your child will successfully learn to read and write, check out the Read, Speak, Sing to your Baby information page on the Canadian Pediatric Society website.
Get Children's Books Mailed to Your Home for FREE!
Hamilton has received funding from Dolly Parton's Imagination Library to share the love of reading amongst preschool children and their families. Books are available for children under the age of 5. You can register by downloading this registration form and mailing it, or by visiting the Eva Rothwell Centre in person at 460 Wentworth Street North.
Please call 905-526-1558 or email Kathy Kemp at the Eva Rothwell Centre for more information about the program and to see if your child qualifies.