You and Your New Baby / Bringing Baby Home

While you may just want to get home and snuggle that baby, don’t forget these important details during that first week home.

  • Register baby’s birth online to get a birth certificate, enrol baby in the Medical Services Plan, apply for Canada Child Benefits, and apply for baby’s Social Insurance Number. Note: Registration is free, but there is a fee to request a printed birth certificate, which requires a credit card. You can also pay in cash or in person at the Service BC Office located at 6944 Alberni Street or call 604-485-3622.
  • If applicable, add baby to your or your partner’s medical benefits with work – many benefit providers only allow a 30-day window after the birth to register.
  • Follow up with your care provider about dates for postpartum checkups, vaccination schedule & location, and public health contact for support in the first 6 weeks.

3 AM concerns about baby and not sure if it’s urgent?

Babies can do all sorts of weird things at weird hours! From oddly coloured poops and gassy tummies to funky-looking rashes, running a temperature or getting minor bumps, they can do all kinds of things.

When you have a concern, and it’s “off hours” for your care provider or clinics, call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1 for 24/7 help with non-emergency situations. You will have the option to speak with a registered nurse if you have concerns about baby and aren’t sure whether you should see your care provider or go to the ER. These amazing nurses will be able to guide you to the appropriate resources. 8-1-1 also has access to doctors and some specialists if the nurses aren’t able to answer your question. Make sure to have baby’s healthcare number on hand when you call in.

Parenting Support

  • VCH Prenatal and Early Years Program at qathet General Hospital Offers immunization clinic, pediatric nursing support services, prenatal & early year programs, speech and language services, and vision screenings.
  • Babies Open New Doors (BOND) is a Canadian prenatal nutrition program that provides nutritional counselling and promotes positive lifestyle choices to pregnant people and new parents in the qathet Region. It supports people who are at risk for poor pregnancy outcomes throughout pregnancy and up to 6 months postpartum.
  • Family Place Resource Centre offers a wide range of programs, activities, and resources for families with young children (up to the age of 6) in the qathet region.
  • For Aboriginal Children and Family Support, Tla’amin Health’s Child Development Resource Centre offers a variety of family-centered programs and support for children aged 1-12. Services include Aboriginal-supported child development for children with special/high needs, early childhood development programs and daycare programs for infants/toddlers. For more information: Contact Us |tlaaminhealth.com
  • StrongStart Program (sd47.bc.ca) is a qathet School District free drop-in program for families with children ages zero to five.
  • StrongStart GO program offers a free drop-in program offered to families with children ages zero to five years old in qathet parks and playgrounds.
  • Healthy Care Pregnancy Program supports pregnant, post-partum (up to 7 months), and newly parenting individuals who have a history of substance use at ANY point in their lives or are currently using (alcohol, drugs and cannabis).

Other useful support links