Health and Development

Is my child on track? What vaccines does my child need? When can my baby start solids?

These are some of the many questions parents have about their baby or toddler. We're here to help.

Find answers to your questions about:   

18-Month Enhanced Well-Baby Visit

18 months is an important time in your child’s development to check in on how they are learning and growing. 

Plan a visit with your family doctor or your nurse practitioner for the 18-month Enhanced Well-Baby Visit. If you do not have a family doctor or a nurse practitioner, you can visit a walk-in clinic. You may also sign up with Health Care Connect to get support from a nurse to help you find a doctor.  

Parents are encouraged to bring their children to a health care provider for regular check-ups. These regular check-ups are also called well-baby visits. The Enhanced 18-Month Well-Baby Visit is especially important since it’s your child's last regular check-up before they start school.  

At the Enhanced 18-Month Well-Baby Visit, you will have the opportunity to: 

  • Ask questions about your child’s developmental milestones
  • Voice your concerns about your child's development
  • Learn about community resources and services
  • Get your child’s regular check-up and their 18-month vaccines

How do parents prepare for the Enhanced 18-Month Well-Baby Visit? 

For more information: Health HQ | Ontario’s 18-Month Well-Baby Visit 

Do you have concerns about your baby's growth and development?
Find support in your community and learn more about Baby and Toddler Resources in Ottawa.

 

Gastrointestinal illness in Ottawa Child Care Centres

When a case or outbreak of an infectious disease occurs, Ottawa Public Health works closely with staff at your child care centre to implement outbreak control measures and to provide education and support as needed.

Ottawa is experiencing another COVID-19 resurgence and is seeing an increasing number of enteric or gastrointestinal illnesses amongst individuals of all ages in various settings. Although gastrointestinal symptoms (e.g., nausea, vomiting, diarrhea) can also be an indication of COVID-19 infections, without proper testing, it is difficult to determine if an outbreak in a facility is caused by COVID-19 or another virus.

During an outbreak, it is important to know what is causing the illness to ensure appropriate outbreak control measures are in place to reduce the spread of illness within the child care centre.

If your child has nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea and attends a child care centre that is experiencing an increase in gastrointestinal illnesses, the following steps are recommended: 

  • Do a stool sample test (speak with your child care operator about completing a stool sample kit) 
  • Do a COVID-19 rapid antigen test 
  • Use the COVID-19 screening tool and stay home if sick 
  • Wash hands more frequently 

Learn more about stool sample collection and testing.  

Do you have more questions about parenting?

  • Connect with a registered nurse from Health811 for free, secure, and confidential health advice. Service is available 24/7 in English and French, with translation support also offered in other languages. Call 8-1-1 or visit Health811.ontario.ca.
  • Connect with a Community Navigator from 2-1-1 for information about community programs and resources across Eastern Ontario. Helpline service is available 24/7 and in many different languages. Call 2-1-1 or visit 211ontario.ca.
  • Connect with other parents on the Parenting in Ottawa Facebook page.
  • There are a variety of services to make it easier for your child to grow up healthy in Ottawa.
  • You can update your child's immunization record using either the Immunization Connect Ontario (ICON) Tool or the CANImmunize App. 
  • If you have received a message from Ottawa Public Health such as a letter or a call regarding immunization, an infectious disease, or infection control lapse, please call 613-580-6744 and listen to the menu options carefully.

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