Your Child's Health
The following links address some common health concerns you may have, including immunizations, child development, and safety. Please ask your Family Visitor for more information on applying for health insurance if you are in need.
HealthyChildren.org: Visit the website your pediatrician recommends. Backed by 60,000 American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) member physicians, HealthyChildren.org offers the most reliable, up-to-the-minute health advice for proactive parents and caregivers. Find expert information on more than 300 children's health topics, tips, tools, schedules, checklists, and much more.
Maine WIC: This website provides information about Maine WIC. WIC provides complete nutrition care for thousands of Maine families, helping Maine kids to grow up strong and healthy. WIC food benefits are available based on income guidelines and up-to-date nutrition research. This website seeks to serve all Maine families with free nutrition advice, tips for staying healthy, and resources for growing families, including breastfeeding and chestfeeding information and support.
Center for Disease Control (CDC): Find Health and safety information for parents of children from birth to age three on the CDC's Parent Information page.
Parent Links
- Lead Poisoning
- Healthy Homes
- Tobacco, Alcohol, and Drug Abuse Prevention
- Consumer Product Safety Commission
- Child Passenger Safety
- Pregnancy and Women's Health
- Oral health
- Text4Baby
Your Family
One of the most important benefits of participating in Maine Families is gaining access to the most current child health and development information. Our Family Visitors will address some common health concerns you may have, including immunizations, child development, safety, and finding a doctor near you.
Parents play a significant role in their child's brain development. While every child learns differently and at a different pace, new parents can watch for milestones appropriate to their child's age. We can help you keep track of your child's development and know what to expect next!
Your Child's Development
In addition to providing a safe, healthy, and loving environment, parents play a significant role in their child's social, intellectual, and emotional development. The following links will connect you to useful information about brain development.
From Zero to Three. The first three years of a child's life feature amazing development. Parents can, and do, influence all areas of their babies' development. This site provides important age-appropriate information on what's going on with your child and what you can do to support your child's development.
Cooperative Extension Center for Parenting Education: Being a parent, grandparent, or caregiver can be challenging at times. University of Maine Cooperative Extension provides research-based information for parents and caregivers in Maine.
The National Center for Fathering: Fathers play an important role in the parenting of their children. The National Center for Fathering offers insight and inspiration to fathers.
Finding Child Care
Whether you are going back to work or simply want to provide your child with opportunities to socialize, it is important to find safe and healthy child care. Check out ChildCareChoice.me for more information.
What to Ask when Looking for Child Care...
- How many children and caregivers are there?
- How many children does one caregiver have responsibility for watching at one time?
- What activities are offered to the children during child care hours?
- How are parents involved in the program?
- Are parents encouraged to be a part of your program?
- How will you make sure that my child stays healthy and eats well?
- Is your child care center cleaned regularly?
- Are all the toys disinfected on a regular basis?
- Do caregivers wash their hands before handling food, especially after changing diapers, blowing noses, and taking children to the toilet?
- Are all medications stored safely out of the reach of children?
- How do you handle a child who misbehaves?
- What kind of learning activities do you involve the children in?
- How will you make sure that my child is safe?
- Do you offer separate activities for children in different age groups?