PHN @ Best Start Hub
PHN visits Best Start Hub
by Karina Hunter
Christie Lachance takes the opportunity to have her 6 month old son Zachary weighed as PHN Shirley Saasto-Stopyra looks on.
Shirley Saasto-Stopyra, Public Heath Nurse for the Thunder Bay District Health Unit spoke at the Manitouwadge Best Start Hub today as part of her monthly visits there. A group of approximately eight Moms, with babies and their siblings, enjoyed discussions with Saasto-Stopyra related to feeding of infants and toddlers, dispelling myths regarding the introduction of solids to baby’s diet, prevention of digestive discomforts, avoiding foods which can contribute to dietary allergies and similar topics. Afterwards, Prenatal Programmer Reene Warren, prepared snacks and refreshments for attendees who took advantage of the opportunity to share parenting ideas and challenges as it can often be challenging for parents of babies and young children to consociate with like-minded adults.
Among the topics TBDHU and the Best Start Hub choose from for their regular visits at Baby’s Beginnings are:
- Discipline
- Infections, IIlnesses,
& immunization - Attachment
- Stress management
- Family Relationships & child Spacing
- Growth & Development
- Physical Activity
- Stimulation & Play
- Introduction of Solid Foods
- Responding to Cues and Behaviour
- Routines & Sleeping
- Safe/Injury Prevention
- Breastfeeding/Weaning
- Infant Massage
- Postpartum/ Contraception
- Returning to Work/traveling
- Speech- Language
for more information regarding upcoming Baby’s Beginnings Drop-ins or any of the programs offered at the Manitouwadge Best Start Hub, please contact Program Coordinator Kelly Sagle; for information on services offered through TBDHU in Manitouwadge contact Shirley Saasto-Stopyra at 826-4061.
Mom Christie certainly has no need for upper body weight training carrying this handsome boy; healthy Zachary tips the scales at nearly 20lbs!
Best Start Hubs (or Ontario Early Years Centres as they are more commonly known) exist in most communities on the Northshore andoffer a variety of drop-ins, programming and support for families of children of
all ages, CLICK
HERE to find one near you.
Submitted to The Echo and in part to the Chronicle Journal, 03.25.10
