HEALTHY START
Home visits for first-time parents.. because babies don’t come with ins
GIVE YOUR BABY A HEALTHY START
Parenting is one of the most important jobs a person will ever do. Yet, being a parent can be a tough job. As a new parent. you create the foundation for your baby’s future.
Research shows that:
What happens during the first five years of l ife can last a lifetime
Having your first child brings lots of changes.
Every new parent has questions and can use some extra support.
That is why healthy Start is here.
WELCOME BABY
All first-time parents in Oregon are invited to receive Healthy Start’s “Welcome Baby” support. Healthy Start is voluntary and free.
Healthy Start offers information to families on:
How babies grow develop and learn
How to care for your infant, including tips on feeding, sleep and safety.
How play helps babies learn.
HOW TO KEEP YOUR BABY AND YOURSELF HEALTHY. 
And
You are invited to fill out a Healthy Start questionnaire. Then we can tell you about resources in your community, like:
Child Care
Breast Feeding support.
Help for depression or drug and alcohol problems.
Parent-child playgrounds.
HEALTHY START HOME VISITING SERVICE
Healthy Start home visiting any families are eligible for home visits with their own
Healthy Start Parent Coach for up to five years. During these home will receive information and support from an understanding friendly visitor. You will learn new skills so you can
Cope better with the challenges you face as a parent.
Help you baby grow up healthy and strong.
Help your baby be ready for school. 
AND....
You will learn about how to connect with other services for you and your family. Part of a larger support system
Healthy Start is part of the national Healthy Families America Network of home visiting programs.
Oregon Healthy Start works closely with other organizations so that families get connectedwith community resource
PARENTS SAY.....
“Healthy Start makes parenting so much easier. They help first-time understand what it takes to be a good parent. They also teach about what the baby needs.”
“Healthy Start helped me understand what it means to be a father and why my child acts the way she does.”
“The best thing about Healthy Start is the information about child development and all the support they give.” 
SUPPORT THROUGH THE YEARS;
Age Ways to love and support your children
0-1 Hold your baby and look at her/him during feeding Respond to your baby’s needs Take delight in your child’s development.
2-3 Cheer your baby as he/she masters new skills. Touch your child often. Hug. Cuddle. Say “yes” more than you say “no”.
4-5 Encourage your child’s thinking abilities by exposing him/her to new situations. Play with your child , letting him/her choose the type of play.Find other caring adults to participate in your child’s life.
6-10 Encourage your child as he/she learns new skills. When you and your child disagree, point out that you still love the Answer all your chilrens questions.
11-15 Accept the identity that your child is forming. Affirm independence and interdependence. Be available to listen.
16-18 Continue to show affection to your teenager Let your teenager overhear you complimenting them to someone else. Ask for you teen’s opinion or advice on something important.
Parents who have participated in Healthy Start value the help that it has provided them.
