Infant, Toddler and Preschool Age Children Information for Physicians

18-month well-baby visit

The 18-month enhanced well-baby visit is a critical time to determine the developmental progress of a child. Early intervention, rather than a “wait and see approach”, is an effective strategy to address developmental concern and improve outcomes for the child. As a trusted health care provider, you play an essential role in helping families to access interventions early. Halton Region provides resources and services that can assist you in this critical role.

The LookSee Checklist is a simple, easy-to-use developmental tool to help monitor a child’s development from 1 month to 6 years of age, featuring a short list of “yes” or “no” questions about a child’s abilities. Use the Looksee Checklist to open the door to conversations about a child’s development using a format that is safe and familiar to many parents.

• Request the LookSee Checklist

Consult with a Registered Dietitian

For information on nutrition and healthy eating, you and your patients can speak with a Registered Dietitian for free by calling Health811 at 1-866-797-0000, or visit unlockfood.ca (external link).

For more information on healthy eating, physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep in the early years:

• Nutrition for healthy term infants - Recommendations from Birth to Six Months (external link)
• Nutrition for healthy term infants - Recommendations from Six to 24 Months (external link)
• Eating Well with Canada's Food Guide (external PDF)
• Pediatric Nutrition Guidelines (Birth to 6 years) for Health Professionals (external link)
• Food Allergy Canada Resources for healthcare professionals (external link)
• The Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for the Early Years(0 – 4 Years): An Integration of Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviour, and Sleep) (external link)
• Canadian Paediatric Society - Active Kids, Healthy Kids: Videos for physicians – English (external link)
• Canadian Paediatric Society - Active Kids, Healthy Kids: Videos for physicians - French (external link)

Increasing breastfeeding exclusivity and duration rates improves health outcomes for families in your care. Supports make a difference and there are many in Halton:

• Community Breastfeeding Supports (external link)
• Supports for your patients:
  • Prenatal Breastfeeding Class
    Patients can call 311 or register online for a free 1.5-hour live virtual class taught by a public health nurse
  • Parent-to-Parent Breastfeeding Phone Support
  • Breastfeeding Webpages
    Encourage patients to visit the website or call 311 to connect with a public health nurse with breastfeeding related questions.
  • Breastfeeding Matters (external link)
    Breastfeeding guide for families available for free download in 18 different languages.