Teen Parenting

Welcome to the big bad world of parenting. This means you are now responsible for someone other than yourself. This can be both a scary and rewarding experience, but it's important that you get as much help as you need and want during this time.

 

Never be afraid to ask for something you want or think should be available to you. If you've got an idea talk to Sea to Sky Community Services or the Women's Centre, they may be able to help you make it happen. In the mean time, we've compiled a list of services for teen parents from day care, to free children's and maternity clothes, to counseling services. From services to clinics to organisations, this is what's available in our town and in Vancouver. Check it out.

Day Care

Maternity clothing, baby clothes and baby supplies

Services to help you through your Pregnancy and Parenting

Raising children with physical, mental or emotional challenges

Single Parent/Parenting Services

 

 

 

 

Here's some information you may find useful:

Finding a doctor

Good iron status in babies

Baby's first foods

Healthy Kids

BC Family Bonus

 

 

 

 

Finding a family doctor

 

Having a family doctor is very important. You want to choose someone with whom you can talk openly. Ask your friends, people you work with, community health or emergency room nurses, women's groups or community agencies for suggestions.

 

it is your right to see tow or three doctors before you choose the one to be your family doctor. Book a consultation with doctors to get to know them before your doctors appointment.

 

Asking questions

 

Ask each doctor questions to find out if the two of you can work together. Many of us are uncomfortable asking questions and often doctors seem too busy and we feel we should not bother them. WRONG. Asking questions is an important way to get information. You will probably feel better about yourself and your doctor if you take an active role in your own health care.

 

Think about what you need

 

Do you feel more comfortable with a female or male doctor?

Does the doctor need to speak your language of origin or understand your culture or religion?

Do they need to know about your particular health matter?

How far are you willing to travel?

What are convenient times of day for you to go to appointments?

 

What else to you need to know?

 

Can you see the doctor in the office on the weekend, or only for weekend emergencies?

Do they make house calls?

What hospital do they work with? Which hospital do you want to go to?

Can you bring your partner, family member or a support person with you to your visit?

 

Your phone call to the office

 

Call the doctor's office and ask the receptionist for a "new patient appointment" with the doctor. Sometimes doctors don't take new patients and you will have to try another doctor.

 

When you go for the first visit

 

You will need to bring your medical card (Care Card). The receptionist needs it when he/she sets up a medical file for you. Doctors who are concerned about prevention have health information displayed in the waiting room. Check for resources and look at whether they are written so that you can understand them.

 

Meeting the doctor

 

When you meet a doctor, let them know that you are looking for a family doctor. To learn if a doctor is easy to talk to, you can talk about a health cancer, or you can ask about a common concern like STD's. Do they talk about how to take care of yourself? This is a way to see how they might work with you if you were ill.

 

If you have had a bad experience with a doctor in the past, say so and see if this doctor is willing to listen. If not, you may need to continue looking.

 

Reasonable expectations to have of a doctor

 

They listen to you.

They explain medical terms in easy to understand words.

They treat you with respect.

They pay attention to what is happening in your life.

They accept your use of alternative or traditional treatment.

Anything you tell them is private and confidential.

They return phone calls the same day.

 

 

Good Iron Status in Babies

 

A full term infant is born with enough iron in their body to last until 4 - 6 months of age. By 4 - 6 months, the baby will need iron added to their diet.

 

1. Breast-feed for as long as possible, but do introduce iron-fortified baby cereals around 4 - 6 months.

2. At 4 months of age, if you are not breast-feeding use an iron-fortified formula (that is a formula with 7 - 12 mg iron/100 ml, read the label).

All commercial baby cereals contain iron. Add flavour and texture by adding mashed bananas, frozen blueberries or canned unsweetened peaches or pears to the cereal.

 

By 9 - 12 months offer a well-balanced diet that includes iron rich food sources.

 

 

 

Foods Containing Iron

Meat

Chicken, Turkey

Liver

Fish

Egg Yolk

Beans, Lentils, Split Peas

Tofu

Dark green vegetables (broccoli, peas)

Prune juice

Whole grain products (bread and cereals)

Wheat germ

Provide a source of Vitamin C with meals. Vitamin C rich foods include tomatoes,

spinach, broccoli, oranges, strawberries. Vitamin C helps increase iron absorption by

the body.

 

Do not give the baby tea. Tea inhibits the absorption of iron by the body.

 

 

Breast milk is the best food for your baby. Commercial formula is the next best choice but make sure you read up on the brand that you choose to use.

When do I start solid foods?

When your baby is ready, which is usually around 4 -6 months of age. Talk to other mothers to find out about their experiences.

 

 

What do I start with?

Begin with iron-fortified, single grain, commercial infant cereals

Later add well-mashed plain vegetables and fruit, with no added sugar, salt or fat.

 

How do I start?

Offer 1 new food at a time.

Wait at least 3 days before giving your baby another new food.

How much should I offer my baby?

Babies will shut their mouths, turn their heads, and push food away when they

have had enough to eat. Watch for these signs when feeding.

The amounts of food listed on the other side of the page are only general guides.

It is fine for your baby to eat more or less, as he or she chooses.

 

What about cow's milk?

Wait until your baby is at least 9-12 months old and eating regular meals of family

foods before offering drinks of whole milk once in awhile.

Choose whole (homogenized) milk and be sure it is pasteurized.

Babies need more fat than adults so use whole milk until age 2.

Lower fat milk can be given after age 2.

 

Questions About ...

 

Food allergies?

Vitamin and mineral supplements?

Vegetarianism?

Constipation?

Diarrhea?

Baby's growth?

 

Contact your local

Health Unit/Health Department,

Community Nutritionist,

Public Health Nurse, Doctor.

Tips for happy mealtimes

To help your baby develop healthy food habits and happy relaxed feelings about eating:

Offer food at regular times.

Let your baby decide how much and whether to eat.

You choose what food to offer.

Remember - messiness is a normal part of learning to eat.

Offer finger foods and foods with more texture between 6-9 months. They allow your baby to develop important feeding skills.

 

Safety Tips

Honey could cause infant botulism and is not recommended for infants under 1 year.

 

Some foods can cause choking including: popcorn, seeds, nuts, candies, raw carrots, corn and other hard raw vegetables. Wieners and grapes should be sliced lengthwise. Always stay with your baby while he or she is eating.

 

Important!

For information on your baby's health and the environment or child safety and consumer products go to your local health unit and look for pamphlets on these subjects. The government has produced a number of free and helpful pamphlets, all of which should be available in a local health unit.

If you are pregnant and you are currently receiving financial assistance, you are entitled to a prenatal allowance. This gives you an additional $100 monthly assistance up to 8 months before and 4 months after giving birth. Talk to your social worker for more information.

The BC Family Bonus is designed to help low-income working families with the costs of raising their children. Families who earn $18, 000 a year or less will receive a monthly payment of $103 for each child under 18. Families who earn more than $18,000 per year may be entitled to receive a reduced monthly BC Family Bonus payment based on their income and the number of children they have.

You don't need to apply for this bonus. It is automatically calculated from your family tax return.

For more information about the BC Family Bonus, call 1-800-648-6188 or 604-951-6892.

The Healthy Kids program covers basic vision and dental care for children in families receiving Medical Services Plan premium subsidies.

Vision care includes basic frames and lenses for children 18 and under. If you receive full MSP premium assistance, each child will get full vision coverage. If you receive partial MSP premium assistance, you will get 50% vision care coverage.

It is not necessary to apply for these benefits. Just show your child's Personal Healthy Number to your optician or optometrist; they will bill the government directly.

Dental care includes check-ups, cleanings and fillings. Right now, services are available to children and youths under 19.

If you receive full MSP premium assistance, each child will get full dental coverage up to a maximum of $700. If you receive partial MSP premium assistance, you will get 50% dental coverage within the same limits. You do not need to apply for benefits but, before you arrange for care, you must confirm that your dentist is taking part in the Healthy Kids program, and that they will bill the government directly. The government will not reimburse you for these fees.

If your child needs more eye care, or dental work, talk to your dentist, optician or optometrist. They can tell you if the treatment they are recommending is covered by Healthy Kids.

For more information about Healthy Kids or other BC Benefits programs call 1-800-784-0055.