Prenatal Nutrition

Home » Programs » Prenatal Nutrition

Objective

Our program is designed for anyone who is pregnant or has an infant up to one year of age.

We focus on supporting parents to make healthy choices in order to give their babies the best possible start.

Target Group

All pre-natal and post-natal women and partners with children under the age of one year.

Services

  • Pre and postnatal information and support
  • Breastfeeding support
  • Lending library
  • Clothing exchange
  • Community kitchens
  • Father involvement
  • Food/vitamin supplements and vouchers
  • Literacy programs
  • Nutritional counseling
  • Social support
  • Outreach

Sharing Teachings

  • Understanding the importance and benefits of breastfeeding
  • The gestational development of your baby.
  • Traditional Parenting
  • Looking at your lifestyle habits and understanding how they affect your developing baby
  • Making healthy food choices within your budget
  • Basic meal planning, the purchase and preparation of nutritious food.
  • Attachment
  • Promoting Positive healthy lifestyles for you and baby

More Information

Skookum Jim Friendship Centre’s Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies Program’s main focus is on nutrition and infant development. We provide programming that supports and encourages all aspects of personal growth and development among participants. A
balance of physical, spiritual, mental, and social centered programming is incorporated through learning and skill building activities. This seems to fulfill the participants needs while essentially promoting healthy living and positive development on a both personal
and group level.

Physical support is provided through the distribution of bi-weekly grocery vouchers, vitamin supplements and also through physical activities such as walking clinics and Mom and Tots swimming lessons. A health nurse comes in monthly to weigh and measure the babies and answer any questions that the mothers may have. Guest Speakers present on information about resources or services in the community that the women may find useful or helpful. We also maintain a seasonal plot at the community garden that encourages community involvement, physical activity and addresses food security issues.

Spiritual development is encouraged by offering Medicine Wheel teachings and traditional crafts such as; baby moccasins and medicine making facilitated by local elders. The most popular projects reported by the participants include making dream catchers, holistic and natural salves made by plants sowed and harvested by participants, rattles and breastfeeding necklaces made of traditional materials and breastfeeding pillows with removable, washable covers.

The mental aspect is nurtured by weekly gatherings where an information session and a warm and nutritious lunch are provided. The staff maintains a confidential, open door policy. Peer mentoring is encouraged and practiced. The support team consists of empathetic and understanding individuals who were all previous participants in the Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies program. A library, with resources on all kinds of pre and post natal issues is available to all participants and their supports. Periodic evaluations and planning sessions help the participants to voice their opinions on directions they want the programming to take.

Socialization is encouraged by the weekly gathering of mothers. Some of these mothers nurture these relationships beyond the doors of the program and create support networks of their own. Community kitchen projects also encourage women to work together towards a common goal. Joint ventures with other local and territorial CPNP programs include, but are not limited to, Nutrition Month Activities, Berry harvesting, jamming and canning and the yearly Breastfeeding Challenge. These collaborated programs offer participants an opportunity to mingle and meet mothers and make new lasting friendships.

We will continue to focus on maternal and newborn health in a holistic manner. Involving families, the community and collaborating within the Friendship Center with sister programs. We will support mothers throughout their pregnancies increasing their chance towards healthy birth outcomes. Nutrition support will be ongoing, following the Canada Food Guide recommendations. We provide purchase orders and vitamin supplements and promote breastfeeding as the prime option for infant feeding. We are proud to offer interesting, educational and enjoyable programming.

Program Registration

Healthy Babies Healthy Futures

Postnatal Information

Prenatal Information

Postnatal Information

Name and age