Enhanced 18-Month Well-Baby Visit

18-Month Book Club

Free books to support early literacy during the Enhanced 18-Month Well-Baby Visit

Why the enhanced visit is important

For some families, this visit may be the last regularly scheduled visit with a primary care provider before their child enters school. It can help reduce the number of vulnerable children when they enter school, as shown by the Early Developmental Instrument scores. In 2023, Niagara continues to have higher vulnerability rates than the rest of the province in all areas.

Evidence shows that the pandemic and ongoing social and economic stress have increased risks related to adverse childhood experiences. This can lead to poor health outcomes later in life.

The Enhanced 18-Month Well-Baby Visit allows primary care providers to spend more time with families. They can support parents in their important role in child development, identify any concerns early and refer families to community services and parenting support.

Role of the health care professional during an 18-month well-baby visit

Complete the Rourke Baby Record 2020 Ontario Version
Promote the LookSee Checklist by NDDS (previously Nipissing District Developmental Screen), a developmental checklist completed by the parent in the waiting room before the visit
Discuss healthy child development and the provision of information about local parenting and community programs to promote healthy child development
Facilitate referrals to specialists for children with developmental concerns

OHIP Schedule of Benefits for Physician Services

General and Family Practitioners: A002
Pediatrics: A268

Resources for Health Care Professionals

Accredited courses

Early Literacy Promotion: The A-B-Cs for busy clinicians
Supporting Healthy Child Development with Ontario's Enhanced 18-Month Well-Baby Visit
Optimizing Well-Baby Care: Conducting an Enhanced 18-Month Well-Baby Visit

To learn more and register, visit professional development opportunities.

Additional recommended interventions

Promote early literacy activities (reading, speaking and singing to babies) for all families

Read, Speak, Sing: Promoting early literacy in the health care setting

Support positive parenting in the early years

Relationships matter: How clinicians can support positive parenting in the early years

Screen for parental well-being, and offer support or referrals as needed for mental health, family conflict, anger, abuse / neglect, substance misuse, physical illness, housing / food insecurity and other adverse childhood experiences

Tools

For use in practice

Machealth provides a number of resources and tools to help you implement the enhanced 18-month well-baby visit in your practice

For parents

For more information, visit Ontario's Enhanced 18-Month Well-Baby Visit.