Healthy Beginnings

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Supported by Public Health Nurses and allied health professionals, Healthy Beginnings serves as a family’s first touchpoint with Public Health Early Years. Public Health Nurses (PHNs) who support this program meet one-on-one with families to determine which Early Years service would best suit their needs and continue to help families during pregnancy and after the baby is born.

Healthy Beginnings Services

Healthy Beginnings serves pregnant people and families with young children across the province. Your Public Health Nurse can offer you free support in your home, community, Public Health offices and hospitals. They can offer support and guidance on issues like infant feeding, questions about sleep, mental health, growth and development, immunizations, nutrition, parenting, social supports and more. 

Nurses are also able to seek the expertise of their Healthy Beginnings colleagues who specialize in social work, infant feeding and more. These professionals work together and with community partners to ensure people have access to the best information and services to meet their needs. 

Public Health Nurses can help you learn what to expect while you are pregnant and when you bring your baby home. They can offer:

• Prenatal information and support 
• Infant feeding and nutritional support
• Healthy development and parenting support
• Positive parent-child relationships 
• Parental mental health support
• Connection to community resources and programs
• Information and support regarding infant and childhood Immunization

How do I access Healthy Beginnings?

Public Health Early Years encourages referral as early as possible in pregnancy so the team in Healthy Beginnings can help clients find the right services for their needs. Referrals can be made by healthcare providers, community organizations, and by individuals who are pregnant or have a young child and would like to self-refer. 

If you would like more information, or to self-refer, please reach out to the Early Years team in your zone:

Central Zone Early Years
Halifax area, Eastern Shore and West Hants
902-481-4967/1-800-430-9557 (Toll Free)
earlyyearscz@nshealth.ca 

Eastern Zone Early Years
Cape Breton, Guysborough and Antigonish
earlyyearsez@nshealth.ca 

Northern Zone Early Years
Colchester-East Hants, Cumberland and Pictou
902-667-3319
nzeynurses@nshealth.ca 

Western Zone Early Years
Annapolis Valley, South Shore and South West
1-833-601-0949 (Toll Free)
earlyyearswz@nshealth.ca