The National Healthy Childhood Programme
Updated booklet: Safe sleep for your baby - reduce the risk of cot death
The popular Safe sleep for your baby - reduce the risk of cot death booklet has been updated and reprinted. You can download a copy here, or order print copies through healthpromotion.ie
Introduction
Over 63,000 babies are born in the State every year and, as children (under 18 years) account for 25% of the Irish population, we have the youngest population in the EU.
The Health Service Executive, through the delivery of The National Healthy Childhood Programme, has a key role in supporting families so these babies can fully realise their potential into adulthood.
From birth to their 14th birthday each child will have had at least 22 contacts with the health service as part of the Programme – that is 1.5 million opportunities to “Make Every Contact Count”
Making every contact count is important - investment in the early years of life, starting from conception, creates the best outcomes for children, providing the foundations for health over their lifetime. Early intervention and prevention has a positive impact on children's health, social and educational development and offers the best chance of living a happy and fulfilled life.
Our Work
- Child health services in Ireland
- The National Healthy Childhood Programme
- Breastfeeding - reports - policies and guidelines - factsheets - websites
- The Nurture Programme - Infant Health and Wellbeing
Winter Illness resources
- Colds, coughs, RSV and viral infections in children
- Bacterial infections: Strep A and scarlet fever
- Winter illnesses - poster for childcare in English
- Winter illnesses - poster for childcare in Irish
- Winter illnesses - poster for schools in English
- Winter illnesses - poster for schools in Irish
- Winter viruses - social assets
Publications and child health information
- Safe sleep for your baby - reduce the risk of cot death - HSE's National Healthy Childhood Programme with National Paediatric Mortality Register - updated May 2022
- Traveller child safety wallchart - HSE's National Healthy Childhood Programme with Pavee Point - March 2022
- The Family and Child Health Standardised Care Plans for Public Health Nursing Services - December 2021
- Breastfeeding - reports - policies and guidelines - factsheets - websites
- Guidance for Voluntary Breastfeeding Groups during the COVID-19 pandemic - September 2021
- Public Health Nursing Service Child Health Record User Guide and Data Definitions - July 2020
- The National Standards for Antenatal Education in Ireland - February 2020
- The National Healthy Childhood Programme Child Health Assessment Manual for Registered Public Health Nurses - July 2022 (update to page 69 - Eyes)
- Criteria for a referral from PHN to CMD 2nd Tier Clinic - October 2021
- Referral form for a PHN referral to CMD 2nd Tier Clinic - October 2021
- Better for every child: The evaluation of the Nurture Programme: Infant Health and Wellbeing - Summary Report (pdf) and short video (Vimeo) - December 2019
- Healthy Weight for Children (0-6 years) Framework: Areas for Action - Summary, Healthy Weight for Children Group - March 2019
- Healthy Weight for Children (0-6 years) Framework, Healthy Weight for Children Group - November 2018
- The newborn clinical examination handbook, The National Healthy Childhood Programme, November 2018
- Framework for the National Healthy Childhood Programme, HSE Health & Wellbeing Division and HSE Primary Care Division - October 2018
- Evidence Review of the Child Health Model, prepared by the Child Public Health Group, Strategy & Planning Division for The National Steering Group for Implementation of the Revised Child Health Model - October 2018
- Child Safety Programme (CSP) Manual for health professionals on core child health contacts - 2018
- Child safety checklist for parents and guardians - 2018
Newsletters (twice-yearly)
- The National Healthy Childhood Programme Newsletter - Issue 8: December 2020
- The National Healthy Childhood Programme Newsletter - Issue 7: December 2019
- The National Healthy Childhood Programme Newsletter - Issue 6: July 2019
- The National Healthy Childhood Programme Newsletter - Issue 5: December 2018
- The National Healthy Childhood Programme Newsletter - Issue 4: July 2018
- The National Healthy Childhood Programme Newsletter - Issue 3: December 2017
- The National Healthy Childhood Programme Newsletter - Issue 2: June 2017