Recipe for a Healthy Baby

USE HEALTHY INGREDIENTS

Remember, when you are pregnant, whatever you put into yourself, you also put into your baby. To have a healthy baby you need healthy ingredients.

START PRENATAL CARE EARLY

Add a health care provider to your recipe right away. Your doctor or nurse will help you to put together the right ingredients for building your healthy baby and answer any questions you may have.

EAT RIGHT

A well balanced diet before and during pregnancy is an important recipe ingredient for both the health of mother and baby. Check out the Women, Infants, and Children Nutrition Program. Call WIC at 1-800-942-1007. Women in WIC eat better, have healthier children, and receive earlier prenatal care.

FOLIC ACID

Add one vitamin pill with folic acid to your daily schedule to help prevent birth defects of the brain and spinal cord.

Tobacco smoke, alcohol, and street drugs are not healthy ingredients for your baby.

• Smoking during pregnancy may cause your baby to be born sick, too small, or too soon. If you could use help to reduce or quit, call the Smoker's Quitline 1-800-TRY-TO-STOP (1-800-879-8678).
• Drinking alcohol, even in small amounts, may affect your baby's brain development. Street drug use can affect your baby's size and health. It is never too late to stop using. Call the Substance Abuse Helpline for information and referral at 1-800-327-5050.