Health and Safety Information for Parents and Caregivers
Below is a list of the 17 Watch Me Grow Health Promotion mailings and their contents.
Babies learn and grow through everyday things you do with them. Everything they learn, do, and feel is connected. How they learn and grow depends on both who they are and what they experience.
This section shows the many ways young kids grow and develop. It also shows what you and your baby's other caregivers can do to encourage learning and healthy development.
Infants
- Birth
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You should get the Introductory Packet when your child is about five weeks old. If you do not get the packet by that time, sign up to get Watch Me Grow Health Promotion Mailings.
PDF Information Welcome to Watch Me Grow Get introduced to Watch Me Grow and how it works. Childhood Health Record booklet (PDF) Use the Childhood Health Record booklet as a record of your child’s health history to track important health information. Lifetime Immunization Record (PDF) Washington State Department of Health's official immunization record card. Bring this card to well-child checkups and record your child's immunizations.
Immunizations: Birth through 6 Years (PDF) Learn more about immunizations and the diseases they prevent. Use the schedule inside to keep your child's immunizations on track.
Crying Can Be Frustrating! Never Shake a Baby (PDF) Prevent shaken baby syndrome and have a plan of action when your baby cries.
- 1 Month
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You should get the 1 month mailing when your child is about six weeks old.
PDF Information Watch Me Grow - 1 Month (PDF) Get updated immunization, health, and safety information for your one month-old child.
Watch Me Grow mailings are available in Spanish. If you need the mailings in Spanish instead of English, submit a correction form to have the mailings sent to you in Spanish.
Feeding Your Baby Birth to Six Months (PDF) Learn more about nutrition for your infant.
Development Chart - Watch and Help Me Grow Birth to 18 Months (PDF) Learn about your child's development from ages birth to 18 months. Learn how to encourage growth and learning.
Safe Sleep For Your Baby (PDF) Get safe sleeping tips that have been shown to reduce the risk of SIDS and accidental suffocation.
Speak Up When You're Down - Recognizing Postpartum Depression (PDF) Learn how to recognize and deal with postpartum depression.
- 3 Months
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PDF Information Watch Me Grow - 3 Months (PDF) Get updated immunization, health, and safety information for your 3 month-old child
Whooping Cough is Serious (PDF) Get information about DTaP vaccine and how to protect your child from pertussis (whooping cough).
Watch and Help Me Grow 3-6 Months (PDF) Find a checklist of developmental milestones and things you can do to help your baby develop.
Treating Childhood Emergencies and Illnesses (PDF) Find useful information on how to treat childhood emergencies and illnesses plus advice to help you decide how sick your child is and if you need to call a doctor.
- 6 Months
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PDF Information Watch Me Grow - 6 Months (PDF) Get updated immunization, health, and safety information for your six month-old child.
Watch and Help Me Grow 6-12 Months (PDF) Find a checklist of developmental milestones and things you can do to help your baby develop. Feeding Your Baby 6-12 Months (PDF) Find nutrition information for feeding 6-12 month-old babies.
Protect Your Family from the Flu (PDF) Learn more about the flu vaccine, who should get it, and why it's important. (Only sent to parents during flu season)
Crying Can Be Frustrating! Never Shake a Baby (PDF) Prevent shaken baby syndrome and have a plan of action when your baby cries.
It’s never too early. Plan today for your child’s education. Learn how to prepare for your child’s education with information about our state’s college savings plans.
Mealtime with your little one 6-23 months (PDF) From the Washington State Dairy Council—Tips and ideas to help with mealtime and ways your child can try new foods.
- 9 Months
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PDF Information Watch Me Grow - 9 Months (PDF) Get updated immunization, health, and safety information for your nine month-old child.
Taking Care of Your Child's Teeth (PDF) Get oral health care basics for kids aged birth to six years.
Healthy Fish Guide (PDF) Find out which fish are low in mercury and other contaminants and high in health benefits. Protect Your Family from the Flu (PDF) Learn more about the flu vaccine, who should receive it and why it is important.
Healthy House Happy Home (PDF) Learn how to protect your child from toxic chemicals in homes, foods, and other products.
- 12 Months
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PDF Information Watch Me Grow - 12 Month (PDF) Get updated immunization, health, and safety information for your 12 month-old child.
Watch and Help Me Grow 12-18 Months (PDF) Find a checklist of developmental milestones and things you can do to help your baby develop. Does your child need a lead test? (PDF) Learn about common causes of lead poisoning in children and recommendations for who should be tested.
Protect Your Child From Chickenpox (PDF) Get information about the varicella (chickenpox) vaccine and its recommendations.
Parents Need Vaccines, Too! (PDF) Find out about the importance of vaccines for adults, read two personal stories about why adults need vaccines to protect themselves and their families, and review the adult immunization schedule.
Prevent Poisonings in Children – Mr. Yuk Learn how to spot poisonous substances in your home and how to prevent poisoning.
Toddlers
- 15 Months
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PDF Information Watch Me Grow - 15 Months (PDF) Get updated immunization, health, and safety information for your 15 month-old child.
Feeding Your Child (18 Months to 3 Years) (PDF) Learn more about nutrition for your toddler and find a sample menu.
Whooping Cough is Serious (PDF) Get information about DTaP vaccine and how to protect your child from pertussis (whooping cough).
Protect Your Family and Community from Measles (PDF) Read the story of Jaxon, a young boy who died from complications of the measles virus, and learn about the importance of community immunity.
- 18 Months
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PDF Information Watch Me Grow - 18 Months (PDF) Get updated immunization, health, and safety information for your 18 month-old child.
Watch and Help Me Grow - 1 1/2 - 3 years (PDF) Learn about your child's development from ages 18 months to 3 years. Learn how to encourage growth and learning.
Think, Drink, Grow (PDF) From the Washington State Dairy Council—Feel good about what your child is drinking, learn more about how to choose healthy drinks. - 2 Years
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PDF Information Watch Me Grow - 2 Years (PDF) Get updated immunization, health, and safety information for your two year-old child.
It’s never too early. Plan today for your child’s education. Learn how to prepare for your child’s education with information about our state’s college savings plans.
Prevent Poisonings in Children – Mr. Yuk Learn how to spot poisonous substances in your home and how to prevent poisoning. Protect Your Family from the Flu (PDF) Learn more about the flu vaccine, who should get it, and why it's important. (Only sent sent to parents during flu season)
Baby Teeth Matter (PDF) Learn about the importance of oral health and find tips for daily oral care and getting oral health check-ups and other services.
- 2½ Years
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PDF Information Watch Me Grow - 2 1/2 Years (PDF) Get updated immunization, health, and safety information for your 2½ year-old child. It is recommended everyone ages 5 years and older get the COVID-19 vaccine. Get information about COVID-19 vaccine and how to protect your family from COVID-19. Protect Your Family from the Flu (PDF) Learn more about the flu vaccine, who should get it, and why it's important. (Only sent sent to parents during flu season)
Preschoolers
- 3 Years
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PDF Information Watch Me Grow - 3 Years (PDF) Get updated immunization, health, and safety information for your three year-old child. Tips for Picky Eaters (PDF) WIC has tips for picky eaters! Learn tips to help you and your child find ways to try different foods.
Watch and Help Me Grow 3-5 Years (PDF) Learn about your child's development from ages three to five years. Learn how to encourage growth and learning.
Firearms in the Home (PDF) Learn about the importance of safely storing firearms starting in early childhood to prevent firearm-related injury and death.
Protect Your Family from the Flu (PDF) Learn more about the flu vaccine, who should get it, and why it's important. (Only sent sent to parents during flu season)
Does your child need a lead test? (PDF) Learn about common causes of lead poisoning in children and recommendations for who should be tested. - 3½ Years
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PDF Information Watch Me Grow - 3 1/2 Years (PDF) Get updated immunization, health, and safety information for your 3½ year-old child. COVID-19 Vaccination: Keep Your Child up to Date (PDF) It is recommended everyone ages 5 years and older get the COVID-19 vaccine. Get information about COVID-19 vaccine and how to protect your family from COVID-19. Parents Need Vaccines, Too! (PDF) Find out about the importance of vaccines for adults, read two personal stories about why adults need vaccines to protect themselves and their families, and review the adult immunization schedule.
Booster Seats (PDF) Find information on booster seats, including how to know if your child needs one, how to install them, and the different types available.
Protect Your Family from the Flu (PDF) Learn more about the flu vaccine, who should get it, and why it's important. (Only sent sent to parents during flu season)
- 4 Years
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PDF Information Watch Me Grow - 4 Years (PDF) Get updated immunization, health, and safety information for your four year-old child. COVID-19 Vaccination: Keep Your Child up to Date (PDF) It is recommended everyone ages 5 years and older get the COVID-19 vaccine. Get information about COVID-19 vaccine and how to protect your family from COVID-19. Protect Your Child from Chickenpox (PDF) Get information about the varicella (chickenpox) vaccine and its recommendations.
Protect Your Family from the Flu (PDF) Learn more about the flu vaccine, who should get it, and why it's important. (Only sent sent to parents during flu season)
It’s never too early. Plan today for your child’s education. Learn how to prepare for your child’s education with information about our state's college savings plans.
- 4½ Years
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PDF Information Watch Me Grow - 4 1/2 Years (PDF) Get updated immunization, health, and safety information for your 4½ year-old child. COVID-19 Vaccination: Keep Your Child up to Date (PDF) It is recommended everyone ages 5 years and older get the COVID-19 vaccine. Get information about COVID-19 vaccine and how to protect your family from COVID-19. Whooping Cough is Serious (PDF) Get information about DTaP vaccine and how to protect your child from pertussis (whooping cough).
Protect Your Family from the Flu (PDF) Learn more about the flu vaccine, who should get it, and why it's important. (Only sent sent to parents during flu season)
Learn how to access your and your family's immunization records online for free by signing up for MyIR.
School Age
- 5 Years
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PDF Information Watch Me Grow - 5 Years (PDF) Get updated immunization, health, and safety information for your five year-old child. COVID-19 Vaccination: Keep Your Child up to Date (PDF) It is recommended everyone ages 5 years and older get the COVID-19 vaccine. Get information about COVID-19 vaccine and how to protect your family from COVID-19. Protect Your Family from the Flu (PDF) Learn more about the flu vaccine, who should get it, and why it's important. (Only sent sent to parents during flu season)
- 5½ Years
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PDF Information Watch Me Grow - 5 1/2 Years (PDF) Get updated immunization, health, and safety information for your 5½ year-old child. COVID-19 Vaccination: Keep Your Child up to Date (PDF) It is recommended everyone ages 5 years and older get the COVID-19 vaccine. Get information about COVID-19 vaccine and how to protect your family from COVID-19. Protect Your Family from the Flu (PDF) Learn more about the flu vaccine, who should get it, and why it's important. (Only sent sent to parents during flu season) Learn about sealants, how they work, when your child should get them, and where to learn more.
Nutrients Help Me Grow (PDF) From the Washington State Dairy Council—Learn about nutrients and how they support your child’s growth. - 6 Years
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PDF Information Watch Me Grow - 6 Years Get updated immunization, health, and safety information for your six year-old child. COVID-19 Vaccination: Keep Your Child up to Date (PDF) It is recommended everyone ages 5 years and older get the COVID-19 vaccine. Get information about COVID-19 vaccine and how to protect your family from COVID-19. Washington College Savings Plans (PDF) Learn how to prepare for your child’s education with information about our state's college savings plans.
Questions or Concerns?
Sometimes kids have developmental delays that can improve with extra support. If you have questions or concerns about your child's development, talk with your doctor or nurse. Or call the Help Me Grow WA Hotline at 1-800-322-2588 or 711 (TTY Relay) for the name of a Family Resources Coordinator (FRC). An FRC can help arrange a free developmental screening and further services, if needed.