In achieving universal welfare,early family policies in the Western countries were to reduce family poverty,and to enhance the welfare of their citizens.The Western countries completed the demographic transition in the 1960s to 1970s and family patterns changed dramatically.In order to accomplish their population and development strategy,family policies which oriented to universal welfare covering all citizens gradually changed into ensuring family welfare as well as encouraging population growth.The main policy instruments of the family policies in Western countries include family allowance and family tax reduction,maternity leave,child-raising allowance and job protection,child care facilities and education policy.Learning from policy experiences in Western countries and addressing the requirements of family development capability construction in China′s twelfth five-year plan period,this paper proposes a basic policy approach,that is ’ Ensure the basic needs,extend the coverage to all families,and integrate welfare into population regulation.