Information For New Mothers

The Mother-Baby nursing staff feel honored to share this special time with you.  Mother-Baby nurses provide nursing care to both you and your newborn.  One nurse per shift will be caring for both you and your baby during much of your stay.  Her knowledge of both of you will enable her to help you as you learn to care for your new baby.  Mother-Baby nursing assistants will help with many of the nursing tasks that provide comfort and safety for mothers and babies.

SERVICES

Social Services:  Hospital social workers are available to help if you need a paternity affidavit, information on resources in your community, or help with personal or family problems.  Please let your nurse know if you need assistance from a social worker.

Pastoral Services:  Chaplains or priests are available to visit you at any time.  Please ask your nurse or you may call the Pastoral Care Department at 356-2523.

Community:  Every community has a public health or visiting nurse association available.  Please ask your nurse if you are interested in this assistance or call your local service.

WIC:  A supplemental food program for Women, Infants and Children. Nutritious foods such as milk, eggs, cereal, juice and infant formula are provided at no cost. Eligibility includes Medicaid recipients or gross income falling within program guidelines (1?]800-532-1579).  The University office is located at CC411 GH with phone number 356-7416.  Office hours are Tuesday 10:30 AM to 4:00 PM and Wednesday 1:30 to 4:00 PM.  Please call before coming to the office.

Your Room

All rooms on the Mother-Baby Unit are private rooms furnished with a double bed and a sleeper sofa for your partner or another family member or friend to stay with you.

Smoking/Leaving the Unit

Smoking is not permitted anywhere in University Hospitals.  If you leave the unit to go outside to smoke or for any other reason, please bring your baby to the nursery and sign out at the nurses, desk.

Newborn Security

Your baby's care is our primary concern.  We have developed policies to help ensure your baby,s safety and security.  We ask all our parents to follow our policies that are to help protect you and your baby while you are in the hospital.  We also provide suggestions to enhance your safety at home.

1.  You, your baby, and another adult assigned by the mother are given matching identification bands at the time of birth.  Only those with an ID band on will be allowed to go into the nursery.

2.  Anyone taking your baby from your room must be wearing a hospital photo identification tag with pink and blue baby feet on it and must introduce themselves to you.  If you are uncertain of the authority of any person, please call the nurses' desk by using your call light or calling on the phone at 6-2493.  You do not have to release your baby to anyone you are not familiar with---ask your nurse.

3.  Never leave your baby unattended in your room.  Only those with an ID band matching the baby's band can take the baby to or from the nursery or in the hall.

4.  Keep the door to your room closed at all times.  It is best to position your baby's crib between your bed and the outside wall (wall with window).

Security in the Home

1.  The hospital will not release any information about your baby's birth to the local news media.  If you choose to contact your local newspaper to announce the baby's birth or post information on a web site, please realize that this information (e.g., home town, street address) will be available to all readers and may increase your risk for contacts.

2.  The use of outdoor home decorations to announce the baby's birth is not recommended.

Peer Review Status: Internally
Peer Review Date: 2004