Education and Support
Through a partnership with Birthly, Saint Mary's Regional Health System offers patients free access to a variety of perinatal education classes virtually. All classes are live, so patients have the opportunity to learn from and interact with certified and experienced childbirth educators.
Classes offered include:
- Early Pregnancy Preparations
- Prenatal Education Bootcamp (English and Spanish)
- Coping and Comfort
- Breastfeeding 101
- Newborn Care
Since each class type is offered multiple times a month, patients have more flexibility in choosing a time that fits their schedule and can connect from the comfort of their own home.
The complementary childbirth classes are only available to patients who plan to deliver at Saint Mary's Regional Health System.
To register, patient's will receive information with a promo code from their OB provider's office.
Safe Sleep Hospital Requirements
Certified Safe Sleep Hospitals are required to:
- Develop a safe sleep policy statement incorporating the Infant Safe Sleep guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics.
- Educate parents on the importance of safe sleep practices and implement these practices in the hospital setting.
- Train staff on safe sleep guidelines, the hospital’s safe sleep policy, and the importance of modeling safe sleep for parents.
Injury Prevention Safe Sleep:
There are many things that may put your baby at risk while sleeping. Some risks may even be deadly if they experience suffocation, strangulation, entrapment, or sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) - a term attributed to any infant death that cannot be explained. Sudden unexpected infant death (SUID) includes the aforementioned and is used to describe the sudden and unexpected death of a baby less than 1 year old in which the cause was not obvious before investigation.
According to the CDC, in 2017, there were 3,600 sudden unexpected infant deaths (SUID) in the United States. Of those fatalities, 1,400 deaths were due to SIDS; 1,300 deaths due to unknown causes; and 900 deaths due to accidental suffocation and strangulation in bed.
It is important for parents to always choose a safe sleeping environment for their baby during naps and at night. Where and how he or she will sleep is vital to the baby's safety. Here are some useful prevention tips for parents to keep their baby safe during sleep.
Safety Tips
- Avoid bed sharing as it increases the risk of suffocation.
- Avoid letting your baby overheat during sleep. (Dress your baby in light sleep clothing and keep the room at a temperature that is comfortable for an adult.)
- Do not attempt to fix a broken crib; replace it.
- Follow the ABCs of Safe Sleep:
- Alone – baby sleeps alone, without other objects, caregivers, or siblings
- Back – baby sleeps on his/her back
- Crib – baby sleeps on his/her own sleeping space, such as a crib or a bassinet
- Keep soft objects, toys, and loose bedding out of your baby’s sleep area.
- Never place a crib near a window with blind, curtain cords or baby monitor cords to prevent strangulation.
- Never use pillows, blankets, quilts, sheepskins, sleep positioning devices, or pillow-like bumpers in your baby’s sleep area.
- Place babies on their backs to sleep every time, for naps and at night.
- Place your baby on a firm sleep surface, such as a safety-approved crib mattress covered with a fitted sheet.
Additional links
Good siblings
Everyone is excited about a new addition to the family, but often a sibling may have questions, fears and concerns. For children approximately two through 10 years of age, Saint Mary’s good siblings class prepares and reassures siblings for the arrival of their new family members. Children will learn about the maternity unit and important information on how to hold and properly care for a child. The class is held the second Monday of each month at 6:30 pm in the Women & Children’s Department, located on the third floor of the hospital. Classes are free, but you must pre-register.
Class photos are featured on Saint Mary’s Facebook page, so be sure to look for your precious good siblings and share the post with others. Like and follow us at facebook.com/saintmarysregional. Photo consent is required. You may opt out of the group photo if you prefer.
For more information, or to enroll your child, call Debbie Ellis at 479.964.5436 or 479.964.9179 between 8 am - 3 pm, Mon. – Fri.
Sibling classes
- Scheduled the second Monday of each month
- Beginning at 6:30 pm
- Max of 5 siblings (3-10 years old)
- Free to patients
- Light snack provided
- To register or receive more information, please call Debbie at 479.964.5436 Monday through Friday 8 am - 3 pm or leave a message