Medical City Healthcare - April 07, 2021

Babies don't come with manuals … so we wrote one!

Congratulations on the birth of your baby! We'd love for you to have a digital copy of our Mommy & Me book. It's an educational resource for expectant mothers and new parents packed with helpful information about the birth and care of your baby. Moms who give birth in one of our labor and delivery hospitals receive a printed copy of this 150-plus-page book to use for:

  • Guidance during their hospital stay
    • Including an overview of services and accommodations available in and near our hospitals
  • Taking notes related to baby care
  • Post-discharge infant care and self-care

This is a special time in your life and we're excited to be a part of it!

All about baby.

This comprehensive section offers tips for how to soothe a crying baby, baby hygiene—including how to bathe your baby—car seat dos and don'ts, scheduling well-baby visits and immunizations, late preterm infant care tips from the Association of Women's Health, Obstetrics and Neonatal Nurses and much more. One of the most important chapters focuses on putting your baby to bed safely.

How to create a safe sleep environment for your baby:

To reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and other accidental sleep-related causes of infant death, we've included safe sleep guidance from the National Institutes of Health.

Safe sleep recommendations include:

  • Always lay babies on their backs on a firm sleep surface, such as a crib or bassinet
  • Use a tight-fitting sheet
  • The crib should be bare: Avoid soft, loose bedding, crib bumpers, blankets, pillows and stuffed animals
  • Baby should sleep in your room for at least 6 months—but not in your bed

Learn more about how to help your baby sleep safely in our Mommy & Me book.

All about breastfeeding.

Feeding your baby is a special time for bonding. Whether you decide to breastfeed exclusively or bottle feed (breast milk and/or formula), we've got tips and resources to help. Either way, taking care of yourself through good nutrition is vital in this fourth trimester of your pregnancy.

Breastfeeding moms will need to eat about 500 extra calories a day to maintain their milk supply. Make these extra calories count (for you and baby!) by choosing nutrient-rich foods, including:

  • Whole grains
  • Fresh fruits and vegetables
  • Healthy fats and oils
  • Milk
  • Protein, such as lean meats and beans

You'll want to avoid restrictive weight-loss plans while you're breastfeeding, but you can certainly begin exercising once your doctor has given the green light. Find some inspiration in the story of how one mom got her body (mostly) back after baby.

Medical City Healthcare hospitals offer breastfeeding support and expert lactation consultants while you're in our care, as well as follow-up support after your discharge. Simply let your nurse know that you are interested in this free service. We also offer breastfeeding classes as well as a variety of other pregnancy and childbirth classes.

All about mommy.

In the space of about a day, you go from being the center of attention to the chief caregiver of the new center of attention. It's easy to put your baby's needs—as well as those of other family members—ahead of your own. But taking care of yourself is one of the most unselfish things you can do for the people you love.

This section of our Mommy & Me book will answer many of your questions about what's going on with your body and help you care for yourself during the weeks before your first postpartum visit to your OB/GYN. Key information includes how to know when you should call your doctor, pain and infection control, resuming sex, postpartum depression and more.

Postpartum depression.

Perinatal moods and anxiety disorders—including postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety and postpartum obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)—occur in 1 out of every 7 women. Symptoms often develop during the weeks immediately before and after childbirth (the perinatal phase), but can appear for up to one year after the birth of your baby.

Our section on postpartum disorders can be valuable for teaching moms, dads, partners and other family members and friends how to identify the signs and symptoms. It also includes resources and information about finding professional help.

At Medical City Healthcare hospitals, we promise to provide high-quality healthcare for both you and your baby, delivered by dedicated teams of highly trained staff and physicians. During your stay with us, you will be visited by a Women's Services Nurse Leader daily to be sure we are delivering on our promise of an exceptional care experience. But no matter where you choose to have your baby, we wish you a safe and healthy delivery.

Learn how moms and babies are cherished and protected at Medical City Healthcare: Visit the COVID-19 and pregnancy section of our Coronavirus Resource Hub.

Please note: Official guidance related to pregnancy and COVID-19 will continue to evolve as more information becomes available. Please refer to the CDC for the latest information and additional resources.