During your hospital stay, safety and security are our primary concerns for you, your baby and your family. In addition to the highest quality patient care, we want to provide for your privacy and peace of mind. Please review the following safety procedures, share them with your visitors and join the staff in following them. If you have additional questions, an obstetrical staff member will be happy to help.
Baby Safety at the Hospital
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Your baby will wear two identification (ID) bands that match the one on your wrist. Match your ID band with the baby’s ID bands each time your baby is brought to you.
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In addition to your band and the two bands your baby will wear, a fourth matching ID band will be applied to the wrist of the father or partner (person accompanying mother at the time of the birth). This will provide access to the hospital after hours and will allow access to the baby. If the partner is not here for the birth, the fourth ID band will be applied to the mother’s wrist.
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Do not allow the baby to be taken from the room by anyone other than a known staff person with a distinctive pink Brigham and Women’s Hospital ID. If your pediatrician has arranged a consultation with another doctor, such as a specialist from Children’s Hospital, that person should also show their Children’s Hospital ID.
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For your baby’s security, only parents and individuals who have a Brigham and Women’s Hospital ID can access the nursery. Parents may enter the nursery by pressing the doorbell. Identification will be verified before allowing access to the baby.
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You are encouraged to keep your baby in the room with you as much as possible so that you can recognize your baby’s feeding cues and become comfortable with his or her care.
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If you want to nap or sleep, close your door, keep your baby in the crib on the window side of the bed and away from the door, so that you will hear if someone approaches the baby’s crib.
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When walking with your baby in the corridor you must have the baby in his or her crib. Do not leave the baby on your bed or fall asleep with the baby in your arms. The baby should not be unattended or out of your sight at any time.
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If you are bottle-feeding, the bottle should be hand-held. Do not prop a bottle in your baby’s mouth as he or she may choke.
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Visiting hours are from 1-8 p.m. You may have up to three visitors at a time in the room. Additional visitors may wait in the waiting area. The partner may visit 24 hours-a-day.
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Your baby may be in your room with visitors. However, only you and a designated person should hold the baby. Handling by many individuals can be very stressful for babies.
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Everyone, including parents, should wash his or her hands before holding the baby.
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Massachusetts Department of Public Health regulations require that all persons visiting be free from infection or recent exposure to infectious disease. This is also important to remember after you take your baby home.
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The baby’s brothers and sisters may visit in the room during visiting hours. Other children under 12 years old may not visit obstetrical units. All brothers and sisters of the baby and any children over 12 years old must have had all their immunizations. If you have older children who want to hold the baby, they should wash their hands and sit down first.
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Brigham and Women’s Hospital is a smokefree facility. Smoke in the air is unhealthy for newborns.
Baby Safety When Leaving the Hospital
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For your safety and comfort, you and your baby will be escorted to your car upon discharge.
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Massachusetts state law requires car seat restraints for all children under 12 years old. Newborns should ride in a semi-reclined, rear-facing infant car seat. It is important that your car seat is the correct size for your baby’s weight. We recommend that parents purchase a new car seat for their baby. However, if an older model is used, be sure that it is not more than five years old as older seats may not be as structurally safe as newer seats. Be sure to read the instructions and know how to use your car seat. It must be anchored to the vehicle with a seat belt, and the harness must be fastened.
Call 1-866-SEAT-CHECK for the location nearest you where you can have your car seat checked for safe and correct placement in your car. For newborn babies, a rolled-up receiving blanket or towel placed on either side of the baby and between the legs underneath the crotch strap will give additional support. Always put the infant car seat in the center of the back seat, and away from airbags. If your baby was born weighing less than 5 pounds 8 ounces, or has not reached 37 weeks gestational age at birth, your baby will be tested in his or her car seat before discharge.
Household infant carriers are not designed to protect an infant in a car, even if a seat belt is placed around them. Remember, it is unsafe and illegal to ride with the baby in your arms.
It is the law in Massachusetts to use the car seat every time your child is in the car and use your own seat belt for protection. Automobile accidents are the number one preventable cause of injury to children.
When you resume driving, plan short trips and avoid heavy traffic that may require sudden starts or stops. Remember to wear your seat belt, and use the shoulder harness for additional protection. If you had a cesarean birth, you may want to protect your incision by placing a small pad across your abdomen and under the safety belt.
Baby Security at Home
Although the birth of your new baby has brought much joy to your life that you would like to share with your family and friends, we highly recommend not “announcing” the birth of your baby publicly with balloons or other decorations on the front of your house or in your yard. Be sure workers/sales people show proper identification before entering your home. Be cautious of the person who “has the wrong address, wants to use your phone, etc.” Be careful when choosing a babysitter and be sure to get references when interviewing babysitters.
For additional safety information, please call the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678 or visit www.missingkids.com.
Table of Contents — Guide for New Parents
