Bonding
We encourage parents to spend as much time with their newborns as possible. Most babies can be held, even with special equipment. You will be able to touch your baby while he or she is in an isolette.
Softly talking or singing to your baby can be soothing to both parent and newborn.
Staff can teach you bonding techniques like "kangaroo care" - placing the baby on your bare chest for skin to skin contact.
One of the most difficult experiences for parents of Special Care Nursery babies is having your baby hospitalized after you go home. It's important to remember that you are a vital partner in helping your baby receive the best and most advanced care possible.
Breastfeeding
The Family BirthPlace provides the services of Internationally Board-Certified Lactation Consultants. Our consultants offer special training and tips to all mothers, including mothers of Special Care Nursery newborns, who may be unable to nurse for a time.
Breastfeeding Support Center
For help with breastfeeding, mothers can call our Breast Feeding Support Center.
New Britain General campus: (860) 224-5226
Toll Free: 1-866-624-BFSC (1-866-624-2372)
An informal walk-in support group for nursing mothers meets Wednesdays 10 - 11 a.m. in the Family BirthPlace lounge. The group is facilitated by our certified lactation consultant. Topics may include technique, milk supply, pumping and returning to work.
(860) 224-5226.
M.O.M.S.
New Britain General campus: (860) 224-5900 x2649
M.O.M.S. is a support group for pregnant or parenting mothers ages 21 or younger centered on the belief that young parents can be successful, learn, support one another and make informed decisions.
The group offers a fun, relaxed atmosphere that allows mothers to learn from one another through discussion, activities, guest speakers and field trips.
M.O.M.S. groups are led by peer facilitators - women who were young mothers themselves and understand the fears and questions you might have as a young parent or parent-to-be.
In addition to activities, the group offers information & tips on:
- Parenting strategies
- Child development
- Stress management
- Health and nutrition
Nurturing Families Network
New Britain General campus: (860) 224-5900 x6623
Offered through the state's Children's Trust Fund, Nurturing Families Network programs are free, voluntary programs providing information and assistance to first-time parents who meet eligibility requirements.
The New Britain General campus site serves parents who deliver their babies at the hospital or are referred through statewide Nurturing Families sites. Parents involved with the Department of Children and Families (DCF) are not eligible.
The Nurturing Families Network offers three services:
- Home visits that help new, young (21 and under) parents learn how to care for their baby and adjust to the many demands of becoming a parent.
- Nurturing Connections, a service that connects new parents with volunteers and other community resources that can assist them through telephone support, playgroups and social events for new parents.
- Parenting groups that bring parents together in a supportive environment to share experiences and work together to be the best parents they can be. The New Britain General campus offers separate groups for expectant and new parents (both available in English and Spanish):
- The Nurturing Parents group for new parents teaches positive parenting techniques such as time out, choices and consequences, problem solving and implementing family rules, developmental expectations, stress management, nutrition and more.
- The Nurturing Babies group for expectant parents teaches how to prepare for the birth experience, covers developmental expectations, and explores safety and post partum depression.
