Baby Safe Sleep Bilingual Program helps educate new moms
Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare - St. Francis
The Baby Safe Sleep Bilingual program at Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare – St. Francis provides new mothers with safe-sleep education and, if needed, a translator when Spanish is the mother’s first language. A Social Worker is also provided to seek information regarding home care and other critical needs.
Two years ago, a young woman delivered a baby at St. Francis. Sadly, the baby died of SIDS six weeks later. Last July, the same woman was in labor and delivery and the unit nurse/director recognized her name. After she gave birth to a beautiful baby boy, the nurse contacted the social worker, interpreter and nurse educator to assist with education and any questions related to home health for the newborn. The nurses were very sensitive to the mother’s needs and asked if she would like to talk to a chaplain. The chaplain gave the mother the opportunity to talk. The team approach that was administered to the young mother was given with great sensitivity, empathy and compassion. The young mother left two days later with a new understanding of care for her newborn, and she was filled with relief and appreciation. The social worker also kept in contact with the family during the year.