Newborn and Baby Care
Postpartum Care at Mercy
The moments after your baby’s birth can be a mix of elation and exhaustion. You have a brand new person to care for – one who depends completely on you for every need. We understand how you feel, and we’ll be there for you as you and your baby start this wonderful new chapter together.
Postpartum Care After Delivery
Following your delivery at Mercy, we’ll move you to a private, comfortable postpartum room to rest and recover. Your baby can room in with you 24 hours a day, or spend time in our safe and secure nursery – the choice is yours. However, we do encourage you to hold your baby close to you and have skin-to-skin contact – known as kangaroo care - for at least several hours each day. Kangaroo care has been proven to have multiple physical and emotional benefits for both mother and baby. Dad can do it, too.
Expert Care for Newborns With Special Needs
Most babies are born healthy and are ready to go home with you in a few days. However, should your new baby be born prematurely or require emergency medical attention following childbirth, we’ll take excellent care of them in our neonatal Intensive care units (NICUs) until they’re healthy enough to go home.
Breastfeeding & Lactation Support
Soon after your delivery, you'll be able to feed your baby. If breastfeeding is new to you, our nurses are ready to help. Mercy's nurses have special training in helping new moms learn effective breastfeeding techniques to ensure their babies are getting all the milk they need. If you need help, our expert lactation consultants are available to provide lactation support while you're in the hospital as well as after you bring your new baby home. You'll be an expert in no time.
If you choose to bottle-feed your baby, we are ready to assist as well.
Caring for Your Baby at Home
If this is your first child, you may feel a bit overwhelmed when you bring your baby home. This is a perfectly normal feeling for new parents, and you will become more comfortable and confident every day. We’re here to help with any questions you may have. Mercy offers educational classes to teach you about caring for your newborn. We even have classes to help new grandparents brush up on their new baby skills.
Postpartum Support
The days and weeks following the birth of a child are supposed to be joyful, but that’s not always the case. A number of women experience postpartum depression, and symptoms can range from mild sadness to debilitating depression. If you experience any symptoms of postpartum depression, let your doctor know right away. We can help you find the right treatment and move on to enjoy a happy, rewarding life with your baby.
