The following first appeared in the Saint Barnabas Medical Center Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Family Advisory Council Newsletter. Visit the NICU website for previous issues.
Q: How long have you been working at Saint Barnabas Medical Center and what is your role?
A: I have been working in the hospital in a number of different roles over 40 years now. Currently, in my role of Women’s Health Education Coordinator I am responsible to keep our office filled with any items nursing or pumping moms might need. I also co-lead a weekly new moms support group over at the JCC MetroWest (more info below).
Q: How did you know you wanted to be in this field and what do you like best about it?
A: Everything!!! I love educating our new families.
Q: What items do you have for new parents to rent or buy in the Women’s Health office?
A: We have many items to buy and some breast pumps to rent. For our NICU moms, I think the hospital grade breast pumps and the hands free pumping bras are really important! We have anything a breastfeeding mom could need like nursing pads, breast milk removal soap, tender care hydrogels, lanolin for sore nipples and Therapearls (hot and cold therapy for the breasts). We also have sleep sack swaddles, nursing pillows, nursing stools, and special need feeders.
Q: What support groups or opportunities do you have to offer to our new parents?
A: Our New Moms’ Circle and Breastfeeding Support group, which is run by Lauren Meisels, PhD, and myself, is a wonderful support for new moms and it’s free! Most moms bring their newborn with them to this group so NICU moms don’t tend to come until baby has gone home with them, but they are welcome to come at any point they are comfortable with. Becoming a new mom is a big adjustment with many ups and downs! Some topics that are covered include: myths of motherhood, mood changes, sleep deprivation, marriage and the transition to parenthood and how to balance it all. This group meets every Monday from 10 am to 12:30 pm, right down the road at the JCC Metro West at 760 Northfield Avenue, West Orange, NJ, 07052. Parents can register online or feel free to call me for more information at 973-322-5360.
Q: Where is your office located and what hours is it open? Should parents call before they come?
A: The Women’s Health Education office is on the 3rd floor of the main hospital right near the elevators in room 3301B. We are open Monday - Friday from 8 am to 5 pm. If it is during these hours, there is no need to call, but the Lactation Department can also help 7 days a week. All nurses can access a Lactation Consultant for you via the personal paging system in the hospital.
Q: What does Family Centered Care mean to you?
A: Becoming a family can be wonderfully fun and scary! It is our job to make the transition from Pregnancy to parenthood as smooth as possible. We work together with the Obstetricians, Labor and Delivery, Lactation, Post Partum and our Pediatricians. When the fantasy of child birth and parenthood collide with the reality of being completely responsible for this little person it can be overwhelming! Our job is to help!
Q: Do you have any suggestions or advice for new NICU parents?
A: The one thing I always hear from new parents is that everyone tells them something different! You will find as new parents that if something doesn’t work you might need to try something else. There is no parenting guidebook written that can tell every parent what to do in every situation with their newborn. No two babies are exactly the same. Trust your instincts, this is YOUR baby!
Q: Anything else you would like parents to know about what you do?
A: We have a family centered approach - if you need assistance you can call, 973-322-5360. It is important to us that you understand we are here for you when you need us!!! We will help you along your new journey! Congratulations!
Learn more abut Women's Health Education at Saint Barnabas Medical Center.
Learn more about the Neonatal intensive Care Unit at Saint Barnabas Medical Center.