Home visits by a registered nurse are made to mothers and newborns who are receiving Medicaid benefits or are receiving Pregnancy Care Management services from the Health Department.
What will the nurse do?
- Weigh your baby
- Do a physical exam or your baby
- Check your blood pressure
- Help you with breastfeeding, if needed
- Help you with getting health care provider's appointments for you and your baby
- Make referrals to other community resources as needed (WIC, local parenting and support groups)
To help care for your baby, the nurse will talk to you about:
- Your baby's well child check-up
- Your baby's brain development
- Immunizations
- Safety in the car, home and other places
- The importance of hand washing
- Signs and symptoms of illness
- Taking care of baby's skin, mouth and diaper area
- Feeding your baby
- Safe sleep, infant sleep patterns and SIDS risk reduction
To help you care for yourself, the nurse will talk to you about:
- Breast care
- Signs and symptoms of illness
- Postpartum hygiene and activity
- Nutritional needs
- Birth control methods