Newborn Home Visiting

With a goal of eliminating health disparities, improving birth outcomes, and enhancing the health of Licking County's women, infants, children, youth, and families, the LCHD Newborn Home Visiting Program provides free home visits where the baby's health is checked and mom's questions about breastfeeding, safe sleeping environments for infants, post partum depression, and more can be answered. These visits give new moms and families, particularly those considered at-risk, necessary resources, referrals, and skills to raise children who are physically, socially, and emotionally healthy and ready to learn.

The LCHD Newborn Nurse Home Visiting Program provides free home visits where the baby's health is checked and mom's questions about breastfeeding, safe sleeping environments for infants, post partum depression, and more can be answered. These visits give new moms and families, particularly those considered at-risk, necessary resources, referrals, and skills to raise children who are physically, socially, and emotionally healthy and ready to learn.

Infant Safe Sleep Tips

Follow these tips and visit SafeSleep.Ohio.gov to learn why of the ABCs of infant safe sleep are safest for baby: The safest place for your baby to sleep is in the room where you sleep, but not in your bed. Never place babies to sleep on adult beds, chairs, sofas, waterbeds, pillows, cushions or soft surfaces. Dress your baby in sleep clothing, such as a sleep sack, and do not use a blanket. Avoid letting the baby get too hot. Keep room temperatures in a range comfortable for a lightly clothed adult. Infants should receive all recommended vaccinations. Breastfeeding is recommended to help to reduce the risk of SIDS. Avoid smoke exposure during pregnancy and after birth. Place the crib in an area that is always smoke free. Supervised, awake tummy time is recommended daily to facilitate development. Consider using a pacifier at nap time and bed time, once breastfeeding is well established. Talk to those who care for your baby, including child care providers, family, and friends, about placing your baby to sleep on his back for every sleep. Obtain regular prenatal care to reduce the risk of SIDS even before birth. Avoid alcohol and illicit drug use during pregnancy and after birth.

The Home Visit

A nurse will contact you to schedule a time that is convienent to you for the newborn home visit. Our staff attempts to reach out to all new moms within a the first few weeks of delivery to ask if they would like a free home visit. New parents can also call (740) 349-6535 and request a visit at any time.
During the home vitit, the nurse will:

Weigh and messure your baby
Do a baby health check
Talk with you about baby care
Give you a free diapers and other resources
Answer questions about breast and bottle feeding
Help make sure the baby has a safe sleeping place or help you get a crib
Answer questions about Umbilical cord healing, Maternal depression
Provide referrals to other programs and services that you may be eligible for
Answer questions about umbilical cord healing, maternal depression, and caring for your baby and yourself

Cribs for Kids

The mission of Cribs for Kids® is to prevent infant sleep-related deaths by educating parents and caregivers on the importance of practicing safe sleep for their babies and by providing portable cribs to families who, otherwise, cannot afford a safe place for their babies to sleep.

Child Safety Seats

LCHD's Child Safety Seat program provides car seats for low income families without child safety seats. Parents are trained on proper installation and use of the seats and the seat is properly secured in the car by a trained car safety seat technician.

Referrals usually come through the WIC program and other agencies. Seats are provided though the Ohio Buckles Buckeyes program and donations from local organizations. If you are interested in supporting this program please call (740) 349-6535.
Free car seat inspections are available by appointment for families who already have a seat but would like a certified child passenger safety technician to check for proper installation. Please call (740) 349-6535 and request the car seat program to schedule an appointment.