Medical teams are still learning about COVID’s impact on children. While the majority of children have a relatively mild illness, children with complex health care needs sometimes have more symptoms. Some examples of conditions with more complex needs include asthma or other lung conditions requiring medication or ventilators, heart conditions, and diabetes.
That’s why pediatricians and specialists are implementing new, safe ways for families to access care for their children and update their individual health plans.
Jade Elliott spoke with Dr. Neal Davis, pediatrician, Intermountain Healthcare, about what parents should do if their child needs to visit the doctor.
Many medical practices for children are now able to perform video visits with patients with these type of medical conditions. These visits are a perfect time for parents to check in with their child’s medical provider and make sure they have a clear plan of care for their child.
This plan of care includes making sure parents and providers have a shared understanding of the care plan, including current medications and how to reduce risk of severe sickness, and a clear pathway for communication if the child starts to get sick and parents have concerns.
For more information, please contact your child’s medical office to learn about the specific practices they are using to provide needed services while reducing the risk of COVID-19 exposure.
The Baby Your Baby program provides many resources for all pregnant women and new moms in Utah. There is also expert advice from the Utah Department of Health and Intermountain Healthcare that air each week on KUTV 2News.
If you’re pregnant during the COVID-19 pandemic, you may have questions or concerns about your upcoming delivery in the hospital and keeping yourself and your family healthy.
Jade Elliott spoke with Angela Anderson, a certified nurse midwife with Intermountain Healthcare, to answer some common questions women may have as they anticipate delivering their baby during these unusual times on this episode of the Baby Your Baby Podcast.
Should I be worried about delivering my baby in the hospital during the pandemic?
No. Intermountain Healthcare is committed to making sure you and your baby have the safest birthing experience possible. We’re taking every necessary precaution against exposure to COVID-19 to ensure the risk is extremely low. We’ve also prepared for any other potential complications of pregnancy that, even if rare, can cause concern.
What should I do to prepare for my delivery?
For most healthy women, their delivery experience will be the same, except for the change in hospital visitor restrictions.
New hospital visitor restrictions
Currently, Intermountain hospitals limit OB patient visitors to one healthy support person for the duration of the hospital stay. It will be mother’s choice: The baby’s father counts as a visitor. A doula counts as a visitor. Check with your provider about adoptive situations.
Healthy newborn patients may have both parents as visitors.
Newborn intensive care (NICU) patients may have one visitor/guardian per 24 hours. However, there can be no more than two people designated as visitors/guardians throughout the entire hospital stay.
Moms can encourage loved ones to use technology to connect with her during her hospital stay if desired. Hospital staff are available to assist if needed.
Moms can help family and friends know that although they are excited to see your new baby, it will be best to wait until you and the baby come home, and risks of infection are lower following the pandemic. Ask your provider for guidance about visitors after you return home.
Hospital visitation for surrogacy or adoption situations are managed on a case per case basis. Discussions on what to expect and instructions for that special day should be coordinated in advance.
Women who are themselves positive for COVID-19, or who are suspected to have it, will not be able to have visitors in the room during their stay to limit the chances of viral exposure. Experienced hospital staff are ready to help you during this important time in a way that is both safe and comfortable.
Do I need to be delivered early if I’m COVID-19 positive (or suspected to have the virus)?
No. The COVID-19 infection is not a reason for an early delivery. In fact, it may be better to wait for your delivery until after your symptoms have resolved and you are no longer shedding the virus. This may reduce the risk to your newborn and healthcare workers from becoming exposed to the virus too.
At this time, some women are still being offered the option to have their labor induced. This usually occurs if there is an increased risk to the mother or baby from continuing the pregnancy. We will continue to offer normal obstetric care based on the usual indications. We don’t recommend early delivery to avoid exposure to the virus.
Hospital staff are prepared to care for COVID-19 patients who need to deliver their baby
Our hospital staff is ready and prepared to care for you and your baby safely if you have COVID-19 symptoms, are COVID-19 positive or are awaiting COVID-19 test results. We have care protocols and personal protective equipment to keep everyone safe and healthy.
If I do get sick, how do I protect my newborn?
If you do get sick near your delivery date with confirmed, or suspected, COVID-19, there are special precautions to be aware of. Though new mothers might not be at higher risk themselves, it’s important to avoid passing the virus to a newborn. Early research has not shown any evidence that the virus can be transmitted in utero, during delivery, or through breast milk.
But transmission can occur after birth when infants are in close contact with someone who has the illness. For this reason, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention currently recommends avoiding rooming-in (baby sharing the same room) for new mothers with diagnosed or suspected COVID-19 infections. The CDC also recommends that ill women who would like to provide breast milk for their infant use a breast pump, being sure to practice good pumping hygiene.
The Baby Your Baby program provides many resources for all pregnant women and new moms in Utah. There is also expert advice from the Utah Department of Health and Intermountain Healthcare that air each week on KUTV 2News.
As families commit to staying home to prevent the spread of COVID-19, pediatricians want to remind parents to continue critical medical care including newborn care and well-child checkups involving childhood vaccines. It’s important that children maintain their vaccination schedule to stay safe and healthy. Pediatrician offices have created ways to allow well children to safely access these important appointments.
Jade Elliott talks with Dr. Neal Davis, Pediatrician, Intermountain Healthcare, about making sure your kids stay up to date on checkups and vaccines during this unusual time on this episode of the Baby Your Baby Podcast.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently released a statement emphasizing the importance of newborn care and well child care as it relates to maintaining childhood vaccines, particularly in young children. Medical providers for children around the state of Utah have largely adopted practices suggested by the American Academy of Pediatrics that minimize risk COVID 19 exposure and allow for the delivery of services to newborns and young children.
According to the CDC, these strategies include a combination of ways to separate children who are sick from children who come for well-child checkups in the following ways:
• Scheduling well visits in the morning and sick visits in the afternoon.
• Separating patients spatially, such as by placing patients with sick visits in different areas of the clinic or another location from patients with well visits.
• Collaborating with providers in the community to identify separate locations for holding well visits for children.
Many clinics are using other innovative strategies as well, such as check-ins from cars and expedited rooming, avoiding waiting rooms altogether.
If a clinic is able to provide only limited well-child visits, the CDC and American Academy of Pediatrics encourages newborn care and vaccinations for children through age 24 months to take priority. Providers also may opt for telemedicine options.
Contact your child’s medical office to learn about the specific practices they are using to provide needed services while reducing the risk of COVID-19 exposure. If you have questions, ask! Providers want to work with families to keep children well, and ensure they stay on schedule with immunizations.
The Baby Your Baby program provides many resources for all pregnant women and new moms in Utah. There is also expert advice from the Utah Department of Health and Intermountain Healthcare that air each week on KUTV 2News.
The Baby Your Baby program provides many resources for all pregnant women and new moms in Utah. There is also expert advice from the Utah Department of Health and Intermountain Healthcare that air each week on KUTV 2News.
When you have young kids, sleep is an essential part of your survival as a parent. When your kids sleep well, you sleep well. Thankfully, a bedtime routine can help your kids sleep better. Instead of letting your kids fall asleep whenever and wherever, a bedtime routine can bring structure and security to your child’s day. You and your child will get more sleep when they feel safe and secure.
Jade Elliott sat down with pediatrician Tyson Tidwell, DO, Intermountain Healthcare, on this episode of the Baby Your Baby Podcast to discuss the dos and don’ts of sleep routines.
Bedtime routines with your child can help everyone sleep better
So how can you make it happen? A bedtime routine doesn’t have to be difficult or drawn out. A routine is just something that you do every time your child goes to bed. Your child’s bedtime routine will help them form positive sleep associations. Here are some tips for forming a positive bedtime routine for your child.
Recommended sleep guidelines for babies and children by age
• 1 to 4 weeks old- Newborns sleep about 16-17 hours a day with periods of wakefulness lasting 1-3 hours. However, most newborns have not developed a night/day sleep cycle, so their sleep time can vary to all hours of the day.
• 1 to 4 months old- Babies of this age still tend to sleep about the same amount of hours, but their night/day sleep cycles begin to kick in, allowing them to sleep longer at night, although they still wake for feedings and changes.
• 4 months to 1 year- Babies of this age still require between 14-15 hours of sleep every day. Many of them are able to sleep the night, and take up to three naps during the day and evening. During this period, it’s very important to establish healthy sleep habits.
• 1 to 3 years- Most toddlers need about 12-14 hours of sleep, but often get less due to the schedules of parents and older children in the house. They will more than likely lose their early morning nap and early evening nap and tend to only take one nap a day.
• 3 to 6 years- Approximately 11-12 hours of sleep. Younger children of this group may still require a short nap during the day, but the need to nap usually diminishes by the time they enter the first grade.
• 7 to 12 years- Children of this age group tend to need about 10-12 hours of sleep, but often only get about 9-10 hours.
• 13 to 18 years- Teens require about 8-10 hours of sleep, but rarely get the full amount. The demands of schoolwork and after-school activities often cut into their sleep. Most teens report getting about 6-8 hours of sleep.
Start the bedtime routine early
Your child’s bedtime routine doesn’t have to happen right before bed. In fact, you should actually start your child’s bedtime routine at least 30 minutes before it’s time to start getting ready for bed. Start to wind down. Put an end to raucous games. Move slower. Dim the lights. Turn off the TV and electronic devices. Talk softer. Prepare your child’s mind and body for their upcoming bedtime routine and sleep.
Your child’s bedtime routine
No matter what you do, pick an easy and predictable routine that happens every time your child goes to bed. Try not to draw out your child’s bedtime routine. Fifteen minutes or so should be plenty of time for a good bedtime routine. Decide what is going to help your child fall asleep, and stick with it. Consistency is much more important that what you actually do during your routine. Some examples of bedtime routine elements include:
Bath
Reading books
Telling stories
Singing a song
Saying prayers
Brushing teeth
Putting on pajamas
Goodnight kisses and hugs
Diaper change or going to the bathroom
Snuggling together or tucking them in
Set the stage for good sleep
You’ve prepped your child for a good night of sleep. Don’t just leave them in a space that isn’t going to help them sleep. Don’t leave TVs, tablets, computers or phones in their bedroom. Keep the space dark enough for good sleep, while still comfortable for those who are scared of the dark. Night lights can help. Make the bed up comfortably. Check the temperature so it’s cool enough to sleep without leaving your kids cold. Invest in a white noise machine or fan.
Bedtime Routine Do’s and Don’ts
Avoid poor sleep associations
A sleep association happens when your child learns to fall asleep using certain tools or methods. Most of the time, poor sleep associations sneak in when parents try to get their kids to sleep in sheer desperation. A poor sleep association is one that can harm your child, or is unsustainable so that your child can’t fall asleep on their own. Examples of poor sleep associations include:
Going to sleep with a bottle
Falling asleep to the TV or music
Being rocked to sleep
Falling asleep to a backrub
Sleeping somewhere other than their own crib or bed (usually a parent’s bed)
Safe sleep for infants to help reduce the risk of sudden infant death
1. Always put your baby to sleep on his back until he can roll over.
2. Never bed-share with a newborn. It’s best for baby to sleep in their own crib within earshot of parents for first six months. If mom is sleepy, put baby in bassinette or crib.
3. Crib mattress should be firm, keep soft objects and loose bedding out of crib.
4. Do not overdress baby for sleep.
At what age can you start letting your baby fall asleep on their own or cry it out?
There are many different opinions on this. It’s really about parent preferences. Infants under 3-4 months won’t learn to put themselves to sleep. They need soothing. You can start sleep training at 4-5 months of age. Sleep routines are important for both naptime and bedtime.
When nursing or bottle-feeding, leave the lights on. Then turn off the lights and lay your baby down in their crib and say goodnight or sing or rub their back for just 60 seconds. Wait five minutes. Lay child back down and rub their back again and reassure them. Then, step out of the room for 10 minutes. If they’re still crying. Repeat and reassure them, this time stepping out of the room for 15 minutes. If your baby or toddler is hysterical or very upset you’ll want to console them briefly. They’ll figure it out in 2-3 days.
With a consistent and positive bedtime routine, your child will fall asleep faster and happier. Leaving you plenty of time to get your own shut eye.
Dr. Tidwell suggests these books and websites: Happiest Baby on the Block by Harvey Karp, M.D. and the website Taking Cara Babies, https://takingcarababies.com/ especially the section called The ABC’s of Sleep.
The Baby Your Baby program provides many resources for all pregnant women and new moms in Utah. There is also expert advice from the Utah Department of Health and Intermountain Healthcare that air each week on KUTV 2News.
The Child Care Task Force has created a new program called One Utah Child Care to meet child care needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. With the dismissal of schools and closures of some child care centers, employees who are vital to maintaining the health and safety of Utahns are in need of options for their children.
Jade Elliott sat down with Tracy Gruber, Office of Child Care Director, to discuss the program and childcare options on this episode of the Baby Your Baby Podcast.
One Utah Child Care will connect these employees with child care providers prepared to meet this need. Centers will first be available along the Wasatch Front beginning April 1 and continue to roll out additional resources as the needs arise. All centers will follow strict safety and social distancing guidelines outlined by the Department of Health. Parents can begin registering on March 30 at jobs.utah.gov/covid19/.
These efforts represent the coordination of individual providers and organizations coming together to meet a critical need in our community, accurately representing “one Utah”.
There are still resources available to other individuals who are working but do not fall under the category of essential employees. Many Utah child care programs remain open and available with safety protocols in place to protect both the staff and children from the spread of COVID-19. Parents can find available providers at careaboutchildcare.org.
The Baby Your Baby program provides many resources for all pregnant women and new moms in Utah. There is also expert advice from the Utah Department of Health and Intermountain Healthcare that air each week on KUTV 2News.
Every pregnancy has about a 3-5% chance having a baby with a major birth defect, that’s about 1 in 33 pregnancies. Those birth defects include things like heart defects, spina bifida, and cleft lip and palate. When we talk about all birth defects, those include functional and developmental delays, like autism, in addition to the major and minor structural defects.
Jade Elliott sat down with Al Romeo, RN, PhD, Utah Department of Health, to discuss birth defects and what you can do to try and prevent them on this episode of the Baby Your Baby Podcast.
The study of those birth defects is called teratology. Experts at MotherToBaby Utah are teratology information specialists. This means they can answer your questions about exposures that might cause birth defects or other poor outcomes.
Some of the things to do to reduce the chance of having birth defects include: take folic acid before pregnancy to help prevent spina bifida; control diabetes before pregnancy to prevent heart and other defects; avoid alcohol during pregnancy to prevent heart defects and developmental delays; avoid smoking during pregnancy and breastfeeding to prevent low birth weight and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS); avoid areas with Zika virus to prevent microcephaly, other defects, and developmental delays; keep up to date on vaccines, including the chicken pox (varicella) vaccine, before pregnancy; talk to your doctor about stopping your isotretinoin (Accutane) before trying to become pregnant; and talk to your doctor about your medications before pregnancy and before stopping them.
Visit MotherToBaby.org to find a fact sheets on a variety of medications, conditions, and other exposures.
Click here to listen to our podcast on taking medications while pregnant or breastfeeding.
The Baby Your Baby program provides many resources for all pregnant women and new moms in Utah. There is also expert advice from the Utah Department of Health and Intermountain Healthcare that air each week on KUTV 2News.
COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus that was first identified in December in Wuhan, China, has rapidly spread around the world. As of this writing, more than 100,000 cases have been diagnosed worldwide. Cases have been detected in 36 states in the United States. It is likely it will spread to more locations within the U.S., and people have many questions, particularly about children.
There has not been a lot of focus on COVID-19 in children. We are learning more about this new illness every day but can give a pretty good picture of the disease in children.
Jade Elliott sat down with Dr. Andrew Pavia, Chief of the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at the University of Utah and Director of Hospital Epidemiology Program at Primary Children’s Hospital, to discuss COVID-19 on this episode of the Baby Your Baby Podcast.
Is COVID-19 dangerous in children?
COVID-19 appears on average to be much milder in children than it does in healthy adults or in older adults. Of the first 70,000 patients in China diagnosed with COVID-19, only 2.1 percent were children under 19. No children under the age of 9 died according to this report. Only one death was reported in a child age 10-19 years.
Are children getting infected?
Yes. While we don’t know exactly how many children are infected, there are a number of studies where all family members have been tested. These suggest that children are frequently infected, but often have few or no symptoms.
If they are infected but not sick, can they spread the virus that causes COVID-19?
We don’t yet know how often children spread the disease, but we think it is highly likely that infected children can spread COVID-19. With most viral diseases, children are most infectious when they have symptoms since coughing and runny noses help spread droplets with the virus. This is probably true for COVID-19.
What are the symptoms of COVID-19 in children and infants?
Many children have few or no symptoms. Symptoms include fever, runny nose, and dry cough, and occasionally diarrhea. In a few children, this has progressed to shortness of breath. Some of those with progressive symptoms have developed pneumonia. A very small number have required intensive care. As with other viral illnesses in children, most can be treated at home and will do well. At present there are no specific drugs to treat the infection. Drink plenty of fluids. Medications to reduce fever may make your child more comfortable.
Should I get my child or infant tested for COVID-19 if they have a runny nose, fever or cough?
In general testing is not necessary and it is best to avoid visits to a doctor’s office or emergency department if your child has mild or moderate illness. Testing will become more available in the future, but is still largely limited to people who are more severely ill or when knowing the diagnosis will make a difference in treatment or management.
When should I seek care?
You can think of this as you would any cold or flu. If your child has difficulty breathing, is not able to keep down fluids or is very limp or non-responsive you should seek care immediately. There are good sources of information you can use to help you decide. The Utah Department of Health has an information line 800-456-7707. You can also use Intermountain Healthcare’s Connect Care online or through the mobile app.
All Connect Care providers are trained in screening specifically for COVID-19. Connect Care uses a video chat function to be seen by an Intermountain caregiver.
I understand it makes sense to care for my child at home, but how do I protect the family?
First, we should all take precautions to avoid infection in the first place. Wash hands frequently with soap and water or if that’s not an option, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Clean commonly touched surfaces in your house. Stay home when sick and cover your cough with tissue or cough into your elbow.
If someone in the household is sick, all of these steps become even more important, especially paying attention to cleaning your hands after touching the ill person, handling their tissues, etc. In addition, if age-appropriate, the ill person should sleep in a separate bedroom. Avoid sharing household items with the patient. You should not share dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels, bedding, or other items. After the patient uses these items, you should wash them thoroughly. Wash bed sheets and clothing, especially if they have contact with mucus, blood or stool.
What about face masks?
Face masks worn in public do not provide any meaningful protection to healthy people. However, if the person with COVID-19 wears a mask, it helps protect those around them. Caring for a sick child or adult in your house does increase the close exposure. CDC recommends using a face mask if you are cleaning up blood, stool or body fluid such as saliva, sputum, nasal mucus, vomit, or urine.
Are pregnant women at special risk from COVID-19?
In general, pregnant women are at increased risk of infection and severe complications from viral infections like influenza or related coronaviruses, like those that cause SARS and MERS. However, data from COVID-19 patients have not strongly suggested that this is the case for the current situation. While we do not yet know all the ways that COVID-19 affects pregnant women, it is still important for mothers to protect themselves by washing their hands and avoiding people who are sick.
Can a pregnant woman transmit COVID-19 to her child in the uterus?
We have not yet discovered any proof that pregnant women can transmit the COVID-19 virus to babies in the uterus. Scientists and physicians are still studying this to see if it can happen, but for now the risk does not seem high.
Are newborns at special risk from COVID-19?
We still do not know much about young babies with COVID-19 infection, but severe disease seems to be very rare. There are no reported infant deaths from COVID-19.
Should women stop breastfeeding if they have COVID-19?
The COVID-19 virus has not been found in breastmilk from mothers infected with COVID-19. Transmission from a mother with COVID-19 to her baby seems to be more likely by coughing and sneezing. Nevertheless, the decision for a mother with COVID-19 to breastfeed her baby should be discussed with her doctor.
What are some trustworthy sources if I want to know more?
Utah Department of Health information line: 800-456-7707
The Baby Your Baby program provides many resources for all pregnant women and new moms in Utah. There is also expert advice from the Utah Department of Health and Intermountain Healthcare that air each week on KUTV 2News.
Anyone with children knows they tend to get sick, especially this time of year. For parents it can be hard to know when to keep a child home from school and see a doctor, or when they should go to school.
Jade Elliott sat down with Dr. Shellie Ring a pediatrician with Intermountain Healthcare to provide some simple tips to help parents make their decision on this episode of the Baby Your Baby Podcast.
Fever:
A fever is a sign that your child is fighting off an infection that can be either viral or bacterial. Fever can often be treated with ibuprofen or acetaminophen, but do not give your child aspirin. Verify the correct doses on the packaging or with your pediatrician. Your child should be fever- free without medication for 24 hours before being sent back to school.
If your child has a temperature of 101 that does not respond to fever reducing medication, then they should be seen by a medical provider.
Diarrhea or Vomiting:
Viral infections can cause vomiting or diarrhea, and these infections can spread easily. Any time they have those symptoms they should stay home from school. Any time a child has persistent vomiting, fever, or generally appear ill you should contact your pediatrician for advice on managing the illness.
Children should only go back to daycare or school once they have no signs of fever and feel well enough to participate in class.
Sore Throat, Coughs, Colds:
These types of illnesses are the most common with children and it can be tougher to know when to keep them home from daycare or school. If coughing is severe and disrupts learning, then parents should keep their child home. If a fever is associated with any of those symptoms kids should also be kept home.
Rashes:
Illnesses and rashes like chickenpox, measles or hand foot and mouth disease, should be looked at by doctor or school nurse to determine what they are and when they’re no longer contagious. Surprisingly lice, scabies, or ringworm are not reasons to stay home once a child has been treated. Although parents should check with their child’s school or daycare for policies.
If parents need advice, they don’t always have to visit their pediatrician’s office to receive care. In some cases, calling your doctor’s office may be all you need. If you can’t get in to see your doctor, services like ConnectCare or KidCare Clinics are another option for receiving medical care.
Whether a child’s illness keeps them home from school or not it’s always a good time to discuss proper hand hygiene. Regular hand washing especially after using a toilet, coughing, touching pets, or before and after eating are key. Doing so removes germs and helps children avoid getting sick in the first place.
It’s also a good time for parents to make sure their children are current on all vaccines including for the flu.
To listen to the podcast on common daycare illnesses, click here.
The Baby Your Baby program provides many resources for all pregnant women and new moms in Utah. There is also expert advice from the Utah Department of Health and Intermountain Healthcare that air each week on KUTV 2News.
Receiving news of an impending pregnancy loss is devastating. You may experience a variety of emotions and have a lot of questions about what may happen and what to do next. That’s why the Angel Watch program was started more than 20 years ago.
Jade Elliott sat down with Amelia Hopkin, a licensed clinical social worker with Intermountain Healthcare, to explain how the Angel Watch program can help you if you learn that your unborn baby is not expected to live on this episode of the Baby Your Baby Podcast.
How Angel Watch got started
The Angel Watch program was started by two women who saw a need to help support women faced with impending pregnancy loss. In 2000, Intermountain Healthcare took interest and purchased it with the agreement to keep it free of charge and make it available to anyone –not just Intermountain patients – and that outreach would be done in homes. The program has grown beyond the Salt Lake area and is also offered in Utah County, Ogden, St. George and Logan.
Angel Watch is staffed by specially trained social workers and chaplains
Master’s level social workers, nurses, bereavement specialists and chaplains are available on-call to provide home visits when pregnant women receive a diagnosis of impending pregnancy loss.
How do women connect with Angel Watch?
The Angel Watch caregivers receive referrals from doctors, maternal fetal medicine specialist offices, genetic counselors and others familiar with the program, who let them know when a pregnant mom has received news her unborn baby has a life-limiting diagnosis and is interested in these services. These special caregivers work with moms during the transition time when babies are still in utero.
Angel Watch offers in-home services and referrals
Angel Watch services are done primarily in the form of home visits, phone calls, education and providing written materials and referrals to community resources.
Ongoing support provided for two years
We do support for two years following the loss. We can refer to other resources or other families who’ve experienced this at the beginning of the process or later down the road. There is a high risk for perinatal mood and anxiety disorders during and after these experiences. Our goal is to help reduce the trauma associated with this experience. Outcomes can be better for all involved if they get proper support. Parents can learn to model handling loss, so their children can learn how to handle the loss of their potential sibling.
For more information about Angel Watch, click here. You can also call 801-698-4486 or email angelwatch@imail.org.
The Baby Your Baby program provides many resources for all pregnant women and new moms in Utah. There is also expert advice from the Utah Department of Health and Intermountain Healthcare that air each week on KUTV 2News.
For moms that want more specific education classes related to childbirth, Intermountain Hospitals offer a variety of classes by location.
Jade Elliott talks specifics about those classes with Kathy Credille, RN, MSN, with the Intermountain Healthcare Learning Network on this episode of the Baby Your Baby Podcast.
Some of the specialized classes related to childbirth offered at Intermountain Healthcare hospitals include:
Low-intervention childbirth
A basic overview on non-medicated approach. Provides techniques and tools to manage labor and birth process. Requires deeper commitment from partner or coach.
Hypnobirthing
A form of self-hypnosis or meditations that helps you manage contractions. It’s a deeper intervention and requires a deeper commitment from the partner. It’s more focused than a traditional childbirth class.
Breastfeeding Essentials
This class is taught by a lactation specialist or registered nurse and goes deeper into breastfeeding details and addresses challenges. Participants practice with a doll to learn proper positioning. Tips and tricks are taught for making breastfeeding easier. Common breastfeeding problems are addressed such as latching on, nipple problems, clogged milk ducts, mastitis, etc.
Breastfeeding is natural for some women and it’s challenging for some. Success depends not only on the mom, but also on the baby and their abilities. If a baby is born even as little as 3-5 weeks early, they can have challenges.
This class gives you a chance to learn from the pros, i.e. other women who have been through this before and have become experts. It’s usually held on one evening. You can take this class while still pregnant.
Other related classes:
Pre-Natal Exercise – varies by location.
Sibling Class –A new baby is a change for the whole family. How to interact with the baby. Held on one evening.
Postpartum Care Support Group – a regular chance for mew moms to connect and share experiences and offer encouragement.
Baby Care Class – goes deeper than the online classes. How to care for your newborn and what things to watch for.
Baby safety – Covers growth and development. Recognizing illness in your baby or other concerns.
How to sign up for childbirth education classes:
Go to https://intermountainhealthcare.org/ and then your local hospital webpage and click on the classes and events tab. Do a keyword search for birth.
To listen to our podcast about introducing babies to pets, click here.
To listen to our podcast about general childbirth education classes, click here.
The Baby Your Baby program provides many resources for all pregnant women and new moms in Utah. There is also expert advice from the Utah Department of Health and Intermountain Healthcare that air each week on KUTV 2News.
