My son turns 8 this month, but I can still vividly remember the days after bringing him home from the hospital when I had SO. MANY. QUESTIONS. I had taken a childbirth class, a breastfeeding class, and read lots of books, but I was still left questioning, “Am I doing this right?” multiple times a day.
Thankfully, like most moms, I got through it, but back then if I knew of a resource that would send a public health nurse to my house to answer my questions, I would have jumped on the opportunity! The nurses at North Shore Mother Visiting Partnership saw a need like this from many area moms and came together in 2017, to found NS MVP.
NS MVP offers one FREE in-home visit from a Public Health Nurse to new parents on the North Shore. There is no insurance criteria to be eligible for this visit and visits are ideally scheduled during the first 6 weeks, but can happen any time during the first year, after bringing an infant home.
5 Ways a FREE Public Health Nurse Visit Can Help New Parents
1. Provide tailored advice based on the unique needs of each family and baby. Topics that can be covered include, but are not limited to breastfeeding, pumping, lack of sleep, anxiety, stress, isolation, weight, adjustment to new role and/or return to work plans.
The nurse may ask questions like, “what has it been like being a new mother,” “tell me about your birth story,” and “what were you hoping to get out of today’s visit?” They let the parent talk as much as they want and guide the conversation. Listening to and supporting parents is one of the main goals of the NS MVP program
2. Offer a hands-on demonstrations of infant CPR. NS MVP nurses will also cover the importance of knowing how to respond in emergencies to ensure infant safety.
3. Provide postpartum depression and anxiety support. If a mother feels they may be suffering from symptoms of postpartum depression or anxiety an NS MVP nurse can help by offering emotional support and resources for mental well-being.
4. Address breastfeeding challenges. For those finding breastfeeding challenging, NS MVP nurses are trained in breastfeeding techniques and troubleshooting. But they understand fed is best and can also provide guidance on nutrition for both baby and mom.
5. Connect parents with community resources. Though NS MVP only schedules one visit per baby they have numerous community resources that they can connect parents with and suggestions for support networks. The visit can be the first step to connecting parents with a much-needed support network as they work to raise their baby. They also can connect parents with free diapers and wipes, if needed.
If you are newly postpartum, pregnant (or know someone who is) you can find more information at NS MVP at www.nsmvp.org or schedule your visit at www.nsmvp.org/requestavisit. Be sure to follow along with NS MVP on Instagram at @northshoremvp and on Facebook @NorthShoreMVP.
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This post is sponsored by North Shore Mother Visiting Partnership but all opinions present are my own.