Parenting is not necessarily second nature, and babies don’t come with instructions. Penn Medicine Princeton Health’s annual Baby Fair works to help fill that void.
The fun-filled, family friendly event, which is free and open to the public, will be held Sunday, October 13, from 12 to 3:30 pm at Princeton Medical Center (PMC) in Plainsboro, N.J.
Attendees can learn helpful tips from Princeton Health educators, discover the many family services available through PMC and Princeton Health, and meet members of the Princeton Health Community Wellness team who can speak about the comprehensive package of childbirth and family education, support services, and lactation consultations they provide. The Baby Fair will also include activities for children, chair massages, door prizes, and refreshments.
“We help parents and soon-to-be parents by offering programs and services to let them feel more confident,” said Debbie Millar, RN, director of Community Wellness. “Our Baby Fair offers families an opportunity to get a first-hand look at what we offer. They can take a maternity tour and get their questions answered by our experts. We also bring in local businesses to showcase their products and services.”
Education is a large part of the Baby Fair. Car seat safety checks are available throughout the day, and new or expecting parents can gain valuable insight at two breakout sessions. (See details below.)
The breakout sessions are free, but attendees must register in advance. Call 1.888.897.8979 or visit PrincetonHCS. org/Calendar. General admission to the Baby Fair does not require registration, but attendees may pre-register for a chance to win a $100 gift card.
“The Baby Fair can be a real confidence builder, and families are encouraged to bring grandparents along for the day,” said Bernadette Flynn-Kelton, RN, health educator and board certified lactation consultant with Community Wellness. “Grandparents can often use a refresher and update on many important safety facts such as sleep, feedings, and how they can assist with the new family.”
The Baby Fair is provided with support from the Central Jersey Family Heath Consortium.
Princeton Health has received The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for perinatal care certification, an advanced designation that recognizes the array of services available through Princeton Health — including expert care for high-risk pregnancies provided by Penn Maternal Fetal Medicine Plainsboro; a NICU that is staffed and managed by board certified neonatologists from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP); and the education and support services provided by Community Wellness.
BREAKOUT SESSIONS
- 1 pm | The First 100 Days. Get a glimpse of life during your first 100 days as a parent. Jessica Flint, LCSW, will be on hand to answer questions and provide insight on adjustment after birth, the family’s role, and support to help you navigate the first days of parenthood.
- 2 pm | The First 100 Hours. What can you expect during your baby’s first 100 hours? Ask Marilyn V. Giorgi, MD, a board certified neonatologist with CHOP who is chief of neonatology at PMC. Since 2009, CHOP neonatologists have provided intensive care to PMC’s tiniest patients in the neonatal unit, while CHOP pediatricians provided inpatient care and consultations on pediatric and adolescent patients in the Emergency Department.