Mother and baby care at Doylestown Health
From the moment you step into the VIA Maternity Center, our supportive mother-baby nursing staff will provide you with personalized care, with the same nurse assigned to both you and your baby. Our philosophy is to care for mothers and babies together and provide care at the bedside whenever possible.
The first hour after birth, sometimes called the golden hour, is an important time for the transition of the baby to life outside the womb. We recommend staying skin-to-skin for at least one hour or until after the first feeding. Some babies will actually crawl to find the breast and latch on their own. Skin-to-skin benefits all mothers and babies whether you are planning to breastfeed or not.
Skin-to-skin contact is not just for the hour after birth. When establishing breastfeeding in the early days, it is the first step to help babies learn to nurse. Partners can bond skin-to-skin with their babies as well.
Mothers and babies belong together as much as possible, and our family-centered care model helps you learn to care for your baby. Research shows that rooming in helps you connect with your baby, facilitates skin-to-skin contact, and provides opportunities to learn normal newborn behavior and feeding cues.
At our VIA Maternity Center, new parents are taught safe sleep practices that you will be encouraged to continue at home. By participating in your baby’s care from diapering to soothing, you build confidence as you get ready to go home with your newborn.
Before you move to your postpartum room, a nurse will complete a full newborn assessment. This includes measuring your baby’s weight and length and giving routine newborn medications.
Your baby will be securely identified with matching ID bracelets, and you’ll receive a keepsake copy of your baby’s footprints. Rooming in is encouraged so you can spend time together, but the well-baby nursery is available when a procedure is needed or based on your family’s needs.
Before you go home, you’ll need to choose a pediatric care provider. Your care team will review follow-up plans and help ensure a smooth transition to care at home.
From birth through discharge, your baby is cared for by pediatricians and neonatologists affiliated with Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). CHOP specialists are available around the clock to provide routine newborn care, answer parent questions, attend deliveries when needed, and support babies who require additional medical attention.