Safety: Newborn Protection Practices

The safety and security of your newborn are important concerns, which we share with you.

In the Hospital

• If you have any concerns regarding the safety/security of you or your newborn, or know of situations that may jeopardize the safety/security of you or your newborn, speak to the staff immediately.
• Nursery doors are secured to limit access. Authorized staff are always present when a newborn is in the nursery.
• A newborn may leave the nursery or mother’s room accompanied by the mother or authorized staff with a special hospital identification badge specific to the obstetrics units.
• In addition to the identification badges, an electronic patient protection system has also been installed. While your infant is in the hospital, he/she will wear a small tag around the ankle. This (Hugs) tag provides protection to your infant at all times. If anyone tries to remove the tag, or take your infant through a protected exit without permission, an alarm will sound at the nurses' station. The tag is fully waterproof and won't cause skin irritations.
• Always know where your baby is going, what is being done, who is taking your newborn and when he/she will be returned to you. You may go with you newborn whenever you wish.
• Be sure you know the nurse assigned to you and your newborn.
• Fathers/significant others have 24-hour visitation when unit accommodations can be made. Family and friends may visit in your room 11:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Children may not stay overnight.
• Mother and newborn are identified at delivery through a special set of identification bands. The bands must remain on through discharge. They are checked for matching information every time you and your newborn are reunited. If you notice the bands are loose or missing, please tell your nurse.
• When rooming-in with your newborn, you must be able to respond to and care for your newborn. Your bed is left in a low position and your bed side rails are up as needed. Your nurse call bell is kept within reach—please use it whenever you need assistance. A bulb syringe is always in the crib. A dim light is left on at night when your newborn is in your room.
• Your newborn must be in someone’s arm or in the crib when in your room—he/she must never left alone on your bed/chair. You must not sleep in bed with your newborn.
• Your newborn must always be positioned on back or side, never on his or her stomach.
• Your newborn must never be left alone in your room and must always be kept in mother’s/mother’s designee’s direct line-of-sight and hearing. Mother’s designee cannot be another patient. When this is not possible, return your newborn to the nursery.
• Newborns should never be carried outside the mother’s room or nursery. They should always be transported in a crib. Do not take your newborn off the unit.

Going Home

As you are going home, the Adam Walsh Center recommends:

• Avoid the use of outdoor decorations to announce your newborn’s arrival, such as balloons, floral wreaths, wooden storks and other lawn ornaments.
• Do not allow anyone you don’t know into your home without proper identification. If you did not know about the visit in advance or have any questions, do not allow that person into your home.
• If you choose to have your newborn’s birth announcement published in the newspaper, it should not include your last name or address.