As the former heads of Edward Hospital’s prenatal education program, registered nurses Terry Parker and Jean Nass nurtured expectant mothers until delivery. Once the babies arrived, however, these supportive relationships came to an abrupt halt, even though Parker and Nass knew the challenges for first-time moms were only just beginning.
In response to these challenges, Parker and Nass developed a program called Cradle Talk. Their goal was to provide new mothers with the opportunity to share experiences and helpful hints as well as meet other new moms in a comfortable, welcoming environment.
“New moms constantly call their pediatricians with questions that are monumental to them, but easy for us to answer,” says Parker.
“Cradle Talk [was created] to fulfill the special needs . . . families have for companionship and education,” says Connie Hardy, director of the hospital’s Women’s and Children’s Services. “Through the program, they are able to gain the information they need to raise their children as well as make friends and form playgroups.”
Since it began two years ago, the free program consistently has welcomed about 50 participants per week. Program participants and their children are divided into two groups: newborns to 3-month-olds and 3- to 6-month-olds.
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The classes begin with question-and-answer sessions on such topics as feeding and sleeping habits, developmental milestones and safety. A guest speaker then makes a presentation in his or her area of expertise, anything from nutrition to allergies to wills and estate and financial planning. A lactation consultant also visits once each month to answer questions.
“The interaction with other new moms is invaluable,” says participant Laura Harriman. “I found out about a lot of good products and got suggestions that I never would have found in any of my parenting books.”
“Having the mom/baby nurses there was so helpful,” adds Harriman. “They were very good about knowing when to give me suggestions and when to tell me that I truly needed to call my pediatrician.”
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To find out more about the Cradle Talk program in Naperville, call 630-527-3957.