Baptist-DeSoto hosts Baby Fair

Baptist Memorial Hospital-DeSoto Saturday hosted another of its annual Baby Fair events inside the hospital to give mothers-to-be and new moms vital information and material.  

Obstetricians, pediatricians and other child health care experts were available to answer questions and provide important, useful tips. 

Among the items offered were car seat and seat belt safety, how to have a healthy pregnancy, infant CPR, breastfeeding, lactation support services and more. 

A photo booth was on site and free gifts and giveaways from Baptist-DeSoto and local vendors were available.  

Lori Porter, Mother/Baby and Nursery Nurse Manager at Baptist-DeSoto, said representatives from First Regional Library, a diaper bank and other community services were also on hand.  

“We’re doing tours of our maternity area, infant CPR, information about infant safety once you take your baby home, and feeding information for your baby,” Porter said. “I feel like the more information you have on how to care for your baby, the more comfortable you are when you take them home. So it’s good to have that knowledge background instead of just being thrown right into it. 

Porter pointed out the hospital is available for any needs a mother may have once baby arrives and comes home.  

“If they need lactation assistance or any kind of further education. We’re available for that as well,” Porter said. “We have an obstetrical emergency room, which is staffed with an OBGYN 24/7 that will see patients for any type of obstetrical emergency. So we always have a doctor here to see those patients.”

Experts say mothers-to-be should remember to have regular check-ups, a balanced nutrition diet, drink plenty of water to stay hydrated, engage in safe exercise and avoid harmful substances. Once a baby is born, moms should remember to rest and recover, eat a healthy diet, accept help from family and friends, and follow doctor’s orders about other areas of care for the mother and baby.