Going Home

Congratulations! We are happy that you and your newborn are doing well. We want to be sure that your baby gets the best start possible. We understand that you are eager to get home. We want you to know our concerns and the risks of an early discharge.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) defines an early discharge as a stay of 48 hours or less. A very early discharge is a stay of 24 hours or less.

We prefer that you and your baby stay in the hospital for at least 36 hours. This will allow us to check for any problems as your baby adapts to the outside world. We also want to be sure that you recover well and are prepared to take care of yourself and your baby.

What are some concerns and risks with an early discharge?

Breastfeeding success: One goal of your postpartum stay is for your baby to correctly latch and feed well. A major concern with early discharge is the lack of support to breastfeeding moms. Babies who go home early have been found to have less of a chance of breastfeeding success. Our nurses and lactation specialists can give you extra support while you are in the hospital.

Weight loss: We expect all babies to lose some weight in the first few days of life, but if the weight loss is too much, your baby is at risk for dehydration and malnutrition. We check your baby’s weight each day. If we find your baby is losing too much weight, our feeding support specialists can offer guidance.

Other GI (stomach/intestine) issues: Most babies will pass meconium (first bowel movement) in the first 24 hours. If the passage of meconium is delayed, it can be a sign of blockage in theintestine, or other GI problem. Your baby must pass meconium before discharge.

Cardiac (heart) Issues: Most heart defects will show symptoms in the first 24 hours, or are picked up by our pulse oximeter cardiac screen. However, a few heart defects will not show until the ductus arteriosus closes. The ductus arteriosus is a blood vessel outside of the heart. It is needed before your baby is born as it allows blood to bypass the lungs. This vessel usually closes on its own within the first 24 hours after delivery, but sometimes it is after 24 hours. When the ductus closes, a previously undetected heart defect may be seen.

Infection: Babies may get an infection during labor or delivery. Your baby’s risk is higher if you are a carrier of group B Streptococcus, your water bag broke more than 12 hours before birth, you had a fever, or your baby was born before 37 weeks. Most babies with an infection will show signs in the first 24 hours but some do not appear ill until 36 to 48 hours. We use a special screening tool that looks at these factors to calculate the risk of infection for your baby.

Jaundice: Jaundice (a yellow color to the baby’s skin and eyes) is common. Bilirubin naturally rises in the first three to five days of life and then declines. If baby’s level is too high, treatment with phototherapy (a special light) is needed to prevent brain injury. We check your baby’s bilirubin levels each day. If your baby is discharged early, it is possible to miss a significant rise.

Newborn Metabolic Screening: State metabolic screening is done at 24 hours. If we collect the blood sample prior to 24 hours, the chance of finding a significant metabolic problem is compromised. For this reason, we will not discharge a baby less than 24 hours of age.

If you still want to go home in LESS THAN 36 HOURS, the criteria below must be met:

1. Your baby’s infection risk score is less than 0.7.
2. Metabolic screen blood test collected at 24 hours.
3. Pulse oximetry heart screening passed at 24 hours.
4. Baby has at least one urine and bowel movement.
5. First hearing screen done; outpatient repeat screen made if needed.
6. Bilirubin screen is in low or low intermediate risk zone.
7. Weight loss is no more than 6% at 24 hours.
8. A visit has been made with your pediatrician for the next day. 

Below is a list of medicines and their common uses and side effects. Please take your medicines as prescribed by your care provider.  Most medicines should be taken with a full glass of water, unless instructed otherwise. Be sure to discuss the risks and benefits of any medicine you take while breastfeeding with your provider. If you are worried about any side effects or allergy to any of your medicines, please contact your care provider or seek emergency care if needed.

                                                                                                                Patient and Family Education Committee 5/2021

Postpartum illness, which includes depression, is more common than you might think. It is a real medical condition that affects 20% of new mothers. Visit the Postpartum Stress Center, for a downloadable patient information sheet.

If you are having thoughts of hurting yourself or your baby, take action now.
Put your baby in a safe place, like a crib. Call a friend or family member to help and call 911 or have someone take you to the nearest emergency room.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (24-hour hotline)
1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)
TTY: 1-800-799-4TTY (1-800-799-4889)

Doylestown Crisis Center (24-hour hotline)
215-345-2273

Lenape Valley Foundation Crisis Service (24-hour hotline)
1-800-499-7455

Websites for More Information:
Postpartum Support International
www.postpartumsupport.net

National Women’s Health Information Center
https://www.womenshealth.gov/mental-health/illnesses/postpartum-depression.html

Medline Plus
https://medlineplus.gov/postpartumdepression.html

• Hold your baby in skin-to-skin care as much as possible

   

  

   

• Practice hand expression at every feeding. Doing this for the first 3 days can help increase milk supply.
• Avoid bottles and pacifiers until milk supply is established or about 3 weeks.

Baby-Led Feeding

• Keep baby in your room with you to learn their feeding cues.
• Watch for early signs of hunger.

  Your baby may be sleepy during the first 24 hours, and then they will nurse at least eight to 12 times a day.

• “Cluster-feeding” is normal especially on the second and third nights after birth.

• There is no need to limit how long or how often baby feeds. Let your baby lead the way.

• Offer both breasts at each feeding. This will increase your baby’s intake and boost supply.

Breastfeed “8 or more in 24”
The more frequently you nurse, the more milk you make!

Free Support Through Doylestown Health

Join our private Facebook group:

Doylestown Health Breastfeeding and Pumping Moms

*You must answer the questions to join.

Join our FREE weekly support group meetings:

Breastfeeding Mothers’ Group

• In Person meeting every Wednesday from 10-11am in the Morel Family Foundation Center for Prenatal Care on the ground floor Art Walk. Come get your baby weighed and meet other mothers!
• Virtual Zoom meetings every Thursday from 10-11am

For more information, contact Jean Krauss: jkrauss3@dh.org or 215.345.2679

Postpartum Mothers’ Group

Virtual Zoom meetings on Saturday mornings at 10 am  

Email Marlene at: mrosenblum@dh.org for link to the Zoom meeting

Join our private Facebook group:

Doylestown Health Postpartum Mothers’ Group

Clinical Outpatient Lactation Care (unaffiliated with Doylestown Health)

www.pro-lc.org  or www.uslca.org  (Find a Lactation Consultant)

Peer-to-Peer Volunteer Counseling

(unaffiliated with Doylestown Health)

215.572.8044 BRC Community Counselors (leave a voice message)

Helpful Websites

• www.kellymom.com
• www.firstdroplets.com
• www.infantrisk.com

Stimulation of the breasts by breastfeeding or using a breast pump often during the first few days and weeks is vital to establishing an ample supply of breastmilk.

Get off to a Good Start

Pumping eight or more times per day tells your breasts that they need to start producing milk, just as if your baby was breastfeeding. Use a double pump kit. This stimulates your milk supply better than pumping each breast individually.

We recommend that you use a hospital-grade breast pump when you pump. It is the only type that is designed to start your milk supply when you are not breastfeeding yet.

Pump for about 15 minutes each time. When the milk stops flowing do some hand massage and expression to remove the remaining milk. Rotate your hands around the breast to empty all areas.

Pump Regularly

Continue to pump eight or more times per day, about every two to three hours while you are awake.

Your sessions do not have to be on a set schedule, pump whenever you can. If you miss a session, pump more often later in the day. If possible, pump 10-12 times, especially during the first one to two weeks.

When you visit your baby, use the breast pumps in the NICU so you won’t miss a session. Bring your own pumping kit with you.

Pump Like a Baby Feeds

Start pumping using the initiate program until you are expressing 20 mL for three sessions. Then change to maintain program. Adjust suction strength until as high as comfortable. It should not be painful.

Massage Your Breasts While Pumping

Massage can make a great difference in how much milk you get while pumping. For more details on how to do breast massage while pumping, view the video http://newborns.stanford.edu/Breastfeeding/MaxProduction.html

Massage until the milk stops flowing, then compress or gently squeeze the breast to remove even more.

To have one hand free while pumping, you can use one hand to hold both flanges, or purchase a hands-free pumping bra or make one using a sports bra.

Courtesy of nativemothering.com

Stimulate Your Let-Down Reflex

Let-down is when the milk is flowing easily. Stress is a major problem for your let-down reflex and is common with new mothers. Here are some helpful hints:

• Hold your baby skin-to-skin
• Massage your breasts
• Look at a picture of your baby, smell baby smells, hold a baby toy, or think of holding your baby
• Relax your shoulders, do neck rolls
• Close your eyes and think about your baby when pumping. Don’t watch the amount of milk in the bottles
• Listen to relaxing music, sounds of ocean waves, or recorded sounds of your baby
• Eat and drink something while pumping
• Get a back massage
• Drink plenty of fluids
• Wear a rice sock around your neck or lay it over your breasts while pumping

Make Sure that Your Flange Fits

You will know it fits if:

• Your nipple stretches easily in the flange
• Only the nipple is pulled into the flange, none of the areola
• Your breast empties all over with no lumps or unemptied pockets of milk
• There is gentle motion of your breast tissue outside the flange during each suction cycle
• There is no pain, only a tugging sensation. There is no compression ring or blanched skin around the areola.

Watch what happens during a pumping session. Your nipple size may change during a pumping session, or over the weeks that you use a breast pump. There are larger flanges sizes available if you find that yours is too tight.

Herbal Remedies for Milk Supply

There are herbs that seem to increase milk supply. Herbs are still drugs, so please talk with your doctor before taking herbs. Two herbal supplements that seem to increase milk supply when taken together are fenugreek and blessed thistle. These are the dosages:

• Fenugreek: 3 capsules three times a day
• Blessed Thistle: 3 capsules three times a day

  Since herbal remedies are not standardized, it is hard to know how much of the active ingredient you are taking. Fenugreek should be fresh. It should have a strong odor when you open the container. Fenugreek has a distinct maple syrup smell that you will smell on your skin.

  For more info: nbci.ca  or drjacknewman.com   

Fill a clean sock with uncooked rice and tie it shut. Some people add scents such as lavender or chamomile to aid in relaxation. Heat the sock in the microwave for a minute or two. Make sure it does not get too hot. Wear it around your neck or lay over your breasts. These are also available in stores.

The Following Can Reduce Breastmilk Supply:

• Smoking
• Birth control pills containing estrogen during first six weeks
• Decongestants/antihistamines
• Severe weight loss diets
• Excessive amounts of peppermint or sage

Keep a Milk Log

Keep track of your progress on a pumping log. It will let you know if you are pumping the expected amount or if you need to do more pumping to keep an ample breastmilk supply.

Lactation Consultant

Seek help from a lactation consultant. They can give you advice based on your unique situation.

To find a Lactation Consultant: www.uslca.org

Information & Photos from Lactation Education Resource 2022

Form #637-057 Patient & Family Education Committee 9/2022

Reasons for Supplementing

• Baby is born preterm (less than 37 weeks).
• Baby’s birth weight less than 5 pounds, 5 ounces.
• Baby is not latching.
• Baby is not sucking when latched.
• Baby is sleepy and older than 24 hours.
• Baby is jaundiced and not breastfeeding often enough.
• Baby’s weight loss is more than 10% of birth weight.
• Doctor ordered for a medical reason.

Plan of Care

1. Hold your baby skin to skin as much as possible and during all breastfeedings.
2. Attempt to feed your baby at the breast every two to three hours.

• Goal is to feed for 20-30 minutes on the first breast.
• Offer the second breast but don’t worry if baby doesn’t feed for long.
• If baby is fussy, try soothing for five minutes and try at breast again.
• If baby doesn’t latch after attempting for 10 minutes, feed expressed milk.
  1. Pump with a double-electric breast pump.

• Pump every two-and-a-half to three hours for 15 minutes.
• Goal is eight or more in 24 hours.
• Save what is pumped, even if only drops, and feed to baby.

Guidelines for Supplementing 

• Always use your breast milk first and then give formula if needed to reach supplement amount.
• Supplement with formula only if the amount of breastmilk expressed is less than the amount needed.
• Feed breastmilk first then complete the feeding with formula if needed.
• Do not mix formula with breastmilk.
• After every breastfeeding, feed your baby the amounts according to your baby’s gestational age, weight, and day of age. If your baby’s doctor instructs you to give a different amount after each feeding, follow their instructions.
• Follow up with your healthcare provider for further feeding evaluation and plan.

When a breastfed infant needs a supplement for a medical reason, it can be given in a way that can avoid breast refusal. Babies can be safely fed by tube, cup, spoon, finger, and bottle.

Spoon Feeding or Cup Feeding

Equipment

• Teaspoon or small cup
• Breastmilk or formula

Technique

• Fill spoon/cup not more than ¾ full
• Place at baby’s lip with the milk level at the edge of the spoon cup
• Allow infant to lap or sip
• Leave spoon/cup in place. Remove only to refill
• Let the infant pace the feeding
• Watch for swallowing and signs of too fast or slow milk flow
• Do not pour milk into infant’s mouth
• Stop to burp from time to time
• Do not use this technique for an infant who is not alert, is sleepy, or too ill

Finger Feeding

Equipment

• Feeding tube or feeding syringe
• Breastmilk or formula

Technique

• Wash hands with soap and water
• Fill syringe with breastmilk or formula
• Insert your largest finger (pad up) slowly into the roof of infant’s mouth
• Slip the feeding tube or syringe in the corner of the infant’s mouth
• When infant sucks, gently press on syringe plunger to give a small amount of milk
• Some infants may be able to suck the milk from the syringe
• The infant should always control the flow
• Watch for swallowing signs of too fast or too slow milk flow

Supplementing Feeding at the Breast

Equipment

• Feeding tube with syringe or feeding syringe
• Breastmilk or formula

Technique

• Place infant at breast
• Help the infant latch on
• Fill syringe with breastmilk or formula
• Slip feeding tube or syringe into corner of infant’s mouth
• When infant sucks, gently press on syringe plunger to give a small amount of milk. Some infants may be able to suck the milk from the syringe.
• Watch for the swallowing and signs of too fast or slow milk flow

Paced Bottle Feeding

Which sounds more appealing to you?

• Eating your food so quickly that you end up overfull with indigestion
• Eating at a pace that lets you to take frequent breaks to actually enjoy your meal

Hopefully, you’ve chosen to enjoy your meal! Like an adult who eats too fast, a baby who drinks too quickly from a bottle may feel overwhelmed.

Signs of a bottle-feeding baby being overwhelmed include:

• Flared nostrils
• Grimacing
• Stiffening of arms and legs
• Milk that spills from the corner of baby’s mouth
• Pulling away from the bottle nipple

When baby is in a reclined position with the bottle held upright, it may look like your baby is very hungry as he/she gulps. The baby may actually be trying to swallow quickly to avoid choking. This can be unsafe for baby. Paced bottle feeding helps to slow the feeding. Baby can then comfortably suck, swallow, and breathe with ease. This allows the baby to be in control of the feeding.

Equipment

• Slow flow nipple
• Breastmilk or formula

Technique

• Hold infant almost upright
• Hold the bottle level to floor with the nipple filled halfway with milk. Holding the bottle this way helps slow the flow.
• Encourage the infant to open mouth. Place the nipple deep into infant’s mouth. Infant’s lips should be at the base of the nipple.
• The feeding should take 15-10 minutes. If infant drinks too fast, tip the bottle down or remove bottle to slow the flow.
• Burp your infant once or twice during feeding.
• Do not worry about your infant swallowing air. All infants swallow air when breathing, crying, and feeding.
• Mothers can hold the infant cheek to breast while feeding.
• The type of bottle or shape of nipple is not important. Just make sure the nipple is deep in baby’s mouth.

Correct

Incorrect

Information and photos from Lactation Education Resources except where indicated: https://www.lactationtraining.com/35-articles/home/142-parent-handouts

Form 637-059   9.2022 - Patient & Family Education Committee 9/2022

What Is Tongue-tie?

Your baby has a tongue-tie (also called tight frenulum or ankyloglossia). The frenulum is the small band of tissue under the tongue. When a baby is tongue-tied, the frenulum extends out to the tip of the tongue (or near the tip). This restricts how the tongue moves and makes it harder for the baby to stick the tongue out.

Sometimes you can see a tongue-tie when a baby tries to stick out the tongue. The tip of the tongue might make a slight heart or “W” shape because of the tongue-tie. You can often feel a tongue-tie when you put a finger under the tongue.

About 4% to 10% of babies are tongue-tied. It is more common in boys. Only 25% of those babies require frenotomy in the first few weeks of life because of maternal sore nipples and poor latch, resulting in poor weight gain.

Can I Breastfeed if my Baby Has Tongue-tie?

To properly latch onto the breast, your baby must be able to stick out the tongue. If your baby cannot stick the tongue out far enough to help with milking, the gums will rub against breast tissue and pinch the nipple. This can make breastfeeding painful and can cause sore, cracked, and/or bleeding nipples after a few days of breastfeeding.

If your baby cannot bring the tongue forward far enough to cover the lower gum and lower lip, it will be hard to completely empty the breast. When a baby does not get enough milk, it can affect how he or she grows and develops. Breastfeeding is a supply and demand process. If your baby is not taking enough milk from the breast, the milk supply may decrease.

If you are having problems with breastfeeding after being discharged home, talk to your pediatrician or lactation consultant.

Are There Other Problems with a Tongue-tie Later in Childhood?

Depending on how bad the tongue-tie is, your baby might have dental problems. It is common. This is because the tongue sweeps the mouth to remove food particles and spread saliva. With a tongue-tie, there is a higher risk of cavities, gum disease (gingivitis), and bad breath (halitosis). A child with a tongue-tie is often a messy eater and may also have stomach problems. Rarely, your baby can have speech articulation problems. This usually happens with very severe tongue-tie.

What Is a Frenotomy or Frenulotomy?

A frenotomy is a simple procedure done by a doctor to fix a tongue-tie. During the procedure, the baby must be held still. This can be done by a parent, doctor, or other healthcare provider. Your baby will likely be more upset about being held tightly than about having the procedure done. A pair of small, sharp scissors is used to make a very small cut (incision) in the frenulum. The frenulum is then pushed back with sterile gauze. Oral sucrose is offered ruing the procedure to help relieve discomfort related to this procedure. Slight bleeding is often noticed just around the time of the procedure and is relieved with pressing gauze against the site.

If you are breastfeeding, it is a good idea to latch your baby onto the breast right after the procedure. The sucking helps stop the bleeding. Most babies are fine right after the procedure is done. There is no need for recovery time. Your baby can breastfeed right away after the procedure.

In rare circumstances, frenotomy complications may occur, such as severe or persistent bleeding (thick posterior tongue-tie that contains lots of vessels, family history of bleeding illness, Vitamin K deficiency), injury to the tongue, injury of the salivary glands, and partial division of the frenulum. All of these injuries can be avoided by using our new protected Slot Retractor/Depressor device.

After a Frenotomy, How Do I Care for My Baby?

As the frenulum heals, it may look like white or yellow plaque under the tongue. This is normal. The cut will heal fast and may look diamond-shaped.

As discussed, the baby’s breastfeeding will improve right away after frenotomy.

If your baby does not move the tongue enough after a frenotomy, it can heal back together again. To help prevent his from happening, sweep your finger under your baby’s tongue before every other feeding. Do this for one to three weeks to make sure it does not seal back together.

If it seems like your baby’s tongue-tie is starting to seal together:

1. Press in the center of the wound (this may cause slight bleeding)

   or

2. Put both of your index fingers under your baby’s tongue (one on each side of the frenotomy) and push the tongue up. You should be able to see a diamond-shaped cut.

If you are breastfeeding, feed your baby right away after doing either of these steps to help stop bleeding.

This material is for information purposes only. If you have questions, speak with your doctor or appropriate healthcare provider.

Patient and Family Education Committee 9/2020

Nipple shields are a tool that may help breastfeeding. Your lactation consultant will recommend when they may be helpful, how long to use them, and how to stop using them.

Indications for Use:

• Preterm baby
• Small baby
• Baby with weak suck
• Baby unable to maintain a latch
• Flat or inverted nipples
• Severely damaged nipples
• Wean a baby from a bottle to the breast

Goal: Wean from the shield when possible

The Pros:

• Encourages baby to feed at the breast
• Helps teach baby latching-on technique
• Allows a baby with a weak suck to maintain a latch and get more milk
• Protects severely damaged nipples

The Cons:

• Barrier between you and your baby
• Reduces stimulation to the breast that may decrease milk supply
• Baby may prefer the shield

Important Steps

• Hand express for a few minutes before or after every feeding to stimulate milk supply.
• When used for latching problems, try to latch your baby to the breast naturally before or during each feeding. If not successful, try again the next feeding. Be patient, your baby is learning.

Discharge Plan when Nipple Shield is Used

• Continue hand expression until your breast milk is well established (three to four weeks) and your baby is gaining weight.
• Keep track of wet and soiled diapers to make sure baby is getting enough milk. From day 5 and onward, your baby should have at least six wet diapers per day.
• Schedule weight check appointments with your baby’s healthcare provider. Baby should gain 5 to 7 ounces a week.
• Contact outpatient lactation consultant for help with weaning from the shield or maintaining milk supply at www.pro-lc.org.

Caution: Never cut the shield to wean the baby from it. The sharp edges may harm the baby.

How to Apply the Shield:

• Fold the shield back about ½ way down the shaft of the shield.
• Stretch and place over your nipple.
• Roll the shield back onto the breast so your nipple is pulled into the shield.
• Latch your baby by tipping his head back, touch the shield above the upper lip and allow baby to open wide and take a deep latch.
• Assure your baby’s lips are at the base on the shield, not slipping back and forth.

•  If you pre-fill the shield with milk, your baby will be instantly rewarded and encouraged to suck.

Cleaning Instructions

• Wash shield after each use with warm water and dish soap.
• Disinfect once a day by boiling or using a Micro-Steam bag.
• Store in clean, dry container.

Please be aware that the information provided is intended solely for general educational and informational purposes only. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your healthcare provider for any questions you may have regarding your or your infant’s medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have received in this information.

Form # 637-017 9.2022 Courtesy of Lactation Education Resources 2021 Patient & Family Education Committee 9/2022

• Positioning: Make sure your baby’s whole body is facing the breast. Use pillows to help position your baby and so you are comfortable.
• Latch:  Make a breast sandwich to help your baby get a deep latch.
• Expressed colostrum or milk: Massage onto your nipple after feeding. Air-dry your nipples for a few minutes.
• Airing: Leave nipples exposed to the air after feedings.
• Lanolin: Massage a small amount on the nipple after feeding. Air-dry your nipples. Lanolin does not need to be washed off before feeding.
• Breast Shells: Wear in your bra between feedings and during waking hours.
• Salt Solution: Add ½ teaspoon salt to one cup of boiled water. Cool and apply to gauze pad. Place gauze pad on nipple in bra with nursing pad for 15-20 minutes after feeding.
• Avoid bottles and pacifiers for three to four weeks.
• CAUTION: Only use a nipple shield as instructed.
• CAUTION: Do NOT use Vitamin E on your nipples.
• Help: Contact a Lactation Consultant for an outpatient consult if your pain does not improve in a few days.
• Pain Medicine: Most pain medicines are safe while breastfeeding. Check with your doctor.

 Form #637-018

9.2022

Patient & Family Education Committee 9/2022

If breastfeeding is too painful, pumping to heal is an option. The suction from the pump will sustain your milk supply while you take a break from latching the baby. Pumping in place of feeding for the next one to five days will allow your nipples to heal.

1. Pump to Protect Your Milk Supply

Option 1: Pumping on a schedule:

Pump every two to three hours throughout the day and night. Take one longer stretch over night so you can get some sleep.

Sample schedule:

4 am, 6 am, 9 am, 12 pm, 3 pm, 6 pm, 9 pm, 11 pm

Pump both breasts. Start on a low setting and gradually turn the suction up. If it hurts, turn it back down a notch.

Option 2: Pump whenever the baby feeds:

Every time the baby shows hunger cues, offer a bottle using Paced Feeding Technique (or finger-feed) and then pump right afterwards.

*Be sure to pump at least eight to 12 times in 24 hours.

2. Store Your Milk

Save your pumped milk for the next feeding.

Refer to your Postpartum and Newborn Care booklet for Breastmilk Storage.

3. Practice Latching and Continue Skin to Skin

Continue to do Skin to Skin as much as possible.

If possible, you may want to practice nursing your baby once a day to keep them acclimated to the breast.

4. See a Lactation Consultant

Contact a lactation consultant to get help to return to breastfeeding once your nipples have healed. You can find a lactation consultant at USLCA.org.

Form # 637-022

9.2022

Patient & Family Education Committee 9/2022

Where to Get Your Baby Car Seat Checked in Bucks and Montgomery Counties
About 82% of Car Seats in Bucks County Are Not Used or Installed Correctly!
Schedule Your Appointment for Car Seat Education and Installation.

ALL SITES REQUIRE APPOINTMENTS

Quakertown Borough Police Department
35 N. Third Street
Quakertown, PA 18951
Officer Mario Cabrera
215-536-5002, ext. 5812
mcabrera@quakertown.org 

Lower Southampton Township Police Department
#1500 Desire Avenue
Feasterville, PA 19053
215-357-7300
To schedule an appointment, email Sgt. Christopher Koehnlein at CKoehnlein@lstwp.org 

Warrington Township Department of Emergency Services
852 Easton Road
Warrington, PA 18976
Jackie Wilson
215-997-7501, ext. 302
Available Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday from 7 am to 3 pm 

Middletown Police Department
3 Municipal Way
Langhorne, PA 19047
215-750-3876
mrobison@mtpd.org 

Upper Makefield Police Department
1076 Eagle Road
Newtown, PA 18940
Officer Mary Kate Huff
Call 215-968-3020 or email at UMTPD7236@gmail.com 

Plumstead Township Police Department
5186 Stump Road
Pipersville, PA 18947
Officer Tom Rutecki
215-766-8741 

Tri-Hampton Rescue Squad
140 Township Road
Richboro, PA 18954
Jay Colella
Call 215-357-0473 or email carseat@tri-hampton.org 

Montgomery County Health Department
www.montcopa.org/1132/Car-Seat-Checks (fill out form on site first, then email carseat@montcopa.org) 

For more information on car seat safety, check out the following websites:
www.pakidstravelsafe.org
www.pasafekids.org
www.safercar.gov/parent/#
www.nhtsa.gov

Safety

A Woman’s Place, 24-hour Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-220-8116
Auto Safety: 1-800-Car-Belt (227-2358)
Safe Kids: Washington, D.C. 1-202-662-0600

Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-7233

PA Department of Health Resources 1-877-PA-HEALTH
Healthy Baby Line: 1-800-986-BABY
Healthy Kids Line: 1-800-986-KIDS
Special Kids Network: 1-800-986-4550
Lead Information Line: 1-800-440-LEAD

Tobacco Quit Line: 1-877-724-1090

Children’s Partnership
Child Abuse Prevention Hotline: 1-800-4-A-CHILD

Poison Control 1-800-222-1222

Poison Control (outside of the 215 area code) 1-800-722-7112

Postpartum Depression Support
Lenape Valley Crisis Center: 215-345-2273
Lenape Valley Mental Health: 1-800-499-7455
Postpartum Support International
www.postpartum.net
1-800-944-4773

Websites

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: www.nhsta.gov
Baby Care: www.babycenter.com
American Academy of Pediatrics for Parents: www.healthychildren.org
Safety: www.cpsc.gov/safety-education
Safety for Children: www.safekids.org
Safe Travel/Car Seat Information: www.pakidstravelsafe.org

Birth Certificate and Social Security Numbers

You will receive a souvenir birth certificate from the hospital. This is not an official birth certificate.

The official birth certificate information is sent to the Pennsylvania Department of Vital Statistics. The state birth certificate will be mailed directly to your home. It may take up to three months to receive your baby’s official birth certificate. If you need additional copies of the certificate, you can write to the following address:

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Department of Health
Box 1528
New Castle, PA 16130
Birth Certificates - 1-844-228-3516
www.health.state.pa.us

After the birth certificate is completed, the state sends all the information to the social security administration. It takes an additional month for your baby’s social security number to arrive at your home. You do not need to complete any other forms to receive your baby’s social security number.

If the mother of the baby is not married to the father, Pennsylvania law requires the mother to complete a paternity acknowledgement form or disclaimer. Please see the unit clerk if you need further information regarding paternity acknowledgement.

For help or translation of Paternity form, call the Bureau of Child Support Enforcement at 1-800-932-0211.

Form # 631-048 Maternity 5.2021