Resources For Parents
Now that your new baby is home with you, a whole new set of questions may come up for you in the days, weeks and months ahead. This page has some great information and resources for parents of newborns and infants. If you work for a company that employs over 25 people you may be eligible for protected family leave from work under the Oregon Family Leave Act (OFLA) or the federal Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
Find more information about the OFLA and the FMLA in the link below:
Oregon Family Leave Act (OFLA)
“Besides the nutritional and health benefits, breastfeeding offers increased bonding between mother and baby. Breastfeeding can be hard, and it takes a village of support.”
– Ashley Pittam, Public Health Nurse/Lactation Consultant
Nutrition
Your nutrition is important postpartum, too — especially if you are breastfeeding. There are a lot of great programs to support your healthy diet in the weeks and months ahead.
WIC
WIC is a nutrition education program that helps pregnant women, new mothers, and young children learn how to eat well and stay healthy. WIC works to improve the health and nutrition of women and children during critical years of a child’s development.
You can fill out this easy form and be contacted directly from your local WIC office.
DHS
The Department of Health and Human Services can help with food. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as food stamps) provides nutritional assistance benefits to children and families, the elderly, the disabled, unemployed and working families.
SNAP helps supplement monthly food budgets of families with low-income to buy the food they need to maintain good health and allow them to direct more of their available income toward essential living expenses.
Visit this page to apply for SNAP benefits, childcare support, and cash assistance.
“A nutritious, well-balanced eating plan is essential for a healthy baby and will give the baby a strong start in life. Good nutrition will help the mother handle the extra demands on her body as her pregnancy progresses.”
– National Healthy Start Association, Fatherhood Advocacy Toolkit
Education
All families can benefit from parent education programs. In Oregon, we have amazing Parent Education Hubs that provide groups classes on a variety of topics.
Parent Education classes can help parents to:
- improve communication between parents
- provide effective discipline and guidance
- nurture and foster life skills
- promote healthy development
- enjoy the enormous task of raising children
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“I hope to make a positive impact on the families I serve so that they can be confident in parenting their children and feel connected to resources in the community that will strengthen that.”
– Cindy Miller, Siskiyou Community Health Center
Yearly Well-Visits
Now that you’ve delivered, it’s a great time to connect with your primary care provider. When you choose a primary care doctor for yourself or a loved one, make sure to choose a doctor you can trust. A primary care doctor can:
- Help you stay healthy by recommending preventive services, like screening tests and immunizations.
- Treat a range of health problems — including physical and mental health issues.
- Refer you to a specialist when you need more help with a specific health issue.
For more tips on choosing a primary care provider:
