Newborn Care

For healthy babies born at Anna Jaques, we support you and your baby sharing a room. The practice provides many benefits, such as:

• A sense of security for your baby.
• Better communication and bonding between you and your baby.
• Improved communication and bonding.
• Improved confidence in caring for your baby.
• Increased health and safety for your baby.
• More effective start to breastfeeding.

Research shows that parents and babies who sleep near each other get more rest than when separated. You are also likely to make an easier transition to home when you spend more time with your baby in the hospital.

We understand that you and your family have specific needs. If it’s best for your baby to be cared for in our nursery, the option is available 24 hours a day.

It’s our goal to give you and your baby personalized care based on your family’s circumstances. This way, your baby’s birth is a nurturing, positive and satisfying experience.

If you choose to breastfeed your baby, we give you the support you need during your hospital stay and after you return home.

Anna Jaques earned the Baby-Friendly designation from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) for our promotion and support of breastfeeding.

Our team of certified lactation consultants is available to guide you in breastfeeding your baby. All of our consultants receive extensive training in lactation support and are available 24/7.

If you have trouble with breastfeeding at home, we can help. You can make an appointment with a lactation consultant or call our lactation line at 978-463-1079 with questions. To make an appointment, call the Birth Center at 978-463-1060, Monday through Friday. Most health insurance plans pay for lactation consultation appointments.

If you have an urgent concern about your baby’s well-being once you are home, call your pediatrician.

Only you can decide if circumcision is the right choice for your baby boy. Circumcision is the surgical removal of the foreskin. This layer of skin covers the head of the penis. Most often, the procedure is performed before you leave the hospital.

Opinions about newborn circumcision can differ based on cultural, medical and religious beliefs, as well as ethnic traditions and personal reasons.

If you are undecided about circumcision, talk to your child’s pediatrician before your baby is born. Your doctor can share the benefits and risks of circumcision to help you choose what is best for your son.

Learn more about circumcision from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).

Before you leave the hospital, you will complete a birth certificate worksheet. Be sure to answer each question completely. Massachusetts requires the following information:

• Marital status of parents
• Name of the baby
• Parental address(es)
• Parental Social Security numbers
• Place of birth

Statistical questions (education, ethnicity, race) also are included. This information is kept strictly confidential. The Department of Public Heath uses it to track trends of parents and babies.

Our registrar uses the information you provide to create an official birth certificate for your baby. You and your partner sign the birth certificate. Then, our registrar sends it to Newburyport City Hall to be recorded. You can get a certified copy of the birth certificate 10 or more days after it has been recorded.

Learn more about registering your baby’s birth.

When you complete the birth certificate process at the hospital, you also can apply for a Social Security card for your child. If you apply, you will receive the Social Security card in the mail in about six weeks.

You must have a properly installed car seat when you leave the hospital with your newborn. The best car seat:

• Fits your car
• Fits your child
• Is easy for you to use

Your newborn requires a rear-facing car seat. Be sure to fasten and check the five-point harness and harness buckles every time you place your baby in the car seat.

Learn more about car seat safety.