Program teaches grandparents new child safety guidelines

Getting ready for the arrival of a new baby requires so much learning and discovery.

The safest ways to have the baby sleep, how to install a car seat and the proper foods for different ages are all musts before the baby is born.

Sure, parents need to be ready. But at the same time, grandparents who are aching to be part of their grandchild’s life should be prepared as well.

To help them to be as well-informed as possible and keep babies safe, Franciscan Health Indianapolis has created an education program aimed at grandparents. They’ll learn how to be supportive of the new family, what to expect with labor, birth and postpartum care, as well as the importance of breastfeeding for the baby.

Safe sleeping, car seats and other topics will ensure that grandpa and grandma are ready to spoil their grandchildren in the safest way possible.

“I make it clear: I am not standing up there telling them that they did it wrong,” said Ann Clute, a registered nurse and childbirth education coordinator for Franciscan Health Indianapolis. “They did what they knew. We know better now, so we all need to do better.”

To help reach more people, Franciscan Health has planned a special event on Thursday, which is recognized as Grandparents Day. Clute will discuss changes to recommendations and guidelines for caring for a baby. A craft expert will help participants with the art of bow-making for special packages.

A more straightforward grandparenting basics class will be held on Sept. 26.

The class was created by Clute at the behest of Lori Warner, director of women and children’s services at Franciscan Health Indianapolis. She thought it would be a useful continuation of their education series for new parents.

When it started, the class was more hands-on, with participants reviewing how to change a diaper, hold a baby and swaddle. But Clute quickly found that there were more pressing issues in caring for a baby.

“That stuff wasn’t the problem. They know how to do that,” she said. “They weren’t taking it as serious.”

Instead, the program morphed into an education piece on how much different having a baby is now, compared to when they had their children.

Pediatricians and experts have found so many ways to prevent crib death and other tragedies in the past two or three decades, Clute said. Not all of those improvements are public knowledge.

“My children are getting to the age where they could be having babies. I know what I did when they were born, and I know what we’re supposed to do now. Those are vastly different,” Clute said. “That’s what I cover.”

Clute explains why they might not be invited into the delivery room to be an observer, and why after birth, it’s imperative for mother and baby to have at least an hour to be together, regardless of how much you want to cuddle them.

One of the most impactful changes is the approach to breastfeeding, Clute said. The recommendations used to be that bottles and nipples were acceptable alternatives to nursing. Now, it’s strongly encouraged to stick with breastfeeding, even if it’s frustrating at first.

If a grandmother doesn’t understand that, it can have repercussions on the health of the baby.

“They can say things that undermine everything we’re trying to teach,” Clute said. “Not on purpose, but because that’s what they did.”

The other big issue is safe sleep and preventing Sudden Infant Death Syndrome — stressing what can be in the crib, that babies should sleep on their backs, what can happen if they don’t do it.

“I’m super-blunt, and literally say, if you don’t follow these recommendations, you are putting that child’s life in risk. Period,” Clute said.

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Projects from the Heart: Grandparents Day

What: An educational program covering the latest guidelines in child care and how they can ensure their new grandchild is as safe as possible in their care. The class is paired with a craft session on bow-making.

When: 6 p.m. Thursday

Where: Franciscan Health Indianapolis Center for Women & Children, 8111 S. Emerson Ave., entrance 2, Indianapolis

Cost: Free, but registration is required by calling 317-528-5865 or at FranciscanHealth.org/InspiringWomenIndy.

Grandparenting Basics

What: A fun and informative class for grandparents will update you on the latest information regarding birth and parenting. Grandparents also will have a chance to discuss new ideas about parenting and how they can play an important role while supporting their adult children.

When: 7 p.m. Sept. 26

Where: Franciscan Health Indianapolis Center for Women & Children

Cost: Free, but registration is required at 317-528-8473.

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