Welcome Baby provides L.A. County pregnant women and new moms with information, support and a trusted partner to help you through the journey of pregnancy and early parenthood.
This free and voluntary program from First 5 LA offers the following during pregnancy and throughout your baby’s first nine months, and can include the following:
- An in-hospital visit where you will receive assistance with breastfeeding and information about bonding and attachment, taking care of your baby, and resources your family may need as you transition into motherhood
- A personal Parent Coach who meets with you and your family in the comfort and convenience of your home
- Information and support on breastfeeding, home safety and other topics
- An in-home appointment with a nurse within the first few days after delivering at the hospital
- Referrals to additional resources to help you and your baby
- Baby- and mom-friendly items such as thermometers, nursing pillows, toys and baby-proofing supplies for the home
The program is available to all L.A. County families at no cost, who deliver or plan to deliver at one of 13 participating Welcome Baby hospitals, regardless of income status. Welcome Baby will benefit families in different ways based upon where they live and their specific needs.
ABOUT WELCOME BABY
Welcome Baby is a component of Best Start – a multi-year effort created by First 5 LA that aims to shape, strengthen and support L.A. County neighborhoods by building resources and providing access to activities that improve the well-being, development and care experienced by pregnant women, new parents and children age 5 and under.
Welcome Baby started in 2009 with its pilot program through Maternal and Child Health Access (MCHA) in partnership with California Hospital Medical Center, a member of Dignity Health’s system of hospitals. Welcome Baby has since expanded to 13 L.A. County hospitals, serving approximately 60 percent of all families within Best Start communities and over a third of the births countywide. When at full capacity, an estimated 25 percent of all babies born in L.A. County will be a Welcome Baby baby.
WHAT IS A PARENT COACH?
A Parent Coach supports moms both during pregnancy and following birth. She provides health care and parenting education and information, support, and resources, as well as assistance with breastfeeding and baby-proofing homes to ensure the healthy and safe development of both mom and baby. If needed, your Parent Coach will talk to you about community resources that can help your family receive health care coverage or other supportive services.
WHAT DOES A PARENT COACH DO DURING WELCOME BABY VISITS?
- Observe and provide information about parent-infant attachment and infant behavior
- Observe and provide information about infant feeding and provide breastfeeding support and advice
- Assist families in establishing a medical home, following up on well-child visits and identifying health insurance coverage, if necessary
- Educate parents about the parent-child bond and how it can build confidence and success
- In partnership with parents, perform a screening to assess child development milestones
- Refer families to their local Best Start community activities
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?
Welcome Baby benefits families in different ways based upon where they live and their specific needs.
All families delivering at a Welcome Baby participating hospital will be offered a Welcome Baby hospital visit at the time of your baby’s birth.
Families residing within a Best Start community can enroll prenatally (up to 38 weeks) or at the hospital.
WHICH HOSPITALS ARE PARTICIPATING IN WELCOME BABY?
Antelope Valley Health Partners
Lancaster, CA (661) 942-4719
Serving the Best Start Lancaster and Palmdale communities
California Hospital Medical Center
Los Angeles, CA (213) 342-3127
Serving the Best Start Metro LA community
Centinela Hospital Medical Center
Inglewood, CA (310) 677-7995
Serving the Best Start Watts/Willbowbrook, Compton, West Athens and Broadway/Manchester communities
Citrus Valley Medical Center – Queen of the Valley Campus
West Covina, CA (626)851-2749
Serving the Best Start El Monte/South El Monte community
Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Hospital
Los Angeles, CA (424)-338-8000
Miller Children’s and Women’s Hospital Long Beach
Long Beach, CA (562) 933-2410
Serving the Best Start Central Long Beach community
Northridge Hospital Medical Center
Northridge, CA (818) 885-3575
Serving the Best Start Pacoima and Panorama City communities
Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center San Pedro
San Pedro, CA (310) 514-5444
Serving the Best Start Wilmington and Central Long Beach communities
Providence Holy Cross Medical Center
Mission Hills, CA (818)496-4173
Serving the Best Start Pacoima and Panorama City communities
Lynwood, CA (310) 900-4710
Serving the Best Start Watts/Willowbrook, Compton, West Athens, Broadway/Manchester and South East LA communities
Long Beach, CA (562) 491-4841
Serving the Best Start Central Long Beach, Compton and Wilmington communities
Torrance Memorial Medical Center
San Pedro, CA (310) 514-5444
Serving the Best Start Central Long Beach community and Wilmington communities
Van Nuys, CA (818) 781-8120
Serving the Best Start Pacoima and Panorama City communities
Los Angeles, CA (323) 260-5712
Serving the Best Start East LA and South East LA County communities
