For a New Baby

A new baby in your life can be exciting, confusing, and exhausting all rolled into one. Parenting books and online influencers can provide advice, but you also need local information. As your child grows, the Early Childhood Collaborative of Southington can help connect you with the local resources you need.

Health

Did you know that 1 in 5 Moms and 1 in 10 Dads suffer from postpartum depression? Perinatal Mental Health (PMH) conditions are the number one complication of childbearing and include Perinatal Depression, Perinatal Anxiety, Perinatal Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Perinatal Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and Perinatal/Postpartum Psychosis (PPP). Learn more and get resources from our recent Postpartum Mental Health Workshop.

For local pediatricians, mental health providers, and other resources, check out our Resource Directory. Learn more about a variety of topics on our Health and Development page.

Birthing hospitals across the state are now participating in the Connecticut Urgent Maternal Warning Signs Bracelet Initiative, which provides postpartum patients with an orange bracelet that signals to healthcare professionals and first responders that the wearer gave birth within the past 12 months.

Development

It is important to track your baby’s development and whether they are meeting the developmental milestones for their age. The free Sparkler App offers parents with young children (prenatal – age 5):

  • Developmental screening (ASQ-3 and ASQ:SE-2) to check in on a child’s development
  • A customizable library of 2000+ playful activities to do off-line
  • A customizable library of evidence-based tips for parents
  • Connection with professionals (teachers, healthcare providers, home visitors, care coordinators, etc. who can help)

How can you help build a child’s brain—even before they can talk? Simple “serve and return” responsive interactions between adults and young children help make strong connections in developing brains. And it’s easy and fun to do! This video from the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University gives 5 Steps for Brain-Building Serve and Return.

Childcare

If you will need to return to work after the birth of your child, it is not too soon to look for childcare. Southington has dozens of options ranging from full-day, year round childcare centers to smaller, home-based family childcare providers. Once your child turns at least 2 years and 9 months there are also part-time, school-year preschool/nursery school options. Note that registration for these programs opens over the winter for the following fall, so don’t wait until June to look for a spot. Many providers are full with a waiting list, so the ECCS tries to track childcare openings in town.

You can also visit https://www.211childcare.org or call 2 – 1 – 1 for childcare openings State-wide. Once you do a search on the 211 Childcare website, and select a provider, you have the option to “View Inspection and Complaint History.” If you find something concerning, then ask the provider about it when you tour. With staff turnover and required issue resolution by the licensing agency, the item has likely been resolved, but patterns are concerning.

Food and Financial Assistance

Southington Community Services (SCS), located at 91 Norton Street in Plantsville, can assist in providing food, diapers, and other resources to residents in need. There are other organizations that provide food, energy and workplace assistance.

The Federal Women, Infants & Children Program (WIC) provides supplemental foods, health care referrals, nutrition education, and breastfeeding promotion and support for pregnant and postpartum women and children under age 5. More info at ct.gov/dph/wic or contact SCS.

Care4Kids helps low to moderate income families in Connecticut pay for child care costs. This program is sponsored by the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood. To be eligible, CT families must be working or attending a temporary family cash assistance (Jobs First) approved education or training activity; and meet the program’s income requirements. Several childcare centers and camps in Southington accept the Care 4 Kids subsidy. They are identified in the ECCS Resources listing or call 211 to identify participating providers. Their website has an eligibility screening tool at http://www.ctcare4kids.com or call 1-888-214-KIDS (5437). Due to funding limitations there is currently an “enrollment management list” with a wait time of several months to receive Care4Kids support. If you plan to apply, do it as soon as possible.

There are multiple savings programs available to eligible newborns to set up savings accounts that receive initial deposits via the program.

Birth Certificates

You can obtain a copy your child’s birth certificate at the municipal offices of the town you were living when they were born. Parents who were living in Southington can pick up a copy of their child’s birth certificate during business hours from the Town Clerk’s office at the Southington Town Hall, located at 75 Main Street.

Car Seats and Other Safety Issues

Safety issues that impact children and families include car seats, fire prevention and emergency preparedness, domestic violence, lead paint, best sleep practices, childproof storage of cleaning supplies, guns and drugs, drowning, helmet usage, and other issues. Laws and best practices in this area are continuously changing.

Before the infant can be released from the hospital they will need a car seat. Learn more about Connecticut’s car seat laws. The Southington Police Department Car Seat Safety Team will do a car seat safety check by appointment, even if the baby isn’t born yet. Call their non-emergency number at 860-378-1600 to set up a car seat safety check appointment. The Southington Police Department and the Early Childhood Collaborative host a car seat safety check event at least once a year. Check out the Events page or our social media for upcoming dates. The SPD does not recommend using a hand-me-down car seat as you can’t confirm it wasn’t in an accident or how it was stored. Car seats do expire as the materials degrade after sitting in the hot car.

 

Congratulations on the new addition to your family.