St. Bernard Hospital supports mothers-to-be

CHICAGO, IL, July 30, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — CHICAGO– More than 100 new moms and moms-to-be will gather for hands-on learning sessions and free baby care basics at Englewood Borough’s 7th Annual Community Baby Shower hosted by St. Bernard Hospital on July 30th. The outdoor event will be held at the Ambulatory Care Center at 6307 S. Stewart Ave. and will include lectures and demonstrations on safe sleeping, oral hygiene, car seat safety, the importance of breastfeeding and postpartum care.

The free community event aims to provide parents with information and resources to support the positive physical, mental and emotional development of their newborns. After being adjusted due to Covid-19 restrictions, the family-friendly event returns to its interactive format and includes children’s activities including face painting, games and a bouncy castle. The baby shower is supported by lead sponsor Meridian Health Plan of Illinois, Inc. and a variety of local community organizations.

Moms receive gift sets that can include diapers, diaper bags, bath tubs, bottles and bibs, as well as larger gifts like car seats and playpens. According to BabyCenter.com’s Baby Expense Calculator, non-medical costs for babies in their first year can add up to more than $10,000. St. Bernard Hospital and event sponsors hope to minimize these costs for parents.

St. Bernard Hospital provides women’s health and wellness services to South Side residents, many of whom are uninsured or underinsured.

“Families today face increasing challenges when it comes to growing their families, including shortages of essential baby items and rising inflation costs,” said Adrienne Brooks, director of fundraising at St. Bernard Hospital. “We want to continue to prioritize the needs of mothers and the healthy development of children.”

“Meridian is a proud sponsor of this event and is committed to bringing much-needed resources to the community to…