Visiting Nurse Association
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Mother and Baby Home Care
Mother and baby home-care visits are only available in New Castle County.
Caring for a newborn baby can be challenging, but when your baby is premature or at high risk, the experienced help of a visiting nurse can be invaluable. We specialize in caring for premature or high-risk infants. Working with your doctors, our experienced registered nurses can coordinate your care and monitor the health of you and your baby at home. We strive to prevent or reduce rehospitalization, to maximize good health and to promote appropriate growth and development.
Your care may require several home visits, especially during the first several weeks. Parents and caregivers are often sleep-deprived during this time and need additional instruction and support with their tiny infants. Your VNA nurse can ensure good communication and coordination of your health care team, which is especially important during this time.
What to expect during a home visit
Your visiting nurse will evaluate your baby's home environment to ensure that it promotes safety and the good health of your infant. This includes:
- Respiratory irritants: Secondhand smoke, fireplaces, allergens, use of ovens to keep warm, forced hot-air heat, need for humidifier or vaporizer.
- Home safety: Fall risk factors, smoke detectors, fire escape plan, equipment inventory and ensuring you have the resources to care for your newborn.
- Nutrition: Breastfeeding, access to enough food, WIC access, refrigeration, working stove, proper food intake for pregnant mothers and children.
- Support systems: Access to resources, stress, transportation, connection to primary-care doctor, income, family dynamics, infant bonding, infant supplies, language barriers, involvement with Division of Family Services.
Medication management
She will review any medications you and your baby are taking, including insulin or other injections, if necessary, and ensure that they are being administered properly and safely. She will also check to make sure medications are being stored properly and out of reach of small children. She will check to make sure prescriptions are being properly filled.
Mother and baby assessment
The nurse will make a detailed assessment of you and your baby. This includes assessing your baby's vital signs, weight, bilirubin level, neurological and developmental health. It also includes assessment of your physical and emotional health, including postpartum depression, wound care (if you had a Cesarean section) and vital signs.
Emergency preparedness
The nurse will provide you with instruction on emergency procedures, including CPR, how to use any equiment you may need, and when to call 911.
Special care
In the event of any disease or special medical needs, your nurse will administer special care as appropriate. Examples may include hyperbilirubinemia, dehydration, drug exposure, immature respiratory system, cardiac problems, pregnancy-induced hypertension, diabetes and gestational diabetes, wounds or post-surgery needs.
Nutrition
Proper nutrition for you and your baby is very important. Your nurse will provide you with breastfeeding and pumping instructions as needed. Your nurse also will evaluate calorie and fluid intake, and provide instruction for tube feeding, equipment use and formula preparation as appropriate. She will also assess your family's nutrition and provide you with recommendations about healthy eating and diet.
Other topics
Other topics covered during the home visit include birth-control methods, folic acid and prenatal vitamins, infant stimulation, infant cues, when to call a doctor, urgent-care instructions, temperature taking, preventing falls and infection control.
| Christiana Care Visiting Nurse Association | |
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| New Castle County Office 1 Reads Way, Suite 100 New Castle, DE 19720 directions 302-327-5200 |
Kent and Sussex County Office 2116 S. Dupont Highway, Suite 2 Camden, DE 19934 directions 302-698-4300 (Kent) 302-855-9700 (Sussex) |
| Call 888-862-0001 (888-VNA-0001) for more information. We're available 24 hours a day to schedule appointments or provide assistance. | |
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