Babies Deserve a Healthy Start
Plans for Healthy Start’s 9th Annual World’s Greatest Come-’n-Go Baby Shower are well underway for an April 3 premier.
The Healthy Start Coalition, funded through the State of Florida, dedicates itself to the prevention of infant mortality and promotes the healthy growth and development of children up to age three through a variety of related services in Bay, Franklin and Gulf counties, says Suzy Nadler, office manager.
Most importantly, all services are open to any pregnant woman and any baby up to age three regardless of income or insurance status, Nadler says. “We are here for any pregnant woman and baby who need us,” she adds.
This year’s free baby shower promises to be even bigger and better than last year’s, which hosted 41 community agencies and several independent vendors. “Everything is aimed at helping women have healthier babies by providing connections to a myriad of community services, but it also provides a good dose of fun for attendees,” Nadler says. It is free and open to anyone who is pregnant or has given birth within the past six months and any family member who wishes to join in the fun.
[box type=”shadow” align=”aligncenter” ]
World’s Greatest Come-‘n-Go Baby Shower
April 3, 4-7 p.m. First United Methodist Church
903 E. 4th St., Panama City
Healthy Start’s Baby Shower
June 3, 4-6 p.m.
Centennial Building Port St. Joe[/box]
Expectant and new moms can participate in the Healthy Start version of The Price Is Right by guessing the prices of several baby items. The one closest to guessing the correct price goes home with the baby item. For dads brave enough to participate, “The Fastest Diaper Changing” game promises to be a challenge. The men are timed while diapering life-size baby dolls with cloth diapers and pins.
“It’s pretty funny to watch,” Nadler says. “More than 500 new parents, expectant parents, guardians, caregivers and family members attended last year and we hope to see even more this year. This is a fun-filled event with many great door prizes, educational information, refreshments and games.”
Some of the educational tables provide pertinent information about childbirth, prenatal care, breastfeeding, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, Shaken Baby Syndrome, safe sleep, family planning and Healthy Start/Mom Care programs. It’s not too late to participate. Sponsorships at different levels of support and vendor tables are still available.
The baby shower serves as the Healthy Start Coalition’s major fundraiser to help provide low-income clients with important items that would be unavailable through other state funding sources, such as new car seats, diapers, trolley passes and gas vouchers to get to doctor’s appointments.
Healthy Start was created by the state in 1991 to help decrease the rate of infant mortality due to miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, stillbirth or newborn death. And it seems to be working as more and more mothers, fathers and caregivers become educated, Healthy Start Coalition Executive Director, Sharon Owens reports.
“In 2012, Healthy Start Coalition of Bay, Franklin and Gulf counties served 28 families with 30 infant deaths. In 2013, the number of families affected by death of an infant decreased to 23 families and 25 babies”, Owens said.
“Sleeping deaths are usually preventable tragedies,” Owens adds. “We continue to do all we can to educate new parents and caregivers to minimize the number of these kinds of deaths from happening.”
Not all infant deaths are preventable. “No one goes into the hospital for labor and delivery expecting to leave without a baby,” she says. “The last thing parents expect after delivery is to have to pay funeral expenses.” Money raised through the annual baby shower and other events help fund the “Last Rites for Little Ones” program, which began with the help of United Way of Bay County as a way to provide some financial assistance toward funeral expenses.
For information on any of the Healthy Start Coalition programs available contact (850) 872-4130 or (800) 895-9506 or visit www.healthystartbfg.com
By Diane Mercado