Rockford area hospitals educate new parents about how to care for newborns

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Three Rockford area healthcare providers joined forces to provide childbirth classes.

UW Health, Crusader Community Health and Molina Healthcare hosted four educational classes for the community.

The classes covered information on parental care, infant feeding, health insurance questions and car seat safety.

Participants who complete 3 out of 4 classes receive a voucher for a free infant car seat and information on how to install the seat thanks to Safe Kids Winnebago Staff.

Organizers said it is important to have an outlet to spread information to parents and caretakers.

“We had a lot of unsafe sleep practices happening in Winnebago County and the surrounding area,” said UW Health Social Worker Michelle Strand. “So, we really talk about safe sleep and the importance of infants sleeping in their own space and having a place for a baby to sleep. So for us to explain why that’s so important so that parents have time to prepare and purchase a crib or bassinet for their baby.”

The classes first began in 2023 and another health series is set to begin in April.