NHS Maternity Center

1400 E. Downing St.
Tahlequah, OK 74464

(918) 453-2200

The Maternity Center at Northeastern Health System provides exceptional care for expectant mothers, offering a warm, supportive environment for both prenatal and postnatal services. Our experienced team is dedicated to ensuring the health and well-being of both mother and baby, with personalized care plans and state-of-the-art facilities to support every stage of your journey. We are committed to providing a safe, comfortable, and caring experience for families as they welcome their newest addition.

NHS supports Infant Safe Sleep

Infant Safe Sleep involves providing a safe sleep environment, such as placing babies on their backs to sleep, using a firm mattress in a safety-approved crib, avoiding soft bedding, and ensuring no overheating. The system offers education to parents and caregivers about these practices to prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and other sleep-related causes of infant mortality. The goal is to create awareness and provide resources to ensure infants sleep safely for optimal health and well-being.

Best practices for Infant Safe Sleep include:

Always Place Baby on Their Back to Sleep: This reduces the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Babies should be placed on their back for all sleep times, including naps.
Use a Firm Sleep Surface: Ensure the baby sleeps on a firm mattress in a safety-approved crib, bassinet, or play yard. Avoid soft bedding, such as pillows, blankets, or bumper pads, which can lead to suffocation.
Keep the Sleep Area Bare: The crib should only have a fitted sheet and nothing else. Avoid toys, stuffed animals, and blankets in the crib, as they can pose a suffocation hazard.
Room-Sharing, Not Bed-Sharing: It is recommended that babies sleep in the same room as their parents for the first six months, but not in the same bed. This reduces the risk of SIDS and suffocation.
Avoid Overheating: Dress the baby in light layers, and keep the room at a comfortable temperature. Overheating can increase the risk of SIDS.
Offer a Pacifier at Nap Time and Bedtime: Giving a baby a pacifier during sleep has been shown to reduce the risk of SIDS. If the baby refuses it, don’t force it, and always wait until breastfeeding is established before introducing a pacifier.
No Smoking Around the Baby: Smoking during or after pregnancy increases the risk of SIDS. Keep the baby away from cigarette smoke, both before and after birth.
Avoid Sleeping in Unsafe Locations: Babies should not sleep on couches, armchairs, or in car seats for extended periods, as these increase the risk of suffocation.
Ensure Regular Pediatric Check-ups: Keep up with regular doctor visits to ensure the baby’s growth, development, and sleep safety are on track.