Health

Local Moms Get Early Mother’s Day Present

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More than 200 new and expectant moms in the County’s Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) program received a Boppy Pillow as an early Mother’s Day present.

 

Low-income moms were given donated pillows thanks to a new partnership between the County, NFP and The Boppy Company, maker of the pillow, which can be used when feeding babies and can support infants during their first year of life.

“The County is committed to helping families in need,” said County Supervisor Greg Cox. “We are grateful to The Boppy Company and the Nurse-Family Partnership for helping us give these moms an early Mother’s Day present.”

Through its Mother’s Day Support Program, which benefits local moms who need it most, the Boppy Company donated $1 for every person who visited its website and clicked on the special “Give Your Support” icon.

A group of new and expectant moms received their pillows at a special distribution event at the County Administration Center downtown. The rest of the pillows will be delivered by public health nurses during their regular visits with the moms.

The Nurse-Family Partnership program pairs a first-time mom with a registered nurse, who makes regular home visits throughout the pregnancy and until the child’s second birthday.

The program improves pregnancy outcomes, child health and development, and the family’s economic self-sufficiency. Nationally the program has served 150,941 at-risk families, and is currently working with close to 22,000 families in 37 states.

Locally, the County’s Nurse-Family Partnership has helped more than 2,200 vulnerable families since 2002. The program has increased the number of babies born at a healthy weight, the percentage of mothers who breast-feed, as well as the immunization rates among children under 2. NFP has also increased workforce participation in the region. 

“One of the goals of the County’s Live Well, San Diego! initiative is to improve the health and well-being of local residents,” said Nick Macchione, director for the County Health and Human Services Agency. “The Nurse-Family Partnership is accomplishing this by transforming the lives of vulnerable new moms and their babies.”