Free Williams County Community Baby Shower April 5th.

There’s a lot to learn and plan for when you’re welcoming a child into the world. It’s a good thing there are plenty of people in the community who are ready to help.

Parkview Bryan Hospital has joined forces with local, state and national organizations to offer a free Williams County Community Baby Shower for expectant parents and new families with children under age 1.

On Saturday, April 5, from 10 to 11:30 a.m., parents are invited to visit Parkview Bryan Hospital, 433 W. High St. in Bryan, to enjoy refreshments, connect with other new families and take advantage of a variety of educational opportunities and resources.

Guests can visit information booths staffed by representatives of these organizations uniting with Parkview to support young families:

• Help Me Grow Home Visiting program, Ohio Department of Children & Youth
• Williams County Health Department (WIC and car seat program)
• Williams County Department of Developmental Disabilities – Early Intervention
• Cribs for Kids
• Humana
• Buckeye Health Plan
• Anthem
• AmeriHealth Caritas
• CareSource

In addition, parents can get tips on how to create a safe sleeping environment for their little one, learn how infant massage can contribute to baby’s well-being, and enter giveaway drawings for free items including a stroller, a high-chair, a baby monitor and a wagon.

Guests will also be able to tour Parkview Bryan’s Family Birthing Center (FBC) and find out how the team provides personalized care for each woman’s pregnancy. The FBC offers nine large birthing suites that accommodate new mothers and their families throughout their hospital stay. These LDRP suites enable each mom to go through labor, delivery, recovery and postpartum all in the privacy of one room, and feel more at ease knowing that, if needed, epidurals, birthing balls, IV pain medication and other comfort measures are available to them.

Focused on providing family-centered care, the FBC also offers prenatal and postpartum support services such as breastfeeding instruction, help from an obstetric nurse navigator, and support for postpartum depression.

Reservations are recommended for the free community baby shower. Please call 419-344-2042 to let event organizers know that you will attend.