How are you promoting healthy lifestyles to children and youth?

“Hi, I’m calling about the free crib for my baby.”
My position with Philadelphia Health Corps is allowing me to expand upon and develop my teaching and interpersonal skills, while simultaneously allowing me the privilege of being an ambassador for child health and wellness. As a Cribs for Kids Advocate at Maternity Care Coalition, I am fortunate enough to serve as a link—sometimes the initial or primary one—between women and their lives as new mothers. Child safety and health begins with parental education, in particular prior to, or during, the first six months of a child’s life. While we provide families with Pack n’ Plays - a free, safe place for their baby to sleep - our overall goal is to impress upon parents and guardians the importance of health in their child’s lives, and that those healthy habits start at birth. The chances of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, or SIDS, are highest during the first two to four months of a child’s life, and that risk drops by fifty percent once the child reaches six months. Many of the clients I talk with are new mothers who are eager to learn how to keep their babies safe and healthy, but some are already well-versed in the many joys and trials of motherhood. Regardless of experience, this education is critical for ensuring a safe and healthy start.

“Is that what my new brother is going to sleep in?”
Surprisingly, the mothers are not the only ones who are excited about learning healthy habits for the new addition to the family. Often times I will be on a home visit –when we deliver a Pack n’ Play and provide safe sleep education in the comfort of those client’s homes who may be on bed rest, or are who unable to attend a workshop due to limited English proficiency - and a brother or sister will greet me with a friendly smile and curiosity; they want to learn more about this twenty-five pound, white, rectangular box I brought into their home. Just as some of my clients are new to motherhood, many of their children are going to have a sibling for the first time. Disseminating SIDS reduction education to all members of the family, including other children, is necessary because babies are more likely to pass away from SIDS when in the care of someone other than the primary caregiver. When speaking to the whole family, we approach infant health by talking about the ABCS of Safe Sleep: the child sleeps alone, on his or her back, in a crib, in a smoke-free environment. We educate the whole family because we believe the more people who know those four basic tips, the better the chance that information has of being spread to others who will have contact with the new baby.

“Do you have any questions for me?”
I like to end my talks with clients by asking if they have any questions for me, and two comments I often hear are, “But my aunt/friend/mom/etc. told me…” or “I didn’t do that with my last child and he/she was fine.” I find this to be one of the more challenging aspects of my position because parenthood is something unique and personal to each and every person. Additionally, I sometimes find myself curious of my perceived legitimacy with my clients because I do not have any children of my own. However, it is important that such questions are asked and that I am able to answer them. These conversations not only provide me with a second chance to stress the importance of healthy habits from birth, but also assure me that these women are proactive about their child’s health.  A home visit I had with a second-time mom resonates with me for this reason: she was on bed rest and only a few days away from her due date. As I was explaining why it is important to keep babies from overheating while they sleep – because the part of the brain that says it is time to wake up is not fully developed yet – I noticed her face scrunch up and a quizzical expression wash over her. I realized at that moment that I hit on a point she was not previously aware of, and that it was I who was able to provide her with a bit of knowledge that no one else in her life had yet. Despite my lack of hands-on experience taking care of babies, moments like this reassure me that my voice is one that is trusted and respected by my clients, and that is a responsibility I am proud to have.

This post was written by PHC member Aziza Khalil.
Aziza serves with the Maternity Care Coalition as a Cribs for Kids Advocate.