Mahaska Health Partnership Hospital Auxiliary Begins Sleep Sack Gift Program
Mahaska Health Partnership Birthing Center Director Chyann Vroegh shows baby Avery wearing a sleep sack. Each baby born at MHP is gifted one of these special wearable blankets from Whispering Tree Gifts, operated by the Hospital Auxiliary on the MHP campus. (submitted photo)
MAHASKA COUNTY – Mothers delivering at the MHP Birthing Center will now be gifted a Halo Swaddle Sleep Sack from Whispering Tree Gifts.
The use of sleep sacks has been encouraged to help prevent SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) due to suffocation, entrapment and asphyxia from blankets. “We strongly encourage parents to follow the guidelines set by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) on the best sleep practices to prevent SIDS,” MHP Birthing Center Director Chyann Vroegh shared. “We want our moms going home with the right knowledge and tools to keep baby as safe as possible when sleeping.”
According to the AAP, the recommended position for babies while sleeping is on their back. Loose blankets in the crib can lead to suffocation, so using sleep sacks is recommended. “We heavily use the wearable blankets for newborns to make sure we are setting a good example for best sleep practices,” Vroegh said.
The MHP Hospital Auxiliary wanted to partner with the Birthing Center to send parents home with this valuable tool. “It’s been so exciting with the opening of the new building and all the babies being born here,” MHP Gift Shop Manager Dorothy Vos said. “The Auxiliary wanted to find something special to give to new moms in celebration of their new additions.”
“We are so excited the Hospital Auxiliary so willingly partnered with us to provide a sleep sack to every baby born at MHP,” Vroegh said.
The MHP Hospital Auxiliary is a 501(c)3 organization that operates Whispering Tree Gifts on the MHP campus. All of the proceeds from the gift shop and various Hospital Auxiliary fundraisers throughout the year are used to purchase items and equipment that benefit patients at MHP.
Seven physicians provide obstetrical care along with two general surgeons and a comprehensive staff of experienced nurses who are all breastfeeding educators. All delivering physicians practice full time on the MHP campus and are available on-call 24/7. From your positive pregnancy test to your delivery, the same doctor you know and trust will care for you. To schedule an appointment, call 641.672.3360.
Mahaska Health Partnership, located in Oskaloosa, is a non-profit health system accredited by the Joint Commission. It is guided by its mission to provide exceptional customer service and health improvement, linking the science of medicine with the humanity of compassionate care. For more information about how Mahaska Health Partnership is making healthcare personal, look us up on the web: mahaskahealth.org.
