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Empowering Families with Lifesaving Skills and Support
May 01, 2025
Being a new parent can be overwhelming, from installing car seats to knowing the latest advice for infant sleep safety.
To try to reduce deaths and help empower parents to feel more confident when dealing with an emergency, The Hospital of Central Connecticut Trauma Program has collaborated with a local birth center, police and paramedics to offer a Maternal Wellness Program.
This free program is providing new parents with the critical tools they need to protect their babies. Every year, nearly 3,500 infants in the United States die suddenly and unexpectedly.
The Maternal Wellness Program, a collaboration between Hunter’s Ambulance, the Central Region Family Birth Center, and The Hospital of Central Connecticut Trauma Program, is offering a hands-on, community-based approach to infant safety and maternal health.
“We understand that becoming a parent can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to ensuring your baby’s safety,” says Nicole Morales, Nursing Director of the Family BirthPlace at The Hospital of Central Connecticut. “This program is designed to give families not just the facts, but the practical, real-world skills they can use every day.”
The program’s unique, hands-on training includes infant CPR, safe sleep practices, and car seat safety, taught by experts, such as local police officers from the Meriden and New Britain police departments.
“Parents are often unsure of how to properly install car seats or handle emergency situations with their newborns. This program takes that uncertainty away,” says Morales. “We want to equip them with the skills they need to respond confidently in critical moments.”
Well-being tips and awareness for moms
Perhaps most importantly, the Maternal Wellness Program emphasizes the importance of maternal health, providing guidance for new mothers on how to care for their own well-being during the demanding early months of parenthood.
“We don’t just want to help parents protect their infants — we also want to ensure mothers are taking care of themselves,” Morales explains. “Parenting is a shared responsibility, and supporting maternal wellness is key to making sure both parents and children thrive.”
Hands-on instruction offers opportunities to practice skills
By offering these vital services in a supportive, interactive setting, the program offers families a chance to gain practical knowledge in a way that feels real, relevant and empowering.
“This isn’t just about sitting in a classroom,” Morales says. “It’s about practicing life-saving techniques, asking questions and building a support network that helps families feel prepared for anything.”
The Maternal Wellness Program is free and open to all families. Space is limited, so parents are encouraged to sign up early to secure their spot.
Upcoming classes include May 3, from 9-11 a.m., June 10 and Sept. 9, from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
See the schedule
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