Specialties and Services

Transitioning Home

As families prepare to go home, our hospitals provide support to build confidence in newborn care. This includes lactation help, community resources, and practical guidance for new parents.

Returning home and caring for your newborn

BJC HealthCare ensures families are never on their own after leaving the hospital. With a focus on continuity, education, and compassionate care, BJC HealthCare and WashU Medicine physicians remain committed to supporting families during the critical first days at home and throughout every stage of childhood. 

Going home with a newborn

Before heading home, we connect new parents with support services and guidance to ease the transition from the hospital.

 

Safety Stop

Safety Stop offers free education and resources on car seat use, bike helmets, and home and sleep safety through in‑person and virtual appointments across the St. Louis region.

Safe Sleep
Learn infant safe sleep practices from birth to age 1, including swaddling, crib safety, and how following guidelines reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

Infant feeding

Our occupational therapists, trained in neonatal care and lactation support, are available to help with feeding needs after discharge or at home.

Lactation support
We have certified lactation specialists available for individual counseling and education about breastfeeding.

Classes and support
We offer classes and support groups to guide new parents through the early days of newborn care.

Finding a pediatrician
If you have not yet chosen a pediatrician after leaving the hospital, we can help.

Birth Certificates and Social Security Number

Missouri and Illinois birth certificates take approximately two to four weeks for the states to complete. Once finalized, each state notifies the Social Security Administration, but only if parents give permission on the hospital worksheet. If permission is given, the baby’s Social Security number usually arrives within about eight weeks. 

Parents can request a copy of the birth certificate in three ways:

Missouri

By mail: Download and complete the Missouri Vital Record application, have it notarized, and mail it with a $15 check to Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. Processing by mail takes eight to 12 weeks.

In person: Visit a local vital records office, including those in St. Louis City, St. Louis County, St. Charles County, or Jefferson County. A valid issued ID with a name or signature is required.

Online: Order through the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services website for an additional fee. 

Illinois

By mail: Download and complete the Application for Illinois Birth Record form and mail it with a copy of your valid government-issued ID and a check for $10 to the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). Processing by mail takes approximately 12 weeks.

In person: Visit the county clerk’s office where the birth occurred or the IDPH Division of Vital Records in Springfield. You must bring a valid form of government-issued ID. Please note that not all requests are able to be processed the same day.

The Division of Vital Records is open Monday–Friday, 10 a.m–3 p.m. to assist with birth record requests. If you have any questions, you can call them at 217-782-6554 or email [email protected].  

Baby Checklist

  • Car seat: You can’t take your baby home without a car seat—install it ahead of time, buckle correctly, and make sure it’s not expired (most last about six years). 
  • Baby bathtub 
  • Baby carrier or sling 
  • Baby formula 
  • Baby monitor 
  • Bedding and accessories 
  • Bottles 
  • Breast pump (if breastfeeding)
  • Changing table

 

  • Clothes 
  • Crib and crib mattress 
  • Diapers 
  • Diaper bag 
  • Dresser 
  • Highchair 
  • Playpen  
  • Rocking chair 
  • Safety gates 
  • Stroller 
  • Toys

Common newborn Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When can I give my newborn a bath?

You should wait until the umbilical cord falls off. Until then, just give your baby a sponge bath. Newborns don’t need to be bathed more than once or twice a week. 

How long until the umbilical cord falls off?

Usually, the cord will fall off within one to two weeks after birth.

How do I care for my son’s circumcision?

Your doctor or nurse will give you specific instructions. It’s important to keep the penis well-lubricated with petroleum jelly and gauze. You should change this with every diaper changing.

My baby seems to have acne. Is this normal? 

About one-fifth of newborns develop pimples, or acne, during their first month. These usually appear on the cheeks and forehead and clear within a few months. Maternal hormones are believed to be the cause. Do not squeeze or break open the pimples, as this can lead to infection. 

What is the one of the greatest concerns when it comes to the safety of babies during the first year of life?

Sleep safety is one of the greatest concerns during a baby’s first year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates about 3,500 sleep‑related deaths among U.S. infants each year. This includes sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), sudden unexpected death syndrome (SUDS), accidental suffocation, and deaths from unknown causes. Unintentional suffocation is the leading injury‑related cause of death for babies younger than 1 year.  

To reduce these risks, babies should sleep alone, on their backs, and in their own crib with a firm mattress and no soft items. The safest place is a separate sleep space in the parents’ room for at least the first six months, in a smoke‑free environment. 

Locations near you.