Family Safety at Home

Family Safety at Home

We will begin your newborn safety at home education during our prenatal classes and while you are with us at Elliot Hospital – but that is just the beginning! You will leave our facility with your new baby and some great reference materials, and we encourage you to check out the resources below for additional information for you and all of those caring for your baby.

Safety Information

Safe sleep is incredibly important at all times for baby. As demonstrated while in the hospital with us, it is crucial that your baby be put to sleep alone, on their back and on a firm sleeping surface at bedtime and for all naps. 

Elliot Hospital is proud to be a gold-level certified safe sleep hospital and Cribs for Kids partner. 

For additional information please check out:

We ask that you bring your baby’s car seat when you come to our unit for delivery. We will ensure that the car seat you have chosen is suitable for your baby and that you are able to strap your baby in appropriately. Be wary of purchasing used or hand-me-down car seats as the safety of the seat may be compromised from prior use. Please also follow the installation manuals for your specific seat as well as your specific vehicle.

We would recommend having your car seat installation checked, as many car seats are installed incorrectly. There are several local options for free evaluations, see a list of fitting stations here Child Safety Seat Fitting Stations in New Hampshire.

Current guidelines state that children should be in rear-facing seats until they reach the height OR weight maximum for their specific seat. For most seats and children, this is at least 2 years old.

For up-to-date data on car seat guidelines, visit:

All patients who deliver at Elliot Hospital will be screened for risk factors for Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMAD) using a self-assessment tool. Education will be provided to every patient and their support system, and resources offered in accordance with results of screening.

If you are experiencing symptoms of PMAD (or know someone who may be) - know that you are not alone or to blame, and that there are resources available to help.

In addition to reaching out to your OB office for support, other resources for PMAD include:

Please note that inclusion on this website/resource list does not constitute a recommendation of any of the individuals or agencies listed. Neither Elliot Health System nor its members are liable for any actions taken by any of the resources referenced on this site. The credentials and statements found in the resource listings are not continuously monitored by Elliot Hospital. Their accuracy is the responsibility of the individual websites and resources contained therein and should be confirmed by the consumer of the services sought.

Your safety after birth is just as important as that of your baby. It is important to familiarize yourself and your family members with the Post-Birth Warning Signs that should prompt seeking medical care.

It can be overwhelming and intimidating to know where to find safe, reliable information online relating to the safety of you and your baby. We recommend checking out these resources, and discussing others with your pediatrician: