Important Announcements

Nondiscrimination Statement Update

Boston Medical Center Health System complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, national origin (including limited English proficiency and primary language), religion, culture, physical or mental disabilities, socioeconomic status, sex, sexual orientation and gender identity and/or expression. BMCHS provides free aids and services to people with disabilities and free language services to people whose primary language is not English.

To see our full nondiscrimination statement, click here.

Campus Construction Update

Starting September 14, we’re closing the Menino building lobby entrance. This, along with the ongoing Yawkey building entrance closure, will help us bring you an even better campus experience that matches the exceptional care you've come to expect. Please enter the Menino and Yawkey buildings through the Moakley building, and make sure to leave extra time to get to your appointment. Thank you for your patience. 

Click here to learn more about our campus redesign. 

Postpartum Care

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BMC’s Postpartum Unit

After you welcome your new baby, you’ll be moved to a single family room in BMC’s postpartum unit. This gives new moms the privacy they need during recovery and parents the chance to bond with their new baby. Our staff is committed to making every birth a memorable and special occasion.

Breastfeeding

Learn about breastfeeding and what to expect when you have your baby at BMC!

BMC is a World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF designated Baby-Friendly hospital. This international award recognizes excellence in lactation support. We provide care based on the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)-endorsed Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding. Numerous organizations, including the WHO and AAP, recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life. Watch the following video for more information about supporting your breastfeeding journey at BMC and the services we provide.

BMC is a World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF designated Baby-Friendly hospital. This international award recognizes excellence in lactation support. We provide care based on the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)-endorsed Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding. Numerous organizations, including the WHO and AAP, recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life.

Skin to Skin

Your baby will be placed skin-to-skin with you right after birth.

  • If you have a vaginal birth, and there are no complications, your baby will be placed directly on your chest after delivery and will remain there until the first breastfeed or for an hour for the formula-feeding mother.
  • If you have a Cesarean birth, and there are no complications, your baby will be placed skin-to-skin with you as soon as you are stable and alert, usually in the recovery room. We also encourage skin-to-skin holding with the father or other labor support person.

Skin-to-skin contact is important for all babies because it helps with bonding, keeps your baby warm, keeps your baby's blood sugar in a normal range and gets breastfeeding off to a great start. Babies who are held this way also cry less. Skin-to-skin holding allows your baby a gentle entry into the world and assists your baby to progress through a number of amazing developmental skills.

After birth, you and your baby will be transferred from the Labor and Delivery Unit to a private room in the beautiful, new Postpartum Unit.

Stay and Bond with Your Baby

Your baby will stay in the room with you. This is known as rooming-in and will help you to get to know your baby under the watchful care of our highly trained staff. The same nurse who is taking care of you will also be taking care of your baby. We will teach you about safe skin-to-skin holding and safe sleep.

Newborn Care

Examinations and tests for the baby will be done in your room including the hepatitis B shot, newborn metabolic screen (blood test obtained from the heel), bilirubin test (blood test obtained from the heel), hearing screen, and heart screen.

Your baby’s first bath will be delayed for at least 12-24 hours. This will allow your baby to stay warm and the blood sugar to stabilize.

Your baby will need their first check up at 3-5 days of life. If you plan to bring your baby to BMC, visit our Pediatrics - Primary Care department for more information or call 617.414.5946.

Breastfeeding Support

All maternity staff are familiar with the Infant Feeding Policy and have received training to help carry out the policy.

If your choice is to breastfeed your baby:

  • You will be provided support from our highly trained maternity staff.
  • Lactation Consultants are available to offer their expert services.
  • The Postpartum Unit and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) can offer Pasteurized Human Donor Milk if needed.
  • Your baby will not routinely receive pacifiers.

If your choice is to formula feed your baby:

  • You will be provided instructions about safe preparation and feeding of infant formula.
  • You will be taught paced bottle-feeding.

We will refer you to parenting and feeding support groups, like BMC’s Baby Café, upon discharge.

As a Baby-Friendly hospital, BMC follows the International Code of Marketing of Breast Milk Substitutes (the Code). The infant formula, bottles and nipples that we use are purchased at Fair Market Value.

If needed, your nurse will be happy to complete your WIC form.

Visitors

You can have as many visitors as you would like on postpartum. Visiting Hours end at 8:00 PM every day. Your support person is encouraged to stay overnight with you. We are sorry, but no children can stay overnight.

Quiet Time is observed every day from 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM. We recommend visitors do not come during this time, so that mother and their new baby can rest and bond uninterrupted. Please share this information with your family and visitors so they can arrange their visit around this time.

Taking Your Baby Home

Day Before Discharge

Our staff will assist you in completing the Birth Certificate application.

Please bring in a car seat a day prior to discharge.

Day of Discharge

Our goal is for discharge to occur by 11:00 AM. Please arrange for transportation.

Hospital Support after Discharge

New moms have questions after going home. BMC is here to help. Phone advice is available to new moms 24/7. Call 617.414.7293 to speak with a midwife. Call 617.414.2000 to speak with a doctor or nurse practitioner. To reach a doctor or midwife on labor and delivery, call 617.414.4364.

If you have questions about your new baby, call your baby’s pediatrician.

We are honored to be part of this important occasion in your family’s life.