The Baby Place

The Baby Place at Florida Hospital Zephyrhills offers family centered maternity care in a professional inviting environment. Our emphasis is to provide safe, quality maternal and newborn care based on your individual beliefs, values and customs. We recognize the role of family during this joyful time and welcome family members to participate as much as you like in your birthing experience.

The Baby Place adheres to the standards of the following organizations; ACOG; the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, AAP; the American Academy of Pediatrics and AWHONN; the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses.

Planning, Before Your Baby Arrives
We encourage mothers-to-be to tour our facility. Tours are available, and scheduled by calling (813) 783-6124. We also offer the following classes:
Childbirth Preparation class: This 5 week series provides valuable information regarding labor, delivery and postpartum allowing parents to make informed choices.
Breastfeeding class: Ensure the best start possible for your baby. This class provides information regarding the health benefits of breastfeeding for both you and your baby.
Infant CPR: The CPR class is taught using the American Heart Association Friends and Family curriculum. This class teaches life saving skills every expectant family should know.

Scroll down for additional class information

Your Baby’s Birth
As soon as possible after your baby’s birth you will be encouraged to touch, hold and cuddle your baby to begin the important process of bonding. You and the family members of your choice will remain in the birthing room during this initial bonding time, you can even give your baby his or her first bath with the assistance of Baby Place staff.
A specially trained mother baby nurse will care for you and your baby together throughout your hospital stay. Your baby will stay with you in your room unless special medical needs arise and your baby is transferred to our nursery which is equipped for special care and stabilization. Our nurses are all Neonatal Resuscitation providers and are equipped to handle unexpected emergencies.

Beastfeeding
Breastfeeding has been proven to be the optimal way to feed an infant. No artificial food is even close in nutritional quality. Breastmilk is the perfect food containing more than 200 health-promoting ingredients unavailable in artificial baby milk  (formula). Breast milk contains natural components that are natural tranquilizers for babies, is always clean and at the right temperature. In studies performed infants fed artificial baby milk (formula) have 5 times more gastrointestinal illnesses, 3 times more respiratory illnesses, and double the episodes of otitis media.  Artificial baby milk may cause excessive crying/colic, diarrhea and lactose intolerance. The more breast milk an infant receives in the 1st 6 months of life, the less likely the infant is to develop health related problems. Breastfeeding is very beneficial to mom as well.
 

Benefits for Baby

Benefits for Mother

Stronger immune system Less diarrhea Less constipation Fewer colds and ear infections Better vision Lower rates of infant Mortality Possible lower rates of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Improves IQ Less allergy, eczema and asthma Fewer childhood cancers Lower risk of juvenile diabetes Lower rates of respiratory and gastrointestinal illness Fewer cavities Less likely to become obese later in childhood Less likely to develop juvenile rheumatoid arthritis Less likely to develop heart disease in adulthood Lower risk of multiple sclerosis Lower rates of pre and post menopausal breast cancers

Promotes faster weight loss after birth Less postpartum bleeding Less chance of anemia May lessen osteoporosis and resulting risk of hip fractures with age May lower risk of uterine cancer May lower risk of ovarian cancer May lower risk of breast cancer Fewer urinary tract infections Increased calmness, self-esteem and confidence

Because the Baby Place recognizes the benefits of breastfeeding all our nurses are trained in assisting the breasting feeding mother and there are several Certified Lactation Counselors (CLC) on staff.

Breast Pump Rental Station
The Baby Place has the Medela Lactina Select breast pump for rent (daily, monthly and 6 month plans) as well as the Pump in Style professional pump for sale. Call 813/783-6124 for more information.

Baby Place Visitor Policy
Family is defined as those persons identified by you as providing familial support, whether or not they are biologically related. In the Baby Place family members are not considered visitors and as such you decide who you want to share the experience with. Family members are welcome according to your wishes; visiting times will be determined by you.  In order to protect our babies, anyone visiting you and your baby while in the hospital  must be free from signs of illness and wash their hands thoroughly if they will hold your newborn. There is a waiting room  for family and visitors located outside the unit.

Childbirth Preparation class
Childbirth in the 21st century is filled with many choices. Childbirth preparation classes are vital in order to help expectant parents make informed decisions about their:

Breast Feeding Class
At Florida Hospital Zephyrhills, we recognize that breastfeeding provides the best nutrition to your baby. We offer breastfeeding classes throughout the year to ensure the best start possible for your baby!

Topics covered during the course:

Benefits of breastfeeding for baby
Benefits of breastfeeding for mom
Positioning
Latch on
Prevention/Treatment Nipple Soreness
Breast Engorgement
Cluster Feeding
Feeding Schedules
How to know when your baby is getting enough milk

Cost:
       $20 per couple or Healthy Start Referral *

Infant CPR Classes
Every expectant parent should learn the life saving skills taught in this CPR class. You never know when you may need this vital information. The American Heart Association's Friends and Family curriculum is used to teach this course. This is a lay rescuer course and is not meant to satisfy job requirements for medical professionals.

Topics Covered:

Infant Rescue Breathing
Infant Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation
Infant Foreign Body Airway Obstruction

Cost:
                    $20 per couple or  Healthy Start Referral *

* Healthy Start Referrals may be used to pay for any of the patient education classes offered at the Baby Place. You must be a participant in the Healthy Start Program to receive a referral. Your physician or midwife should offer this program to you during your prenatal visits. (Usually at your 1st appointment) You may also call the Healthy Start office in your area if you have further questions about getting into this program and receiving vouchers for educational classes.

Healthy Start:
Zephyrhills (813) 782-1740
Dade City (813) 521-1450
Land O’ Lakes (813) 558-5173

Call  (813) 783-6124 for more information, class schedule or to register for a class

Tours
Please call  (813) 783-6124 to schedule a tour of the Baby Place 

Pediatrics
The Baby Place provides low risk family centered pediatric care to patient’s age newborn to 12 in the community. Specially trained nurses care for pediatric patients and are Pediatric Advanced Life Support providers. Since hospitalization for a child can be a very frightening experience, the Baby Place requires a parent or other designated family member to remain with the pediatric patient at all times. Meals will be provided for the patient as well as one parent or family member staying with the child. If it is not possible to have a parent of other family member with the child, a private sitter will be hired at the family’s expense.

Help your child have a more positive hospital experience:

Bring their favorite toy or blanket (marked with their name) to the hospital.

Be honest. Describe what will happen, what the child will see, hear and feel.

Let your child verbalize their feelings.

During treatments we may ask parents to leave the room. This allows children to see their parents as safe comfort providers.

Pediatrics Visitor Policy: Family members are welcome according to the parent’s wishes; visiting times will be determined by the parent's. There is a waiting room  for family and visitors located outside the unit.