Bartlett Regional | House Calls | Spring 2018

Our certified instructors are ready to help Child car seats have been commonplace in the U.S. for decades. As for proper car seat use, there’s a long way to go. Studies say 80 percent or more of car seats are misused. Common issues include: w w Not facing the correct way. w w Straps are not tight enough. w w Confusion on whether to use the LATCH system or the seat belt to secure the seat. “There’s a high enough degree of misuse of the car seat that it could reasonably result in injury of the child,” says Kasia Spengler, RN, IBCLC, Bartlett Beginnings nurse educator. Certified car seat safety instructors With the help of a grant from the Crossett Fund, Bartlett Beginnings recently teamed up with Alaska Highway Safety Office, Safe Kids Alaska and the Juneau Police Department to develop a car seat safety policy and provider training program. The policy, infused with information from the American Academy of Pediatrics, trains nurses to advise new parents on safe car seat use before they depart the hospital with their new baby. Spengler and fellow nurse educator Sara Gress trained their colleagues in car seat safety after completing a child passenger safety technician program. The hands-on, three-day training involved instructors from all over the state and was sponsored by the Alaska Highway Safety Office and Safe Kids Alaska. Car seat danger: Winter coats Bulky winter coats can hinder a snug fit in a car seat. “All of that fluffy material compresses down to nothing and the straps are basically not fitted well enough to allow the car seat to do its job,” says Gress. There can also be issues with hand-me-down car seats. “We are so good about passing our goods on to other people in this community when it comes to babies,” she adds. “But it’s important to check the manufacture date to see whether the seat has expired. Most car seats expire after six years. It is also advised not to use a car seat that has been in a motor vehicle accident.” Expensive car seats aren’t always the best “One of the biggest things we took away from the training was that it’s really overwhelming when you’re trying to select a car seat,” they say. And they learned more expensive is not necessarily better. “The reality is that all car seats meet the same standards and are tested to the same crash test safety rating.” A Save the date! Breastfeeding Success and Newborn Care & Safety Class w w Mondays, April 9 through 23, 6 to 8:30 p.m., Bartlett Regional Hospital w w Mondays, June 11 through 25, 6 to 8:30 p.m., Bartlett Regional Hospital Each three-week session covers proper car seat instruction, newborn care and breastfeeding. SAFETY FIRST: Bartlett Beginnings nurses are trained in safe car seat use guidelines to teach parents how to properly use car seats. www.bartletthospital.org 5 BARTLETT BEGINNINGS Car seat safety: Areyouusing themright $40 seat can be just as safe as a $500 seat, minus the bells and whistles. The safety of a car seat all comes down to proper use. Can’t afford a car seat? There are options If families cannot afford a car seat or are having a hard time finding a reasonably priced one, Bartlett nurses can put them in touch with community resources. Some good places to start: w w The Juneau Police Department (JPD): The JPD has car seats available for a $50 donation. The JPD also provides car seat education and installation assistance. To find out more, call 907-586-0600 . w w The Southeast Regional Health Corporation (SEARHC): SEARHC has similar services available through their Health Promotions division. Call 907-364-4404 for more information. w w Safe Kids Alaska website: Find more guidance, helpful information and resources at www.safekids.org/coalition/ safe-kids-alaska . FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO REGISTER, call 907-796-8975 or visit the Bartlett Beginnings website at www.bartletthospital.org/services/bartlett-beginnings -family-birth-center .