Maternity Amenities & Ongoing Support

Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital’s amenities and resources to new parents are second to none. Starting with pampered treatment during your stay at the hospital — including fine dining, overnight guests and professional photography — we don’t stop there.

For weeks and months after you give birth, we provide additional support through hotlines, groups and continuing education to give you all the resources you need to raise your healthy child, including:

• Breastfeeding Support
• Children's Memorial Hospital Outpatient Center
• Clergy Visits
• Fine Dining at Your Bedside
• Hearing Test
• Lullaby Welcome & Portrait Photography
• Maternity Educational & Fitness Programs
• Newborn & Lactation Hotlines
• Overnight Guests & Visiting Hours
• Postpartum Depression Support
• Support Groups

Breastfeeding Support

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breast milk as the healthiest option for babies’ nutrition and overall health. That’s why we offer a variety of support services to help new moms who choose to breastfeed.

Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital’s nurses are trained to help you initiate breastfeeding with your newborn. Oftentimes this natural process is simple for mom and baby to learn; but other times, a little more guidance is needed.

If you encounter any difficulties, your doctor can write an order for a certified lactation consultant who can provide personalized instruction to help improve the breastfeeding experience. Our Lactation Center, offered at the Lake Forest and Grayslake campuses, has everything you need to continue breastfeeding from home or work — including breast pump sales and rental, nursing bras and other accessories.

The Lactation Center and Hotline provide ongoing support and advice after you and your baby go home. For more information or help, please call the Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital Lactation Center at (847) 535-6262.

Children's Memorial Hospital Outpatient Center

In addition to providing 24-hour care, 7 days a week for infants and children in the inpatient pediatric and maternity units at Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital, Children’s Memorial’s pediatric subspecialists also offer outpatient care at the Lake Forest Campus. The Outpatient Center is located in the Bays Medical Office at 900 N. Westmoreland Road. Specialties include:

• Pediatric cardiology
• Pediatric endocrinology
• Pediatric gastroenterology
• Pediatric oncology
• Pediatric orthopedics
• Pediatric surgery
• Pediatric urology

Learn more about the Children's Memorial Hospital Outpatient Center at Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital.

Clergy Visits

The arrival of a new baby is a blessed event, and often a stressful time, in the life of a family. The Pastoral Care Department of Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital provides blessings for babies and families, support for new moms and help for couples and families. Should you need it, we also provide grief counseling and support.

For your convenience, Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital has two chapels you can visit, or we are happy to call on your in the privacy of your room. Contact Pastoral Care at (847) 535-6070 if you would like to have a Bible or other sacred text, a rosary, prayer rug or other items for prayer and worship during your stay.

Fine Dining at Your Bedside

Commemorate your baby’s birth with a delicious celebration dinner for two, ordered through Bedside Bistro, our room service program. You will enjoy treasured time together enhanced with a restaurant-quality meal of your choice, including a gourmet cake and wine, if you like.

Hearing Test Supports Your Baby’s Progress

Hearing problems can interfere with a baby’s development. That’s why we test every baby’s hearing before they leave the hospital.

Administered by an audiology specialist, our Universal Newborn Hearing Screening is a quick, painless and accurate method of assessing your baby’s hearing. We administer the test in the ear canal and recording an “echo” from the inner ear. If there’s a problem, we can address it right away to minimize its impact on development.

During your hospital stay, a caregiver will provide additional information about this important screening.

Lullaby Welcome & Portrait Photography

At Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital, we announce your baby’s birth in classical style by playing Brahm’s Lullaby throughout the hospital. We also provide the opportunity for you to create a timeless treasure of your baby’s first days with a keepsake photograph in the nursery taken by professional photographers.

Newborn & Lactation Hotlines

NEWBORN HOTLINE
Taking your baby home is exciting — but sometimes a bit overwhelming. For the first six weeks of your newborn's life, call (847) 535-6161, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to talk to a registered nurse with any questions or concerns about your new baby.

 

LACTATION HELP LINE
For breastfeeding questions and concerns, call the Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital's Lactation Center at (847) 535-6262. You will be able to leave a message for a certified lactation consultant who will respond to your concern. If your problem is urgent, please call your pediatrician or family practitioner.

Overnight Guests & Visiting Hours

The baby’s father or a designated significant other is encouraged to stay at the hospital for the entire birthing experience, including overnight. We provide comfortable sofas, most of which convert into single beds, so that you don’t need to separate from your baby.

For grandparents and siblings of the newborn(s), visiting hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Other visitors must be 12 years of age or older and are encouraged to visit between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. daily.

To help us maintain a secure environment for our mothers and babies, please instruct your visitors to bring photo identification to receive their visitor passes.

Postpartum Depression Support

Being a new mother is a time of major change. It is not uncommon for new mothers to experience a wide range of emotions during the first several weeks following childbirth.

For some, however, the sad emotions can take over. In fact, up to 20% of women (and even some men) will experience a more intense case of baby blues, known as postpartum depression. Symptoms can surface between 3 weeks and 1 year after delivery.

If you are feeling overwhelmed by negative feelings during this time, intervention by a health care professional is necessary. Treatment may include medication, counseling and increased social support through hospital and community groups.

Postpartum depression is not a life-long condition; rather, it is a short-term, serious condition that your physician can help you manage. Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital is a member of a Perinatal Network that you, friends and family members can contact at any time for support by calling the Postpartum Depression Hotline at (866) 364-6667.

Support Groups

BREASTFEEDING SUPPORT GROUP
Discuss breastfeeding issues during a mother-to-mother support session led by a trained volunteer. This group is for nursing mothers and their babies. Register after the birth of your baby. For more information or to join this group, please contact our Lactation Center, breastfeeding@lfh.org or (847) 535-6262.

 

SURVIVING MOTHERHOOD 1 & 2
New mothers and their babies are invited to this forum to share and learn coping strategies. Topics include infant feedings, sleep patterns, changing family relationships and other areas of concern

"Surviving Motherhood 1" is for mothers of babies 2 weeks to 6 months old. "Surviving Motherhood 2" is for mothers of babies 6 to 18 months old.

Register after the birth of your baby. This free class is for any mother of a new baby looking for support or wishing to network with other mothers. For more information or to join this group, please email childbirthed@lfh.org or call (847) 535-6182.

 

See all Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital Support Groups >