During your stay

Meals and snacks

Meals and snacks are delivered to your room during your stay. Your family and friends are welcome to get something to eat at the Sequoia Café, located on the first floor.

Rooming in

Research shows that babies who stay in the same room as their mothers adjust better, and new moms rest and recover better. We keep your baby with you as much as possible throughout your stay, so you can bond and learn to recognize your baby’s needs.

Hand-washing

As your new baby’s immune system develops, hand-washing is an important way to prevent infection. Protect your newborn by asking visitors to wash their hands before touching your baby. If anyone is sick — even mildly — ask them not to visit until they are feeling better.

Newborn photos

A photographer is available to take professional photos of your baby while you are in the hospital. Photo packages are available for a fee. Ask your nurse for more information.

Newborn security

Your baby’s security is important to us. Never leave your baby unattended. If you need to be away from your baby for any reason, let your nurse know so we can make sure your little one is cared for safely.

After your baby is born, you, your baby, and your support person will receive matching wrist bands. A wireless radio frequency band also will be placed on your baby’s ankle to make sure he or she remains in the mother-baby unit, which is equipped with security cameras.

Your baby will stay with you in your room unless there is a medical reason for your newborn to be in the Intermediate Care Nursery.

All Kaiser Permanente employees wear badges with their name, title, and photograph. Only allow clinical staff with a Kaiser Permanente badge to take your baby from your room. If you’re ever uncomfortable with the person who is asking to take your baby from you, use your nurse call button to ask for an additional staff member to confirm the request.

Newborn screenings

All newborns undergo painless cardiac and hearing screening tests. The hearing test is performed by a newborn hearing screening technician and the cardiac test, which looks at your baby’s heart health, will be performed by your nurse. These tests will be done in the postpartum unit before you go home.

Breastfeeding

Breast milk is nature’s perfect first food, and breastfeeding can enhance the bond between you and your baby. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months and continued breastfeeding through the first year of life.

Learn more about breastfeeding

Support for successful breastfeeding:

• The breastfeeding class will help you learn about breastfeeding positions, milk supply, preventing and managing pain, pumping, milk storage, and working while breastfeeding.
• We encourage skin-to-skin contact, which triggers healthy baby behaviors. It helps your little one stay warm on their own, breathe on their own, and learn to nurse.
• All of our maternity nurses are trained breastfeeding specialists. We also have a team of internationally board-certified lactation consultants at our hospital and outpatient breastfeeding clinic.
  

Lactation consultants

If you need additional support, a lactation consultant will come help you while you’re in the hospital. Lactation consultants are also available after you go home.

• Breastfeeding advice line: 559-448-2229 (559-448-BABY)

Leaving the hospital

After you have your baby, you’ll be seen daily by an obstetrician who will care for you during recovery and help determine when you’re ready to go home. The length of your hospital stay will depend on a variety of factors.

If you have a vaginal birth, you may be ready go home when your baby is 1 to 2 days old. If you have a cesarean birth, you’ll need to stay a bit longer.

A board posted in your room lists all the things that need to happen before you’re discharged. On the day you leave the hospital, we’ll try to complete the discharge process in the morning so you can get home and get settled for the first night on your own with your baby.

Secure checkout

When you’re ready to leave, your support person should bring the car up to the front of the Birthing center main entrance. A staff member will wheel you and your baby outside after you’ve gone through our secure checkout.

Car seat

California law requires that you take your baby home in a car seat. It helps to have your car seat installed a few weeks before your baby is due. Our staff is not licensed to assist or direct you with car seat usage or installation.

Car seat installation resources

Always read and follow the car seat instructions, as well as your vehicle seat belt instructions. You can find guidelines for safe car seat installation online. You can also call 1-866-SEAT-CHECK (1-866-732-8243), or go to seatcheck.org to find a seat-inspection location certified by the National Transportation Safety Board.