Bonded by Baby / Vinculados por el Bebé
Bonded by Baby / Vinculados por el Bebé is a comprehensive postpartum care program dedicated to supporting new parents through the crucial first year after childbirth. Recognizing that parents of young infants are among the loneliest—62% of first-time parents report feeling lonely compared to 43% of Americans overall—our program aims to create strong social networks to alleviate these feelings and enhance overall well-being.
How It Works:
In Bonded by Baby, parents who give birth in the same month and live in close proximity are grouped into community-based cohorts. These cohorts come together to receive healthcare focused on the common social-emotional challenges of parenthood, bonding over the joys and struggles of this life stage. Participants engage in weekly virtual sessions led by social workers, providing a convenient and accessible way to receive healthcare support from home. Our Digital Safety Nets initiative ensures that parents who might otherwise be unable to participate due to technology barriers are fully supported.
Culturally-Responsive Support:
Bonded by Baby was co-designed with a large community of new parents to offer culturally-responsive support tailored to the diverse backgrounds of its participants. By placing social connection at the heart of postpartum care, we aim to mitigate the risks of postpartum depression, anxiety, and stress while striving to reduce maternal mortality rates, particularly among marginalized communities who are disproportionately affected.
Program Components:
Weekly Virtual Sessions: Led by professional social workers, these sessions provide a structured environment for parents to connect, share experiences, and receive expert guidance.
One-on-One Health Screenings: Regular individual check-ins ensure that each participant's health concerns are addressed.
Personalized Case Management: Tailored support to help parents navigate the complexities of early parenthood.
Community Outings: Designed to foster in-person connections and practical parenting support, strengthening the bonds within the cohort.
Impact:
Through building strong social networks and providing comprehensive care, Bonded by Baby works to improve the overall well-being of new parents and their infants, making the postpartum period a more supported, connected, and healthy experience.