Nurses for Newborns of Tennessee, an infant mortality, child abuse and neglect prevention agency, is participating in the international 19 Days of Activism for Prevention of Violence Against Children and Youth November 1-19.

Nurses for Newborns (NFN) is dedicated to reducing infant mortality, child abuse and neglect by sending registered nurses into the home to provide physical assessment, education, and positive parenting skills to at risk families. This year, the 19 Days of Activism Campaign has a focus on malnutrition. Malnutrition refers to not only an inadequate amount of food, but also to an inadequate amount of nutrition. Nutrients like iron, vitamin A, and zinc are key for physical and mental growth and development.

Proper nutrition begins with mothers and caregivers. Nurses provide education on proper nutrition from the first visit, including the mother's nutritional and caloric intake, the baby's caloric intake, breastfeeding and use of formula for infant nutrition. Nurses for Newborns also educate caregivers on when to introduce baby foods and solids and connect families to various community resources that can provide formula and other food as needed. At every visit, the baby is weighed, measured and assessed to ensure he is meeting appropriate growth milestones. Caregivers are frequently asked about their diet from the last 24 hours to ensure they are also eating a balanced diet and drinking enough fluids. By educating and assessing these caregivers and babies during the nurse visits, Nurses for Newborns can directly reduce the risk of malnutrition in the families we serve.

NFN's support is specific to those most vulnerable in the community, such as medically fragile babies (including but not limited to babies born premature, drug exposed or experiencing other medical concerns), mothers or caregivers with medical, mental health or substance abuse concerns, and teenage parents. NFN serves families by providing medical, developmental, and mental health assessments for women and their infants. Our nurses promote healthcare, safety, education, and positive parenting skills as well as connect families to other needed resources. Support can begin prenatally and can last until the child is 24 months old. Last year, NFN served approximately 350 babies in Middle Tennessee!

They are proud to partner with other community agencies to support parents in building safe, stable and nurturing homes. For more information on how you can partner with Nurses for Newborns to save babies and strengthen families, visit www.nursesfornewborns.org/tennessee or contact the Nurses for Newborns office.