The mission of Welcome Baby is to help provide awareness, prevention, and support for women's mental health needs related to childbirth and the stress of being a new mother.

Welcome Baby Program Overview

Welcome Baby provides critical educational materials to each patient at Aiken Regional Medical Center who has a baby. The information focuses on postpartum emotions and mental health concerns and provides a guide that includes relevant information for new parents. Childbirth can trigger many powerful emotions in both parents, ranging from excitement and delight to anxiety and depression. When signs of depression occur after birth, they can signal postpartum depression. Experts still have a lot to learn about the causes of this condition, but hormonal changes after childbirth are a probable factor in women. Symptoms of postpartum depression or PPD usually begin two to four weeks after the birth of the child and may last up to a year.

Our Impact

Mothers of newborns will be able to distinguish between stress and postpartum depression. They can access support and information on seeking treatment through the information provided by nursing and counseling staff in the hospital setting. Parents in need of support and education and/or in financial crisis will be provided a one-week supply of diapers and formula.

As of April 2019, we have provided car seats, cribs, diapers, and formula to families in financial need. Additionally, we provide clothing, diapers, and formula monthly when available. We attend health and safety fairs and educate the participants about these programs.

Shaken Baby Syndrome

Buckle Up Baby

Safe Sleep

Cribs for Kids

During 2020-2021 we saw a tremendous need for more support in this program. If it were not for United Way funding and the kindness of the people of Aiken County, we would not have been able to meet the demand for this program.

Our Partners

Aiken Downtown Businesses

Carolina Quilters

Salvation Army

Aiken County Coroner’s Office

Kimberly Clarke

United Way

Aiken County Emergency Medical Services

Safe Kids – TDC