When St. Louis resident Bridget had to take unpaid maternity leave from her job at a youth advocate program helping at-risk children, she turned to Nurses for Newborns (NFN) for help.
“Marche has come in right at a time where I felt like I needed a little extra support,” Bridget says, referring to her NFN community health worker. “Even though I’m not working, I still have bills. I was in the middle of going through postpartum depression as well. That was a lot of pressure. I felt like I was able to overcome that cycle of postpartum with the support I did have from Nurses for Newborns and Marche.”
Bridget’s story is just one example of how NFN changes lives. By sending trained nurses into homes, sometimes even within days of birth, NFN addresses health risks early, supports new parents, and connects families to the resources they need to thrive.
In Missouri, where infant deaths occur at three times the national average and maternal mortality rates are two times higher, that work couldn’t be more critical.
More Than a Medical Visit
NFN’s services are free to any pregnant parent or caregiver with a baby. Families can self-refer or be referred by hospitals, clinics, and social service agencies—and within 48–72 hours, a nurse is there.
That first visit is comprehensive, featuring health assessments for both mother and baby, a home safety check, guidance on everything from safe sleep to feeding schedules, and help connecting with pediatricians and other resources.
For medically fragile infants, the process moves even faster, sometimes beginning in the hospital before the baby comes home.
NFN’s nurses visit families weekly at first, then taper down as goals are met. In between, community health workers like Marche—often from the same neighborhoods they serve—bridge cultural gaps and build trust. This is especially critical for immigrant families or those hesitant to let outsiders into their homes.
Beyond health checks, NFN addresses the root causes of poor outcomes, as they did with Bridget. Many of the families served—95 percent—live at or below the poverty level.
Through partnerships with organizations such as Beyond Housing, United Way, and local food banks, NFN connects families with everything from utility assistance to job opportunities.
Thanks to the support from NFN, Bridget was even able to go back to school, where she’s studying business entrepreneurship and fashion.
“Once I went on maternity leave, things were on hold (with my education), but with the support I am getting from Nurses for Newborns, I’m still able to go after my goals and my dreams and my aspirations,” she says.
It’s this blend of medical expertise, hands-on teaching, and wraparound resources that makes NFN more than a checkup—it’s a full-spectrum support system for the earliest, most vulnerable days of a child’s life.
NFN’s mission is clear: reduce infant and maternal mortality, strengthen families, and connect them to resources that break cycles of poverty. Through a combination of expert nursing care, cultural sensitivity, and community partnerships, NFN is helping families thrive and creating stronger futures across our community.
This post was created by SLM Partner Studio on behalf of Nurses for Newborns. Learn more or get involved at nursesfornewborns.org.
