Welcome home, baby: How Family Connects helps moms, babies adjust to postpartum life

Bringing a newborn home is a life-changing experience, whether it's your first child or your fourth. At Touro, the Family Connects program is here to support every new family through those tender first weeks.

For Mary Hill, a working mom of two from New Orleans, support came in the form of warm, reassuring visits from Family Connects New Orleans nurse Patrice Batiste, RN.

Real support for real life

Mary and her husband, Ryan, were overjoyed to welcome their daughter Elizabeth “Lettie” Elaine Hill on April 22, 2025. Lettie, named after both of her grandmothers, weighed 7 pounds 6 ounces and measured 20 inches long. She joined big brother Henson, or “Henny,” 3 1/2 years old, to complete the Hill family.

Though this wasn’t her first delivery, Mary, 40, a chief operating officer for a NOLA law firm, knows every baby is different.

“I had a much healthier pregnancy this time,” she shared, after managing fibroid-related complications in the past. With the expert care of Sarah Ryan-Yockey, MD, at Touro, Mary’s scheduled C-section went smoothly—even when an unexpected hemorrhage occurred during delivery. “Dr. Yockey was calm and confident,” Mary said. “I knew I was in good hands.”

Even with a smoother delivery and experience on her side, Mary didn’t hesitate to sign up for Family Connects. In fact, she said, she wishes the program, a combined community project between Orleans Parish and LCMC Health’s Touro, was available when Henny was born.

“I first heard about Family Connects through the Women’s Leadership Academy at Loyola,” she said. “When I learned what the program offered, I knew right away I wanted to be part of it.”

A helping hand at just the right time

Family Connects is a free program that provides postpartum moms with up to three in-home visits from a registered nurse during the first 12 weeks of the baby’s life. The first visit typically occurs around three weeks after the baby is born.

“Women’s healthcare is my love language,” Patrice said. “And the thing I love most about Family Connects is that I am able to visit with new moms in the comfort of their own homes. They can be themselves in their own environment and feel comfortable asking whatever questions they may have.”.

After the first visit, participants are able to schedule one or two more visits. Patrice said many women, like Mary, take advantage of all three visits.

When Patrice arrived at her house for the first visit, it felt like more than just a wellness check. “I immediately felt like I wanted to be friends with her,” said Mary. “She was so warm. Even though I’d had a baby before, there were things I had totally forgotten.”

Patrice said that every pregnancy is different. Every child is different. “Feeding experiences are always different. You could be in a different mental state than you were when you had your first child. Or, maybe you had more support from family back then,” Patrice said. “In Mary’s case with feeding, she had a very different feeding experience with her first child compared with her second. The differences threw her for a loop.”

Mary agreed, noting Patrice provided reassurance, answered questions, and brought a packet filled with helpful information. She even reminded Mary about the “purple crying” phase, something Mary had forgotten about since her son was a baby.

"Purple crying," defined by regular bouts of intense crying, is a developmental phase many newborns experience between two weeks and four months of age. While it may seem like something is wrong with the baby, Patrice said, it is completely normal and not a sign of illness or any problem.

“Being reminded about this daily crying helped me realize that Lettie would have her own reactions and patterns. Patrice treated me and my baby like individuals. She reminded me to let Lettie be Lettie,” Mary said.

Care for the whole family

Patrice also looked out for Mary and her husband, wanting to support them both. For example, Mary said Patrice offered lactation support when Lettie had difficulty latching, along with safety tips for the home. At the same time, she discussed strategies for managing the entire household with a newborn and a young son—guidance that was especially helpful for Ryan, 38, a physical therapist and owner of the local clinic, The Stride Shop.

“The visits were comprehensive and relaxed,” Mary said. “During our visits, Patrice’s presence was exactly what we needed. I think Family Connects is the perfect program for every postpartum family.”

If the idea of the program taking place in the family's home catches you off guard, don’t let it. Mary was quick to say it was a wonderful experience. “Being in my own home during visits with Patrice made a difference,” she said. “It was a judgment-free space to ask anything. She made me feel like I had someone in my corner.”

That comfort and connection turned into real joy when Lettie rolled over at just seven weeks. “Patrice told me early on not to take my eyes off this baby because 2025 babies are doing everything early! She was right, and I couldn’t wait to tell her that Lettie rolled over so soon.”

Support that builds a village

Family Connects is more than a medical check-in. It forges a new relationship when new parents feel they may need a new perspective and a comforting ear.

“After my first visit with Patrice, I felt like I had added someone new to my village,” Mary said. “The more people you have in your corner after having a baby, the better. I just knew she was someone I could rely on.”

Patrice, who has years of experience in women’s health and is a mother herself, understands the value of this connection. “Every pregnancy is different. Every baby is different. Feeding, sleep, your mental state—it all changes. Family Connects helps fill a gap after delivery that I truly believe most women’s health practitioners don’t have the opportunity to fill.

“We take care of mom and baby during the pregnancy,” Patrice added. “And pediatricians see the baby several times in their first year. It’s these extra few appointments offered by Family Connects that really build a bridge for the parents. This is true whether it’s their first baby or their fifth. Family Connects is here to reassure, educate, and support families when they need it most.”

You’re not alone! Sign up for Family Connects New Orleans

Whether you’re a first-time parent or adding to your growing family, Family Connects is here for you. There are no income requirements, and every family is welcome. “The visits are free and the impact is priceless,” Mary added.

For more information about Family Connects New Orleans, please visit: https://lcmchealth-drshh.formstack.com/forms/family_connects_program_patient_form. You can also email FamilyConnects@LCMCHealth.org or call 504.897.8889 with any questions.
 

For more information about obstetrics and gynecology care at LCMC Health’s Touro, please visit: https://www.lcmchealth.org/touro/our-services/womens-health/obstetrics-gynecology/