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Care that mothers receive after a baby is born is just as crucial as prenatal care. New motherhood is physically and emotionally taxing, and all new parents need “a baseline of support — sleep, healthy food, time to yourself,” advises the . Postpartum support from family, friends and health care professionals is particularly important during the first 12 weeks after birth, though the whole first year is a high-risk time for new moms.

To help support moms and dads with newborns, Women & Infants Hospital in Providence, R.I., part of Care New England, established . It’s a toll-free telephone support system staffed by professional nurses. Parents can call, ask questions and get helpful information on everything from breastfeeding to managing postpartum issues.

The Women & Infants Hospital website provides additional support to new moms, including : how and how long to breastfeed, how to know if a baby is eating enough, what foods to eat and what foods to avoid while breastfeeding, and links to lactation consultants and breastfeeding support services. If a new mother prefers not to breastfeed, the hospital website offers guidelines on bottle-feeding and safely preparing formula.