Resource Directory for New Parents
- Breastfeeding Information, Support and Supplies
- Childcare Services
- Child Passenger Safety
- Continuing Education and Employment Opportunities
- Emergency Assistance (Food, Shelter, etc.)
- Emotional Concerns: Postpartum Mood Disorders
- Financial Assistance Programs
- Finding a Doctor
- General Health
- High Risk Pregnancy
- Hotlines: Information and Referrals
- Incontinence
- Infant CPR Classes
- Infertility
- Multiples
- Parenting Education and Support
- Poison Control
- Postpartum Exercise
- Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
- Support Groups
Breastfeeding Information, Support and Supplies
The following resources are available to answer basic breastfeeding and baby care questions. If the line is answered by voicemail, leave a message, and someone will return your call as soon as possible.
Phone Numbers
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
- 24-Hour Breastfeeding Information Line (800) 972-6003
- Case Management (310) 423-4446
- Lactation Education Center (310) 423-5312
- La Leche League International (800) LaLeche
Websites
Childcare Services
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center does not endorse any particular childcare program. This list is for your convenience. Please ask prospective providers for credentials and licensing before enrolling your child.
Phone Numbers
- Child and Family Services (213) 427-2700
(Resources and referrals for all types of childcare) - Crystal Stairs (323) 299-0199
(Childcare referral service for Los Angeles County) - L.A. Unified School District/Early Childhood Division (213) 625-6506
(Operates 102 children centers and five infant centers)
Websites
Child Passenger Safety
Information on safety standards, proper installation and usage.
Phone Numbers
- Car Seat Loan Information (800) 745-7233
(For rental or loan of car seats) - Free Child Safety Seat Inspection (877) 348-4254
(Trained inspectors ensure proper installation of car seats) - U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (800) 638-2772
(Safety standards on cribs, toys and car seats, as well as referral numbers for product recalls)
Websites
- American Academy of Pediatrics
- Consumer Product Safety Commission
- Consumer Reports
- Fit for a Kid
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Continuing Education and Employment Opportunities
Phone Numbers
- Connect L.A. (310) 470-6590
(Provides links to local employers, healthcare and social services)
Websites
Emergency Assistance (Food, Shelter, etc.)
Phone Numbers
- Info Line Los Angeles (800) 339-6993
(Free 24-hour multilingual information and referral line for emergency needs)
Emotional Concerns: Postpartum Mood Disorders
Please check with your doctor for a referral to a therapist with expertise in postpartum mood disorders.
Phone Numbers
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
- Physician Referral Service 1-800-CEDARS-1 (233-2771)
(Referrals to Cedars-Sinai affiliated physicians specializing in postpartum disorders) - Postpartum Depression Groups (310) 423-1510
- Depression after Delivery (800) 944-4773
(Information request line for postpartum depression and support groups nationwide) - Postpartum Education for Parents (805) 564-3888
(24-hour warm line addressing questions about the postpartum period and newborn care) - Postpartum Health Alliance (310) 915-7028
(Resource and referral services for women suffering from postpartum depression)
Websites
Financial Assistance Programs
The following agencies can determine your eligibility for supplemental benefits.
Phone Numbers
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (213) 744-6623
(For supplemental income, health benefits and food stamps) - WIC Program (888) 942-2229
(Supplemental food program for pregnant women and mothers with children up to age five)
Finding a Doctor
Representatives from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center can assist you in finding an OB/GYN doctor, a family practice doctor, a pediatrician or specialist near your home or work.
Phone Numbers
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
- Physician Referral Service 1-800-CEDARS-1 (233-2771)
General Health
Websites
- American Academy of Pediatrics
- American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
- High Risk Pregnancy
- OBGYN.net
Hotlines: Information and Referrals
The following resources are available 24 hours a day for information, support and referrals.
Phone Numbers
- Asthma Information and Referral Line (800) 822-2762
(24-hour information and referral service) - Child Abuse Hotline (800) 540-4000
(24-hour hotline for the reporting of child abuse and crisis counseling) - Community Helpline (877) 541-2525
(24-hr confidential crisis intervention, information and referral service) - Domestic Violence Hotline (800) 548-2722
(24-hour bilingual referral and support line) - Info Line (323) 686-0950
(24-hour information and referrals to human service agencies in L.A. County)
Incontinence
Phone Numbers
- Center for Women's Continence and Pelvic Health (310) 423 - 9555
- National Association for Incontinence (800) BLADDER
Websites
Infant CPR Classes
CPR for infants and children differs from the techniques used on adults. Call for information on these life-saving classes.
Phone Numbers
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
- Infant Safety and CPR Classes (310) 423-5168
- American Heart Association L.A. County (213) 580-1408
- American Red Cross L.A. Chapter (213) 739-5200
Websites
Infertility
Phone Numbers
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
- Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine (310) 423 - 9964
- International Council on Infertility Information and Dissemination (703) 379-9178
Websites
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
- Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine
Multiples
Phone Numbers
- National Organization of Mothers of Twins Club (877) 540-2200
Websites
Parenting Education and Support
Phone Numbers
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
- Good Beginnings (310) 423-6389
(For parents of infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) - Infant Care Class (310) 423-5168
- NICU Graduate Parent-Infant Group, contact Marilee Harthing (310) 423-1510
- Parent Support Groups (310) 423-5168
- Private Parenting Classes (310) 423-5168
(Personalized instruction with a certified childbirth educator in your own home) - 24-Hour Warm Line for Parents (310) 423-3500
- Parents Anonymous, Inc. (909) 621-6184
(Offers weekly support groups for parents throughout California)
Websites
- Americanbaby.com
- Babies Today
- Dads Today
- International Moms Club
(Local chapters hold support groups for at-home mothers, and online support is available) - IParenting Media
- Parenthood.com
- Parenting.org
- Spanish Companion Network
Poison Control
Phone Numbers
- Poison Control Hotline (800) 8-POISON
(24-hour emergency hotline for treating poisoning exposures)
Postpartum Exercise
Exercise classes for new moms. Call for program information and registration.
Websites
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
Phone Numbers
- First Candle (formerly called SIDS Alliance) (800) 221-7437
(Provides education and support to those affected by an infant death) - SIDS Foundation of Southern California (800) 974-3752
(24-hour support to anyone affected by a loss related to SIDS)
Websites
Support Groups
The following organizations offer support groups for different needs.
Phone Numbers
- Compassionate Friend of Los Angeles (310) 474-3407
(Support groups for bereaved parents) - Down Syndrome Association of L.A. (800) 464-8995
(Support and education on Down syndrome) - Juvenile Diabetes Foundation (800) 223-1138
(Support and education on juvenile diabetes) - Koch/Young Family Resource Center (213) 380-0008
(Support group for parents with children who have developmental disabilities) - L.A. County Deaf Information (800) 663-8883
(Information and referral services for the deaf and hearing impaired) - Sidelines National Support Network (999) 447-4754
(Support group for mothers with complicated or high-risk pregnancies) - Tri-Pos Grapevine (800) 2TRIPOS
(For parents of deaf or hard of hearing babies and children)
Websites
- American Society for Deaf Children
- Bereaved Parents of the USA
- Children with Diabetes
- National Down Syndrome Society
- Sidelines