I am Pregnant or Have a Newborn
CAECMH at Montclair State University offers services designed to nurture your well-being from the very beginning - through pregnancy, early parenting, and beyond. Additionally, we have selected some key New Jersey resources we feel may benefit you during this time.
CAECMH Programs for Pregnancy & Newborns
Lamaze Childbirth Education
Offered at Montclair State University: Feeling unsure about what labor and birth will actually feel like? This class gives you practical tools — comfort techniques, coping strategies, and honest information — so you can walk into delivery feeling prepared, not overwhelmed.
Lactation & Breastfeeding Classes
Offered at Montclair State University: If feeding your baby has felt harder than expected, you are not alone. Whether you are just starting out or running into challenges, our classes give you hands-on guidance and a space to ask every question you have been afraid to ask.
Being with Babies by the Bedside
Offered at St. Joseph’s Hospital: You have just had your baby — and those first moments of connection matter more than you might realize. Our specialist works right alongside the hospital nurses at St. Joseph’s to support you and your newborn, helping your family bond in a way that protects both your baby’s health and your own emotional well-being.
New Jersey Key Resources for New Parents
We may not always be the right first call...
these state and community resources can often help faster or with more specialized support.
Maternal and Child Health Consortia
Early in your pregnancy? Link with support in your county!
New Jersey coordinates its maternal and child health services across all 21 counties through three regional Maternal and Child Health Consortia. These regional hubs oversee maternal care, universal nurse home visits, and social service referrals.
The three regional hubs are:
- Partnership for Maternal & Child Health of Northern New Jersey (PMCH): Serving Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris, Passaic, Sussex, Union, and Warren counties.
- Central Jersey Family Health Consortium (CJFHC): Serving Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, and Somerset counties.
- The Cooperative (formerly the Southern New Jersey Perinatal Cooperative): Serving Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, and Salem counties.
These consortia manage the statewide Family Connects NJ universal nurse home visitation program and operate Connecting NJ, a single point-of-entry system that links birthing people and families to prenatal care, doula services, and wrap-around social supports.
Free for all NJ families | Learn More
Connecting NJ
Connecting NJ is a network of partners and agencies dedicated to helping New Jersey families thrive.
We provide mothers, fathers, grandparents, and guardians free or affordable access to people, organizations, and other sources of information needed to raise healthy children.
Connecting NJ utilizes a county-based, single point-of-entry system that simplifies and streamlines the referral process for obstetrical and prenatal care providers, community agencies, and families.
Free for all NJ families | Learn More
NJ FamilyCare
NJ FamilyCare is federal and state funded health insurance program created to help qualified New Jersey residents of any age access to affordable health insurance. NJ FamilyCare is for people who do not have employer insurance.
If you are interested in enrolling in NJ FamilyCare please look at the Who Is Eligible? section to see if you qualify.
The entire application process can be completed online.
NJ Parent Link
The focus of NJ Parent Link is to meet the information and resource needs of expectant parents, families with young children (newborns to children entering kindergarten) and professional stakeholders vested in the health & well-being of New Jersey's children & families.
Parenting and support resources for families with older children, school aged to young adulthood, are also available.
Family Connects NJ
A free, evidence-based home visiting program for all birthing parents in NJ. A specially trained nurse will visit your home within the first two weeks after delivery to check on the mother's and baby's well-being adn connect you to local resources.
Free for all NJ families | Learn More
WIC Services
Provides supplemental food, nutrition education, and breastfeeding support for pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding individuals. Find your local agency or apply using the NJ WIC Services Portal.
Free State Program | Learn More
NJ Postpartum Resources & Support Network
Did you know perinatal mental health conditions like depression and anxiety affect 1 in 5 women and 1 in 10 men? Emotional support, information about support groups for new parents, and referrals to counseling services are available - all free of charge. (Behavioal health counseling is not provided directly.)
Free - Referrals Available | Learn More
Maternal Mental Health Hotline
Did you know perinatal mental health conditions like depression and anxiety affect 1 in 5 women and 1 in 10 men? Emotional support, information about support groups for new parents, and referrals to counseling services are available - all free of charge. (Behavioal health counseling is not provided directly.)
Call 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262)
Common Questions
Questions expectant families often ask us...
What is the safest way for my baby to sleep?
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends babies sleep alone on a firm, flat surface in a crib or bassinet, free of blankets, pillows, and bumpers. This reduces the risk of SIDS and sleep-related infant deaths. Our team can connect you with additional resources during your check-in.
When should my baby start solid foods, and what are the best first foods?
Around 6 months, parents have questions about when to introduce solids and how to avoid allergies. Pediatricians generally recommend starting with iron-fortified infant cereals, pureed meats, or appropriately prepared, soft whole foods (baby-led weaning).
When will my baby sleep through the night?
Parents ask for advice on sleep training and how to manage the dreaded 4-month sleep regression. Most infants start consolidating sleep (sleeping 4 to 6 hours at a time) around 3 to 4 months of age, but every baby follows a different timeline.
How do I find a pediatrician?
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How do I know if what I am feeling is postpartum depression?
Emotional support, information regarding support groups for new parents and other resources, and referral to counseling services are available at NJ Postpartum Resources and Support Network. All services are provided free of charge. (We do not, however, provide behavioral health counseling directly.
How do I get assistance with diapers and basic necessities?
Raising a baby is expensive, and parents often look for local diaper banks, formula assistance, and WIC programs in their specific county.
You can find local support networks and apply for food/cash assistance through the NJ Department of Human Services.
What financial assistance is available after having a baby?
Many parents ask about qualifying for the state's child care subsidy program, which helps eligible low- and moderate-income families pay for licensed or registered child care.
Is my baby eligible for free state health insurance?
Many parents want to ensure their children have comprehensive medical coverage. New Jersey offers affordable - and sometimes free - health insurance for kids up to age 19, regardless of immigration status. You can check your eligibility and apply at NJ FamilyCare.