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Following your stay

Congratulations on the birth of your child. UF Health Flagler Hospital provides the resources to help you navigate this big change in your life. From childbirth classes, to sleep and car seat safety, we're here to help.

Car seat safety

It is the law in Florida that all babies must be restrained in a car seat when riding in a car; however, four out of five car seats are installed incorrectly! Improperly installed car seats can result in serious injury to your baby even death. Babies from birth must ride in a rear-facing car seat in the back seat of your vehicle until they are two years of age AND 35 lbs. Be careful if considering a used car seat: they may be damaged, expired, recalled or not meet current safety standards. To check on recalls, contact the Auto Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

St. Johns County is fortunate to have Project Buckle Up and nationally-certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians to assist with installation and inspection of child safety seats; call (904) 209-2250 for an appointment to have your car seat inspected before your baby's birth. Car seats are also available for purchase from Project Buckle Up for qualified St. Johns County parents and legal guardians. Please make arrangements to have a car seat ready for your baby's ride home from the hospital.

Safe Sleep for Infants

UF Health St. Johns has been recognized by the Cribs for Kids' National Safe Sleep Certification Program as a "Certified Safe Sleep Hospital" for their commitment to best practices and education on infant safe sleep. UF Health St. Johns is proud to announce the receipt of the Gold Level of Certification, which is the highest level awarded to hospitals by Cribs for Kids.

UF Health St. Johns is dedicated to preventing infant sleep-related deaths by following the safe sleep guidelines as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and providing programs for health care team members, and family caregivers.

At UF Health St. Johns, we are aware of the need to help families keep their babies safe and have, therefore, joined with our community partners in the campaign to prevent sleep related deaths.

Our goals are to educate mothers, fathers, grandparents and caregivers about the importance of putting babies to sleep following the ABCs of Safe Sleep as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

  • Alone – Babies should sleep alone in their own sleep space, close to but separate from their caregiver
  • Back – Babies should be placed on their back to sleep. Every nap. Every sleep. Every time.
  • Crib – Babies should sleep in a crib or bassinet with a firm, flat surface with no extra items such as crib bumpers, blankets or toys

You and your caregivers can help prevent suffocation by providing a safe sleep environment for your baby. To learn more, please visit:

Every mother who delivers a baby at UF Health Flagler Hospital will receive training on safe sleep practices for their newborn and, upon discharge, will receive a sleep sack – a wearable, sleeveless blanket worn over pajamas to take the place of loose blankets. This sleep sack is a complimentary gift from UF Health Flagler Hospital to ensure that your infant sleeps safely at home.

Mothers who deliver at UF Health Flagler Hospital, and who meet certain criteria of need, will be provided with a Pack ‘n Play by the hospital as well.