Pregnancy, Infant, and Children Services

Prenatal and Maternal Health

For women with higher-risk pregnancies, or for first time mothers, public health nurses are available to provide support and education through the Prenatal Care Coordination (PNCC) program. Note that this program does not take the place of regular prenatal care with a woman's primary care provider, but helps to complement the care received at a clinic or doctor's office. The PNCC program allows a public health nurse to work with a pregnant woman throughout her pregnancy to help prepare her for the birth of her baby. This may include education on labor and delivery, breastfeeding, infant cares and supplies, home safety, nutrition, as well as many other pregnancy-related topics. These visits are typically once a month, are of no cost to the mother or family, and can be held in the client's home or at another preferred location. These visits continue through the end of the pregnancy and postpartum for 60 days. For more information, go to Prenatal Care Coordination Program.

Maternal and Infant Health

For mothers who have recently delivered, Bayfield County public health nurses are available to do home visits through the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) program. These visits are available and offered to all Bayfield County women who have recently delivered a baby; this service is free of cost to the mother or family. A woman does not need to be enrolled in the prenatal program in order to have a home visit after delivery. During these visits, public health nurses can provide education and support on postpartum health, breastfeeding, infant cares, normal infant development, milestone moments, and more. Additionally, the public health nurse can do height and weight checks on the newborn; this can be especially helpful for mothers who are worried that their baby is gaining enough weight in the early weeks. These visits are available during the first two months of the newborn's life, or for premature babies up to two months after they are released from NICU. See Maternal Child Health-Newborn Visits for more information.

Infant and Child Health

In addition to the MCH home visiting program for newborn health checks, Bayfield County Health Department offers a variety of services for both infants and children. Immunization services are offered to children from birth through age 18 through the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program. The VFC program provides immunizations to children free of charge. Eligibility criteria for the VFC program includes children who do not have health insurance, children who have health insurance but vaccines are not covered, or children on BadgerCare. The VFC program is also available to children who are Native American or Alaska Native. Click here for more information on VFC eligibility criteria. Public health nurses are also available to answer parents' questions about childhood immunizations and the recommended scheduling for vaccinations. Feel free to call the Bayfield County Health Department at 715-373-6109 to speak with a public health nurse regarding any immunization questions.

Another service available to infants and children through Bayfield County Health Department is the Car Seat Safety program. A certified Child Passenger Safety technician is available to help instruct parents or caregivers on proper installment of car seats or booster seats, as well as provide education on an array of child passenger safety topics. See the Car Seat Safety page for additional information.

Another program available to Bayfield County families (as well as provides services for Ashland and Iron County families) is the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program. The purpose of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for WIC is to promote and maintain the health and well-being of nutritionally at-risk pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women, infants and children. WIC provides nutrition education, breastfeeding education and support, supplemental nutritious foods, and referrals to other healthy and nutrition services. For more information go to Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program.