Growing Together: A Community Event Supporting Families From Pregnancy Through Early Childhood

Growing together flyer, all info in body.

Families are invited to attend Growing Together – Creciendo Juntos, a FREE community event supporting families from pregnancy through early childhood, on Saturday, April 11 from 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM at LMHHealth (330 Arkansas Street, Lawrence, KS).

Growing Together is a safe sleep community baby shower and early childhood resource fair designed to connect families with trusted local community organizations, healthcare providers, and family support resources. This welcoming, come-and-go event is open to all.

Participants will have the opportunity to learn about:

  • The ABCs of Safe Sleep
  • Breastfeeding support
  • Tobacco cessation resources
  • Maternal mental health
  • Car seat safety
  • Home safety
  • Prenatal health
  • Accessing medical insurance for parents and babies
  • Local maternal and child health services

Registration is encouraged, though not required, and will help reduce wait time at check-in. Families can register at: https://bit.ly/growing-together-dgco

 

Supporting Safe Sleep & Preventing Infant Mortality

Growing Together aims to increase awareness of infant mortality in Kansas and address the disparities that exist. Each year, approximately 3,500 babies in the United States die suddenly and unexpectedly during sleep. Most of these deaths are due to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) or accidental suffocation, entrapment, or strangulation.

Participants will leave the event understanding the ABCs of infant safe sleep:

Alone – Babies should sleep in their own sleep space. Room-sharing is recommended but bedsharing is not. Keep pillows, blankets, toys, stuffed animals, and all other soft items out of the sleep space. Babies can use a pacifier in the crib if it is not attached to the baby, their clothes, or any part of the crib. If a pacifier falls out of their mouth, that’s ok.

Back – Place infants on their backs for sleep. They will eventually learn how to roll from back to tummy and tummy to back. Once they can confidently roll over both ways on their own, it’s ok to leave them like that, but always place them on their back initially

Crib – Use a crib, bassinet, or portable play yard with a firm, flat mattress and a fitted sheet. That’s it! The crib should not have bumpers or loose blankets of any kind, and nothing should be attached to the crib, such as a monitor or a mobile.

Kicking Off Black Maternal Health Week (#BMHW26)

Growing Together also helps kick off 2026 Black Maternal Health Week (#BMHW26). Black Maternal Health Week acknowledges the health inequities that continue to impact Black Mamas and birthing people. The week calls for restoration, justice, and joy while uplifting community-driven solutions to improve maternal and infant health outcomes.

Growing Together – Creciendo Juntos is a celebration of community, connection, and collective action to ensure that every baby has a safe start and every family has access to the support they deserve.

For more information visit: livewelldgks.org