FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
11.10.2009

Contact: Kelly Camden ~ ABN
505-463-1694
info@albuquerquebirthnetwork.org

Kelly Everett ~ MMABQ
505-514-1170
mmabq@yahoo.com

MANYMOTHERS~ALBUQUERQUE OFFERS FREE PRACTICAL AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT TO FAMILIES WITH NEWBORNS.
Addressing New Mexico’s postpartum depression rate, need for family support, and lack of assistance with newborn care

ManyMothers~Albuquerque (MMABQ) offers practical and emotional support to women and families with newborns through 6 months of age. All services are free. MMABQ believes that nurturing moms is the best way to nurture the children of Bernalillo County. In the recent Center for Disease Control (CDC) survey, New Mexico ranked the highest against a total of 17 states surveyed, with a postpartum depression rate at a whopping 20.4%. Lack of post-birth support is inadequate, people are displaced from family and friends, and new moms are often left alone to care for their newborns. But every mother, every family, deserves to be nurtured during this special time. ManyMothers provides proactive support to women who need and want the benefits of having another woman in the home. MMABQ offers this service to every family with an infant up to 6 months of age regardless of income.

A ManyMothersABQ representative meets with the new mom (or mom to be), to get to know them and understand their needs. The representative will match the mom with a Volunteer who can best meet those needs and become a friend. Making quality matches is at the center of the program’s success. Volunteers visit families twice a week for the first month for about 2 hours each time. In the second and third months visits are weekly. If there are multiple newborns the time is extended and more than one volunteer is matched with the family, when available.

The Third Thursday of every month from 12-2pm, ManyMothersABQ hosts a gathering for moms and their babies, expectant moms, wannabe moms, grandparents, caregivers, and dads too! To connect with one another for peer support and learn about good parenting techniques and many other related topics.

Thursday, November 19
Infant Massage with Mary O’Hara, UNMH Child Recreational Therapist

Thursday, December 17
Postpartum Mental Health, with Kristin Wallin and Stephanie Luna of Wallin-Luna Associates

Volunteers are needed to help care for newborns in Albuquerque (and surrounding areas). MMABQ is desperately seeking women who have a small amount of time to give. The commitment is small while the rewards are great, for both the new family as well as the volunteer.

MMABQ is sponsored by Albuquerque Birth Network (ABN), promoting the health and well being of mothers and babies, by offering free childbirth and parenting classes, an educational newsletter and website, and a Mother/Baby-Friendly Resource Directory, since 2003.

MMABQ is based on the very successful program started in Santa Fe, www.manymothers.org. Santa Fe ManyMothers has been helping families with newborns for over a decade.

~For every birth, many mothers.
To learn more about how MMABQ can help OR to volunteer caring for newborns please contact Kelly Everett at 505-514-1170 or mmabq@yahoo.com. Also please visit www.manymothersABQ.org for more info.

To learn more about the Albuquerque Birth Network please visit www.albuquerquebirthnetwork.org.