Newborn Babies Co-Star In Norwood Hospital TV Show-This Day in Norwood History-June 27, 1963

Mrs. Janet Sullivan, R.N., supervisor of Norwood Hospital’s Maternity Department, is currently starring in her own semiweekly TV series, “Bathing Baby,” over the Hospital’s own closed-circuit channel B-A-B-Y. Her co-stars, who are different for each show, and persons with no previous TV experience, are newborn babies about to be discharged from the hospital. Mrs. Sullivan’s 20-minute demonstration program shows the new mother the correct procedure for bathing and dressing her baby.

It is telecast live on Mondays and Thursdays at 8:45 a.m. from the demonstration room of the Maternity Department. Eighteen out of 21 mothers who viewed the show ) which began last week returned enthusiastic and complimentary revues.

One new mother said, “Since this is my first baby, I was worried about bathing; her correctly — so found the demonstration very helpful.” . . . Another said it “gave me a lot of confidence in caring for my baby” … An older mother said it “refreshed my memory” . . . another said “I was never really sure that what I was doing was correct, so found it very informative.” A mother of five said, “it reminded me of the little details I had forgotten.”

Directing the show is Dexter C. McDonald, a summer employee in the Hospital’s Development Department, who is studying film and TV production at Boston University.
The “model” selected for each show of this educational series is a baby ready to leave the Hospital. After his parents have given their permission, the baby is wheeled into the demonstration room in his (or her) bassinette, and, with no rehearsal or make-up is “on camera.” One baby decided he wanted a voice in the show, and let himself be ly basked in the limelight of center stage.

Director of Nursing Miss Lillian B. Strout, R.N.’ has said, “Our Hospital is one of the first to bring this kind of instructional programming to its new mothers. The Maternity Department feels that it is providing an important service to its patients, and, from the replies received, we feel that the program is rated and heard throughout the program. Others have just quiet-overwhelming success.”

The Hospital plans another educational series for new mothers on formula preparation, which will be televised on a regular basis soon.

Also, plans are being formulated for a series of instructional programs for medical and surgical patients.

(All articles were originally published in the Norwood Messenger unless otherwise noted)