Health and Well Being

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the leading cause of death among infants, but you can reduce the risk with these guidelines:

  • Always place babies under one year old on their backs for naps and nighttime sleep.
  • Use a firm, flat surface like a safety-approved crib. Keep blankets, pillows, and other soft or loose items out of the crib.
  • Have your baby sleep in a separate sleep area near your bed, but not in the same bed.
  • Avoid letting babies sleep for extended periods in strollers, car seats, baby seats, or swings.

Make sure everyone who cares for your baby—grandparents, babysitters, older siblings—knows to always place them on their back to sleep.

Risks to avoid:

  • Sleeping on the stomach or side: These positions can make breathing more difficult.
  • Soft surfaces: Fluffy bedding or soft mattresses can block airways.
  • Bed-sharing: While room-sharing lowers SIDS risk, bed-sharing increases it.
  • Overheating: Keep your baby comfortably cool to prevent overheating.

Have you noticed that your little one is developing differently?

Delays in communication and language development are often the first sign of developmental differences in young children. When we identify concerns in communication and language development, we encourage families to seek intervention as soon as possible. Early diagnosis and treatment for developmental delays increases the chances of improvement rather than simply “waiting it out” and treating problems later.

Early intervention may include speech therapy, physical therapy, and other types of services based on the needs of the child and family. Early intervention is likely to be more effective when it is provided earlier in life and can enable your child to learn new skills and increase their success in school, and life.

Early intervention is a system of services that helps babies and toddlers with developmental delays or disabilities. Early intervention focuses on helping eligible babies and toddlers learn the basic and brand-new skills that typically develop during the first three years of life, such as:

  • physical (reaching, rolling, crawling, and walking)
  • cognitive (thinking, learning, solving problems)
  • communication (talking, listening, understanding)
  • social/emotional (playing, feeling secure and happy)
  • self-help (eating, dressing)

You know your child best, if you’re concerned, don’t wait. Tell your child’s doctor or nurse if you notice any signs of possible developmental delay and ask for a developmental screening. You can also access New York State’s early intervention program.

If you live in Delaware County please call 607-832-5200, if you live in Otsego County please call 607-547-6474, if you live in Chenango County please call 607-337-1729.

Seeking help is often the first step towards getting and staying well, but it can be hard to know how to start or where to turn to. It’s common to feel unsure, and to wonder whether you should try to handle things on your own. But it’s always ok to ask for help – even if you’re not sure you if you need it.

You might want to seek help if you’re:

  • Worrying more than usual, finding it hard to enjoy your life.
  • Having thoughts and feelings that are difficult to cope with, which have an impact on your day-to-day life.
  • Interested in building your support network.

Help Available To You

If you live in Delaware County, contact Delaware County Mental Health Clinic, in Walton by calling (607) 832-5889.

If you live in Otsego County, contact Otsego County Mental Health, in Oneonta by calling (607) 433-2334.

If you live in Chenango County, contact Chenango County Behavioral Health Services, in Norwich by calling (607) 336-1600, option 2.

Another statewide resource is to contact Rehabilitation Support Services at (518) 464 – 1511

These resources offer individual therapy, family therapy, children and youth services, as well as other emergency and treatment services. They accept most insurances, questions on insurance eligibility may be best answered by your insurance provider.

Food Assistance

If you do find yourself needing help with food there are many places in the community you can turn to find food assistance.

The Caring Connections Food Pantry located at 21 Liberty Street in Sidney is open Monday and Friday from 8:30AM to 12:30PM and again 1:30PM to 4:00PM, you can call them at (607)604-4071.

The Masonville Food Pantry at the United Methodist Church located at 2126 State Highway 206 in Masonville is open the 3rd Wednesday of every month from 11am to 1pm, you can call them at (607)746-1685.

The Sidney Center Food Pantry located at 10593 County Highway 23 is open anytime, just call Bob at 607-369-7597 to set up your visit.

Otsego County Residents can contact Catholic Charities in Oneonta. Contact Amy Pricolo-Brown, (518)234-3581, amypb@catholiccharitiessc.org

Delaware County Residents can call Delaware Opportunities in Hamden. Contact Kaitlin Titch, (607)746-1667, ktitch@delop.org.

Also be sure to check your eligibility for SNAP or WIC.