The NEST
The NEST at Bay Clinic
A supportive start for parents and newborns
The NEST at Bay Clinic is a postpartum and newborn support program designed to help families navigate the critical first weeks after birth. Created in response to a major gap in local services, the NEST provides compassionate, expert care that bridges the transition from hospital to home—ensuring both parents and babies feel supported, confident, and safe.
Located at Bay Clinic and serving families across Coos County and surrounding rural communities, the NEST offers early clinical follow-up, feeding support, and emotional care during one of the most vulnerable and important stages of life.
Why the NEST exists
The weeks immediately following birth are a time of rapid change and heightened risk. Newborn feeding challenges, jaundice, weight loss, and maternal mood changes often emerge soon after discharge from the hospital. In rural communities, families may face additional barriers—long travel distances, limited specialty providers, and difficulty accessing timely care.
For more than 30 years, families in our region relied on a hospital-based postpartum follow-up program. When that program ended in early 2025, Bay Clinic created the NEST to ensure that new parents and babies would not lose access to early, preventive support. The NEST was built to fill that gap—providing continuity of care, reducing avoidable emergency visits, and helping families feel less alone during the transition home.What the NEST offers
- Newborn check‑ins Weight checks, jaundice screening, hydration and feeding assessments, and early identification of health concerns.
- Feeding and lactation support Individualized help with breastfeeding, pumping, bottle‑feeding, paced feeding, and formula preparation—meeting families where they are and supporting their chosen feeding journey.
- Maternal emotional health screening Compassionate screening for postpartum depression and anxiety, with referrals and follow‑up when additional support is needed.
- Care coordination and guidance Help navigating next steps, referrals, and community resources—so families don’t have to manage complex systems on their own.
Specialized lactation expertise
Early feeding challenges are common and can feel overwhelming. The NEST places a strong emphasis on skilled lactation and feeding support, recognizing that early intervention can make a meaningful difference for both infant health and parental confidence.
Families receive evidence‑based guidance on:
- Latch difficulties and milk supply concerns
- Pumping and milk storage
- Safe bottle‑feeding and paced feeding techniques
- Supporting infant growth and comfort
Who the NEST serves
The NEST serves expectant and postpartum parents and their newborns throughout Coos County and parts of Curry and Douglas counties. Because nearly all regional births occur at Bay Area Hospital—and many are attended by Bay Clinic providers—the NEST functions as a shared community resource for families across the southern Oregon coast.
The program is designed to support families of all backgrounds, with an emphasis on equity, accessibility, and respect for individual needs and circumstances.
A collaborative, community‑rooted approach
Care at the NEST is delivered by an experienced nursing team working closely with Bay Clinic physicians, pediatric providers, and community partners. The program collaborates with local hospitals, public health programs, early learning organizations, and family support services to ensure continuity of care beyond the clinic visit.
This collaborative model allows families to access trusted care locally while remaining connected to broader medical and community resources when needed.
Our goal
The goal of the NEST is simple: to ensure that every parent and newborn in our community has a supported, healthy start.
By offering early follow‑up, expert feeding support, and compassionate care, the NEST helps families build confidence, reduces preventable complications, and strengthens the long‑term health of our community.
Getting connected
Families may be referred to the NEST by their healthcare provider or may be connected shortly after hospital discharge. If you are expecting, have recently welcomed a baby, or are a provider looking to refer a family, Bay Clinic can help you learn more about NEST services and availability.
Because the early days matter.