National Safe Haven Alliance – http://www. nationalsafehavenalliance. org/ Child Welfare Information Gateway – https://www. childwelfare. gov/topics/systemwide/laws-policies/state/?hasBeenRedirected=1 Baby Safe Haven – http://safehaven. tv/about. php U. S. Legal link to Safe Haven Laws – http://safehavenlaws. uslegal. com/

Police and fire stations. Most states have designated police and fire stations as safe haven locations. In states where police and fire stations have been named as safe havens, the baby must be left with an on-duty employee. Medical centers. In states where medical centers are designated safe havens, the laws are very clear; babies can be left at medical centers during business hours and only with an on-duty employee of that medical center. Churches. In states where churches are considered safe havens, the law generally requires that the baby be left inside and that an adult be present at the church at the time. Some states require the baby be handed to an employee with emergency medical training. Adoption agencies. A few states approve adoption agencies as safe haven drop offs. In those states that allow a baby to be dropped off at an adoption agency, the baby must be handed to an employee of the adoption agency during normal business hours. Welfare agencies. A few states allow licensed welfare agencies to act as safe havens. In these states, the baby must be handed to a volunteer or employee of the company during normal business hours. Other. A handful of states allow a parent to call emergency services and relinquish a baby to an Emergency Medical Technician (“EMT”) or an emergency responder, or leave the baby with an employee at a birthing center, institutional infirmary, or other medical facility. [4] X Trustworthy Source Child Welfare Information Gateway Online portal managed by the U. S. Children’s Bureau providing resources related to childcare and abuse prevention Go to source

Feed the baby. Ensure that the baby has been well fed and will not need to eat again for at least a couple of hours. A just-born newborn does not have to eat immediately. Bathe the baby. Wash the baby and his or her hair thoroughly with baby soap and shampoo. Change the baby’s diaper. Also, put rash cream on any rashes in the genital area or the bottom. Dress the baby appropriately. A good rule to follow is to dress the baby as you would dress. For example, if it cold outside and you are wearing long pants and a sweater, dress the baby in a long pants and a sweater. A just-born baby will likely be fine wrapped in a blanket or towel unless it is extremely cold out.

Choose an adult employee or staff member. This may be a nurse at a hospital, police officer at a police station, pastor at a church, or firefighter at a fire station. [8] X Research source [9] X Trustworthy Source Child Welfare Information Gateway Online portal managed by the U. S. Children’s Bureau providing resources related to childcare and abuse prevention Go to source Tell the adult you have chosen that the baby is unwanted and you are leaving him or her pursuant to your state’s safe haven laws. Hand over the baby and any blankets, bottles, or toys you have brought for the baby, as well as any writing you have prepared, such as the baby’s name, date of birth, or medical history, to the chosen adult, and you will be free to go. [10] X Research source

If you are concerned about the cost of an adoption, most (if not all) of your costs are paid for by the adoptive parents. This includes support costs, medical costs, and legal costs. [12] X Research source

If you are still pregnant, your adoption plan might include labor plans, hospital plans, and ways to get help paying for the pregnancy (if the adoptive parents are not paying). These plans may also help you find food, housing, and maternity clothes while your pregnancy is happening. [14] X Research source

Once you decide on a family, you can choose to meet them in-person or over the phone. This will give you an opportunity to get to know the family better and make sure it is a good fit. Make sure you address any concern you have before moving forward. [16] X Research source

Some agencies will help you get in contact with other mothers who have gone through adoptions themselves. Use these resources to help you get through the emotions of putting your child up for adoption. [17] X Research source