PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — The first baby of 2017 in Aroostook County was welcomed into the world at The Aroostook Medical Center on Jan. 1, 2017, at 11:35 a.m. Alexander Dean Ferrin weighed 5 pounds, 14 ounces and measured 19.25 inches long.
Alexander is the son of Lorissa Ferrin, a Seattle, Wash., native who has lived in Presque Isle for the past three years. He was due Jan. 6, but made his appearance a little early.
“I was a little surprised to have him be here this early and for him to be the New Year baby, but I am just happy that he is healthy. He may be a little small now, but he will soon make up for that,” said Ferrin. “The new year started off in a good way.”
In addition to Alexander’s birth, she has a young son, Oliver, who will celebrate his first birthday on Jan. 13.
Just like his brother Oliver, baby Alexander was delivered by Mary Hamilton, a nurse midwife from TAMC’s OB/GYN and Midwifery Services office, who cared for Lorissa during both of her pregnancies. Assisting in the delivery were Marie Robinson, RN, labor and delivery nurse, along with Gail Burtt, RN, and Brittney White, RN, nursery nurses.
“Much like the start of a new year, the birth of a baby brings joy and hopefulness of things to come, along with a sense of new beginnings,” said Hamilton. “That always makes it particularly poignant when you have a baby this time of year.”
In honor of the special delivery, the family was presented with a laundry basket and diaper bag full of gifts, including clothes, diaper wipes, baby grooming essentials, a baby monitor, an infant carrier and more, courtesy of the hospital, as well as a handmade quilt donated by the Crown of Maine Quilters.
As it does for all newborns, TAMC also provided the family with a HALO sleep blanket, designed to help prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
“One of the things we tell our parents during discharge teaching is to use sleep clothing or wearable blankets rather than regular blankets,” explained Pam Lilley, manager for the Women and Children’s Unit. “Our staff feels strongly that providing each new family with their own SleepSack is an important service. Our goal is to keep all of the infants born at TAMC safe and healthy.”
