Athens-Limestone Hospital’s Baby Place Expands Support for Families With Monthly Car Seat Safety Checks
- themarkwhiteshow
- Dec 10, 2025
- 3 min read
Mark White | The Mark White Show
ATHENS, Alabama - Athens-Limestone Hospital is strengthening its commitment to family safety by launching monthly car seat safety check and installation events through The Baby Place. The program, led by certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians, is now scheduled through December 2026, giving parents and caregivers ongoing access to expert guidance for keeping their children safe on the road.
On location behind the hospital’s Wellness Center, The Mark White Show visited with Kacey Parker, Director of The Baby Place and certified technician, and Whitney Springer, RN and certified technician, to highlight how the program works and why it matters.
A Growing Need for Hands-On Help
According to Parker, many parents leave the hospital unsure whether their car seat is installed correctly. “People think to obey the law they need to have their child in a car seat,” she said, “but they don’t always think back to what the purpose is. We may be following the law but not really paying attention to the purpose, keeping our child safe.”
Springer said the program is already making a difference, especially for parents who feel overwhelmed during those early days with a newborn.
“Parents are busy, but this is one of the most important things you can set time aside for,” she said. “Just knowing that I helped a parent learn how to install their seat properly, so that baby will always be safe, means a lot.”
Comprehensive, Personalized Safety Checks
Each appointment lasts between 30 minutes and an hour and includes:
Inspecting the car seat for recalls or expiration
Checking the vehicle’s manual and safety guidelines
Reviewing correct seat positioning for the child’s age and size
Teaching parents how to install the seat themselves through a hands-on “teach-back” method
If scheduled dates don't work, The Baby Place encourages families to reach out directly. “We’re here seven days a week,” Springer said. “There’s usually someone who can help you at a time that fits your schedule.”
The service is open not only to parents, but also to grandparents, caregivers, and anyone who transports a child.
Expanding Education and Support for New Families
Beyond car seat safety, The Baby Place continues to broaden its family education offerings. Springer shared that they now hold a postpartum support group, something close to her heart.
“I personally had some issues postpartum and thought, why not have a group where new moms can meet others going through the trenches just like they are?” she said. The group has already seen strong participation.
Other programs include:
Monthly childbirth classes
Parenting classes
Breastfeeding classes
A breastfeeding support group
“There’s so much we could offer parents, childcare, pregnancy care, postpartum care,” Parker said. “I absolutely see opportunities to expand.”
How to Sign Up
Families can find session dates and book appointments through the Athens Limestone Hospital website: ALH Car Seat Fitting Appointment
Keeping Kids Safe, One Seat at a Time
For both Parker and Springer, the program is more than a checklist, it’s a way to protect children and support families throughout the community.
“We’re not just a unit that delivers babies,” Springer said. “We care about the full approach to parenthood. Anything we can do to help keep babies safe means a lot to us.”
The Baby Place will continue offering monthly car seat checks through the end of 2026. Appointments are now open to the public.
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