Monmouth Medical Center to host programs in Dec.

The Saint Barnabas Health Care System at Monmouth Medical Center, Second Avenue, Long Branch, is scheduled to hold several programs this month, including the "Mother to Mother Support Group" Dec. 6, 13, 20 and 27 at the hospital from 10 to 11:30 a.m.

The program, which is for new mothers and fathers and newborns up to 6 months, is free and will include discussions led by a registered nurse on topics such as baby behaviors, feeding, sleeping patterns and crying, as well as recovering from childbirth. To register, call (732) 923-6990.

A tobacco-dependence treatment program will be held Dec. 6, 13, 20 and 27 at the hospital from 3 to 4 p.m. and costs $15 per session. An initial assessment will be conducted for free. The six-week program is for individuals who wish to quit smoking and consent to a free nicotine dependence assessment and nicotine replacement therapy counseling. To schedule an assessment appointment, call Anna Larotonda at (732) 232-2833.

On Dec. 7, the Monmouth Medical Center's Safe Kids Chapter will sponsor a holiday safety fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the ground lobby of the hospital. The event will feature information on child safety products, home safety recommendations, inclement weather driving, pet safety and holiday decorating guidelines.

A free blood pressure screening will be held Dec. 7 in the ground floor lobby from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The hospital is also sponsoring free child car seat inspections Dec. 15 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Galaxy Toyota on Highway 36 east, Eatontown. In New Jersey, a child under 8 years old who weighs less than 80 pounds is required to be in an appropriate child restraint in the rear seat of a vehicle.

The child seat inspections will be conducted by a certified MONOC child passenger safety technician. To make an appointment, call the MONOC Child Passenger Safety hot line at 1-800-287- 3515, ext. 1107.

For questions or more information about other programs offered at and by the hospital, call the Community Health Education Department at Monmouth Medical Center at (732) 923-6990.