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New & Expecting Parents

An Extraordinary Life Guidebook for New and Expecting Parents

A booklet for new and expecting parents to help answer questions about Down syndrome and provide information, resources and support for your family.

TN Department of Health information on Down Syndrome

Tennessee Department of Health website with current information about Down syndrome for both medical providers and families. Information, reources, and Links are available along with advocacy groups across the state of Tennessee.

Welcome Letter From Alecia

Read a letter from Alecia welcoming new parents to the Down syndrome community and the Down Syndrome Association of Middle Tennessee (DSAMT).

Una vida extraordinaria

Una guía para nuevos padres y padres que esperan tener un bebé

Letter from Parent Sheila

Read a letter from Sheila Moore, parent of an adult with Down syndrome and previous Executive Director of DSAMT.

Estimados Padres

¡Felicitaciones por el nacimiento del nuevo miembro de su familia!

Breastfeeding and Down Syndrome

Breastfeeding and Down Syndrome: A Comprehensive Guide for Mothers and Medical Professionals, the new book by Julia’s Way, a 501C3 non-profit organization, includes information on everything from preparing to breastfeed, breastfeeding after heart surgery, getting to the breast after tube feedings, and much more.

If you are a new or expectant parent, you will find everything you need to know to successfully breastfeed your baby with Down syndrome, including dozens of mothers’ stories to help reassure you that babies with Down syndrome CAN breastfeed.

Coloring Book - Extraordinary Friends

A book to help children understand Down syndrome and have fun at the same time.

Diagnosis to Delivery

A Pregnant Mother’s Guide to Down Syndrome by Down Syndrome Pregnancy.

Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network

The Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network provides resources and education about Down Syndrome, and connects you to other parents who have been in your shoes.

Down Syndrome Fact Sheet

Facts and information about Down syndrome

Grandparents Information

Down Syndrome Pregnancy has a page with resources and information specifically for grandparents. There is also a Grandparents guide developed by the Down Syndrome Association of Central California which you can see here.

Karyotype Coloring Pages

Coloring pages showing both male and female karyotypes (picture of chromosomes) with trisomy 21 or Down syndrome.

Lessons From Levi

Book by the Hook family discussing the lessons they learned from their child with Down syndrome.

National Center For Prenatal and Postnatal Resources

The National Center provides this clearinghouse of professionally recommended resources so that medical practitioners, expectant parents, and new parents have access to accurate, up-to-date, and balanced information about Down syndrome.

The Perfect Child

Dr. Frank H. Boehm is professor and vice chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center wrote a lovely article about his grandson, Seth, who happens to have Down syndrome and is the "perfect child".

Prenatal Testing Information

The Global Down Syndrome Foundation and the National Down Syndrome Congress have teamed up to publish the second edition of the groundbreaking Prenatal Testing Pamphlet for Down syndrome, available in English, Spanish and Icelandic. The second edition, created from the first national survey of pregnant women and medical professionals, is easily accessible electronically, or in print at no cost.

Tips for Family & Friends

Do you have a family member or friend who has just received a diagnosis of Down syndrome for their child? You may not be aware that what you say and do, at this critical time, even when meant with the best intentions, could be hurtful. Here are a few "Dos" and "Don'ts" that parents of children with Down syndrome suggest that we share.

Adoption Resources

All children benefit from the opportunity to grow up in a loving family, but not all birth families feel they are able to meet the needs of a child born with Down syndrome. The National Down Syndrome Adoption Network can help these families with an adoption plan and assist families who are looking to adopt a child with Down syndrome.