Life On the Outside
Baby's First Weeks Home
For nine months, you have waited for your baby's arrival. Like most first- time moms, you probably spent your days reading the what-to-expect pregnancy books, taking Lamaze, and becoming well-versed in the terms "effacement" and "dilation."Then, just when you think you have become an expert on pregnancy, you suddenly realize you need to become an expert on caring for a newborn—and fast. Before you begin to panic, take a deep breath (that is, if the baby is not crowding your lungs), and remember that people have successfully cared for newborns long before heated diaper wipes and baby monitors became the norm.
The first step in caring for your newborn during those early weeks is recognizing that you need help. The second, and most important step, is getting that help. (Remember: Moms who don't ask for help don't get it. And moms who don't get help get cranky.) Help can be provided by anyone, from a spouse or partner to a trusted friend or trained healthcare professional. Don't be afraid to ask for help. Getting help is not a sign of weakness, and motherhood is not a toughness contest.
The type and amount of help you need is up to you. Are you desperate for someone to feed and care for your baby so you can take a nap? Or, do you need someone to feed and care for you while your baby takes a nap? Having a friend drop off dinner, change a diaper, or do some light housework can make all the difference in the world to a sleep-deprived parent.
In addition to enlisting the help of friends and family members, many new and soon-to-be moms and dads find it beneficial to enroll in parenting classes. Offered through a hospital and taught by a trained medical professional, these classes cover safety in the home and car, how to bathe and dress baby,newborn characteristics, infant CPR, and pediatrician visits.
"Becoming a new parent can be overwhelming. An infant care class gives parents the skills and confidence they need to successfully care for their newborn, and the opportunity to meet other soon-to-be parents," Pat Guletz, clinical educator in obstetrics and gynecology at St. Lukes Hospital observed. Other helpful classes cover infant massage and a baby refresher course for grandparents.
No doubt about it, having a child is a life-altering experience, but with a little planning and a lot of help, caring for your newborn can be one of the most rewarding and wonderful things you will ever do.