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Infant Care
For a lot of people, caring for infants
can be not only overwhelming, but even a little scary. In our Infants
section we'll provide you with tips and information that will (hopefully)
make you feel like you're not alone.
What About Mom?
So you've got yourself a baby, a little
bundle of joy. You spend nearly every moment of every day caring for this
baby who is completely helpless in every way. Have you been taking care of
yourself? No matter how many books you read or how much advice you've had,
nothing can fully prepare you for what lies ahead. New parents need to
remember to take care of themselves as well as their new baby. Read on for
some tips that you can use to make sure the transition to parenthood goes a
bit more smoothly.
Sleep When the Baby Sleeps
Now it sounds like a pretty easy thing to do. For some new
parents, moms especially, it may not be that simple. A lot of new moms get
the baby to sleep and they immediately think of all the things they "need"
to get done around the house (i.e. cleaning, dishes, laundry, even thank you
notes). Don't do it!!!!!! The best thing you can do for yourself is rest and
take care of yourself. Have you been eating like you should? Have you taken
a shower today? You cannot care for a newborn adequately if you are not
properly taking care of yourself..
Accept Help
Some of us also find it difficult to accept help, even when it
is offered without prompting. When someone offers to do something for you,
let them. It doesn't matter how big or small the offer is. Many times
friends and family don't know what to do to help, so they may need a little
direction from you. Also, don't be afraid to ask someone for some
assistance. It's okay to need people to lean on. You may need something that
has nothing to do with the baby -- run by the store to pick up a few things,
fix you a meal and bring it over, do a load or two of laundry. People want
to help and many times they just don't know what you need. Tell them!
Get Out If You
Can
It's very easy to get in the habit of staying at
home and never getting out of the house. If you can, get out
without the baby. You may just need a little trip to the
grocery or maybe even go for a walk if you feel up to it.
The most patient and loving of parents need a little break
once in awhile. When you get back, you'll feel more
attentive and refreshed.
Have a Support Group
Many new parents take for granted a loving support group of
family and friends. If you fall into that category, thank
your lucky stars! For some new parents, single parents
especially, there isn't a strong network of people who can
help and support them. If you don't have several friends or
family members that can help you, maybe there's a co-worker,
neighbor or church member who can be there for you. In many
cities there are support groups for new moms, nursing moms
or parents of multiples (check in the phonebook for
listings). Sometimes just having someone there to listen can
be the biggest help.
Talk To Your Doctor
Postpartum depression can be a problem for many new moms. You
can talk to your doctor when you go back for your follow-up or you can even
talk to your baby's pediatrician during their well-child check. If anything
else you are experiencing just doesn't feel right, make sure you mention it
to your doctor. They are there to care for you and your baby and need to
know about any concerns you may have. If nothing else, they can put your
mind at ease.
Helpful Links
iparenting.com
-- this site is very easy to navigate. They are a great
resource for expectant moms and moms with newborns
pampers.com
-- yes, believe it or not, Pampers has a wonderful
website for expectant parents and post-pregnancy issues.
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