After Birth Care Plan
So you've had your baby- what now?
Tips for Mom
1) Sing and talk to the baby- your baby is familiar with your voice already and it will soothe and comfort him/her
2) Touch your baby- skin to skin contact warms your baby and will make the baby feel safe
3) Eye contact- when doing any activity, smile, make faces, and look into your baby's eyes to increase bonding and create a connection
(http://baby.more4kids.info/2010/02/bonding-with-your-baby-2/)
HOW TO DEAL WITH POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION
1) Get as much sleep as possible! Yes sleeping 8 hours with a baby is difficult, but take any opportunity you can to sleep because lack of sleep makes depression worse.
2) Get out into the sun- sunshine brightens everyone mood, so do what you can to go outside.
3) Eat well- what you eat has an affect on your mood and your nutrition affects your breast milk also
(http://www.helpguide.org/mental/postpartum_depression.htm)
HOW TO GET BACK TO P+YOUR "PRE-BABY BODY"
1) Breastfeed- Breast feeding allows your uterus to return to its normal size faster.
2) Stomach crunches- Start out small and increase from there to get the muscles in your stomach working again.
3) Drink lots of water- Staying hydrated speeds up you metabolism and makes you full causing you to eat less.
(http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/841153/10-steps-to-getting-your-pre-baby-body-back)
Tips for Dad
1) Hold baby close- The baby gets a chance to cuddle close to mom when breastfeeding, so do the same when bottle feeding.
2) Be funny- Make funny faces at the baby and make him/her laugh.
3) Be a part of the bedtime routine- Put your baby to sleep with your wife to create a routine for the baby as it gets older to bond over.
(http://www.parents.com/baby/new-parent/fatherhood/bond-with-dad/?rb=Y#page=12)
HOW TO BE INCLUDED IN CARE PROCESS
1) Take the night shift- Let your wife sleep through your baby's crying and wake up to take care of it.
2) Change the baby's diapers- By doing this you are creating opportunity to bond with the baby.
3) Encourage your wife to leave- Let her go work out or run errands so she can relax and you can bond with the baby one on one.
HOW TO KEEP YOU AND YOUR WIFE'S RELATIONSHIP STRONG
1) Set aside time to talk- No matter how tired you are, take a few minutes out of your day to talk with one another without the baby.
2) Go out- Although it may be a pain to leave the baby, you and your wife need time alone. Ask a family member or close friend to watch the baby for a little bit.
3) Don't hold grudges- Your spouse will do things that annoy you, but make up because you don't want stupid things to ruin your relationship.
(http://www.babycentre.co.uk/a1047463/parents-tips-how-to-keep-your-relati)
Current Children
1) When pregnant, encourage children to be apart of your new baby. Let them take cute pictures as the big sibling. Show them how to hold a doll like they would hold children and let them help you decorate the nursery. Do anything you can to get them excited about having a sibling.
2) Set aside time for your older child- Even if it is 10 minutes a day, make sure there is time for your older child without the baby.
3) Give your children gifts- While your friends are bringing gifts for the baby, buy shirts or gifts that say "Big Brother or Big Sister" so they feel included and special.