 The
new parents
Christmas survival guide
A new baby at any time of the year can be tough, but a Christmas baby
seems to bring additional pressure. Am I doing this right? Is she hungry,
cold, hot, ill, unhappy? Why can't I pacify her? What am I doing wrong?
These are very common concerns about your competency as a new parent
and you are not alone! Ann Buckle, author of Help! I'm having a baby
says many first-time parents are most worried about daily care of their
baby, add the festive season to your concerns about coping and your blood
pressure is sure to rise! Read on and take her advice!
Tips on bringing your baby
home
It's the big day! If you've had your baby in hospital, it is always a
strange feeling knowing that now you are 'on your own' - in a manner of
speaking. Hospital can be a very reassuring place but many women say they
can also feel very lonely - especially at night when their partners go
home. So they are pleased to be back in familiar surroundings particularly
if it Christmas. This is also a very exciting time - you are beginning
life together as a family.
Perhaps you will also be introducing your new addition to brothers and
sisters at home. So if yours is a Christmas or New Year Baby you will
of course have to try your best to make extra time and efforts to make
sure that their 'special' Christmas is completely overshadowed by the
new arrival.
Despite the traditions and family pressures that exist at this time -of
year I would still try and keep some quiet time for you-your partner and
of course the new baby. I don't want to sound too restrictive but do remember
as well that sudden noises-loud music-crackers- even crowds of family
full of festive fun can all be rather too much for a very young baby.
Bursting balloons or party poppers probably in fact make rather dangerously
loud noises for new and very sensitive ears.
As it says on the cards-rejoice for the new arrival-and enjoy a very
special Christmas - and remember from now on you'll be shopping for birthday
and Christmas presents for that Christmas baby.
1. If you are going home by car, you will be required to put your baby
in a car seat. Become familiar with the seat beforehand - it can be embarrassing
trying to work it out in the car park!
2. Try not to leave hospital too late in the day so that you have plenty
of time to get settled at home before bedtime.
3. Plan to have a simple or ready-prepared meal that evening so you can
concentrate on the baby.
4. Arrange a few visitor-free days so you have time to adjust to have
your baby - with you- with no pressure to do anything at a set time. You,
your partner and your baby will all benefit from the rest.
5. Have someone lined up who you can call at any time for advice if you
get absolutely desperate-remembering that at Christmas surgery or clinic
hours may be restricted..
6. Don't be afraid - or too proud - to ask for help.
7. If your partner cannot get time off work, make sure you have someone
else with you to help around the house.
8. For the next few days - and probably longer - don't expect to do very
much more than care for your baby-although if you also have older children
their Christmas expectations will also need to be satisfied.
9. Don't forget that a midwife will usually call regularly until your
baby is 10 days old, so make a note of any questions that occur to you.
10. You will worry - everyone does - but you will be surprised how quickly
you get to know your baby once you are home.
Ways to hold or handle a
new baby
Simply handling a newborn baby can seem daunting at first, babies seem
so delicate and fragile - much more than they really are! The most important
thing to remember is that when you pick up and hold a very young baby,
you must support the head and neck. Find the most comfortable position
- make it as easy for yourself as possible. You'll soon be used to it.
There is more than one way to hold a baby and you will soon find out which
position your baby likes best.
1. Always support your baby's head and neck when picking her up.
2. You can hold the baby in many different ways according to age and
circumstances.
3. A newborn baby will usually like to nuzzle close to you.
4. After feeding, keep your baby in an upright position - this will aid
digestion.
5. Sometimes, perhaps because of a windy or colicky tummy ache, babies
may like to lie on their tummy, across your lap.
6. As they become more aware of their surroundings, babies may like to
be held in a forward-facing position.
7. Avoid sudden and jerky movements as this makes small babies feel insecure
and causes them to cry.
8. Very often, some rocking movement will make a baby feel more relaxed.
9. Keep some muslin squares or a cloth handy at all times - newborn babies
are prone to 'possetting' (being slightly sick) at any time.
10. Make your movements as definite and purposeful as you can, then your
baby will feel safe.
Ways to soothe a crying
baby
If your baby cries, the first assumption must be that he or she is hungry.
Most newborn babies rarely cry for any other reason. If your baby is content
just to be on your shoulder or in your arms then they simply wanted comforting.
Very young babies cry for a reason and they are not mature enough to know
that they could be spoiled. Some babies get a form of stomach ache called
colic. Babies with colic draw up their knees and give a high-pitched cry.
The underlying cause of colic has not yet been found. If the amount of
time your baby spends crying causes a problem, talk to your doctor or
health visitor. If babies cry:
1. Pick them up and cuddle them.
2. Rock them, holding them in different positions.
3. Play some music - maybe familiar music from pregnancy, or womb music,
or sing to them.
4. Feed them and change their nappy.
5. use a baby sling, so they can be close to you while you do other things.
6. Take them for a walk in the pram.
7. Take them for a drive in the car.
8. Get out to see other people - sometimes, if you are relaxed, your
baby will relax and sleep more too.
9. Use a dummy - although you should be aware of the risk of breastfeeding
problems and speech and tooth problems later on.
10. If crying is persistent and worrying, some believe in the value of
alternative therapies such as cranial osteopathy. Your midwife and health
visitor can give you details.
Tips on baby safety
The safety of your new baby is of course paramount. Very often hazards
are obvious and this information is not meant to be patronising. It is
simply like a checklist to reassure yourself that you are aware of and
dealing with potential hazards - but of course there will always be more.
Risks are there but you can do so much to minimise them. At Christmas
time the number of potential dangers seem to multiply.
First of all be sure that new toys wrapping paper etc are not left around
where you could easily slip or stumble - particularly of course on the
stairs. Alcohol and babies don't really go well together - from a care
and safety perspective you need to keep your wits about you and alcohol
may just affect your breast milk and thus the baby. If you have friends
or family staying or helping our around the house it may have been some
time since they had do deal with young babies so don't forget to make
them aware of the key items on the list below.
1. Ensure that your baby sleeps safely by placing her on her back in
the 'feet-to-foot' position.
2. Safety with hot drinks - a cup of tea or coffee is still hot enough
to cause serious burns to a baby 15 minutes after it has been made.
3. Safe changing and bathing - never leave babies unattended as they
might roll off furniture or slip under water. Make sure your baby is safe
before answering the telephone.
4. Car safety - put your baby in an approved car seat that has been fitted
correctly, don't simply use a carry cot or cradle or hold the baby in
your arms.
5. Good hygiene - sterilise bottles and teats.
6. Safe cot - use a firm, well-fitting mattress. The bars should be smooth,
secure and each bar not less than 25 mm (1 in) or more than 60 mm (2½
in) apart to avoid baby's head becoming trapped.
7. Cot safety - never leave anything with strings, such as bibs, or toys,
in the cot in case it gets caught around the baby's neck.
8. Safe buying - all equipment you purchase should be sturdy and in proper
working order. Take care when buying second-hand and - whether old or
new - always look for the EU Safety Standard Mark.
9. Sun safe - take extra care when out doors on sunny days as babies
can easily overheat or burn. Apply high factor sun cream and keep them
well shaded at all times.
10. Stair safety - take care when carrying your baby up and down stairs.
Wear sensible shoes, take your time and don't leave objects on the stairs.
Where to next?
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