Health First - Parenting An Infant

At last, after months of pregnancy and hours of labour, your baby is born. Being the parent of a new baby is a huge responsibility. Unfortunately, it is a job for which we get very little training. You learn parenting skills by taking care of your baby. None of us, male or female, know instinctively how to change a nappy. That's something we learn, just as we learn the best way to hold a fussy baby. While we are learning how to do something new, chances are we will feel unsure of ourselves.

HERE ARE SOME SUGGESTIONS THAT WILL HELP BUILD YOUR CONFIDENCE AS A PARENT:

BELIEVE IN YOUR ABILITY TO BE A GOOD PARENT. Give yourself credit for things you do well and build on them. For some people, recalling times caring for little brothers and sisters or nieces and nephews reminds them of their strengths as do their efforts during labour and birth.
FOCUS ON THE BABY'S BASIC NEEDS. Babies need love, affection, food and warmth. Holding the baby, making eye contact, feeding, and changing are the most important things in life for a newborn. Meeting your baby's needs builds your confidence in your parenting skills.
GIVE YOURSELF PERMISSION TO LET GO OF ADVICE THAT DOES NOT WORK FOR YOU. Each baby is different, and you are a different parent than your friend or relative.
GET SOME HELP. Ask family members or friends to help with shopping, cleaning or cooking. Parents should divide chores that appropriately, sharing the child-caring and the household chores as much as possible.
GET SOME REST. You need sleep to restore your energy. Nap when the baby does.
SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCE. Plan outings with other new parents. Join a local Mothers' group and with more fathers joining, a name change may happen one day! Plan a reunion with other families from your childbirth education class.
RELAX. The best gift you can give your baby is time with you. No expensive toys or gadgets are as important as you are in his or her life. You and your child have a special relationship. It will unfold as both of you grow and change. Remember to listen with your heart, and see with the eyes of love.