Copyright 2010,
Sonja Brownlee, MD.
All rights reserved.
Site created by
Joanne Asch.
Questions about this site? Email Webmaster
Last Updated 1/2010
The information contained on this web site is not a substitute for direct examination and treatment by a physician. If any of this material is unclear or confusing, or if you have additional questions or concerns, please call the office at 778-6762.
Disclaimer:Sonja Brownlee,M.D. cannot endorse all links presented on the website as they may link to unrelated third-party websites.
|
|
Family Relationships
Mothers
The first month can be very difficult emotionally and physically because of the many changes and stresses of pregnancy, delivery, and post-partum, plus the ongoing lack of sleep and anxiety over a new baby. Of course you may feel "crazy", embarrassed, or even that you're a "bad mother"!! Remember, this is normal and most women experience it. Try to nap when your baby does and put housework on the back burner. Concentrate on your new baby, your older children, and your husband. You might find you also need to limit the number of visitors: they can be exhausting for you, overwhelming for the baby, and may expose baby to infection. Keep anyone with a cough, cold or contagious disease away!
Fathers
The first month can be very stressful. It's almost impossible to find time, much less energy, for each other, because of the seemingly constant demands of baby, older children, household chores, and your work schedule. Nights spent feeding, diapering, and walking the floor with a crying baby quickly add to the fatigue. Exhaustion can drive a large wedge between couples! Your wife's attention may seem totally absorbed by the baby and usually the obstetrician has prohibited intimacy for a few weeks. Most women simply aren't interested anyway because of their physical exhaustion and emotional stress. Remember, it really is just a few weeks for life to settle into a routine. Try to become as involved as possible in caring for and playing with your new baby. Dad's usually have a more active, noisy, and vigorous style to their play, which babies enjoy and value as much as Mom's more low-keyed interaction.
Siblings
Siblings often feel neglected because of Mom's absence in the hospital and fatigue once she's home, plus the demands of the new baby. Some suggestions: Try to have siblings visit mom and baby in the hospital. When coming home, bring each sibling a special gift to celebrate. Set aside a special time alone with each sibling every day with Mom and with Dad. Include siblings in pictures with the baby and alone. Ask grandparents or other close relatives and friends to take siblings on special outings. Try to turn feeding times into story times for siblings.
Click here for more information about Sibling Rivalry, A New Baby in the Family, and Help Your Child Become a Big Brother or Big Sister.
|
