Tips for Bringing a New Baby Home

By North Shore Private Hospital, Mothercraft Nurse, Christine Minogue

It can be overwhelming to bring a new baby home. The following tips will help you enjoy the early weeks of becoming a new family.

Be kind to yourself. Whether this is your first baby or your third, each new baby needs time for you to get to know them. You are also very tired and want to do the best for your baby, so remember to rest in this time, particularly when your baby needs you to be there for them every few hours.
Take as much help as you can get. Allow someone close to you – whether it’s dad, a grandparent, aunts, uncles or a friend – to hold your baby while you eat, shower or rest – especially in the early weeks. Every little bit helps.
Take small pieces of information from a source that you can go back to and talk to. In a time where there is an overwhelming amount of information, narrow it down to one or two trusted people until you feel more confident with your baby
Enjoy the moment. In these early weeks, babies take small feeds and short sleeps around the clock so try to enjoy this time. Feeding and cuddling your baby in the quiet of the night is amazing and tiring, but they don’t last long so enjoy the moment.
Get good at the basics. New parents often ask me about routines and sleep patterns. This is the time to adjust to this new little person in your life. Get an understanding of feeding and allowing the baby to sleep, grow and mature. All the rest will come in time.

For more information on North Shore Private Hospital Maternity Unit, please visit www.northshoreprivate.com.au/Maternity/Maternity-Home.