Topics raised by parents

How do you make those slings?

"I loved the idea of those slings (or baby carriers or pouches) that we tried out in the 'First Baby' class. I loved the simplicity of them - no fuss - and wanted to make a couple. I found this website with easy and clear instructions for how to make them. Happy sewing! Also found this article about a dad's experience with 'babywearing' that might interest other fathers."

Good skills, Jen!

"I watched with pride as my daughter, Jen, put her new baby down for the night. She has her little routine of feeding, wrapping Amelie, talking softly, stroking her head, her tummy, getting softer and softer ... Little Amelie just lies there, eyes shutting and opening, smiling, wriggling and then feeling secure, all is familiar - I can sleep now." Good skills, Jen. 

Sorting roles

“I do bathing.” said one new dad. “I’ve got the grip sorted. I’ve worked out that she likes the water quite deep and we have a good old time.” Some women worry that breastfeeding shuts the dads out of special time with their babies, but not for this dad. “Mum’s the expert on feeding and Dad’s the expert on bathing and our baby seems happy with that.”

Reading cues

“I thought you had to learn their cries, but that’s way too late, “ said a beaming mother. “They tell you what they need way before they cry. I love watching for the very first signs that she is going off the boil. I don’t always get it right, but its like she’s talking to me.”

Male Emotions

“I have never been so emotional in my life!” This was a statement made by a new dad who had expected his partner to be emotional, but not himself. “They are scary emotions sometimes. Confusing, Overwhelming. Shouting at her and she was only a few days old. I wasn’t expecting that. I don’t want that.”

 
Dust

“I have come to love dust!” shared a mother in the last days of her pregnancy. Normally she is a person who dusts daily and has high standards for her home. She saw that part of preparing for motherhood was to learn to rethink priorities, so she has been learning to live with dust! She also has her sister lined up to vacuum once a week. "Such practical support is great to give and great to receive so everyone wins, including the baby."

Involving others

“We were having a rough time with settling and were getting exhausted, but I didn’t think anyone else could help,’ confessed a dad. “I couldn’t see how they could make a difference ’cause we were trying everything ourselves. But the moment my Mum walked in the door it was like a weight was lifted off us. We wished we’d called on her earlier. I have a whole new respect for my Mum.” The advice of this father was to set up your support before the baby is born and call on it sooner rather than later.