Birth of a Baby, Birth of a Parent

Written by Barbara Eastom Bates


Continued from page 1

Deliveringrepparttar Goods

Prepare for labor and delivery by compiling a plan for your caregiver sharing your wishes for birth. Discuss your feelings on all types of medical intervention includingrepparttar 110990 use of epidural, IV’s, artificial rupture ofrepparttar 110991 membranes, fetal monitors, episiotomy, etc. Remember that a birth plan is simply that, a plan. Since no one knows exactly how any given birth will proceed, it is not a guarantee of any kind. Whilerepparttar 110992 mother’s experience with birth is important,repparttar 110993 ultimate goal is a healthy baby, whatever it takes to achieve it. A birth plan is simply helpful in communicatingrepparttar 110994 type of birth experience you would like to have, and if you have made a wise selection in caregiver, you will have someone who will work with you to honor these wishes torepparttar 110995 extent they are possible. You may want to hire a doula to assist during labor. A doula’s purpose is to support and be an advocate forrepparttar 110996 mother, and can be helpful in achievingrepparttar 110997 mother’s goals towards birth.

Survivingrepparttar 110998 First Weeks

After nine months of waiting and planning, your baby is finally in arms. What next? Despite that you might feel you’ve gotten away with something whenrepparttar 110999 hospital staff actually allows you to leave with your baby (whom you think you have no idea how to care for), remembering a few simple tips can help things go more smoothly.

Feed your baby on demand. Don’t try to schedule feeding sessions, which can be detrimental to establishing a proper milk supply if breastfeeding, and simply isn’t good for baby. Keep a record of wet and soiled diapers forrepparttar 111000 first few weeks to assure baby is taking in enough breast milk or formula.

Hold baby as often as possible. Contrary to popular opinion, he can’t be spoiled.

Always remember to place your baby on his back to sleep and tummy to play, to lowerrepparttar 111001 risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

Call your pediatrician if your baby develops a fever, or if you have any questions or concerns.

Most importantly, remember motherhood is a work in progress and cut yourself some slack. You will make mistakes, learn, grow and change. Both babies and parents are born, and neither reaches their full potential overnight.

Barbara Eastom Bates is a freelance writing living in east Tennessee with her husband and two children. In addition to writing articles about pregnancy and parenting, Barbara develops quality of life media for Navy and Marine Corps families.


If your child is being bullied - 20 top tips for parents

Written by Derek Randel


Continued from page 1
strategy, playing in a different place, play a different game, stay near a supervisor, look for new friends, join social activities outside of school. · Talk with your child's teacher. Make sure they are aware of what is going on. · Encourage your child to seek help from other school personnel. · Volunteer to help supervise activities at school. · Do not ignore your child's reports. Ignoring them sendsrepparttar wrong message. · Do not confrontrepparttar 110988 bully orrepparttar 110989 bullies' family. · Teach your child how to defend him or herself. · Teach self-respect. · Give numerous positive comments to your child. · Avoid labeling or name-calling. · Let your child know it is okay to express their anger. There are positive and negative ways to express anger, we want to teach and modelrepparttar 110990 positive ways. · Let your children stand up to you now and then. It makes it more likely they will stand up to a bully. · Stressrepparttar 110991 importance of body language. · Teach your child to use 'I' statements. · Teach positive self-talk. · Teach how to use humor, 'out crazy' them. For example, ifrepparttar 110992 bully says to Keith, "Hey, boy you're ugly." Keith can respond in a couple different ways: "Thanks for sharing" "Yes, I know, I always have been" "Yes, today's lunch was disgusting" then walk away. There is many other aspects of bullying to look at: Why your child isrepparttar 110993 victim, why people bully, what you child can do if he/she is bullied, signs your child is being bullied, whatrepparttar 110994 schools should be doing, handlingrepparttar 110995 school bus issues. All of these are addressed in The Shameful Epidemic, ­ How to protect your child from bullies and school violence. Visit www.stoppingschoolviolence.com to learn what is possible. There are solutions.

Derek and Gail Randel M.D. are parent coaches who have customized programs for corporations, schools, and parent groups. They can be reached at Parent Smart from the Heart, 1-866-89-SMART, www.parentsmartfromtheheart.com , www.stoppingschoolviolence.com or info@randelconsulting.com


    <Back to Page 1
 
ImproveHomeLife.com © 2005
Terms of Use