All children deserve the best possible start in life. A
child’s early years from before birth to age six are very important to his
healthy development. This is a time when children’s brains and bodies are
developing at a rapid pace. Healthy babies are more likely to continue to be
healthy through their childhood, teen and adult years.
The early years of your child’s life are a very exciting
time. Your baby is learning about you and the world around her.
You are your baby’s best teacher. How you care, talk and
play with your infant will influence how your child learns and grows.
Early experiences with you will benefit your child the most.
Here are some suggestions to help you enjoy your time with your new baby in the
first year:
Babies love to be held. Take time to cuddle and hold your
child.
Comfort your baby when he cries.
Learn your baby's cues — when she is hungry, sleepy or wants
to play with you.
Breast milk provides all the nutrition your baby needs for
the first six months. Feeding can be a special way to feel close to your baby.
Speak in a soft, gentle voice to your baby.
Talk to your baby and tell him about the things that are
around him. The way you talk to, play with, teach and love your child will help
him grow and learn.
Help your child explore safely. Share different textures,
colours, sounds and smells.
Share picture books and read simple stories, including in your
first language. This is also an opportunity to cuddle with your child.
Babies learn naturally through play. Have fun, play, sing to
your child, play music and dance with her.
Taking care of yourself is important too! Ask a trusted
friend or family member to watch your baby so you can take a break.
A Special Message to New Fathers
While this time can be challenging for new fathers, it can
also be uniquely rewarding.
Adjusting Priorities
Just as mothers occasionally need to readjust their priorities,
fathers now have a golden opportunity to show more of their nurturing side by
caring for Mom, the baby, and possibly other siblings. Although not all fathers
have the option of paternity leave from work, those who do and take advantage
of it may find it priceless. If Mom was the center of a sibling’s universe and
Dad was only an afterthought, Dad may suddenly be more “cool” once a newborn
comes home. By adjusting his priorities (at home and at work) and “rising to
the occasion,” Dad can strengthen an already strong bond with Mom as well as
with the new child. By working as a team, parenting couples may be amazed at
how well they can adapt to their new, stressful circumstances.
Teamwork
Of course, balancing the seemingly constant demands of the baby,
the needs of other children, and the household chores is not always easy.
Nights spent feeding, diapering, and walking the floor with a crying baby can
quickly take their toll in fatigue for both parents. But by working as a team
to relieve each other for naps, for exercise, and for “downtime,” parenting
couples might find that even though they share less “quality time” together,
they may actually feel closer than ever. Sometimes there may be conflict and
jealous feelings. These are normal, and thankfully, temporary. Life soon
settles into a fairly regular routine that will once again give you some time
to yourselves and restore your sex life and social activities to normal.
Meanwhile, make an effort for just the two of you to spend some time together each
day enjoying each other’s company while the baby is sleeping or somebody else
is caring for her. Remember, you’re entitled to hold, hug, cuddle, and kiss
each other as well as the baby.
Playing with Baby
A positive way for men to deal with these issues is to
become as involved as possible in caring for and playing with the new baby.
When you spend this extra time with your child, you’ll get just as emotionally
attached to her as her mother will.
This is not to say that moms and dads play with babies the
same way. In general, fathers play to arouse and excite their babies, while
mothers generally concentrate on more low- key stimulation such as gentle
rocking, quiet interactive games, singing, and soothing activities. From the
baby’s viewpoint, both play styles are equally valuable and complement each
other beautifully, which is another reason why it’s so important to have both
of you involved in the care of the baby.
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