Postpartum Adjustment

Overview Becoming a mother Becoming a father Single-parenting Extended family Emotional adjustment Attachment and infant mental health Healthy brain development Feelings as a new parent

Becoming a Mother One of the most important things that mom can do for her baby is to take care of herself. Being a new mother for the first time is like starting a new job; it takes a lot of on-the-job training. Moms should not expect to know everything right away.

Becoming a Father Fatherhood video with Matt Lauer “You must become active and involved to truly share in the joy of fatherhood” “Good fathers are made, not born”

Single-Parenting

Who Can I Count On?

Extended Family When it comes to raising children, including friends, in-laws or other individuals whom parents share a bond and emotional closeness with can be beneficial to children

The Emotional Rollercoaster 3 to 5 days after delivery, up to 80% of mothers feel temporary emotional distress. This is referred to as,“The Baby Blues”.

Postpartum Mood Disorder Many Postpartum Mood Disorders (PPMD) are dismissed as “the blues”. PPMD may gradually develop from the Baby Blues or may emerge at a later time after an asymptomatic period. PPMD is experienced by 10-15% of mothers.

Social Adjustment after Baby Key points to remember are: There will be changes in your relationship as a couple The importance of communication To control visitors To identify and use support systems (do not be afraid to accept help from others) Sexual needs and desires may change

REST after Baby Relax whenever you can.Take a nap, read, watch television and sleep when the baby sleeps! Eat well and drink plenty of fluids, especially if you are breastfeeding. Share the responsibility of your new baby with your partner, family and friends. Ask for help. Take time to enjoy the baby. Cuddle, coo and sing to your baby. Let the housework wait.

Attachment and Early Brain Development True or False? The brain is fully developed at birth Being a warm, loving and responsive caregiver affects the way your baby’s brain works and grows

Attachment and Early Brain Development Newborns become spoiled children if you respond to all of their needs Children who are not responded to, immediately, 100% of the time, will not develop a secure (healthy) attachment to their caregiver(s)

Attachment Some people feel love for their babies right away, while for others it make take a little more time Studies show that connecting physically and emotionally with your baby right after birth (if medically able to) is best for you and your baby. This plays an important role in forming a life-long attachment to your baby.

Your Baby and Early Literacy

Connecting with your Baby Secure parent-child relationships help children: Better regulate their emotion in stressful situations Explore their environment with greater confidence Foster their cognitive, emotional and language development Display positive social behaviours (e.g., empathy and cooperative behaviours) which helps them to develop more positive relationships in the future

Attachment Insecure attachments put children at risk of problem behaviours such as preschool and school-aged aggression, depression and inability to regulate emotion.

Attachment/Relationships

Baby’s Mental Health Matters Do babies have mental health? Starting from birth, babies are learning who they are by how they are treated

Baby’s Mental Health Matters Engage in loving, responsive, positive interactions Seek to understand the meaning behind young children’s behaviour Challenges and stress are a natural and important part of baby’s growth

Feelings as a New Parent Becoming a parent for the first time is an overwhelming experience. You may feel overcome with love and fear at the same time. Love for your new child, and fear of the awesome responsibility of raising the child. Learning to balance your own needs and those of your child can be very difficult, but it is so important to take care of yourself and your own needs so that you can better take care of your child’s

Tuning into You To be the best parent you can be, it is very important to develop a self-awareness.This allows a parent to: Better understand why they do the things they do Make good decisions and rethink decisions when things do not go as planned Be more flexible Develop a more satisfying and loving relationship with the child, which in turn promotes a healthy attachment and development