1. Understand the Challenges of Parenting Infants
Objective 4.04 Overview

2. Adapting to new routines
Adapting to interrupted sleep
Infants need to eat often and very rarely sleep throughout the night. Alternating who gets up with the baby may make it easier to adjust to
Accepting offers of assistance
Do not feel ashamed if you need help but be grateful and don’t take advantage of those that offer to help
Allowing time for other things
Having free time is important to manage stress but the baby takes priority so cutting back on your other activities may need to take place

3. Handling mixed emotions
Dealing with the happiness of having the baby vs. anxiety of responsibilities
Take responsibility for the new life you have to care for
Coping with fear of having the baby vs. feeling of being overwhelmed
You can ask others how they dealt with overwhelming feelings
Resolving resentment of new role vs. guilt for having negative feelings
Babies are expensive so addressing finances is important

4. Gaining confidence
Realizing that confidence is not inborn, but takes time and patience
Obtaining guidance from experienced parents
Asking questions or having a parent or grandparent come over. Guidance can also come from other sources such as a library, internet, or parenting help groups.
Growing through hands-on experiences
This can be before the baby is born by taking classes or after the baby has been born and practicing the daily needs acts necessary to care for an infant

5. Strengthening the parent-child bond
Bonding develops gradually
The bond is instant but it will grow stronger the more positive time you spend with the child
Meeting daily needs of child with love
Feeding, bathing, changing, holding, and anything else that needs to be taken care of with love and care. This means cuddling, soothing, and talking in a calm, loving voice while doing these tasks.

6. Managing multiple roles
Setting priorities
Using time effectively
Starting routines early on will help things move more smoothly
Getting organized
Infants require a lot of attention and care so having your space organized will help in effectively caring for the child
Managing stress
Spending time with friends and family, doing an activity you enjoy, or having a sense of humor

7. Developing a support system
Selecting trustworthy people
Support systems can be abused if used to frequently and not on a needed basis
Showing kindness and diplomacy
Not telling the care taker how to do their job and being friendly when there are things to discuss about the infants care
Expressing appreciation
Telling someone thank you when they watch your child

8. Terms to Know Routine- A set schedule for doing activities
Mixed emotions- Having a variety of feeling about something
Confidence- Believing in ones self
Bonding- Forming of a close emotional tie between parents and child.

9. Multiple roles- Being a mother, father, and having a career all at the same time
Priorities- Putting tasks in order of importance
Support system- People in parents lives who they can trust and rely on to help them with challenges of caring for children
Diplomacy- A tactful way of working with a touchy relationship