A Guide To Your New Family's First Weeks - Meriter Health Services

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Welcome to Meriter’s Birthing Center At Meriter’s Birthing Center, we are committed to family centered care by involving patients and families in the planning, delivery and evaluation of their health care needs. A family centered approach to wellness focuses on supporting and respecting family choices, values, beliefs and cultural backgrounds. We are proud to welcome you and your family to Meriter and we are committed to making your baby’s birth a safe and satisfying experience. Please refer to the directory by your bedside for details about your room and other aspects of your hospital stay. We have designed A Guide to Your New Family’s First Weeks to help you care for yourself, your baby and your family in your first weeks together. Safety/Security Madison has a reputation for being one of the safest cities in the country. However, we feel it is good common sense to take precautionary measures to ensure the safety of our patients. That is why all Meriter staff members are required to wear photo ID cards while on duty, and why we will never ask you to give your baby to someone you do not recognize. As a new parent, it is important that you are watchful over your baby to keep your baby safe. This practice should start in the hospital and continue throughout your child’s life. Please know that—although we have installed security cameras near all Birthing Center exits, and an electronic security system is in place—it is essential that you follow these safety guidelines. Hospital Safety Never give your baby to anyone who does not have proper hospital photo identification. All Birthing Center staff members have a pink band on their photo ID badge. • You can name one person who can escort your baby outside your room. This person will wear an armband just like the one on you and your baby. Your baby must be with you, the person you designate as an escort or an identified hospital staff person at all times. • If you leave your room for any reason, take your baby with you or arrange with your nurse to take your baby to the nursery. • When you nap, close the door to your room and place the crib next to the head of your bed. • When using your bathroom, close the door to your room and place the crib in a place where your infant is in view. • Question anyone you don’t know who enters your room or asks about your baby. • Be sure you know the nurse on each shift who is assigned to take care of you and your baby. • Question any unfamiliar people, even those with proper hospital clothes and identification, who come to take your baby for unusual tests or examinations. We can do routine lab work in your room. Meriter Security Services works closely with medical staff and local law enforcement agencies to ensure your safety. In an emergency, dial extension 5555, and we will dispatch an officer immediately to assist you. For less urgent matters, such as missing or damaged property, call the operator (0) who will contact an officer for you. Information For Moms Following the birth of your baby, a wide range of emotions is common. There are the expected feelings of excitement, joy and relief. Regardless of how well prepared you are or how much you have looked forward to your baby’s birth, you may feel overwhelmed, uncertain, frustrated or anxious. At the same time, your body is going through many changes. 6
Turn to this book and your doctor, nurse and support people to learn more about what you can expect and how to care for yourself while caring for your new baby. Additionally, Meriter offers classes and support groups designed for new parents. Refer to the back cover for more information. Information For Fathers and Partners Because you are an essential part of your baby’s life, all information in this book will be useful to you as you care for your baby. However, you may experience a different set of emotions. After the birth of your baby, you may experience: • Excitement, pride and joy. • Anxiety about how your baby will affect your lifestyle, finances and relationship. • A sense of feeling left out or jealous because of mom’s time spent with the new baby. • A change in your partner’s sexual desires. Here are some suggestions as you transition into parenthood: • Talk with each other about your feelings and needs. • If you feel left out because mom is breastfeeding, realize you can help with other aspects of baby care. This can include cuddling, comforting and diapering. • Help make breastfeeding a success by cooking mom nutritious meals, bringing her something to drink while she’s nursing and bringing a hungry baby to her at night. • When possible, take time off from work after delivery to be home with your new family. • Take on some of the household tasks that will be more difficult for the new mother. • Follow a lifestyle that will be healthy for your family. Eat and sleep sensibly, exercise, use alcohol responsibly and don’t smoke. • Get support from other parents. Your parents, siblings and friends are all resources for support during this period of adjustment. “Make a date with your significant other in two weeks, even if it is only for an hour.” Teresa, RN, Birthing Center 7
Page 1 and 2: A Guide To Your New Family’s Firs
Page 3 and 4: If You’re Expecting.... We look f
Page 5 and 6: Nutrition and Feeding: Formula Feed
Page 7: Postpartum Medication Log and Infor
Page 11 and 12: • Your nurse will check on you ro
Page 13 and 14: Head The bones of your baby’s hea
Page 15 and 16: Mother Care The first weeks after g
Page 17 and 18: Postpartum Medication Information B
Page 19 and 20: Hemorrhoids Hemorrhoids are varicos
Page 21 and 22: Recovery From Cesarean Birth Becaus
Page 23 and 24: Nutrition and Feeding: Breastfeedin
Page 25 and 26: Helping Your Baby Latch to the Brea
Page 27 and 28: How Your Milk Changes Your body mak
Page 29 and 30: latching correctly, the easier and
Page 31 and 32: Expressing and Storing Breast Milk
Page 33 and 34: Lifestyle Issues Nutrition for Moth
Page 35 and 36: Nutrition and Feeding: Formula Feed
Page 37 and 38: During the first days of life, a ba
Page 39 and 40: Common Skin Conditions and Cord Car
Page 41 and 42: Caring for the Foreskin and Decidin
Page 43 and 44: the first few days of life, but can
Page 45 and 46: Tub Bath When the cord has fallen o
Page 47 and 48: Recognizing Illness Illness in a ne
Page 49 and 50: Why And When Do Babies Cry Crying i
Page 51 and 52: What Do I Do If I Feel Like I Am Lo
Page 53 and 54: Finding Childcare (The City of Madi
Page 55 and 56: To prevent flat head molding due to
Page 57 and 58: Sibling Relationships Most families
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Baby Blues The most common, least s
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Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scal
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• Car seats should only be carrie
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Postpartum Medication Log To assist
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How Is Breastfeeding Going Answer t
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First Weeks Index 2010 Activity....
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Rooming In.........................
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Notes Use this section to take note
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The Birthing Center 202 S. Park Str
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A Guide To Your New Family's First Weeks - Meriter Health Services

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