In this workshop we will look carefully at what becoming new parents entails for you:  Emotional changes; Physical changes; Partner Changes; And Work Changes.  Intimately connected to these changes, is understanding the kind of parent each of you wants to be and how this is influenced by your own upbringing.  Because new parents have each been raised in different environments, this involves consideration of the differences and similarities you might have experienced as children, and ways you might resolve these differences or accept them in parenting your own children.   Central in this discussion is the acknowledgement that there are no perfect parents, but rather thoughtful and caring parents who do the very best they can. 

In the Baby Care portion of class, we will prepare both parents for the arrival of their baby and what you can expect when you bring your newborn home. The first few days are looked at from both the parents and infant’s perspective.  Realistic expectations are encouraged, as well as the help which you might need during this period.  We will focus on the roles of each parent as they care for their new baby, including the importance of caring for the mother.  We discuss the needs of a newborn baby and how skin to skin and kangaroo care nurture an infant and promote bonding.  We look at parental exhaustion and ways to encourage a baby’s sleep, as well as ways to soothe and make an infant feel secure.  The physical care of your infant is examined carefully as well as when a parent needs to be concerned.  The ups and downs of the first few months are included and the amazing changes that have occurred by around four months.