Taking care and preparing..
This page looks at some of the practical things that will help keep family life sorted in the days and weeks after your baby is home.
- Eating well is a really important factor in family health and enjoyment of life, as is teamwork when it comes to looking after baby and each other.
- That laundry has to be done too!
- Taking care when you're lifting and moving.
Eating well... making sure you have the fuel you need to keep going..
Knowing about food groups and portion size while making healthy food choices plays a big part in overall family health. Eating well gives you the energy to keep going, plan and think on your feet. Being food aware helps you make healthier choices when shopping, for example, being aware of sugar content in foods and choosing those with less sugar, especially
glucose or fructose.
Try this easy pizza; tasty and packed with goodness!
Flour tortillas are a good store cupboard item as they are so versatile. Choose wholemeal ones with seeds if possible. Fill them with scrambled egg, salads, or anything you fancy for a quick, healthy meal. Check out some easy, healthy recipe ideas to get you started with some meal plans and recipes from our dietitian. |
|
|
Try to have a stock up on store cupboard items so you'll be able to rustle up some good food and snacks anytime.
Store cupboard items.
|
This is an easy way to cook rice. Basmati rice has a great flavour. Leftover rice is great to make fried rice or use rice salad.
|
Factor in and plan some time to chill out... having a good book to read can be a great way to switch off and give you some space.
Caring for and getting used to a newborn baby can be a bit chaotic for the first 6 to 8 weeks. It takes some time before things start to settle down into a routine. It is normal to feel a little overwhelmed at times but it does get better. Remember, a lot of dads have been through this very same thing before. It is a good idea to have at least one good book to read as it can help give you a sense of perspective and help you deal with the changes.
Image: Caught Reading | Flickr - Photo Sharing!www.flickr.com
Taking care of yourself and staying healthy means getting exercise and also being aware safe ways to lift and move.
Think before you lift..
As a new dad, you are probably going to be doing a lot of more lifting, carrying, stretching and bending than you may have been used to. For example, bending to dress your baby, change clothes and nappies, lifting a buggy and car seat in and out of your car or manoeuvring
cots or other bulky objects through doorways, to name but a few. The fact that you may not be getting as much rest as usual, further increases your risk of developing back or muscle injuries and pain. This is really not what you or your partner want to happen so you need to be as healthy and fit as possible and know how to take care of your back and carry out all the tasks you need to, SAFELY.
For more on good back care for you and your child, follow the link. Image: Teutonia Strollers: Design Your Baby's Ride – Moms & Babies ...celebritybabies.people.com |
Keep these principles in mind when choosing buggies and other equipment; choose so that the weight and the amount of bending and twisting can be minimized as much as possible, for both you and your partner. When choosing equipment, keep an eye on what other parents are using: visit a shop with a good selection and see what might suit your family. Equipment with a adjustable heights and extendable handles may be options. See here for information from the Road Safety Authority on child car seat safety.
Trying out baby equipment:
It is a good idea to test out and assemble any baby equipment you have before your baby is born, making it easier to get organised once baby has arrived. |
Getting to grips with that laundry..
Baby's delicate skin can be easily irritated so their clothes will need to be washed separately using a non-biological washing product if you don't already use a non-bio one.