Now Your Baby is Here
Bringing baby home means many changes in the family. Taking care of yourself is an important part of being able to care for and enjoy your newborn.
Mom's body after baby |
Your body goes through physical changes during pregnancy and it will take some time for your body to recover after childbirth. You will also experience emotional changes in your new role as a mother and hormonal changes that happen after childbirth. See your health care provider within six weeks after birth to make sure your body is healing well. It is important to take time for yourself and your own health needs. |
Soothing your crying baby |
Crying is normal for babies. It is your baby's way of telling you something is wrong. Learn to recognize and respond to the early signs that your baby needs you. You can respond to the basic needs of your baby by:
If these needs are met and your baby is still crying try the following:
All babies go through a period early in life when they cry more than at any other time, but each baby is different and may be harder to soothe. Babies cry for many reasons, but never to make you angry. If you are feeling frustrated or angry by the baby's crying, put the baby down in a safe place and ask someone to help you. Never shake a baby. |
Self care |
It is important to take care of yourself when you are planning a pregnancy, are pregnant, have had a baby or are a new parent. Men can also experience emotional difficulty during this transition. The following are some things you can do for self care:
Baby blues Just a few days after giving birth, you may feel moody, weepy and irritable. This is called the baby blues. The baby blues are so common that they are considered to be normal. Baby blues usually start a few days after your baby's birth and last up to 14 days. Up to four in five new mothers experience baby blues in the first weeks after the birth of a baby or adoption. These feelings often go away on their own. If these feelings last longer than two weeks or get in the way of your activities, contact your health care provider. Postpartum Mood Disorder Perinatal Mood Disorders, also known as Postpartum Mood Disorders, are more serious emotional ups and downs and affect one in five new mothers. You may feel:
If you feel like hurting yourself or your baby - get help right away. Call 911, go to your local hospital or call the Here 24/7 Crisis Line at 1-844-437-3247 (HERE247). This is not your fault. You are not alone. Help is available. A parent's mental health and wellness is important to the family's wellbeing. Talking with someone you trust about the way you are feeling can help you get the care you need. If you are experiencing stress or mental health concerns, reach out for help from:
|
Now baby is here |
Newborn screening and follow-up After birth, the Newborn Screening Ontario program tests your baby for early detection of disease. Your baby will also have a hearing screen and a jaundice screen. When to see a health care provider It is important that your baby is seen by a health care provider within 48 hours of leaving the hospital. Contact your health care provider if:
Dehydration Babies can quickly become dehydrated. They can either not get enough fluid or lose too much fluid. Signs your baby is dehydrated include:
If your baby is showing signs of dehydration, call your health care provider or visit the emergency department. |
Support |
Healthy Babies Healthy Children
During the COVID-19 pandemic, we have modified some of our services. If you have questions about the health of your child, please contact your health care provider or Health 811. To make a referral to the Healthy Babies Healthy Children Program, please call 519-575-4400 ext. 5170 or email fhia@regionofwaterloo.ca Healthy Babies Healthy Children is a free, voluntary program for pregnant moms and families with young children up to the age of six. If you are eligible, you may receive home visits from a Public Health Nurse and Family Visitor. The home visits will help you learn about:
How do I know if I'm eligible? If you are interested in the Healthy Babies Healthy Children program, call 519-575-4400 and ask to speak with a Public Health Nurse. Breastfeeding Buddies The Breastfeeding Buddies program offers one-to-one match support via text, phone, and email. Our team of trained, diverse volunteers:
|
Additional resources
- Pregnancy, birth, and early parenting information
- Sleep and Your Growing Baby Booklet
- Sleep and Your New Baby Sessions
- Public Health Breastfeeding Services
- Call Public Health at 519-575-4400 to speak to a Public Health Nurse
- Here 24/7: 1-844-437-3247 (toll-free)
- What to Expect in the First Three Months
- The Looksee Checklist, an easy-to-use developmental tool
- Finding quality child care and early learning (Region of Waterloo)
- Pregnancy and early parenting services (Region of Waterloo)
- Dad Central (resources for dad)
Contact Us