Bringing Baby Home – Sunday Business Post – 7th March 2010

By Lisa Brady

Bringing a baby home is exciting for new parents, but entering the world of parenting is also daunting – with its remit of schedules, sleepless nights and, above all, responsibility for this tiny bundle who is completely dependent on you.

Carol Flynn, managing director of Nanny Solutions (nanny solutions.com), guides new parents in practical planning to make the first few weeks a little easier with a new baby.

A qualified Montessori teacher with over 15 years of experience, Flynn’s Bringing Baby Home course gives advice on what to expect, and how to make this happy but challenging time go as smoothly as possible.

‘‘There are so many issues that new parents stress about – that the baby won’t put on weight, for example – or they won’t understand their baby’s cry,” says Flynn. ‘‘With breastfeeding mums, they usually question if they are feeding correctly. Is the baby getting enough milk, how do they know how much they are getting.”

Flynn says it’s important in the late stages of pregnancy to do your research, but try to keep things in context. For example, it’s not necessary to child-proof your house until the child starts to crawl, but you can ensure that say there is plenty of room in your bedroom for a Moses basket and crib. ‘‘You don’t want to have to be climbing over the baby,” says Flynn. ‘‘Think about what you’ll need straight away – travel systems, sterilisers, Moses basket – get advice on the best models,” she says.

Flynn says that a focus on essentials, as opposed to aesthetics, such as nursery colour schemes, is key. ‘‘A more necessary action is to ensure that you’ve bought the correct travel system – make sure before the baby comes home that it fits in your car, and through your front door,” she says.

Be aware that, as a new mother, you will be exhausted from the birth and lack of sleep, so all equipment – bedding; medicines and nappies, as well as a freezer full of food for parents – should be prepared and on hand for the first few weeks.

There are certain no-nos when it comes to budgeting for a new baby, Flynn says. Other children’s mattresses or car seats should never be used, as shapes have been formed in the structures and germs will still be present on the cloth, leaving the baby susceptible to infection.

Also, if you are making formula, make sure your kettle is new or spotlessly clean internally – an old kettle will have limescale which will make the baby ill. A suitable baby bath is important too, says Flynn. ‘‘Remember, newborns don’t need a bath every day – this takes the oil out of their skin,” she says.

Hygiene is a huge concern with new babies, so ensure that all soothers and bottles are sterilised in a different sink, away from food preparation and dishes. Anti-bacterial gel should be kept at various points in the house, and used before and after changing the baby’s nappy, says Flynn.

Keep in mind that a large number of visitors in the home may result in the baby becoming unsettled or their sleep pattern disturbed, Flynn says. ‘‘After week three, a new mother might find that she needs more help with the baby, especially if she has had a C section, as recovery takes more longer when sleep is disturbed. She should avail of this at night from family and friends, so she can get some sort of decent sleep.”

And after all this, parents should try to make the most of this happy time. ‘‘Most put themselves under pressure to get the baby to settle into a routine quickly and for the baby to do what the book says,” says Flynn.

‘‘Babies settle at their own pace in their own time, so be as relaxed as possible, as babies pick up on anxiety.”