| All new parents worry about their baby's safety. It's a | | | | Do: |
| natural instinct to want to shield these fragile, vulnerable | | | | · Implement precautions that are universally |
| beings from any type of harm. The most common | | | | repeated (ie. putting a baby on their back to sleep). |
| concerns can be exacerbated by the postpartum | | | | · Make the most of the frequent pediatrician |
| hormonal surge and the "mama/papa bear" syndrome | | | | visits in the first year for questions. Keep a running list |
| that every new parent experiences to varying | | | | as things come up and bring it with you to the baby's |
| degrees. What many parents don't realize is that their | | | | wellness visits. |
| best defense in the game of raising children is a good | | | | · Build a network of other parents to turn to |
| offense. Be prepared, be on top of things, and then | | | | for advice and information. There are many moms |
| relax and enjoy your baby - they are only babies once. | | | | clubs (dads are usually welcome also) and on-line |
| Infants look to their parent's approach and response to | | | | networks to choose from that run the gamut of |
| situations in order to know how to respond to those | | | | parenting philosophies. |
| situations themselves. If a parent displays anxiety or | | | | · Take a CPR/First Aid class so that you feel |
| becomes upset in a situation, the child is more likely to | | | | equipped to handle an emergency. |
| respond in kind. Learning how to remain calm and not | | | | Don't: |
| let your fears dictate your behavior is an important skill | | | | · Allow yourself to get caught up in stories of |
| for parents to attain. The key to this is to prepare | | | | tragedy and disease that people and the media are all |
| yourself well for various situations and then relax and | | | | too eager to share. |
| understand that all will definitely not go as planned. | | | | · Limit yourself to information from only one |
| The wealth of information available right now is | | | | generation. There is merit in advice from parents of all |
| completely overwhelming and parents can twist | | | | ages. Modern parents have the benefit of more |
| themselves into knots trying to decipher what is | | | | research-based information while older generations |
| necessary and what is not. You don't need to buy | | | | have the benefit of hindsight. |
| every baby safety product on the market because | | | | · Let your child feel your anxiety. The calmer |
| every baby is different. The more you relax and get to | | | | you appear on the outside, the more likely your child will |
| know your child, the more you will be able to hone in | | | | feel calm on the inside. |
| on his/her particular needs and provide for them. A | | | | Parenting is not for the faint of heart. It is the most |
| good way to comb through all of this information and | | | | wonderful and scary roller coaster ride anyone can |
| glean the most important parts is to follow these | | | | take. Be prepared, be brave, and be calm. |
| simple Do's & Don'ts : | | | | |