Below are some ideas for support with a new baby. Most of the resources are local to Lethbridge, but the ideas apply to everyone.
When you have the baby, change your voicemail to say:“{NAME} was born {DATE&TIME}, weighing {POUNDS}. We are busy getting to know our baby and we will get in touch when we have all rested a bit.” You can also put a sign on the door if you expect people to stop by.
Make a list of things that people can help with: Groceries, Meals, Chores, Errands. This way when they ask what they can do, you can put them to work. Check out www.mealtrain.com to set up an online meal request calendar.
Hire a postpartum doula (if you haven’t already). A postpartum doula can help you with practical baby care, emotional support, babywearing and anything else you might need. See www.elliedoula.com for more on postpartum support.
Connect with La Leche League Lethbridge for breastfeeding support. Meetings are the first Tuesday or Wednesday of each month at the downtown library. Join the facebook group to get reminders about the meeting or call 403-331-1003 for phone support. www.lllc.ca.
Find a group of new moms you can connect with. www.mommyconnections.ca offers postnatal programs for moms in Lethbridge.
If you think you might have postpartum depression, get help. www.thesmilingmask.com has lots of resources including the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. Alberta Health Services offers in-home counselling for women with postpartum depression, free of charge. Contact Bree Elliott, Mental Health Therapist at 403-388-6666 for more info.
Get a baby carrier and wear your baby as much as possible. www.ecobabycanada.com is a local business selling great slings, wraps and soft structured carriers, along with help learning how to wear them. Also join the facebook group for Bridge City Slingers – Lethbridge Baby Wearers, to get support on babywearing and info about meetings.
D ADS: If mom is breastfeeding the baby for hours every day what does dad do:
When you have the baby, change your voicemail to say:“{NAME} was born {DATE&TIME}, weighing {POUNDS}. We are busy getting to know our baby and we will get in touch when we have all rested a bit.” You can also put a sign on the door if you expect people to stop by.
Make a list of things that people can help with: Groceries, Meals, Chores, Errands. This way when they ask what they can do, you can put them to work. Check out www.mealtrain.com to set up an online meal request calendar.
Hire a postpartum doula (if you haven’t already). A postpartum doula can help you with practical baby care, emotional support, babywearing and anything else you might need. See www.elliedoula.com for more on postpartum support.
Connect with La Leche League Lethbridge for breastfeeding support. Meetings are the first Tuesday or Wednesday of each month at the downtown library. Join the facebook group to get reminders about the meeting or call 403-331-1003 for phone support. www.lllc.ca.
Find a group of new moms you can connect with. www.mommyconnections.ca offers postnatal programs for moms in Lethbridge.
If you think you might have postpartum depression, get help. www.thesmilingmask.com has lots of resources including the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. Alberta Health Services offers in-home counselling for women with postpartum depression, free of charge. Contact Bree Elliott, Mental Health Therapist at 403-388-6666 for more info.
Get a baby carrier and wear your baby as much as possible. www.ecobabycanada.com is a local business selling great slings, wraps and soft structured carriers, along with help learning how to wear them. Also join the facebook group for Bridge City Slingers – Lethbridge Baby Wearers, to get support on babywearing and info about meetings.
o Everything else! – find ways to give mom a break (even a short one)
o Wear your baby in a carrier around the house or go for a walk
o Change diapers
o Give the baby a bath or take a bath together
o Take a nap with the baby (make sure to follow safe co-sleeping practices)
o Make a meal, or go out and pick up healthy takeout or nutritious snacks
o Sweep the floor, do a load of laundry, change the sheets on the bed...
o Support breastfeeding by caring for your partner, so she can care for the child.
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