Deodorants and breast cancer investigated
Bringing baby home
You've had advice all through the pregnancy and the birth, but nobody has told you about what happens when you come to take your baby home. Rachel Waddilove, maternity nurse to Gwyneth Paltrow and author of The Baby Book, reveals some home truths
Over the years, many parents have told me that they were well prepared for pregnancy and birth, but not for how they would actually feel once they got home. Often, professionals assume that parents will find it difficult to take in lots of information about coping with life after the birth. However, in my experience parents wish they had been better informed and had time to prepare for the emotional ups and downs of life with a new baby.
Registering the birth
There are lots of things to think about after having your baby, and it is very easy to forget the paperwork. You will need to register your baby's birth within six weeks, either at the hospital or your local register office. The registrar will help you to fill in the necessary forms and you will receive a copy of your baby's birth certificate.
Either parent can register the birth, and you do not need to take your baby with you. Once you have your baby's birth certificate, UK residents are entitled to child benefit, and may also be eligible for child tax credits. You can find out about claiming these benefits from your local social security centre or Citizens Advice Bureau.
Your feelings
There is no place quite like home, and you and your partner will probably feel quite euphoric about bringing your newborn home for the first time. However, the reality of coming home can be very different from your expectations. You may feel wonderful as you gaze at your newborn in your own home, but at other times you may feel completely overwhelmed, especially if you are very tired and your baby suddenly seems to be airing her lungs more than she did in hospital.
Worries about being a parent
'My biggest fear with number one baby was failure. Most of us are used to being in control and have a secret longing to carry that control through to motherhood. It's a shock.' Mother of four, Vicky Halsey.
1 | 2 | 3 | next
printer friendly
send to a friend
Delicious
Digg
reddit
Facebook
StumbleUpon
Horoscopes| Message Boards | Quizzes | Newsletters | Join
iVillage Ltd is a UK company registered in England & Wales (3837269) at 80-110 New Oxford Street, London WC1 1HB
