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New Parents

Becoming a parent/carer is an exciting journey, there are many great times but sometimes some challenges along the way. Learning how to care for and nurture your baby takes time, effort, support, and a good sense of humour.

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Overview

Becoming a parent/carer is an exciting journey, there are many great times but sometimes some challenges along the way. Learning how to care for and nurture your baby takes time, effort, support, and a good sense of humour. But you don’t have to work it out all on your own—we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Each parent/care brings their own experiences, values, and beliefs about family life and parenting. The early relationship you form with your baby sets them up for life in how they interact in relationships in the future with friends, at school and with family.  

Parenthood is a transition where you are always learning.  Be kind to yourself and allow space to grow and learn as you work out  this new role.

Responsive Parenting

Karitane recommends responsive parenting, which means tuning in to your baby’s social, emotional, and physical needs. Responsive parenting  involves noticing what your baby is communicating and responding in a way that meets their needs. This approach builds a strong bond and helps your baby feel safe, secure and understood.

What to Expect

All families experience rough waters sometimes, this can include financial pressures or adjustment, isolation, poor sleep, communication and relationship breakdowns between parents, different expectations of yourself, baby or partner. But you don’t have to learn it all on your own, we’re here to support you. 

Parenthood involves changes. The first few months after your baby is born can be tiring. You are learning new skills, adjusting to the needs of your baby, and shifting roles with your partner– all while maintaining household, social, and work routines on a lot less sleep. 

In addition to these changes, you may experience various emotions common to your role as a new parent. These can include great joy and excitement as well as worry and concern.  Its helpful to talk about these changes to your partner, friends and a trusted health professional like your child and family health professional or GP.

10 Tips for New Parents

  1. Learn to read your baby’s verbal and non-verbal cues to respond appropriately to their needs. In the beginning, it might be confusing to know what your baby needs all the time, as you spend more time with your baby and learn more about them, reading their cues becomes easier. 
  2. Discover what kind of family you want to be, talk about what your goals, beliefs and values are with your partner and agree with what’s important to you both.
  3. Develop family traditions, share responsibilities, and allow for moments of fun.
  4. Be open to advice but remember every family is unique, what works for one family doesn’t always work for another.
  5. Parenting is about trying your best and being good enough, not perfection. Parenting develops over time with every age and stage of your child, you will learn something new. 
  6. Healthy eating, sunshine, fresh air, time with friends and relaxing is good for everyone.
  7. Maintain friendships while making new social connections through parenting groups and supports.
  8. You are starting a new parenting partnership with your partner, so you’ll need to negotiate how you’re going to parent together as a team.
  9. Respectful and clear communication is key for couples (remember, you are both learning to manage the changes in your life). Tell your partner how you are feeling and listen to your partner. It’s important to share how you’re both feeling.
  10. Accept help or ask for support when needed, contact the Karitane Careline on 1300 227 464
1300 227 464 Get Help

New Parent FAQs

Common realities of adjusting to parenthood:

Night waking - Managing Night Wakings and Settling

You may be used to getting a full night’s sleep. This will change when you have a baby as it’s normal for babies to wake frequently during the night, but there are ways to help them settle back to sleep. Keeping interactions calm and quiet during night feedings, can be reassuring for your baby and getting support from your partner or family may be helpful to you on nights where your baby is more unsettled.

  • Changing lifestyle - Parenthood means a change in lifestyle for many new parents. Your priorities may be different, and time to yourself may be less.
  • Changing identity - You may find it hard with losing your sense of self – as a partner, colleague or friend.
  • Changing relationships - Sometimes it takes a while to figure out your new role; how you and your partner fit together as parents.

  • Be flexible - Both in your approach and everyday expectations. You can’t plan for everything; your baby may be sick or need changing just as you’re about to leave the house. These things happen.
  • Keep communicating - Share feelings, ideas and expectations with your partner as you adjust to your new roles.
  • Plan couple time - If it’s difficult to organise a babysitter, host a date night at home.
  • Rest when you can - Find time to rest when your baby does, looking after yourself and getting rest is important.
  • Rethink household chores - This can include doing only the important tasks, asking for help, or hiring someone. Don’t try to do everything.
  • Be organised - If possible, plan ahead. You can do this with meals by cooking extra and freezing leftovers or investing in a slow cooker.
  • Join a group - Parenting groups offer great support, ideas and friendship.
  • Accept help - If friends and family offer to babysit, cook or help around the house, say yes.
  • Don’t compare - Comparing your parenting skills and/or baby to others may not be helpful. Concentrate on what makes your family unique
  • Take care of yourself - When you feel upset or frustrated the best thing you can do is take a break. . If possible, get someone to take over. If not, place your baby in a safe place, like a cot with the sides up, leave the room and take some deep breaths to relax and plan what you might try next. A one-to-two-minute break can make a big difference. 
  • If you’re constantly overwhelmed, remember there’s nothing wrong with asking for help. 

Making time to look after yourself helps your adjustment to parenthood. Here are some tips

Take time out for you - Sit outside in the fresh air with a cup of tea, go for a walk, take a relaxing bath, or do things you enjoy.

Share your experience - Meeting and chatting with other new parents offers a valuable source of company and support. Look up local parenting and/or online groups.

Rest when you can - Even reading a magazine for a few minutes can provide the mental break you need.

Eat healthy - A well balanced diet will give you the right energy to care for your child.

Exercise - Try to fit in some physical activity each day. This could be a walk with the pram, home yoga, or a gym membership.

Accept help - If friends and family offer to help, use your free time for self-care.

Reach out - If you ever feel overwhelmed or stressed , don’t be afraid to seek the assistance of a healthcare professional. You can call the Karitane Careline on 1300 227 464.

Karitane Tip: Your overall health and wellbeing are just as important as your baby’s. Remember to look after your needs too when looking after your baby.

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Acknowledgement of Country

Karitane acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work and live. We celebrate the diversity of Aboriginal peoples and their ongoing cultures and connections to the lands and waters of NSW. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging and acknowledge the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

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