Questions to consider when choosing your baby's healthcare provider:

• Which Hospital is the provider affiliated with? Will he or she see you in the hospital after the baby is born?

• What are the office hours? '

• How are weekends and holidays covered?

• How many providers cover the practice? Who are they?

• Is a physician or nurse practitioner available 24 hours a day if needed?

• Can appointments be made on short notice if needed?

• How much time is given for well child visits? Sick child visits?

• How are phone calls handled? What are the credentials of the people who give telephone advice? (Registered Nurse, Medical Assistant, etc.)

• Are separate waiting rooms available for sick and well children?

• If you are planning to breastfeed, how will the provider support your decision?

• Does the provider work with or refer to a Lactation Consultant for breastfeeding problems?

• What does the provider do to stay current with the latest trends in disease prevention, treatment, nutrition, behavioral problems, and child development concepts? What type of continuing education do they do?

• What is the provider's philosophy on topics near and dear to you:

Breastfeeding
Circumcision
Vaccinations
Parenting styles
Sleeping arrangements
Discipline
Introduction of solid foods Impact of television on developing minds
Vegetarian diets for children
Cow's milk
Working mothers
Day care
"Complementary/alternative" medicine for children (herbs, homeopaty, massage, guided imagery, Reiki, acupuncture, yoga, etc)

Preparing for a new baby is fun—but it can also be a little overwhelming. To help, we've put together a checklist of "basics."

Nursery furnishings checklist

• Bassinet, cradle or crib

• Changing table & pad

• Diapers (cloth or disposable)

• Receiving blankets

• Layettes, sleepers, onesies, socks

• Car seat

• Digital Thermometer

• Baby wipes

• Rocking chair or glider

Extras

• Bath tub or basin

• Bottles (if not nursing)

• Baby monitor

• Mobile or sleep soother

Preparing your other child(ren)-suggestions for parents

Early discussion with child before the birth

• Coming of baby

• Where baby is growing (use of pictures, stories, books)

• Baby's development

Include child in at least one prenatal visit

• Hear heartbeat

• Feel the baby move

• Meet Mom's doctor or miswife

• Feel included in the process

Include child in preparations for baby

• Help decorate room or make a picture or mobile for the baby

• Choose toys and clothes for baby

• If giving up crib, do it early in the pregnancy

• Buy lollipops or bake and freeze cookies for child to hand out to friends after birth

Read books about birth and arrival of new siblings

• Discuss feelings of jealousy and anger and how to deal with them (i.e., it's okay to be angry with baby but not okay to hit her...it's okay to stamp feet, holler, etc.)

• Look at older child's baby pictures

• Talk about what child can do now, that he or she couldn't do as a baby

Discuss the birth and labor process

• Discuss who will be there

• Explain who will care for the child

• Explain when child will see Mom and baby, where, and how they will look

Discuss changes when baby comes home

• Mom's need for rest

• Baby care:

Crying, feeding (how and how often), diapering, sleeping, bathing for young children.
Pack an activity bag (puzzles, games, books) or basket to give them while feeding baby

• Point out babies when you see them

• Arrange to see a baby, if possible

• Discuss babies:

Limitations (cannot talk, cannot play)
Abilities (can see, hear, likes faces and being talked to)
Learn "baby games"

Safety issues

• Do not pick up baby without an adult

• Do not give small objects to baby...only baby toys

• Support head when holding baby

• Emphasize need to be gentle

Stress older child's capabilities and encourage (do not force) to help

• Praise and encourage older child's independent activities

• Be patient with regressions

• Point out how baby learns from him or her

Jealousy

• Encourage child to express negative feelings and channel these feelings (draw pictures)

• Spend some special time each day with older child

• Plan a special activity of child's choice for older child shortly after birth

• Exchange presents with baby and child

• Have some new things at home to give to child when baby receives gifts

Baby Basics
Baby-Place.com
Child Product Safety
U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission
Crib-Life 2000
Nine-month Club
Parenthood.com
SafeChild.net

Childbirth Education Classes (start at 32 weeks)
Below are some classes offered by Mercy Hospital:
• Birth Preparation Series
• Birth Journey Day Workshop
• The Breast Connection
• Safe Starts (infant massage, infant safety, CPR)
• Nurture Your Joy

For more information or to sign up for Mercy’s Childbirth Education classes, call: (207) 771-1720 or email us at: plummerv@mercyme.com

Resources for Post-partum Depression
The Perinatal Mental Health Alliance of Southern Maine
Post-partum Support International

Other online resources
www.fathers.com
www.parents.com
www.parentsplace.com
www.parentsoup.com
The National Parenting Center
www.babycenter.com