Having a child is a life-changing experience. One day you’re independent… nine months later and someone is entirely dependent on you and it’s suddenly your role to provide them with absolutely everything they need for the next eighteen years at least. Perhaps the scariest part? You don’t have to go through any mandatory training to become a parent. You don’t go to a parenting school or special classes. You simply have your baby and go home to raise them. It’s not all too surprising that many of us actively seek out information on how to correctly raise our little ones. To help you along the way, here are a few areas of essential knowledge that you should look into!
Birthing
The birthing process is notorious. It can be long. It can be painful. It can be difficult. So, it’s best to be as clued up with potential situations that may arise throughout the experience, as well as picking up some techniques that can help you through it – whether that’s knowing when to push or learning breathing techniques that can help to ease anxiety and manage pain. Many parents like to attend birthing classes, where an experienced and qualified teacher can give you a run-through of what to expect and how to handle things.
Feeding
There are various ways to feed a baby and no one way is necessarily any better than another. If you decide to breastfeed, you might like to look up some information on encouraging your baby to latch on, as well as information on how to soothe sore nipples and how to pump breast milk. If you’re going to bottle feed your baby, it’s best to be up to date with which formulas are best, how to mix formula, and whether warm or cold formula for a baby is preferable.
Baby First Aid
First aid for babies and infants can be very different from first aid for adults. It could help to put your mind at ease if you’re familiar with how to help your baby in emergency situations. There are various classes for first aid for infants out there, so find a recommended one in your local area and book a slot. They’ll show you everything you need to know in order to help an infant in trouble until professional medical help arrives. It’s highly unlikely that you’ll ever need to use these skills – and hopefully, you’ll never need to – but it’s always best to be prepared just in case!
These are just a few areas to focus on. Whether you’re planning a little one, have one on the way, or your baby has already arrived into the world, all of these steps can prove extremely useful. So, take them into consideration. You could really benefit from them!
