4.04 Understand the challenges of

parenting infants.

Adapting to new routines

• interrupted sleep

• Accepting offers of assistance

• Allowing time for other things

Handling mixed emotions

• Dealing with the happiness of having the baby vs. anxiety of responsibilities

• Coping with fear vs. feeling of being overwhelmed

• Resolving resentment of new role vs. guilt for having negative feelings

Gaining confidence

• Realizing that confidence is not inborn, but takes time and patience

• Obtaining guidance from experienced parents

• Growing through hands-on experiences

Strengthening the parent-child bond

• Bonding develops gradually

• Meeting daily needs of child with love

Managing multiple roles

• Setting priorities

• Using time effectively

• Getting organized

• Managing stress

Developing a support system

• Selecting trustworthy people

• Showing kindness and diplomacy

• Expressing appreciation

• John and Mary put their new baby as the top priority of their day. They made a schedule for the day to include the work they needed to accomplish during the day and also the schedule for the new baby. John was a very organized person and was very good at working in stressful situations. What challenge for new parents does this describe?

• Adapting to new routines• Developing a support system• Handling mixed emotions• Managing multiple roles• Strengthening the parent-child bond• Gaining confidence

• Terry and Melinda can home from the hospital today. The first night the new baby cried for several hours. Melinda got up and then Terry would get up. Melinda’s mother came to stay for the first week and helped out also. By Melinda’s mother being in the home Terry was able to go back to work earlier. What challenge for new parents does this describe?

• Adapting to new routines• Developing a support system• Handling mixed emotions• Managing multiple roles• Strengthening the parent-child bond• Gaining confidence