Who helps after you bring your baby home?
Michelle from The Family Zone shares what parents commonly forget when planning for the weeks after birth
A birth plan is important, but there is another plan worth making: who will help once you are home? Michelle suggested thinking through food, practical support, feeding questions and who to call before you are trying to work it all out with very little sleep.
Michelle leads The Family Zone, offering pre and post natal family services as a UK registered medical doctor, lactation consultant and other medical qualifications
I wished I had understood more about what the Hong Kong system offers before my son arrived. There was a lot to learn while feeling overwhelmed, and breastfeeding was an incredibly difficult experience I was unprepared for.
I spoke to Michelle about finding the expertise and support you need after birth. Hong Kong has fantastic resources, but you often have to assemble them yourself.
I asked what to plan before the baby arrives
“Who’s going to be there to support you when you come home from hospital?”
Michelle brought the conversation back to the first few weeks: who will be around, how a partner will take leave and where to turn with feeding questions.
I asked how partners can help
“Bonding is a full family event.”
She put looking after the recovering parent high on the list, so the family has some space to enjoy the baby together.
I asked about breastfeeding when you are not enjoying it
“a mom shouldn’t beat herself up or judge herself, if she wants to stop breastfeeding.”
Michelle encouraged talking to a professional about the parent’s wishes and how to make a change, rather than trying to carry the worry alone.
I would put a few useful contacts somewhere easy to find before birth, and have them to hand when things get tough. If feeding or how you are feeling is becoming difficult, there are fantastic post-natal services out there
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