Most friends and family want to help in some way. Ideally cooking, helping with household chores, or with an older sibling is what you will need. This can make the first 2 weeks less stressful on you, and will free you up to spend more time with your partner and new baby. However, some new parents feel uncomfortable about asking family and friends to cook and clean. Perhaps asking them what would they like to do to help, may be an easier way of setting up some support from them in the early weeks.
If this is your second or subsequent baby, and the mother and baby are staying in hospital for a while, you may like to prepare a 'welcome home party'. This can be exciting for your older child/ren. A few streamers and a cake with candles can make your older child feel very involved in welcoming their new brother or sister, and mother home.
Other practical arrangements can include:
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Placing birth announcements in the paper, on your answering machine, or on the Internet. Sending emails with photos attached, to family and friends. |
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Having the baby capsule fitted in the car before your baby comes home from the hospital. |
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Organising leave from work - this may be from the time of the labour and birth, or from the time she goes home - rather than using leave while she is in hospital. Or you might consider 'staggering' your leave by working half days over a longer period. |
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If you have twins or more you may need to organise different family members to stay (for various time periods) when you return to work. You may wish to read Twins or more - after the birth. |