Building Resiliency in New Parents

Kirsten Coupland R.N., B.Sc.NPublic Health NurseFebruary 24th, 2011

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Agenda

1. Introduction

2. Resiliency and parenting

3. Adjusting to a new baby

4. Group activity- tips and strategies for adjusting to changes

5. Self-Care for new parents

6. Discussion and Wrap-Up

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Introduction

What do the current demographics look like for first time parents i.e. age, marital status, education?

What are the needs/gaps in the

early postpartum period?

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Needs/Gaps?

Need for pre/post natal information

Need for information, support and

assessment in the infancy stage

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What do new parents need?

1. Information: (preventing injuries, parenting, healthy lifestyles)

2. Support: (breastfeeding, fathering, childcare, balancing work & family, parenting, PPD, services)

3. Assessment: (infant health & development, nutrition, screening & referral)

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What does it mean to be “RESILIENT”?

At its core, resilience means successfully navigating through significant threat. .

(Reaching In….Reaching Out, 2010)

Resiliency is the family’s ability to cultivate strengths to positively meet the challenges of life. – National Network for family Resiliency, 1993

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Building resiliency:

Being prepared for the transition from pregnancy to parenthood.

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Building resiliency:

Understanding past experiences, strengths and temperament

Knowing and understanding signs and symptoms of PPMD

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Building Resiliency cont. Having realistic expectations

Utilizing supports in the environment i.e. family support, breastfeeding support, HV, Telephone Info Line, BFDI, WBDI, parenting programs

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Adjusting to changes

Fatigue Infant feeding Body image Regulating

family demands Infant

behaviour

Maternal physical concerns

Infant sleeping Infant physical

care Time for self

Common concerns of new parents are:

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Group Activity:

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Useful Self Care strategies:

Getting as much rest as possible: limiting visitors, letting others know when she is resting

Asking support from people: including the partner

Eating well: preparing one-dish meals, encouraging visitors to bring food, stocking up on healthy, high energy snacks

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Useful Self Care strategies (cont.):

Getting moderate exercise: taking it slow, going for walks with the baby, postpartum fitness classes

Building a strong support network; getting out of the house as much as possible, making an effort to meet other mothers with new babies, keeping in touch with family and friends. http://knowledgex.camh.net/amhspecialists/resources_families/Pages/selfcare_ppd.aspx

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Sharing and discussion from group work

QUESTIONS?

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Bibliographyhttp://stress.about.com/od/lowstresslifestyle/tp/self_care.htm

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/cleanprint/CleanPrintProxy.aspx?1292420304547

Promoting Healthy Pregnancy and Child Development Initiative Darvill, R., Skirton, H., & farrand, P. (2010). Psychological Factors that

Impact on Women’s Experiences of First-Time Motherhood: A Qualitative Study of the Transition. Midwifery, 26(3), 357-366.

http://www.camh.net/Publications/Resources_for_Professionals/index.html#mentalhealth

http://knowledgex.camh.net/amhspecialists/resources_families/Pages/selfcare_ppd.aspx

Canadian Demographics at a Glance – Statistics Canada, 2008 Effects of Parenting Education With Expectant and New Parents: A Meta-

Analysis. Martin Pinquart and Daniela Teuber, Journal of Family Psychology, 2010.l Vol, 24, No. #, 316-327

Ontario Perinatal Surveillance Systems Report, 2008