Beginner's Guide to Welcoming Your First Child

Video Transcript

DR. CORAL ARVON: Hi, my name is Doctor Coral Arvon. I'm a licensed clinical psychotherapist with Arvon and Associates in Counseling in Aventura, Florida. This is the beginner's guide to welcoming your first child. This is a very scary time for a mommy and a daddy, the first child on the way, there's a lot of nerves running and things happening. First thing I suggest is make sure your house is in order. Make sure that everything is neat and organized because when the baby comes, you're going to be a little frantic, and make sure you have that baby seat all put together. So when mommy and daddy leave, it's ready to go. Something about telling your friends and your family, you might tell them to stay away for a week or two because there's some concerns. Number one, you need to quiet yourself. You need to be able to show your baby your house and get acquainted to your new baby by yourself. Also, there are germs. Somebody might have a cold, and new babies are very susceptible to colds. Put music on for the baby. Researchers say that as soon as the baby is born, there are different imprints that go into the brain and the baby can feel and sense emotions and an atmosphere of comfort. It's very important for you and your husband to have time alone. When the baby sleeps, take advantage to get sleep too. Make time for yourselves. Just be there and cuddle together. Enjoy your new baby. The five points to remember about welcoming your new child is for you and your husband to have the house organized, so when you bring your baby home, everything is okay and ready to go. Two, have that baby seat ready, so that there is no stress when you get in the car. Three, have a quiet home. Ask your friends and family not to come over for a while. Four, relax. Enjoy the time together and five, take the baby around the house and show the baby the different places that he or she will be living.