Bringing a Baby to the Bush
Photo courtesy of Hannah Rowland
Coming soon to McCarthy!
By Hannah Rowland - Featured Columnist
Bringing your new baby to the bush can be intimidating no matter if it is your first or fifth time. Each new addition to your family will change the dynamics of life for you and your family. It will change how chores are done, the daily routine you have, the amount of space you need in your home, water you use, and food you need to store and harvest each year.
If you know some new moms in your community, you may be uncertain of what you can do to help them out as they adjust to a new routine. It may seem overwhelming to you to try to help them out because you need to get food on your table tonight and fill your water tank as well. Even if you may not have time to cook an extra meal to bring over or help them get a load of water, there are other ways you can help and encourage the new moms and dads around you.
Celebrate! Congratulate them, express your excitement for the new life who has come to be a part of your community. Because of hardship and fatigue, it can be hard for a new mom to feel excited about the baby. She may have had to leave her home to go live where there was medical help in order to have a safe delivery. It is hard to leave home, especially if it is for a long time. This migration may separate families for most of that time, which makes it emotionally hard as well. A word of excitement can help to lift their spirits. Help them celebrate this baby - with or without cake and gifts.
Encourage! For a new mom and dad, it can be especially easy to feel inadequate and that you are not doing well as a parent. It is easy to look at other families and compare yourself to them. If they seek advice from you, don’t be quick to criticize. Encourage them in what they are doing well first. Try to acknowledge at least three things that are being done well, before talking about correcting something.
Show love! If you’re willing to hold the baby, also be willing to change the diaper. Don’t be quick to accept all the cuddles and not help with the work. If you don’t know how to change the diaper, ask if they can show you so you will able to do it next time. (And pay attention to the instruction). Don’t insist on holding the baby. Giving birth to a baby can be a very traumatic experience; they may need the extra cuddles to help recover emotionally. And don’t get upset at a healthy baby. Yes, they will cry and make messes, especially in the middle of the night - but this means they are healthy and growing. Before you know it, they will be sleeping through the night and out of diapers.
As a community it is important to be considerate and help families to feel included. Strive to make family friendly events in your area. Don’t make them feel like they need to leave their children at home so they can have a good time. Helping a young family out doesn’t need to be complicated.
