Being a mom is hard work. Actually, being a parent is hard work, too. Then again, the rewards are immeasurable so the investment is well worth it we know.
Still, finding the right help and support for a new mom may be difficult if you don’t know where to look. Fortunately, there are public health nurses in all our communities who are ready to help.
Specific programs are offered in most communities to support mothers and parents.
For example, “Best Beginnings” is a program offered in the Sea-to-Sky region to help in the transition of newborns from the hospital to the community for continuity of care.
Nurses provide telephone and home visits to the family within the first 48 hours after discharge. They offer information on breastfeeding and the new baby’s health, as well as the mother’s. These services are offered in other coastal communities in various forms as well.
“New Mother and Baby Care” provides new parents with a one-on-one consultation with a public health nurse soon after childbirth. Provides follow-up support and health assessments for mother and infant as well as information and referral on baby care and breastfeeding support. This service is available to all new moms across the region.
Public health nurses begin their care of all new mothers and babies with a phone call after discharge from the hospital. During this phone call, further care is decided on by the mother, family and nurse. Our public health nurses are skilled at finding out what the new mother’s needs are over the phone. Any new mother who needs, or wants, to be visited at home gets one or more home visits. Most mothers receive at least one home visit. Indeed, Public Health nurses offer home visits to anyone who needs them. They can be a source of ongoing support for health assessment or advice as your baby grows and changes.
A related source of information for mothers, parents, babies and more is available on-line from Healthy Families BC. The website www.healthyfamiliesbc.ca/parenting, offers a wealth of information, detailed and general, for parents and expectant parents. It includes topics both crucial and simply useful such as the breastfeeding buddy (a web-based app), play for toddlers, encouraging healthy sleep schedules for baby, coping with abuse when breastfeeding and many more.
Sometimes the answers you need are not easily found online, or perhaps the question is not even clear. In those situations, the public health nurse is well-placed to help.
Maybe you have a feeling that something is not right with your baby, but can’t really decide. Fortunately, there is someone who can help: contact your local public health centre and talk to a public health nurse. If you’re worried about ‘bothering’ someone, don’t. You know your baby and if something is not right, ask the question and get the advice. After all, better too worried than to let a problem develop.
Being a parent has its challenges. Have you ever had to organize an outing with a young child or baby? Or two? It takes commitment and special skills to manage travel. Even when buses are available, there is the stroller, a bag or two of child supplies, the baby… and that’s all before getting the shopping done.
Mothers are important and any support that makes their job easier is equally important. Support for the health of mother and baby is available and can help make a difference in both their lives. Contact your local public health office to find out what services are available in your community. They’d love to hear from you.
Editor’s note: Dr. Paul Martiquet is the medical health officer for rural Vancouver Coastal Health including Powell River, the Sunshine Coast, Sea-to-Sky, Bella Bella and Bella Coola.
