having a first baby

When it comes to having their first baby, many couples probably have no idea what to expect, nor much about how to care for the baby when it arrives. Their level of knowledge will depend on their exposure to other babies, and the part they may have played in their upbringing; plus what they have read and asked about in preparation for the baby's birth. For most Western couples, that really can mean they do not know what to expect from the arrival of their Bouncing New Baby.

Things are really quite different from my home country, England, here in the Philippines. People generally are crazy about babies here, and a new baby's older siblings will usually be keen to play a part in baby care. If there is no older sibling, there will by a cousin nearby anxious to carry and look after the offspring. With this tradition, most new parents have a good idea of what baby care is all about, at least from the Filipino viewpoint; and when the baby is born, the parents know there will be a lot of people around to help.

Such enthusiasm to help, and such pre-knowledge and experience, with a new baby is less likely in Western countries, so it is down to the parents to learn all they can before the baby is born, and then as they go along.

There is a great deal to bringing up a child, but for a new born baby you are able to concentrate on a few basic baby care skills. Much of it will come naturally, for mother and father, and the most important thing of all is not really a skill. That is, love, the most natural baby care all.

As a new parent, never forget that the baby loves you both totally. The need for love in return is imperative to its feeling of security, happiness and well being. So, although their is no skill in feeling love for the baby, there is some skill in making sure the baby is aware of it, always. Modern living can make us self centred. Having a baby is a wonderful opportunity to step back and view love in it's most natural and innocent form