This article is from page 22 of the 2013-03-12 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 22 JPG
BABIES and young children do not come with an instruction manual, leaving stressed-out parents often turning to the internet for help.
One Ennis GP now plans to take some of the mystery out of caring for a new baby, and dispelling many of the myths perpetrated mainly through the internet and hearsay, by holding classes to guide parents through the first year.
Dr Máire Finn, from the Ennis Family Medical Centre, also hopes the classes will provide a way for new parents to link up and get support from each other.
The GP and mother of two explained that many new parents are isolated in the community.
They no longer live near their own parents or relatives, and have no one to ask for advice about day-to-day concerns.
“I know when I came home with my first baby, I was nervous, even though I probably knew more than most parents from a medical point of view,” she said.
Like many other mothers, she did not have extended family around to allay any fears. This course, she hopes, will provide such a service for new families, many of whom are living in new neighbourhoods, away from grandparents, in-laws, family members and friends.
‘Baby’s First Year: A Parent’s Guide’ will be run by the experienced family GP in the medical centre, where she will be supported by other health professionals, including the practice nurse who can deal with questions and issues relating to vaccinations.
Dr Finn will cover a wide variety of topics during the two-day course beginning in April, including common childhood illnesses, breastand bottle-feeding issues, weaning and solid issues, and any concerns or questions the parents bring to the session.
Dr Finn will also deal with issues relating to postnatal depression.
“It is a huge thing. I find most people with postnatal depression are coming in when the baby is nine months old, rather than when the baby is very small. When the baby is small, you are wrecked.
“It is months later, when teething isn’t so bad and the baby is sleeping more, when there is no excuse, that people realise there is something not right,” she explained.
“I want to normalise things and also make parents aware of when there is something to worry about. It is normal for children to get colic, it is normal for them to cry, normal for them to spit up,” she said.
“I want to provide a good support group where parents can be honest with each other, and I will certainly be honest.”
The most important part of the class will be the questions and answers section at the end where parents are encouraged to share their concerns, their questions and even their tips.
The course costs € 100, with an information package provided to each parent.
As part of her work during the classes, Dr Finn will be dealing with often well-intentioned advice on the internet.
During this section, she will highlight good advice and warn against what can often be dangerous suggestions. Clare People readers are free to send any such advice they have come across online for Dr Finn to appraise – the good, bad and downright funny – to cgallagher@clarepeople.ie.
All replies will be published in The Clare People in the coming week. Senders’ anonymity will be respected.