Following Mother and Baby's discharge from hospital.
Nowadays, unless there are problems mothers usually stay in hospital no more than 3 or 4 days. Some prefer to leave for home sooner than that.
Going home following your discharge from hospital will be the beginning of a completely new experience for you, your partner and your baby. It will be the start of getting to know your baby - a time of great excitement when you all come together as a family unit.
However, although eager to get home, many mothers express anxieties about leaving the security of the hospital environment and worry about going home with so much added responsibility. These feelings are very normal - bringing a new baby home can be a daunting experience - for both parents - especially those without family near them.
Baby Matters Home Visits address these anxieties by providing you with professional experienced support and guidance during those early days - weeks or months at home with your new baby- as and when you need it - and 7 days a week. Supporting you and your partner towards a more positive and rewarding parenting experience.
During visits your baby can be weighed and umbilicus checked if necessary. If any problems or concerns arise with feeding, the visit will be arranged to coincide with baby's feeding routine.
As a new mother who has chosen to breastfeed you may feel apprehensive about going home - especially if breastfeeding is not yet fully established. These anxieties are normal and will only become a problem if you arrive home with too little information and with no experienced breastfeeding support around you.
If you are breastfeeding you will be visited by a Certified Lactation Consultant, a member of the healthcare team who is specialised in breastfeeding practices and management and someone you can trust to guide you in the right direction towards breastfeeding success and enjoyment.
If you are currently breastfeeding and having problems - take heart - any difficulty you may be experiencing can almost always be solved with correct management and without the necessity of discontinuing breastfeeding or introducing bottles. However, it is important that you seek help immediately before the problem becomes unmanageable.
babymatters@tinet.ie