Post Partum Support For Adoptive Parents
Adoptive Mothers get to talk about being tired and other feelings
Many new mothers that have adopted babies often feel like they just can’t be honest about their fatigue, their sleep deprivation, their frustration with feeding and about the changes that they have undergone as a couple and a family. The outside world can seem to project the feeling that “Well, you wanted this baby, and now you are complaining?” That perception, or reality, coupled with the normal stresses that a new baby can bring can make a new mother feel extremely isolated and can also lead to depression. Many studies show that the signs of postpartum depression in biological parents are the same in adoptive parents. Yes, adopted parents can experience Postpartum Depression. Allowing them to talk about their feelings, to express frustration and worry is very helpful. Just as a many a birth mother has exclaimed “This is not how I thought it was going to be!” adoptive mothers and fathers are entitled to feel that same way. If you have a friend or family member with a newly adopted baby that only says the ‘good’ things, or insists that everything is “just great!” let them know that if that is the case, then “wonderful”. But if that is not actually the case that that is perfectly normal too. If you have adopted a baby and feel isolated and frustrated please give us a call, we are happy to put you in touch with some great resources, or offer you support through Go Home Gorgeous services.
The inability to get anything done…
It is critical for newly adopted babies to have as much time with their parents as possible. Studies have shown that the more time spent physically with their new parents the quicker and stronger their bond will be. This means that having a nanny, babysitter, sometimes even grandparent over to help with the childcare is not always advisable. But life must go on, food needs to be purchased, diapers and supplies need to be refilled. If you have a friend or family member who has recently adopted, ask them for their grocery list, their target list. Do not ask them “Is there anything I can do to help you” Too often when a new parent needs help they are so far under that they don’t even know what they need and they end up saying “No” to help that is offered. Instead ask them specifically for their lists, bring a meal over and leave it for the family to eat while you run their errands. If you are a new parent and don’t feel like you have anyone in your life that you would feel comfortable asking to do these things, call us. Go Home Gorgeous had you in mind when we created our Daybreak. Stay home with your new baby and let us take care of your errands, do your laundry, clean the kitchen, prepare dinner, so that you can have order and nourishment in your home to better allow you to focus your time and energy on your precious child.
Adoptive parents need meals and social support just as much as birth mothers.
There is also the perception that since adoptive parents didn’t go through the physical birth of their child that they don’t require the neighborhood support, family support such as meal delivery that is common when a woman gives birth. This is not true. Often times a new family with an adopted baby has had to travel, they have been away from their home, and might not have much food in the house. They also have had the blessing of a baby who may be 4, 6 or even 18 months old that may be walking, running and heavy to hold. This can make very easy tasks such as making meals, incredibly challenging. If you have a friend or family member who has adopted a baby by all means bring them a meal, and it doesn’t have to be dinner. Cold cuts, some nice cheese and hearty bread can make for a fabulous lunch or dinner. An egg dish for breakfast is wonderful to have on deck. If you have recently adopted a baby and do not feel comfortable asking for meals if they are not being brought over, Sociale Gourmet has a great menu selection of healthy take and make entrees that can be delivered to your home. You can log on to their website, order what you like, they will handle all of the preparation and deliver them to you for you to just pop in the over. Lunds and Byerlys also delivers the very same food you see in their store. Their goods do not come from an offsite warehouse. Their selection of fresh fruits and vegetables is the best in town and their Boars Head Deli meats are very healthy and fresh. Feel free to call us at anytime and we can send a personal shopper out on your behalf as well who will also return to your home and prepare anything that you would like. www.socialegourmet.com or www.lundsandbyerlys.com
Luxury Postpartum Gift Box for an adopted mother
We are happy to customize our postpartum gift box to meet the needs of a new mother who has adopted. To help offset the fatigue and dehydration from lack of sleep we would include our hydrating lip balm and lotion from L’Occitane, our Capri blue candle will provide relaxation, a Go Home Gorgeous nightshirt, Happy Mama spray, new mother calling cards from Epitome Papers as well as a customized necklace with a pendant that displays both the babies birth date as well as the date of the new babies arrival. Please give us a call when you are placing your order and we will be overjoyed to help you or the new mother in your life feel special and supported during her postpartum time.
Daddy Bonding Box
Perfect for any new Dad. This gift contains all the Daddy must haves including lip balm and massage oil from L’Occitane to help work the knots out of his shoulders from pacing the hallways with his crying new baby, along with fun matching T-Shirt and Onesie from Black Sheep Baby, a daddy bonding CD and a customized ‘dad-tag’ necklace with the new babies birth date as well as the date of his babies arrival.