Photo By Cpl. Jorden Wells | Karla Smith, Baby Boot Camp class participant, practices different methods of holding...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER, N.C. - Pregnancy is just the beginning of parenthood. You know you’re having a baby, what you might not know is how to properly care for the baby. After delivery, questions may arise such as how to feed the baby, when to change the baby’s diaper, and how much should the baby sleep.
Such questions can be overwhelming, and the last thing you need with a newborn is unnecessary stress and anxiety.
To help prepare soon-to-be parents and new parents, the New Parent Support Program offers a Baby Boot Camp class. The class is free for service members and their spouses, and offers an array of information, and practical application on how to care for infants.
“We see all sorts of people in this class,” said April Groves, New Parent Support Program instructor and registered nurse. “The most popular topics that we cover are the hands-on-care, how to properly feed and change a baby and proper bathing techniques.”
The main focus of the class material is centered on what to expect during pregnancy and how to care for newborns through six-month-old babies.
“Since we get mostly first time parents as attendants in this class, we like to prepare them for what to expect,” said Groves. “We cover what is normal for babies to do and how to properly stimulate your baby to allow for optimal development.”
Most of the class participants come to the class because they don’t know what to expect and what is normal, said Becky Lewis, New Parent Support Program instructor and licensed clinical social worker.
Baby Boot Camp allows new and expectant parents to meet and socialize with other soon-to-be mothers and fathers.
“The class is also a way to encourage new parents,” said Lewis. “We offer a judgment and pressure-free environment so the participants can ask the questions that they normally might not ask for fear of judgment.”
New parents are also taught the importance of patience and how to avoid becoming overly irritated and stressed.
“The stresses that are placed on new parents is one thing, but when you are talking about new parents that are active duty and away from their family it is a whole different situation,” said Lewis. “We try to provide all the information we can, so they are more confident in their abilities as new parents to properly and safely care for their baby.”
In the class they also teach the difference between punishment and discipline, and when each is appropriate.
“I came to this class to learn anything that I may not already know,” said Karla Smith, Baby Boot Camp class participant. “I just want to learn all that I can so I can be the best mom I can be.”
For more information on Baby Boot Camp, contact Marine and Family Services at 910-449-6110.
| Date Taken: | 04.24.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 04.24.2013 15:02 |
| Story ID: | 105760 |
| Location: | JACKSONVILLE, NC, US |
| Web Views: | 109 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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