what we can do
If you had a positive birth experience, write letters to the hospital, health ministry, and any others who can influence change. If you had a negative experience, do the same. If you have any friends who are journalists, get them writing and talking. I see the difference in the baby when the first few days of life are spent in the arms of your mommy and daddy, and not screaming in a plastic box in the nursery. I want to encourage "Gentle Baby Care" for newborns. Then the breastfeeding goes much better, the baby bonds better with his family, and the world will be a better place with more calm people in it. Gentle baby care means: 1. Handle the baby gently. 2. Let as few as possible people other than the parents care for him. 3. Do not bathe him in the first 3 days, Weigh him on his stomach, not on his back. 4. If the mother cannot be with him for whatever reason, then he should be on his father or other family member who will be williing to sit and hold him. 5. Keep the surroundings quiet, with no bright lights 6. whisper around the baby and try to keep the noise level low..no cell phones, if possible. 7. skin to skin kangaroo care as much as possible 8 Full rooming in if possible If more mothers would follow these guidelines, the baby would be less stressed, cry less, and breastfeed better. It is not easy, but it works.
