Isolation as a New Parent | Growlife Medical
Dr Sonja Morgan
For most people, becoming a new parent is one of the greatest challenges that you will ever go through. In normal times, calling on our village – our family, our friends, our parent groups - is one of the greatest sources of support to help you through that change.
Dr Sonja Morgan is a GP with special interest in Mothers and Babies, and is very experienced in managing issues with crying, feeding and newborn sleep. She is also a parent of two young children. In this short article, she shares her thoughts on being a parent in our Coronavirus affected world, and some steps you can take to care for yourself, so you have the energy required for bringing up your baby.
Mothers and babies support
Covid19 has suddenly made finding support for new parents infinitely more difficult. The help we would normally rely on is physically out of reach. Now there are no breaks, fewer family able to help share the load, fewer friends to bounce ideas off over a coffee, fewer hands reaching for the baby to give you some truly needed moments to recharge so that you have something left to give when you take them back. And fewer connections with other new parents going through many of the same challenges that you are going through. And it can be tremendously lonely.
Help for crying baby
Parenting was also never designed to be done in isolation. Anyone who has ever tried to keep a baby or a small child happy and occupied in the same four walls for the entirety of a day without going out to provide them and you with some desperately sensory change, will know that this is a near impossible task. And sitting at home alone trying to calm a crying baby for days on end is heart-breaking.
There are a few simple steps you can take today to help break this cycle:
- Take a long walk - exercise outside is still allowed whilst keeping social distance. This time is great for your mental health. Sunshine. Physical activity. Change in routine. Your baby will respond positively to the change in temperature, the wind in her face, the contrasting light and shade as you walk under trees, of watching the birds and movement around them.
- FaceTime or Skype relatives - older relatives who are in isolation themselves will appreciate it in particular, and if you get creative this can be a great way for your baby to maintain connection with relatives, so they recognise them when the world returns to normal
- Think of creative ways to mix up your day - a picnic in the backyard? Stories with baby in a cubby house?
Social connection for new parents
We can’t replace your village at Growlife Medical. But we are part of your community. Please reach out to your GP if you are struggling. We have a multitude of programs designed to help make the most of new parenting
- Join us at our online parents groups
- Link in to our shared online appointments with other mothers with new babies
- Join our online group music therapy program SongLife Connections
Support when you need it
Remember. You are not alone. Know that you can find support from our team for all issues that new parents face in those precious early days.
Know that there is help available and support for you as an individual:
- Book Online for a Telehealth appointment with one of our GPs to discuss how you're travelling
- Seek experienced help for breastfeeding, sleep or a crying baby with our mothers and babies team
- Request home visiting breastfeeding support
- See one of our psychologists in person or via Telehealth
Help for mothers and babies
Some people have been worried that seeing your GP should be delayed for now. Don't worry. We have robust procedures in place to keep you and your baby safe, so you can still receive the care you need. It is important that your baby gets regular weights, measurements and developmental checks. They also need their routine vaccination. If nothing else, coming for a visit to your GP is a chance for a much-needed outing!
GP Dr Sonja Morgan
is available at our Highgate Hill medical centre. Her expertise includes contraception, antenatal and postnatal care of mothers, as well as care for newborns. She is available for video consultations via Telehealth for all new parents.
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Dr Sonja Morgan
General Practitioner
BA BSc MBBS FRACGP IBCLC
BA BSc MBBS FRACGP IBCLC
The author Dr Sonja Morgan
has worked in General Practice since 2006, having previously worked in hospital-based paediatrics. She is an accredited lactation consultant, and loves paediatric and obstetric care. She is particularly skilled in this area, and has assisted many mothers and babies to get through those difficult early days, and continues to care for many throughout childhood. Dr Morgan consults at the Highgate Hill Growlife Medical Clinic.
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