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baby's home! continued ...Published: February, 2010

“Stay connected as a couple; find ways to involve Dad and give him positive feedback,” says Kelsey.
   
Sleep deprivation is one of the primary stressors in any life situation. It cannot be avoided in the first few months of baby’s life, but it can be managed. The best solution is for couples to work as a team.
   
“Don’t overdo it,” says Dr. Kathleen Nickerson, a family therapist from Irvine. “Plan to sleep during the day, when baby does, and take turns. If baby needs to be fed every two hours, can Dad take the 2 a.m. feeding using a bottle so Mom can get four hours of good sleep?”
   
Nickerson recommends that each parent get at least four consecutive hours of un-interrupted sleep.
   
The shift in the household dynamic can also cause conflict – this includes the treatment of pets. Some experts suggest introducing your animals to the newborn in advance, if possible, by giving them an article of baby’s clothing so they can be familiar with new scents.
   
“The transition does not always go smoothly,” says Nickerson. “A new member is being added to the herd. Go slowly and come up with an action plan.”
   
Experts also agree that the arrival of a newborn is not a singular “event”; it’s a multi-year process and one of life’s biggest transitions, and it can be both challenging and joyful. With a little planning and a lot of patience, the homecoming will be the start of a wonderful new chapter for the whole family. susankelseymft@cox.net, drkathynickerson.com

Carol Starcevic is an OC Family magazine intern.