Thompson’s Station, Tennessee – There are approximately 215 babies born in Tennessee every day. Many of these are from new moms that aren’t sure how to set boundaries with family members. Pregnancy Centers of Middle Tennessee, a pregnancy resource center located in Williamson County’s Thompson’s Station and also a location in Columbia, TN, says that new moms and dads should consider putting some distance between their new family and their extended family in the first few weeks after giving birth.
Parenting is never easy. It is an especially trying experience for new parents that are excited about the birth of their first child. However, according to Pregnancy Centers of Middle Tennessee, this excitement should not lead into overstimulation, which can happen when a new mom or dad focuses too much on allowing others to come for a visit.
The pregnancy resource center explains that boundaries exist for a reason, and they are entirely personal to each person. Across the board, new moms will benefit from voicing their needs, whether that means family and friends are close by or are kept at arm’s length until some physical recovery has completed. For parents, telling others what is needed is an important form of self-care that allows them to better care for themselves so that they can be the best for their new baby.
New moms should also not feel obligated to interact heavily with other visitors, which might include neighbors and coworkers. Women are encouraged to ask themselves:
- What schedule is the baby on?
- Is it really a good idea to have visitors right now?
- Are all visitors necessary?
- Are there any illnesses currently going around?
- Should people be allowed to bring their animals into a home after a baby is born?
- Who, if anyone, should be allowed to care for and hold the baby?
This is just a partial list of considerations that the pregnancy resource center urges new moms to think about as they open (or close) the door for others coming for a visit.
Many new moms fear that setting physical and even digital boundaries, particularly with close friends, siblings, and grandparents, is rude. Representatives from Pregnancy Centers of Middle Tennessee emphatically remind new moms that this is not true. Setting a schedule for visitors, for example, ensures harmony in one’s home. After all, no one wants people knocking on the door or ringing the bell when there is a sleeping baby.
Another area where boundaries are important is with caretakers. Conflicts may arise between adult children and their parents about how to care for a new grandchild. It is important for new mothers and fathers to remember that childcare standards were different in previous generations, and that grandparents may need a bit of a primer on what is appropriate and acceptable and what is not. They might also need firm but gentle reminders that they are not the parents and do not make the rules.
The pregnancy resource center encourages having an open conversation with other caregivers. They explain that something as simple as going through an infant’s new routine may be enough to flag alternate caregivers to acceptable behaviors.
Ultimately, all families deserve to set boundaries, restrictions, and rules regarding how interactions will take place. This is crucially for the well-being of mother and child and is not a selfish act. Pregnancy Centers of Middle Tennessee encourages new and upcoming mothers to visit the pregnancy resource center if they have questions about how to take care of themselves and their babies.
Pregnancy Centers of Middle Tennessee offers free and confidential pregnancy services for young men and women dealing with an unplanned pregnancy.
Media Contact
Company Name
Pregnancy Centers of Middle Tennessee
Contact Name
Kathy Cook
Phone
615-302-2200
Address
2206 Spedale Court, Suite 4
City
Spring Hill
State
TN
Postal Code
37174
Country
United States
Website
https://www.pcofmt.com/
