Hospital routines and procedures
You may find hospital routines a little annoying, especially if you're woken for meals or routine checks by the midwives when you'd rather be asleep.
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But where breastfeeding is concerned, think about your own and your baby's needs above all else. Take the time you need to feed your baby and ask for help if you're finding it difficult. Start slowly, with short periods of two to three minutes on each breast, so that your nipples have a chance to harden up. That way they won't get sore and crack. Your baby may not seem very interested in feeding at first - he may be tired too - but after the first day, try putting him to your breast whenever he seems to want it. It's really important to eat properly yourself so you keep your strength up for breastfeeding. Hospital food can sometimes be bland and unappetizing so ask your partner to bring in some treats such as fresh fruit for you.
Visitors
It's lovely to see your family and friends, but you'll find that visitors will tire you out more than you'd expect, so try to limit each visit to half an hour at the most. Ask everyone except your partner and your other children to stick to hospital visiting times so you can rest when you need to. Partners are usually allowed to come and see you whenever you want, but this policy does vary from hospital to hospital.
Social contact in hospitals
Being in hospital can be quite enjoyable. You'll have a chance to get to know the other mothers and to talk about your feelings and worries with them. You're all going through the same things and by sharing your experiences and working out plans together, you may find that you make friendships that last well after your stay in hospital.
Feeling unhappy
If, on the other hand, you find that ward life doesn't suit you and you're feeling unhappy in hospital, you could ask if you can go home earlier than planned. Many maternity units are so busy that they're happy for mothers and babies to go home just six hours after the birth as long as all is well. You're unlikely to have to stay more than 48 hours in hospital, but even this can seem a long time if you're feeling homesick and anxious. Perhaps you could try talking to one of the midwives on the hospital staff or to another more experienced mother about your feelings. Comfort yourself by thinking about how you, your baby, and your partner will all be home together as a family very soon.
Procedures for birth registration
By law, every birth must be notified to the Registrar within six weeks in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and within three weeks in Scotland.
The hospital will be able to give you the address of their nearest local registry office (which may not be near where you live). The Registrar will ask for your baby's name and place of birth, and the father's occupation. If partners are unmarried, both need to be present in order for both parents' names to appear on the baby's birth certificate.
In Scotland and Northern Ireland, the mother's maiden name will also be needed, and in Scotland, the date and place of the marriage as well, if applicable.
A short-form birth certificate, giving your child's name and sex, and the date and place of birth, will be issued free. A full certificate can be obtained later for a small fee. You'll need the birth certificate for claiming benefits for your baby.
Do register your baby as soon as you can because child benefit is only paid from the date of registration, not the date of birth.
The Registrar will also give you a form with your baby's National Health Service number on it. You need this form to register your baby with your doctor. Fill it in and take it to your doctor's surgery.
Posted 30.06.2010
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