Mothers - Postpartum teaching?

[mmeezyy]

Hi everyone! This question is geared more towards mothers but for anyone with experience in childcare, please feel free to answer as well.

I am doing a teaching plan for my Labor and Delivery/Postpartum rotation. We will be teaching actual patients. So my question is: What topic would you, as mothers, wish you would have been educated on or what topics do you believe new mothers would benefit from learning about prior to discharge?

Some examples would be bathing, postpartum blues, breastfeeding positions, latching, etc.

The RNs I've shadowed so far have been pretty good about education so I'm hoping to find a consensus about which topics aren't usually taught on but should be addressed.

Thank you! :)

[klone, MSN, RN]

How about "normal course of breastfeeding in the first two weeks" - specifically, how to know your baby is getting enough to eat, how to monitor change in newborn stool to gauge adequate intake, infant feeding patterns and behavior (what's normal, what indicates a problem), how to deal with engorgement. Or, if that is too broad, you could choose one of those subtopics and expand on it.

[generalRN2008]

Depends on what the mother understands already such as prior infant care classes or experience

[sunbaby0811]

Hi everyone! This question is geared more towards mothers but for anyone with experience in childcare please feel free to answer as well. I am doing a teaching plan for my Labor and Delivery/Postpartum rotation. We will be teaching actual patients. So my question is: What topic would you, as mothers, wish you would have been educated on or what topics do you believe new mothers would benefit from learning about prior to discharge? Some examples would be bathing, postpartum blues, breastfeeding positions, latching, etc. The RNs I've shadowed so far have been pretty good about education so I'm hoping to find a consensus about which topics aren't usually taught on but should be addressed. Thank you! :)[/quote']

Speaking from a mom perspective - it will depend on if this is baby #1 or not. With my 2nd I was an old pro. With #1 I needed to know everything! In addition to the bf teaching I wish someone had discussed sleep w me. I found myself and my other new mom friends had wildly unrealistic expectations about how much a newborn should/actually does sleep!!

[Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN]

Diffuse axonal injuries--"shaken baby syndrome"--is a very important topic.

Differentiating "baby blues" from possible postpartum depression.

Signs of infection--can be applied to c-section incisions, uterine infections, mastitis.

[ParalyticAgent]

Depends on what the mother understands already such as prior infant care classes or experience

My last patient in my OB rotation had four children at home and had delivered the day before i was assigned to her. I was supposed to "teach her how to breastfeed," which seemed quite ridiculous considering I have no children, therefore no experience with breastfeeding. She was a funny lady and we got along great, so I knocked on her door, told her what I was supposed to be doing, and we both had a good laugh. After our laughter died down, she told me what she wished she had known when she started breastfeeding her first child. I even "verbalized understanding." I still think of her whenever I'm talking to a new mom (not often in the ER!)

[NicuGal, MSN, RN]

Parents need more teaching about shaken baby and back to sleep, but they really need teaching about the importance if tummy play time with baby to build those neck muscles and such!

[mmeezyy]

Thank you everyone for your suggestions!!!! I'm considering all of them at this point ahahaha.

For those who mentioned sleep, were you more interested in learning about how long/often the baby sleeps?

[sunbaby0811]

Thank you everyone for your suggestions!!!! I'm considering all of them at this point ahahaha. For those who mentioned sleep were you more interested in learning about how long/often the baby sleeps?[/quote']

Yes and that they may not like the crib lol I think teaching safe sleep would go along great w that as well. My kids wanted to sleep anywhere BUT the crib! I learned to deal w it bc it's not forever rather than force the crib. If that makes sense...

[BeachsideRN, ASN]

I wish it was reinforced that breastfeeding is HARD! Post partum anxiety as well as ppd.

[BeachsideRN, ASN]

And self care during the first few weeks. It's grad to remember to eat and sleep when you are constantly nursing.

[babyrn85]

What are realistic expectations postpartum. Especially if they had a different birth experience. Every birth and baby is different so sometimes even the multips have a tough time.