Moms and Babies Groups

Last month I was invited to help facilitate two Moms and Babies groups at Texas Health Plano.  One group was made up of mothers whose babies are six months and up; the other group of moms had babies who are newborns through five months. 

Themes presented in the newborn group included colic, crying, the constant need for attention, the difficulties in soothing babies; the many challenges of breastfeeding; the help needed from partners and family members; the lack of and hesitation about using babysitters; the stress of lifestyle changes, like going from work outside the home to being stay-at-homes moms; and the ravages of sleep deprivation.   

With older infants, some found that keeping up with now mobile babies was harder than when they were infants, especially if working from home and having no breaks in the day as they once had.  Others, however, felt better with older babies because they now had babysitters and could plan a night out alone with partners.  For others, “letting go” was the big challenge.   And the stressful, tragic event of miscarriage following the birth of the first baby is especially difficult.    

Both groups were learning the value of having someone to help them through this time:  partners, mothers, mother-in-laws.  Many were also discovering new-found friends from getting out with their babies either to exercise together with other moms or to meet at the mall or the movies with babies in tow.  Perhaps one thing that is especially helpful is having a Moms and Babies group where new moms can bring their babies and simply talk with other new mothers who understand what it’s like to be doing this mom-thing, whether for the first or the fifth time.  Having others to listen, understand, and empathize may go a long way to possibly even preventing postpartum depression, even in the most difficult circumstances.

At my group therapy session the following Saturday, I asked the moms present if they had ever gone to a Moms and Babies group.  No one was familiar with what this was.  When I explained that it was a group that some hospitals offer for new moms after they deliver, where they can bring their babies and talk to other new moms, they all agreed that this would have been of great value to them.   These are free programs offered by many hospitals that provide a great service to new moms by giving them a place to support and be supported by one another.  Texas Health Resources is one of those hospitals in our area and this is just one of many services they offer that makes them a great place to have a baby. 

I appreciate having these kinds of opportunities to interact with new moms and especially enjoyed co-facilitating with Shalie Armstrong, a very knowledgeable and skilled facilitator for the Moms and Babies program at Texas Health Plano.  Go to their web site for more information.