New Parents
First of all, congratulations on the birth of your new son or daughter! The birth of new child is an exciting (and tiring!) event. We welcome you and your new addition to our community.
While being a new parent can be overwhelming, being the new parent of a child with Down syndrome can be even more overwhelming. The news that your child has Down syndrome can come as a shock, if you weren't expecting it, and instantly, the joy of birth can turn into a sense of fear and loss as your mind races 18 to 24 years ahead to your child's life as a young adult and you envision all the negatives, all the things you think they will miss out on. It sounds silly, I know, the baby is just minutes old and you are already living his or her whole life in your mind - but that is exactly what can happen.
Remember, your new baby is first and foremost just that, a baby. And like all babies, what they need most at this time of their life is hugs and holding, feeding and bathing, and, unfortunately, changing (you just can't escape that one). So take the time to enjoy your new child and revel in the wonder of them, because they are unique, just like each of us, with their own personalities and gifts. There is plenty of time to deal with the issues that Down syndrome may pose down the road. There is also lots of help and resources available to make the journey easier. And, as it turns out, in those first few minutes of pre-living all the possible negatives of life with Down syndrome, we miss the many little joys and overlook the potential of our children.
For now, enjoy your child. Take time to relax and recuperate from the birth and to settle into a routine with your new baby. If you want some additional information, for now we recommend the following two links that will provide a good base of information from which to start and get you started. Once you have adjusted to life with your new baby, and feel ready to learn more, come on back, or contact us, to learn more about things you can do to give your child with Down syndrome every advantage to participate in society as a productive, included individual.
This brochure by the Down Syndrome Association in the UK does a wonderful job of covering just about every question you probably have right now. You can read it online, or download and print the PDF from the new page. Just click on the link below.
New Parents' BrochureThe website below provides some background on Down syndrome, and more importantly, a section on the care of your child. Click on the link below to open a new window.
How do you care for your child?
Hosting: 