[HCCN] PR: Sullivan Mommy & ME expanded

[Candy Eaton]

March 1, 2010, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  ...................... a pdf 
poster is available by request
CONTACT:  Candy Eaton, Program Director
/Hancock County Children's Council, a program of
Downeast Health Services Inc., and the
*_52 Christian Ridge Road_*
Ellsworth, ME  04605-1087
207-667-5304 ext. 261
children at downeasthealth.org <mailto:children at downeasthealth.org>/
 


   "SULLIVAN Mommy and ME"

Moms and babies are having too much fun in Sullivan -- they have asked 
to extend the weekly Mommy and ME group for  an additional 4 weeks.  Are 
YOU a MOM with a NEW Baby (newborn to 1 year)?  Meet other mothers 
(first-time or experienced) and their babies, for (FREE) weekly fun and 
tips to develop healthy strong bonds between you and your new baby on 
*_Tuesdays in March 2010, 10:00am-11:30am_*, at the Sullivan Town 
Office,  US Route 1, Sullivan.  Facilitated by Jennifer Broughton, MCH 
nurse with Downeast Health Services, this group will meet on Tuesdays 
March ^2nd through April 6^th , 2010.

The best gift you can give your baby is YOU.  The love and attention you 
give your baby now will stay with him or her forever and will help your 
baby grow into a healthier and happier child and adult.  Presented by 
the Hancock County Children's Council, "Mommy and ME" is one of the new 
strengthening family initiatives available through our Family Resource 
Center.   

Parents today have a lot on their plates.  Juggling the demands of work, 
home and other responsibilities leaves many parents feeling like they do 
not have enough time with their children.  Even small acts of kindness, 
protection, and caring -- a hug, a kiss, or a smile -- make a big 
difference to children.   Brain development in infants is positively 
affected when parents work to understand and meet their basic needs for 
love and affection or provide comfort when they are hungry, bored, 
tired, wet or cold.

Though the ultimate rewards of motherhood are greater than those of any 
other occupation, the stresses and challenges are greater, too -- 
particularly at the beginning.  What's more, there's no other job that 
offers as little feedback during the first weeks to let you know how 
you're doing.  Even for a seasoned pro, the postpartum period is no 
picnic; for a novice, it can seem like a never-ending series of 
blunders, bumbles, mishaps and misadventures.  Share your worries with 
other new mothers, and you will be reminded that although you are 
unique, your concerns as a new mother aren't.

Reading all the literature and consulting experts won't always give you 
all the answers.  Getting to know your baby and yourself, and learning 
to trust your instincts and good sense, is often a great route to making 
decisions you both can live with.

The Hancock County Children's Council, a program of Downeast Health 
Services Inc, is promoting protective factors for protecting children 
and promoting healthy families.  Protective factors are conditions in 
families and communities that, when present, increase the health and 
well-being of children and families.    They are attributes that serve 
as buffers, helping parents to find resources, supports, or coping 
strategies that allow them to parent effectively, even under stress.

A child's early experience of being nurtured and developing a bond with 
a caring adult affects all aspects of behavior and development.  When 
parents and children have strong, warm feelings for one another, 
children develop trust that their parents will provide what they need to 
thrive, including love, acceptance, positive guidance and protection.

Parent-child bonding -- the special intimacy that develops between you 
and your child -- is tremendously important to your child's 
development.  For most children this relationship is their first and 
will affect all their future ones.  Interacting with and enjoying your 
infant is critical to forming a bond.  Cuddle your baby and make 
interesting noises to get his or her attention; play games in which you 
get your baby to focus on you.  Whatever you do, however, don't put 
yourself or your baby under pressure to perform.  Play should be fun.  
Learning that comes with play is a bonus.

Nothing helps a baby grow and thrive as much as being loved.   Take 
every opportunity to talk, sing, or coo to your baby.  These casual but 
stimulating exchanges go further in making a brighter baby than forcing 
flash cards.  Your goal isn't to "teach" your baby, but to be involved 
with him or her.  Any parent-baby team can be successful at 
learning-playing with a little guidance.  Your baby becomes a social 
being through watching you, through interacting with you and the rest of 
the family, and later with others. 

Please contact the Hancock County Children's Council to learn about 
other parenting classes and workshops available in your community or 
visit our Parent Resource Library at 52 Christian Ridge Road, 
Ellsworth.  You may visit our website at www.downeasthealth.org 
<http://www.downeasthealth.org/> for additional information on child 
development and family educational resources available or contact Candy 
Eaton at 667-5304 ext. 261 or email children at downeasthealth.org 
<mailto:children at downeasthealth.org>. 

 

 /Candy Eaton, Program Director
Hancock County Children's Council
a program of Downeast Health Services Inc.
52 Christian Ridge Road, Ellsworth, ME  04605
207-667-5304, ext. 261           /
/children at downeasthealth.org/ <mailto:children at downeasthealth.org>

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