No Googleing for New Parents

No Googleing. That’s what I tell moms that come to the new moms groups I lead, but I realize how hard it is to follow that advice. It seems so quick and easy when you have a question, or you’re just not sure about something, to turn to Google and see what comes up, but when you are a new mom, it’s really not a good idea to start with Google.

Make no mistake. I Google all the time, but when it comes to figuring out what may be going on health-wise with my children, it’s really not a good idea, at least not until you’ve got a clear diagnosis made by your pediatrician. The reason is that you can really send yourself to a very scary place unnecessarily, and why put yourself through that. Google will bring up all different kinds of sites, some valid and trustworthy, and some that appear valid, but are really just one person’s opinion based on their own experience that they’ve now turned into an expert advice giver… you know, you’ve seen the sites.

So how do you know which sites to turn to, as the web can give you a wealth of knowledge right at your fingertips. Here are some of my recommendations for trusted sites to access.

If you already delivered your baby at BIDMC, you may have watched the Newborn Channel on the TV in your postpartum room. You can still access the wealth of topics available, whether you’ve already gone home with your baby, or you have not yet delivered. The channel covers a range of topics this including breastfeeding, newborn care, and safe sleep. Just go to www.thenewbornchannelnow.com It will ask for your hospital password.

Another great website is www.healthychildren.org. This is the site of the American Academy of Pediatrics, specifically for parents, and covers different age ranges, wellness and development.

For breastfeeding questions, Isis Parenting provides a number of free webinars as well as information about free drop in breastfeeding groups at their center locations as well as on line breastfeeding chat. Just go to www.isisparenting.com. If you are looking for a Lactation Consultant in your area,www.zipmilk.org is a great place to start along with www.lalecheleague.org.

If you are parents of twins or multiples, the Massachusetts Mothers of Twins Association has been around for a long time, their site is www.mmota.org.

Going back to work and don’t know where to begin to look for childcare in your area? Check out www.eec.state.ma.us/ChildCareSearch/CCR.aspx. It will provide you with a list of licensed day care centers and family based childcare in your area. Just plug in your zip code and mile radius and you’ll get a listing of providers.

If you are wondering if your feelings of sadness, or anxiety may be going on for too long, or seem to be getting in the way of your enjoying your baby,www.postpartumma.org is the Massachusetts version of a nationwide site dedicated to providing information and resources regarding postpartum mood disorders.

Feeling isolated and looking to find ways to connect with other new moms? If you live in the Dedham, Chestnut Hill, or Lexington areas, give the Parent Connection a call at 617.667.2229. We run FREE new moms groups in those communities. Our colleagues at Jewish Family and Children’s Service also run free groups for moms with babies up to the age of one. You can find a listing of their groups at www.jfcsboston.org. 

So there you go, that’s my listing of websites that you can trust. And of course the BIDMC website is www.bidmc.org. Anything else just be careful!