Transcript - Parenting Your Baby In Their First 6 Weeks

Video transcript for parenting your baby in their first 6 weeks.

Title: Your Child: The First Six Weeks. Episode 06 of 15.

Title: Monique & Paulo’s Whānau

[Shots of the inside of Monique and Paulo's house.]

Monique (voice-over): It's hard but it's amazing. There's no words that can explain being a parent.

[Shot of Monique and Paulo’s baby.]

Title: Peyton, 6 weeks old

[Interview with Monique and Paulo.]

Paulo: My name's Paulo Agafili. I’m born and raised in Wellington. I'm a full Samoan.

Monique: My name is Monique Solomon Agafili. We just got married last year.

[Shots of Monique and Paulo’s baby.]

Monique (voice-over): This is Peyton Taruna Agafili. He turns six weeks this Sunday. He's a very chilled, relaxed baby. When it came to our birth plan, I decided that I didn't want to take drugs. When I went to go and discuss it with my midwife, she supported the whole thing completely. When he was arriving, the caesarian was not a part of my plan whatsoever. You just have to expect the unexpected. As soon as baby came out nice and healthy – you just can't explain it. I would do it all over again.

[Interview with Monique and Paulo.]

Paulo: Things don't go your way. But hey, that's life.

Monique: That's what your midwife is there for. Your support.

[Ngaruna arrives at Monique and Paulo’s house.]

[Interview with Ngaruna.]

Title: Ngaruna Kapinga, Well Child Tamariki Ora Nurse

Ngaruna: Kia ora. My name is Ngaruna Kapinga and I'm a Tamariki Ora (Well Child) Nurse. Today I've come to do Peyton's six week Well Child check.

[Interview with Monique and Paulo.]

Monique: She checks up on both myself and baby. We've been really fortunate to have a good relationship with her as well. We've only had one visit with her so far, but you have that feel.

[Ngaruna measures Monique and Paulo’s baby.]

Ngaruna (voice-over): So when we come and do our visits, we do look at baby's measurements. We measure his weight, length and head circumference. We also talk about things like breastfeeding and breast is best, where baby is sleeping, his immunisations, and whether he's achieving the milestones for his age.

[Interview with Monique and Paulo.]

Monique: I believe that breast milk is best for Peyton. It's just got everything good in it. I wouldn't have it any other way.

[Interview with Ngaruna.]

Ngaruna: Around this stage, when we come in to see whānau, we talk about mum's well-being and health as well, to make sure she's is looking after herself, getting some sleep – often that can mean having nan or dad helping out and supporting mum and family as well.

[Interview with Monique and Paulo.]

Paulo: My main focus is making sure that they are both secure. Both well off, not being stressed by anything else, because I'll have that covered.

[Monique carries her baby to the bassinet.]

Monique (voice-over): For us, it was really important that baby was in the same room as us, just so we're able to keep an eye on him. His bassinet is right next to our bed, so we can attend to him when he is upset, when he needs a feed or when he needs to be comforted.

[Interview with Monique and Paulo.]

Paulo: From my experience having a kid, it's been challenging but an exciting challenge. Main thing is just to be patient. I know at times babies can make it stressful, but you just have to remember what's important in life.

Monique: Working as a team – that's a huge part of why we're where we are at the moment. The main piece of information I would give to first time mothers is, just don't be too proud to ask for help. And communicating as well – you grow as a person, as a couple and as a family. If you don't communicate, that could put a strain on your relationship, as well as affecting baby. Just stay positive, optimistic, and just make it work.

Title: Our thanks to the families and health workers who appeared in this video for the Ministry of Health.