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Important Decisions

There are many important decisions you will need to make concerning your baby, many of which you cannot plan for. However, we have thought of a few that you may like to consider.

Choosing How to Feed Your Baby

To breastfeed or bottlefeed your baby? This can become quite a passionate subject for some women and conversations can become quite heated. It is widely recognised in the community that breast milk is the best form of nutrition for your baby. Armed with the correct information you should be able to achieve breastfeeding success, however, this may not be possible for many reasons. Listen to all the advice that is offered to you and make an informed decision. Based on the information you have gathered you can then decide what is right for you and your baby. The information in our Feeding Your Baby section may help you to make your decision.

Will We Cirumcise Our Son?

Circumcision of your son is a very personal question that needs serious thought. It is a subject that can lead to very heated debate between friends, so it might be better not to discuss it at a BBQ. In some communities it is part of their culture to routinely circumcise their boys, however there is no medical reason why this is necessary. The Paediatrics and Child Health Division of the Royal Australian College of Physicians reaffirmed in 2002, that they consider that there is no medical indication for routine male circumcision. It is increasingly difficult to find a doctor who is willing to perform the surgical procedure, as it is no longer the standard practice and you will have to actively pursue this option. With correct hygiene your son should have no health concerns if he retains his foreskin. In fact there are some added benefits for a newborn that is uncircumcised. A foreskin protects the sensitive glands of his penis suffering from nappy rash, and the possibility of an ulcer developing at the opening of the urethra is avoided.

Whether you choose to circumcise or not will depend on what you consider being best for you and your son. Speak to your pregnancy health carers and your paediatrician for more information and advice.

Choosing Your Baby’s Name^*

What to consider

Here are a few points that you should bear in mind when choosing a first name for your newborn baby.

• Will the name be suitable for your child at all stages throughout his or her life?
• Is it obvious how the name is spelt or pronounced?
• Does the name sound right when put together with the middle name(s) and your surname?
• Will the initials of the full name make a word when they are put together?
• Are you happy with any associations that may be apparent?
• Is there any ways in which your child may be teased as a result of the name that you have chosen?

For some more ideas take a look at our Baby Names section.

* Dr Miriam Stoppard MD FRCP, Conception, Pregnancy & Birth, Dorling Kindersley, Australia 2002