In general, the birth of a child is an occasion that brings joy and should therefore be celebrated. However, for many families, the addition of a child introduces changes. While the changes are usually minor and do not require massive overhauls, there are some changes that are so significant that families have to adopt reforms. In order to enable families to adapt to the changes, a clear understanding of these changes and the impact that they have on different family members is needed. Moreover, the understanding of the changes allows families to minimize disruptions and ensure that the arrival of the child does not cause negative outcomes.
Changes in Family Dynamics
As already noted above, it is nearly impossible for a family to escape the changes that the birth of a child introduces. The mother is among those who witnesses and experiences the changes in family dynamics. Stress is one of the changes that many mothers experiences (Solovey, 2016). To understand the impact of stress on the mother, it is helpful to consider an example. Suppose that a poor mother has given birth prematurely. It can be expected that this mother will suffer stress especially if she lacks access to adequate medical care and does not enjoy sufficient support from her family. Another change that mothers encounter is difficulty transitioning to the home environment (Solovey, 2016). This difficulty underscores the need for the family to create an environment that allows the mother to recover. It has also been observed that mothers experience immense pressure as the new baby brings new responsibilities (“Becoming a Parent”, n.d). Left unresolved, the pressure could damage family dynamics. For example, the relationship between the mother and the father could break down as conflicts over how to take care of the baby emerge. It is worth noting that fathers also experience most of the changes that mothers witness. For example, research shows that fathers may suffer stress as they worry about the impact that the arrival of the new child will have on the budget (Brandrup & Mance, 2011). To shield fathers and mothers against stress, the larger family and other stakeholders should provide financial support.
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The discussion above has focused on the changes that mothers and fathers face when they have a baby. In addition to the changes explored above, the mothers and fathers may also experience a decline in the quality of their romantic relationship (Johnson, 2016). The arrival of a baby usually forces couples to adjust their schedules to accommodate the new responsibilities that the baby brings. As they make the adjustments, spouses may abandon one another and this could result in a breakdown of their relationship. It is critical for mothers and fathers to remember that the birth of a baby does not need to mean the death of their romantic relationship.
The mother and the father are the main members of a family who experience the changes that the birth of a baby introduces. However, it should be noted that siblings and the extended family experience these changes. Brenda Volling (2012) authored an article in which she explored how the birth of a baby affects siblings. She observed that for most siblings, the arrival of a new baby is stressful and forces them to make uncomfortable transitions. Another observation that Volling made is that in response to the birth of a child, siblings tend to be aggressive and hostile, particularly towards the mother. Furthermore, the siblings exhibit sleep problems and anxiety. The behaviors that the siblings demonstrate indicate that the transition to the new life is usually difficult. Conflicts arising from sharp differences are among the impacts that the birth of a child can have on the extended family (“Relationships with Extended”, n.d). These conflicts are usually witnessed in families that bring together individuals from different cultures. For example, there may be conflicts regarding the name to assign the child and how the parents should raise the child. While it is true that the birth of a new child can damage relationships with the extended family, it should be noted that positive outcomes can also result. For example, when the extended family offers to support the parents, the relations among the different members of the family become warmer. Moreover, the support that the extended family offers can help to alleviate the pressure and stress that the parents experience.
This far, the discussion has explored the impacts that the addition of a new baby has on various members of the family. The discussion would not be complete without a look at the newborn’s experiences. It is understood that the newborn is affected by the environment into which they are born. For example, if a child is born into a family where violence is common, the child is likely to suffer such negative outcomes as physical injury, sleep difficulties and eating problems (“How Family Violence”, n.d). In most cases, the newborn experiences love, warmth and attention which are vital for their healthy development.
Areas of Development
Human development is a complex process that is composed of various stages. These stages are examined in detail below.
Perceptual
The perceptual stage is one of the most crucial phases of the development of infants and children. Essentially, this stage involves the children leveraging their senses to make sense of their world (HHS, 2018). For example, a child may use the sense of touch to feel the objects around him. In addition to being a period where the child uses his senses to understand the world, the perceptual stage also marks the beginning of interactions and exploration. At the stage, the infant or child possesses immense curiosity which is satisfied through interactions with the world. It is also at this stage that children gain greater awareness of their bodies. Using this awareness, they are able to understand their position in space. Another issue that defines the perceptual stage is that children begin to learn how to perform simple tasks. Overall, the perceptual stage sees the infant or child become actively involved in engaging their environment.
Motor
The motor phase is another critical stage of human development. The main characteristic of this stage is that the infant or child begins to demonstrate control of muscles and their bodies in general (HHS, 2018). For example, during this stage, the child is able to perform such tasks as moving their head. It is also at the motor stage that the infant or child is able to move. For example, the child begins to crawl or stand. The changes that children undergo during this stage allow them to participate in social engagements with others. The acquisition of fine motor skills is another issue that defines the motor stage (HHS, 2018). For example, the child may be able to grasp items.
Physical
Physical development is yet another stage that constitutes the process of human growth. During infancy and early childhood a number of physical changes are witnessed (“Developmental Milestones”, n.d). These changes include the development of such reflexes as coughing, gagging and swallowing. The ability to move such parts of the body as the head is another physical development that is witnessed during this stage. For example, children should be able to move their head in the direction of a sound that they hear. The development of teeth, greater dexterity and the ability to eat unaided are other milestones that define the physical stage (“Developmental Milestones”, n.d). It should be noted that the changes that occur in the physical stage enables infants and children to survive in their new worlds.
In conclusion, every year, families across the globe welcome newborns with joy. These babies introduce a wide range of changes that affect various family members differently. In general, the arrival of the baby causes joy and excitement. However, it can also cause stress and impose pressure on parents. Siblings may also experience stress as they attempt to adjust. If the extended family is not supporting, more problems may be experienced. To ensure that the arrival of a new child inspires happiness, families need to be supportive. It is also important for families to understand the various stages that infants and children undergo as part of their development.
References
Becoming a parent- impact on identity and close relationships. Health Talk Australia. Retrieved
September 16, 2018 from http://research.healthtalkaustralia.org/early-parenthood/becoming-a-parent-impact-on-identity-and-close-relationships
Brandrup, J., & Mance, P. (2011). How do pregnancy and newborns affect the household
Budget? Family Matters, 88. Retrieved September 16, 2018 from https://aifs.gov.au/publications/family-matters/issue-88/how-do-pregnancy-and-newborns-affect-household-budget
Developmental milestones: birth to 12 months. Office of Child Development. Retrieved
September 16, 2018 from http://www.ocd.pitt.edu/files/pdf/foster/27758_ocd_dm_b-12.pdf
Johnson, M. D. (2016). How having kids can ruin your romantic relationship. CNN. Retrieved
September 16, 2018 from https://edition.cnn.com/2016/07/08/health/how-kids-ruin-relationships/index.html
How family violence affects babies and children. (n.d). Retrieved September 16, 2018 from
https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/effects-of-family-violence-on-babies-and-children
Relationships with extended family. (n.d). Center of Perinatal Excellence. Retrieved
September 16, 2018 from http://cope.org.au/fathers-partners/impacts-life/relationships-extended-family/
Solovey, M. (2016). How parents cope with stress of the NICU affects family dynamics.
Penn State News. Retrieved September 16, 2018 from https://news.psu.edu/story/422436/2016/08/24/research/how-parents-cope-stress-nicu-affects-family-dynamics
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). (2018). Perceptual, motor, and physical
Development. Retrieved September 16, 2018 from https://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/school-readiness/effective-practice-guides/perceptual-motor-physical-development
Volling, B. L. (2012). Family transitions following the birth of a sibling: an empirical review of
Changes in the firstborn’s adjustment. Psychological Bulletin, 138 (3), 497-528.
