Introducing baby to the world
As pēpi is adjusting to being out in the world, whānau can introduce pēpi to their environment.
Introduce the Whakatipu Te Pihinga 1 booklet to the whānau. Talk about page 7 ‘Introducing pēpi to new environments’.
- Have you heard of this type of tikanga or had a similar experience?
- Can you tell me about it?
If whānau haven't heard of this practice, you might talk about how they could do something like it.
- How interested would you be in doing something like this?
- Who could you get to help you?
- Who would you want to be part of such an event?
Lifting pēpi to the winds
The practice of lifting pēpi to the four winds might allow whānau to take a few breaths too. Breathing is often talked about by healers and helpers as a relaxation technique, improving mood, lowering blood pressure and helping us to keep calm. It is introducing pēpi to the universe in a positive and grounding way.
As the whakataukī on page 2 says – Hokia ki ō maunga kia pūrea koe e ngā hau a Tāwhirimātea – return to your mountain so you can be cleansed by the winds of Tāwhirimātea. In other words, breathe. Breath is life.
There are lots of ways whānau might welcome pēpi to their new environment. Even having a supper or an afternoon tea for whānau and friends.
- What would work for you?
As pēpi is adjusting to being out in the world so too are parents getting used to being parents to a new born. On page 7, it talks about whānau learning about their new pēpi through careful observations.
Getting in tune
Titiro, whakarongo, whakaaro – watch pēpi closely, listen carefully for different cries and sounds she makes. Think about:
- What is your pēpi signalling right now?
- What do you think they would tell you if they could talk?
- What do you think they understand about what you’re saying?
Helpful resources for whānau
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Look at you – Aroha atu, aroha mai<
Look at you – Aroha atu, aroha maiBabies are social and communicate right from birth. This video from Te Whatu Ora Counties Manukau is designed to help parents, whānau and professionals understand and respond to the social and emotional needs of babies in the first 3 months of life.
