Researchers from the College of Health and Social Services at New Mexico State University are recruiting couples to participate in a parental wellness program as part of a year-long study.
The program, “And Baby Makes Three,” seeks to help parents adjust to life with newborn babies.
“This workshop will offer strategies for calming a crying baby, getting more sleep and lowering stress,” said Martha Morales, retired NMSU nursing professor, who is administering the program in collaboration with Lori Saiki, associate professor in NMSU's School of Nursing, and La Clínica de Familia, a Las Cruces-based health care provider.
The research team will offer the free program in English and Spanish, beginning this month. The program is for couples with a newborn baby between 2 weeks to 6 months old. Couples and their infant only have to attend one workshop of their choice.
“Participants in this research study will be asked to share their experiences about life as a parent, complete a few brief questionnaires during the workshop, and complete the questionnaires again at two and six weeks after the workshop,” Morales said.
The research team will use the data to see if the program helps improve the participants' daytime sleepiness.
“The overall goal is to teach coping strategies that parents can effectively use when their child is in a crying bout,” Morales said.
The English workshops will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 18, Feb. 8, March 7 and April 4 at Holy Family American National Catholic Church, 702 Parker Road, in Las Cruces.
The Spanish workshops will take place 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 13, Feb. 17, March 16 and April 13 at the Women's Intercultural Center, 303 Lincoln St., in Anthony, New Mexico.
Each participating couple with receive lunch as well as a $20 gift card, swaddling blanket and white noise machine after attending the workshop.
To register for the workshop, contact at Morales 915-873-6930 or moralest@nmsu.edu or Saiki at 575-646-6499 or lsaiki@nmsu.edu. Space is limited to five couples per session.
Information from NMSU