A study by the National Survey of Adoptive Parents (NSAP) reports that 1.8 million children in the United States are adopted.

Opening your home and heart to a foster child who needs help is a life-changing and courageous decision. As a new parent, it’s important to know what to expect in the first month with an adopted baby. The first 30 days are significant in establishing a connection and forming bonds that will last a lifetime.

In this article, we discuss essential steps and tips for new parents navigating the first month after adopting a baby.

Prepare Your Home for a New Baby

Proper preparation ensures a smooth transition for the child and you. Check for baby care essentials you may have left out during your initial shopping trips.

The child may come with few clothes, making you need to buy more. Set aside extra money and time to shop for last-minute items.

Additionally, during the first month of navigating the adoption journey in Florida, you’ll make appointments with a pediatrician to ensure the baby’s health and set up clinic dates. A Heart of Adoptions adoption agency caseworker in Orlando will visit your home and complete the post-placement reports.

During this visit, you’re required to explain the baby’s sleeping and eating habits, motor and physical development, and overall health. The caseworker will give baby care tips on adjusting to the new normal and resources for navigating the adoption journey.

Enroll Your Child in Your Health Insurance Plan

In Florida, you’re required to include your adopted children in your health insurance plan under the same coverage as your biological kids until they turn 18. This should take effect from the moment the adopted newborn is placed in your home, regardless of the official date of adoption.

Health insurance policies should be notified within the first month of placement. However, if the policies require no notification, the insurer can’t charge extra premiums or deny coverage.

Change in Sleep Schedule

Your adopted baby will sleep a lot during the first few weeks after birth. However, they’ll wake up often to feed. Newborns have short sleep cycles and wake up every two to five times every night.

It’s crucial to place safe sleeping practices during the first 30 days to prevent fatalities like sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Below are ways to practice safe sleep with adopted babies:

• Always place the baby on their back during sleep time
• Designate a specific sleeping place for your baby away from other objects
• Use a bassinet or crib with a flat and firm mattress and a fitted sheet
• Keep away bumpers, toys, pillows, and loose blankets from the child’s sleeping area

Feeding Your Newborn

Expect to feed your adopted baby every few hours, both night and day. For this reason, you’ll need a comfortable glider or rocking chair to sit on while feeding and burping them.

Sitting comfortably will help you calm down and relax, especially during the night feedings. Feeding a newborn generally takes around 20 to 40 minutes. Consider the following safety tips when feeding your adopted baby during the first 30 days:

• Only give them infant formula or breastmilk in a bottle
• Hold them close during bottle feeding
• Don’t force them to finish a bottle when full
• Avoid leaving the bottle in their mouth to avoid tooth decay and choking
• Never put your newborn to bed with a bottle of milk

Loneliness

One common aspect of being a new parent to an adopted baby is feeling lonely and isolated. Health experts recommend that you limit visitors and going out during the first few months due to the developing immune system of the newborn. This may significantly affect your social life.

Ensure you stay connected with your family and friends through:

• Video chat
• Texts
• Phone calls
• Social media

Moreover, you can find other new mothers online to share your experiences. At Hearts of Adoptions adoption agency in Ft Lauderdale, we send an adoption expert every 30 days to check on you and the child and ensure you stay sane during the first days with your new child.

On sunny days, you can take your baby out for a walk in the stroller for fresh air. This is beneficial for both of you.

Get Help

If your friends and family members offer to help you with the baby, accept the offer, as it will make things easier for you. You don’t have to handle everything, like shopping, cooking, and chores.

Take some time off to sleep, shower, and rest. Caring for yourself will go a long way in improving your mental state and generating an outlook. Exercise and walk or run in the park while your partner watches the baby.

At our adoption agency in Naples, we counsel adoptive families who may have difficulty adjusting to the new normal. After undergoing the adoption process in Florida with us, we take you through adoption training and education. Our dedicated staff are always available to help.

Remember that being a new parent isn’t easy; give yourself ample space and time to adjust.

Enjoy the New Experience

Despite the challenges of navigating the adoption journey, focus on the beautiful moments. Sing to your baby and engage with them during playtime. You can read a book or catch up on social media, or emails during feeding time.

Most of all, remember that the newborn stage only lasts for a few months. Cherish every moment while you can.

Navigate the First 30 Days After Adopting a Baby Smoothly With Hearts of Adoption Inc.

The first month after adopting a baby can be pretty challenging. For some adoptive parents, it can be dramatic and sometimes lead to depression, especially when not prepared. Take care of yourself to ensure you’re in the right state of mind to provide the best possible care to your new baby.

At Hearts of Adoption Inc., we help adoptive parents in Florida find the right child that suits their family. We have highly reputable legal staff and an experienced adoption team with whom we work to ensure adoptive families navigate the journey with care and a personal touch.

Contact us today and start your incredible adoption journey.