Researchers from New Mexico State University’s College of Health and Social Services will offer a free parental wellness workshop this weekend.
The workshop is part of a year-long study on a program called “And Baby Makes Three,” which aims to help couples adjust to life with newborn babies. It will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 7, at Holy Family American National Catholic Church, 702 Parker Road, in Las Cruces.
Retired NMSU nursing professor Martha Morales and Lori Saiki, a current faculty member in NMSU’s School of Nursing, will administer the workshop in English.
The workshop is for couples with a newborn baby between 2 weeks and 6 months old.
Participating couples will learn strategies for calming a crying baby, getting more sleep and lowering stress. They also will share their experiences about life as a parent and complete brief questionnaires. Researchers will ask participants to complete the same questionnaires at two and six weeks after the workshop.
Researchers will use the data to evaluate the program’s effectiveness in improving participants’ daytime sleepiness. Their goal is to teach coping strategies that parents can effectively use when their child is in a crying bout.
Couples will receive a $20 gift card, a swaddling blanket and a white noise-generating machine after participating in the workshop. Lunch will be provided during 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. Researchers plan to host future workshops if requested.