Being a mother is one of life’s most rewarding experiences. It’s an incredible feeling to bring a new life into this world to love, cherish, and guide through life. However, with all of this comes the responsibility of becoming the sole provider for a brand new life, which can be a frightening prospect, especially for first-time mothers. To help you relax and prepare for the big step you’re about to take, we’ve prepared a list of the concerns you could have as a new mother, as well as how you can deal with them if they arise.
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Struggling to comfort or settle your baby
One thing is certain: your newborn will cry, and you will sometimes have no idea why they are crying. Many new parents struggle with this since nothing is more frustrating than being unable to settle your newborn. You’ll often find that the only way they feel safe is if you hold them – and that’s perfectly OK! From time to time, a newborn or very young baby requires the consolation of their Mother or Father. Instead of being concerned, enjoy the cuddles with your new bundle of joy!
The truth is it will take some time to settle into a routine with your baby, and when we say some time, this could be months to a year or more! Every child is different, so take this in your stride and listen to your instincts – they’re never wrong when it comes to your baby!
Be sure to take advantage of the support system around you as well. If you have friends or family around you dying to look after your baby for a few hours, take the opportunity! One thing’s for sure when you’re a new parent – you’re always tired. Take those rare moments to catch up on sleep or pamper yourself.
If your baby stops breathing
This is something all parents worry about, and it’s a very rational fear to have. You’ve probably heard horror stories about sudden cot death and babies stopping breathing with no prior indication. While worrying about this is completely normal, you can help assuage these feelings by looking online for CPR classes near me – you can arm yourself with the skills to jump into action should the need arise. You may also consider reading up on causes of sudden cot death so that you can make necessary precautions for your baby.
Breast is best?
Or is it? It’s a struggle that many new mothers face when having a baby. Should you breastfeed? Can you breastfeed? Many mothers experience ridicule and comments from friends and family on their decisions, but it’s important to remember that FED IS BEST. You need to feel comfortable with your decision, because if you’re not comfortable with breastfeeding, this could affect your milk supply. If you simply feel that bottle feeding is the best route for convenience (especially if you’re going back to work), then you should absolutely do that. However if you do want to breastfeed and you’re struggling with it, your midwife will be able to help you through this process. Do what’s best for you and your baby!
Cradle cap in babies
Have you ever seen a baby with flaky skin, particularly on the face and scalp? It’s scary to see your baby break out with dry skin that doesn’t appear to be going away. You might be asking if cradle cap is something to be concerned about. The basic answer is no, and many newborns will have cradle cap at some point in their lives. You can learn more about the causes of cradle cap and how to treat it by looking online or clicking the link above, but don’t worry mama, it’s completely normal!
If your baby does have cradle cap it’s usually a temporary thing, so try not to panic and enjoy your darling new baby, they’re not small for long!
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Being alone for the first time with your baby
The first few weeks at home with your newborn are typically shared by you and your baby’s dad. This is so that you can both spend time bonding with your new baby while also getting some rest when you can. However, paternity leave doesn’t last forever, and you’ll soon be preparing to be alone with your newborn for the first time. Because of the what-ifs, this can be a frightening concept for some mothers, but rather of getting worked up about it, make a few of these plans:
- If possible, have your partner make arrangements with their boss to be allowed to answer the phone at work. That way, if something goes wrong, you’ll know who to contact.
- If this isn’t an option, substitute a close friend or family member who can support you if something goes wrong.
- Prepare a list of emergency phone numbers to call if the need arises. Having them written down and in an easily accessible location will help you relax.
- Before your partner returns to work, schedule a trial day or afternoon so you can acquire confidence in yourself before the big day.
Your baby becoming unwell suddenly
Finally, one of the most significant concerns you’ll have as a new parent is your newborn falling ill. Your newborn is likely to become ill at some point since they are so young and their immune systems haven’t had enough time to mature fully. Looking into procedures to follow if your child becomes ill is a good approach to minimise fear and feel confident in yourself. As previously stated, having emergency numbers available and waiting in case they are needed will also help to calm your mind. Find out when you can give your newborn NSAIDs to treat fevers and when it’s necessary to seek medical help.
Final thoughts
Remembering this advice and using these tips should help to alleviate any concerns you may have, but keep in mind that part of being a mother includes worrying about your baby from time to time. Congratulations on becoming a wonderful mother!
