7 Things New Moms Worry About Most and How to Handle Them

Being a mother can be a rewarding experience, but it comes with its set of challenges. New mothers often feel that they are not taking care of their babies the right way even when they are doing just fine! If you are a new mother, within a matter of days of embracing motherhood, you must have realised (and accepted) that taking care of a baby is not as easy as parenting books make it sound. No ‘ten’ tips mentioned in a book can help you shush your baby when he cries incessantly. But that’s not the least of your worries; there are so many things about your baby that might be keeping you and other new moms like you (yes, even the bravest of moms!) awake at nights.

7 Common Baby-related Concerns of a New Mom

All new mothers worry about their babies, especially when it’s their first child. Let’s look at some of the most common worries that you have (or must have had) as a new mother, just like every mom out there!

1. Whether the Baby is Getting Enough Milk or Not

It is very common for a new mother to think that her baby is not getting enough milk (and nutrition), as he always seems hungry and feeds every two hours or so. In the initial days, you must have had a hard time figuring out the amount of milk your baby needed. If you also had your doubts regarding your baby’s nutrition, you may have considered starting or increasing formula feeds for your little one. Some moms even get worked up thinking that they are overfeeding their baby. Being a mom is no piece of cake!

How to Handle It

In the beginning, most mothers feel that they are not fulfilling their babies’ nutritional requirements, but soon they understand that babies need to be breastfed almost every two hours – and it’s normal. If you are a new mum, don’t worry about your baby not getting enough milk, because his cries and wails will tell you that it’s his meal time. Babies are clever; they know what they want and how to ask for it!

2. Baby’s Pooping Habits and Poop Colours

Who would have thought that such tiny human beings could poop so much? It’s both exasperating and surprising that someone so small would need over five nappy changes per day, right? Initially, a baby’s poop is on the darker side and after a few days, it starts appearing green. If a baby is being breastfed, his poop colour will be yellow. However, if he is given formula milk, he will most likely have brown stools. So many colours and so many reasons for them; no wonder new moms get anxious!

How to Handle It

The colour and consistency of baby poop change often, and there is nothing to worry. However, if the colour of the poop is red, white, or black, a doctor should be consulted at the earliest. In case, if your baby’s stools are green and watery and he is pooping frequently, you might want to consult a paediatrician. Babies that are in diapers all day long, tend to be prone to diaper rash. As a mother, you must make sure that your baby doesn’t sit around in a soiled diaper. You should change his diapers often. Choose soft and comfy diapers like Huggies Ultra Soft Diapers which are truly feather-soft and will keep your baby comfortable. These diapers are specially made for newborns and come with a wetness indicator (when a diaper is full, the colour of the indicator changes). These diapers offer a snug fit and also prevent diaper rashes in babies.

3. Baby’s Constant Cries

Newborns cry a lot; it’s their only way of expressing discomfort for almost a year. But sometimes, a new mother doubts her skills as a mother when she isn’t able to decipher her baby’s wails. Newborns and infants cry all the time and for various reasons: sleep, hunger, soiled diapers, over-stimulation, under-stimulation, etc. Moms, trust your instincts; you’ve got this!

How to Handle It

In the beginning, it is difficult for a mother to interpret her baby’s cries, and you must have gone through this phase too. But soon enough you must have got the hang of it. However, if you are still trying to decipher your little one’s wails, here’s some help. When a baby is hungry, he may cry and squirm or stretch; he may also make sucking sounds or suck his fingers. When a baby is sleepy, his cries will be accompanied by rubbing of eyes. If you are a new mother, give yourself some time and learn to read your baby’s cues – you’ll do just fine!

4. Baby’s Sleeping Habits

Whether babies sleep too much or too less – moms tend to worry. Some babies sleep most of the time and that’s okay! If you also worry about your baby’s sleeping habits, then stop worrying! You don’t need to consult a doctor as long as your baby is breastfeeding properly and is wetting his diapers often.

How to Handle It

Most babies sleep a lot. If your little one enjoys sleeping, let him. Don’t disturb him while he is asleep. Keep a count of your baby’s soiled diapers and keep a note of the colour of his poop. A good number of soiled nappies and mustard yellow poop indicate that the baby is doing just fine.

5. Whether the Baby Will Get Diaper Rash if Disposable Diapers Are Used

Most moms think twice before using diapers for their babies. Being new to parenting, you might be apprehensive about diapers because of what you may have heard about babies getting diaper rash. However, with proper care and hygiene, diapers are the most convenient way to keep your little one comfortable and mess-free.

How to Handle It

Diaper rashes are extremely common in babies but using diapers is not the problem. If you change your baby’s soiled diapers frequently and clean his bottom with warm water after each diaper change, the chances of your little one’s bottom getting a rash are minimal. As a mum, you must make sure that your baby gets some diaper-free time daily. If you are looking for a comfortable diaper, you can consider Huggies Wonder Pants for your baby. Huggies Wonder Pants have an air fresh cover that allows free flow of air in and out of a diaper, keeping your baby’s diaper area dry. Be careful to avoid diapers that are too tight or restrict air flow as this can not only cause discomfort but can also keep moisture sitting around near your baby’s delicate diaper area, causing rashes.

6. Whether the Baby’s Head Might Be Hurt

A new mother often worries that she will hurt her baby’s soft head accidentally. Babies have soft spots on their head known as ‘fontanelle’. Fontanelle is soft but tough and most likely will not cause damage to a baby’s skull.

How to Handle It

As mentioned above, fontanelle may seem soft but it is tough. If you have recently embraced motherhood, don’t you stress about hurting your baby’s head while placing him down or passing him on to another caregiver. Trust us, you won’t harm him.

7. Baby Not Meeting Milestones on Time

When a baby is unable to meet his milestones on time, a mother may turn the whole world upside down trying to figure out the cause behind his developmental delays. Parents often compare their baby’s development with that of other babies. If your baby is not cooing or gurgling by the age of four months or if he hasn’t started crawling between the ages of 7 and 10 months, there’s no doubt you would have considered dialling your paediatrician!

How to Handle It

It is normal for a new mother to worry about her baby’s developmental delays. But worrying doesn’t help. If you notice any signs of developmental delays in your baby, encourage him to walk, talk, eat his food on his own, etc. With you helping him meet his milestones, he’ll be there in no time! Only consult your doctor if there are extreme delays or if you’d like to put any worries to rest.

When a mother takes her baby in her arms for the first time, she hears a voice inside her head saying, “It’s going to be a bumpy ride, but it will be worthwhile!” You must have heard this voice too. If you have just embraced motherhood, you must be having a hard time taking care of your little one. But soon enough you will learn to take care of him without doubting yourself. And all your worries will vanish when your baby will give you his precious toothless smile. Keep doing what you are doing, your baby trusts you and knows that you won’t let anything happen to him.

Also Read:

Baby Care Tips for New Moms
Tips for Washing Baby Clothes
Tips to Take Care of Premature Baby at Home