5 Common Concerns New Parents Share
Bringing a newborn home launches a barrage of worries. It’s a nearly universal experience with the first baby. Here are five common concerns new parents share.
Breastfeeding
It’s a myth that breastfeeding comes naturally. Both mother and baby need practice to achieve the optimal latch and comfort with breastfeeding. Many mothers also experience pain, clogged ducts or mastitis, and issues with their milk supply. Take advantage of help from the lactation consultant affiliated with your OB/GYN or hospital. For some moms and babies, it just doesn’t work, and the baby will need formula. If that happens, stow the guilt and feelings of inadequacy—if your baby is healthy and gaining weight, you’re doing just fine.
Sleep
When your child is six months old and still hasn’t slept through the night, you might think you’ll lose your mind. Every baby is different, so don’t let those parents who brag that their little one slept through at three months faze you. Take turns with feedings in the wee hours, and know that the night will come when the baby will sleep blissfully through the night. That’s when some parents pick up the habit of listening at the nursery door to hear the baby breathe—a habit that can last until children move out as adults!
Crying
There will be those days and nights when the baby just won’t stop crying, no matter what you do. Babies have only one way to communicate, and it happens to be the one that triggers an immediate, anxious response from parents. Babies cry because they’re hungry, wet, sleepy, frightened, or lonely. Eventually, new parents learn to recognize which cry the baby is using to signal what problem. Inconsolable crying or high-pitched keening is a legitimate reason to call the doctor, so don’t hesitate if your gut tells you something is wrong.
Milestones
Contrary to popular belief, parenting is not a competition. Use developmental charts as guidelines, keep an eye on the baby, and if you’re concerned the baby isn’t reaching developmental expectations, talk to your doctor about it at the next checkup.
Bonding
After all the anticipation, it’s disconcerting for new parents to find they don’t feel as attached to the baby, or the baby doesn’t seem to like them, as they expected. This is a common concern for new parents. Nerves about how to carry the infant, how much attention the baby needs, and whether they’re eating enough can get in the way of those quieter moments when you can just enjoy your child. Bonding with your baby is a process, and it goes better if parents can find time to relax and just delight in their little miracle.
Congratulations on your new arrival, and don’t be afraid to ask for help from your pediatrician, nurse practitioner, or that perennial go-to—your mom.
