What are your biggest concerns as a new mother...

I am a new mom to a beautiful 1 month old little girl. I love being a mom. As a new mother I have some real concerns. I read a lot and try to educate myself as much as possible on the things that concern me. I feel being knowledgable will help to make me feel better about the issues that scare me most.

I think my biggest concern as a new mom is SIDS. Sudden infant death is a scary thing. I have read articles on ways to prevent it and use these tips daily. Even so, how do you truly prevent something that can't really be explained. If anything ever happened to my daughter I would not be able to handle it. She is my world and I love her so much. I often catch myself checking her a lot at night or when she is napping to see if she is okay.

Another concern of mine is my daughter getting sick. I breastfeed as much as I am able.I made it a rule that she didn't leave the house before she turned a month old except for her doctors visits. I have stuck to this too. I also don't allow anyone sick to visit or come around. I also do not want her exposed to small children until she is a couple months old because they often carry lots of germs and cannot tell you they don't feel well. I insist people wash there hands and use sanitizer too. Some people are offended by this, but I don't care. This is my child and I am the one who will have to deal with a sick baby. As her mom I have the right to decide what is best for her, no one else!

I also worry about her eating enough. She is gaining weight, but slowly. At her last visit to the doctor she was gaining about 1/2 ounce a day. They said this is okay, but they would like it to be more. I breastfeed as much as I can handle, but she is still hungry. I began giving her a couple formula bottles a day to keep her from being hungry. Since I started doing this she seems satisfied and feels like she is gaining more weight. Some people say that I shouldn't supplement with formula and only breastfeed. If my daughter isn't gaining enough and is hungry still she obviously needs more then that. As long as I am giving her as much breastmilk as possible I feel confident in my decision.

What are your biggest concerns as a new mother or soon to be mother?

Comments: 13

Midnite Writer -- Kim Feb 4, 2008, 7:54pm EST

Mine was that darn depression that sneaks in. I also didn't like people telling me to "let him cry it out" or that he "didn't need to eat" when I was nursing on demand during the day. I think people need to step back. Do what YOU feel is right. YOUR instincts ONLY will tell you if the baby is OK and satisfied.

The book I read said to feed as often as possible during the day so they wouldn't wake as much as night. They WILL gain weight, but lose a bit during the first month after birth. Don't be alarmed!

Good luck and enjoy your baby!!!!

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Lynn C. Feb 4, 2008, 7:58pm EST

There is nothing wrong with using formula to supplement. You are right keep her away from sick people.

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*LORA* M. Feb 4, 2008, 8:24pm EST

;-

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Whitney A. Feb 4, 2008, 8:40pm EST

I have lots of worries as a soon to be mom. My biggest one, of course, is the baby getting sick and how I will be able to handle it. I do not want her to be sick or get sick too early. I am also worried about SIDS as you said. It's a scary thought that your baby can die from something that is hard to control. My grandparents had a son who died from it, so I know it can happen and that really scares me as well.

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Holly G. Feb 5, 2008, 12:01am EST

Paula...I was so scared when my son was a baby that I don't think I slept through the night for the first year. He did, I would have to wake him to feed him, he was a great sleeper, but I was so afraid of the SIDS thing, that I would be in his room every thrity minutes throughout the entire night making sure he was still breathing, for real, no lie! I was also a freak about him getting sick. That child was at the hospital for every little thing....they thought I was nuts! I was so worried about him getting sick, and being so little. I never breast fed, just used formula, and I did not experience any problems with him gaining weight. I have to say that I think you are doing a fine job, and if you can't give anymore of your milk, then give the little one some formula, it is better for her to be full! There is nothing wrong with that!! Anyway, I think you have the same fears that every new mom does...I know I was a freak when my son was a baby. I never had another child, and I never will, just for the fact that I was so concerned about him when he was a baby, it made me crazy to think that something bad would happen to him, so I was super overprotective...I guess because I had never experienced a love like that efore, you know what I mean?? Anyway, he is ten now, and I still worry about him, but am not so crazy about it like when he was a bay. At least now he can tell me if he needs something, or isn't feeling well!

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Chasity S. Feb 5, 2008, 8:15am EST

I'm not a new mom, but I wouldn't call myself experienced either. I have learned a lot and I am still learning. I think it's good you are taking the precautions neccessary, but beyond that I think you have to learn to trust yourself! There will never be anyone else that can care for your daughter the way you can. You will learn things as you go, what works for you both and what does not. But over all I say trust your instincts. What works for someone else may not work for you, and vise versa. Your connection and bond is something special that will only continue to grow and develop over time, this will be a great thing with communicating. You'll learn to know when something is wrong before anyone else has a clue, and she will be more open to expressing herself to you. A bond between a mother and her child, especially a daughter and I speak from experience on this one, is something I don't think mere words can describe. I have two boys and one girl, I love them all and have a different connection with each of them, but there is something about a little girl that can show you how to love more than you ever thought possible! This is what my daughter teaches me on a regular basis! I love to just sit and watch her interact with those around her. She seems to have a way to know what your feeling and how to comfort you, though she may not understand, she knows when someone is in need of a hug.
You can also talk to your pedietarcian (sp) about any concerns you have. You will be a great mother and she is so lucky to have you!!

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Tabitha M. Feb 5, 2008, 10:53am EST

I'm freaked out about him choking. He's almost 7 months, so he crawls all around the house and has begun trying new foods. I took the baby first aid and cpr class last year, but I feel like I'd totally blank if Sam choked.

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Sarah L. Feb 5, 2008, 5:08pm EST

When I was pregnant with my first, I was terrified that I would drive off with her in her carrier on top of the car...or do something equally brainless (I have done this with cell phones twice.). Once she actually got here, I was more worried about making a wrong decision that would affect her health or have serious consequences.

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Priscilla (wishing I was in Costa Rica) ~. Feb 8, 2008, 12:03am EST

Paula, I think you are doing great!

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Barb (Gather Site Ferret) Carlson Feb 15, 2008, 5:31pm EST

I worried about SIDS, and that was before they told you to put them to sleep on their backs! I also used aspirin, which is a no-no now. I worried about fires, too.

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What are your biggest concerns as a new mother or soon to be mother?

Comments: 13

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