8 NEW MUM WORRIES ANSWERED
Being a new mum is one of the most rewarding jobs, but it can also be one of the most difficult. Anxiety and fear can make the first year a roller-coaster. However, if you know the questions to ask, then that’s half the battle. We have put together a list of questions all new mums ask themselves, as well as the answers!
New mum worries: 1) Why does my baby sleep so much?
It sounds a lot, but during the first few weeks you can expect bub to sleep up to 18 hours a day, waking every couple of hours for feeds. It’s easy to worry but unless your baby is literally sleeping for 24 hours a day there is most likely no reason to worry.
New mum worries: 2) How much should I feed my baby?
In the first few days of a baby’s life, breastfeeding on demand helps to establish an adequate milk supply. It also helps newborns to get back to their birth weight more quickly. When babies are fed to a schedule they often have difficulty getting enough to eat. In addition, lactation consultants often note that babies who are left to cry for the breast (even if it’s just for a few minutes) may become unsettled and upset. This can make it harder for them to latch on correctly, decreasing the efficiency of feeds.
New mum worries: 3) Why are nights so hard?
There’s no doubt about it – the nights are hard work. Of course, occasionally you’ll hear about a newborn that can sleep eight to 12 hours at a time, but this is the exception, not the rule. The good news is that many babies start to sleep five to six hours straight by two months of age. That said, each baby is different so there is no set time frame. If you want to give yourself a head start in the sleep department, stock up on some sleep essentials to help you get shut-eye.
New mum worries: 4) Why does poop change colour?
All new mums worry about the colour of their baby’s poop. The important thing to remember is that a baby’s stools will come in a variety of colours ranging from mustard, green, brown, yellow and black. The black poop, which is like tar in its consistency, is just there for the first few days until the meconium is out of baby’s body.
New mum worries: 5) Is jaundice normal?
In the first few days it’s completely normal for baby to have a bit of jaundice. The reason for this is that your baby has more bilirubin (a yellow-pigmented body waste) than it can get rid of. Normally bilirubin leaves the body through urine and stools but because babies don’t eat a lot in the first few days it takes longer for them to expel it. It’s also worth noting that breastfed babies tend to have jaundice for longer because there is a substance in breast milk that blocks the breakdown of bilirubin.
New mum worries: 6) Why does my baby hiccup so much?
You probably noticed that your baby hiccupped when they were in your tummy, and this is something that carries on after birth. The reason for this is that the nerve that causes the hiccups is very sensitive and when baby gets over simulated, which happens a lot, it causes a spasm in the diaphragm.
New mum worries: 7) Are vaccines safe?
There’s a lot of misinformation regarding vaccines, which makes the whole issue very scary for new mums. However, the research on the safety of vaccines is undeniable and there have been a variety of studies that have shown no link between MMR and autism.
New mum worries: 8) Am I up to this?
It’s very easy to feel daunted in the first few days and weeks of motherhood, but try to trust your instincts. Ultimately, try to surround yourself with friends or family members who you trust and can turn to for advice when needed.
