First-Time Fears - 6 Fears Most New Parents Face

All parents experience fear from time to time. In fact, concerns about the wellbeing and health of children are a sure thing for all parents – whether it’s your first time around or your fifth.

Though we never truly stop worrying about our children, let’s look at some of the main fears first-time parents face and how to overcome them.

1.     Milk Concerns

If you cannot breastfeed your baby, then your main concern will be to find the best baby formula for newborns.  

Putting your newborn baby onto a formula means worrying about whether or not your little one will experience constipation or diarrhea while adjusting to it. Wondering if your child will take to the milk and enjoy it is another huge worry for parents.  

One way to overcome this fear is to do plenty of research on the baby formula that you choose and make sure that it’s cleanly made, nutritious, and appropriate for your baby.

2.     Concerns About Crying

A crying baby is always concerning and sometimes even scary and shocking at first. However, you must remember that your baby will cry a lot when they are 6 to 8 weeks old. Only be concerned if the sound of the crying changes or if the crying is a persistent non-stop wail that signifies pain.

3.     SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)

Many new parents have heard about SIDS, and this is an understandable fear. Investing in a baby monitor is an essential first step in putting your mind at ease.  

It’s also advisable to avoid using a second-hand cot mattress for your newborn baby. Always start fresh by buying a new cot mattress instead.  

At night, it is preferable to place the cot in your bedroom until your baby is about 12 months old. Some parents choose to leave the cot in their bedrooms for longer, and this is perfectly acceptable.

4.     Bonding Worries

Many parents feel that they’re not bonding with their babies enough. The truth is, when a new baby is brought home, it can take a few days and sometimes even months for parents to embrace them fully. Having a baby is an adjustment. As with all relationships, love grows gradually over time.  

With the whole gamut of emotions that occurs after birth, you can feel disconnected from the parenting situation initially. Your lack of love for your baby should only become concerning if you are also feeling depressed.  

If you’re feeling depressed and disconnected from your baby, seek advice from a medical professional. It’s essential to find a safe place to talk about and work through your feelings.

5.     Sleep Schedule Stress

Newborn babies need plenty of sleep. Some babies may stay awake a lot, but most will catch lengthy naps during the day and at night.  

Either way, you must make sure that your baby is drinking enough milk. Breast-fed babies have between 8 to 12 feeds per day, and you must wake your baby up if they’re not waking themselves to feed.

6.     Fear of Accidentally Hurting Your Baby

New parents are often concerned about dropping their baby. To allay these fears, make sure your floors are smooth and clear of obstructions. This will reduce your chances of tripping while holding your baby. Also, feel free to take your time and move carefully when navigating the house with your baby. 

Worrying will always be part and parcel of the parenting deal. However, if you take every concern one step at a time, you’re sure to overcome your fears.