How to Ease Your Worst New Parent Fears!

Becoming a parent is an unbelievable experience, but once the baby arrives it is easy to feel overwhelmed and scared, especially if you are a first time mother.  New parents find themselves going into their newborn’s nursery at night to check and make sure their baby is breathing, or keeping a chart of the frequency and color of their newborn’s poop.  As a pediatrician and a mother, I know first hand about those fears and insecurities. Although I can’t entirely take away your fears, I hope to provide you with some great weapons that will ease you into parenthood, and help with the common fears parents have when they first bring home their newborn. With Carrie’s due date just a short 4 months away, we came together to create an article that tackles the most common fears that new parents have during the newborn stage.

Is my newborn breathing? Our newborn is fed, dry, swaddled, and in their crib. We finally put our head down to get some sleep, and then…ANXIETY!  The silence is petrifying!  How do I know if my tiny newborn is breathing?  Cocoon Cam is the only baby monitor with secure HD video, real-time breathing monitoring, and instant alerts offering parents the ultimate peace of mind. It enables parents to not only see and hear their baby, but also know that they are breathing normally whenever they’re sleeping—no wearables required!  Cocoon Cam has crystal clear HD live stream video with night vision and zoom capability, plus a built-in speaker and microphone so you can hear and talk directly to your baby.  Whether you’re down the hall or across the world, you’re always connected via your smartphone to what’s happening with your baby. I know when I had my son Jax, I was terrified of falling asleep.  Not knowing if he was breathing, I would sneak into his room every 20 min and rest my hand on his belly. There was nothing on the market at that time that I could buy to help ease my worries. I am incredibly excited and grateful to have the Cocoon Cam for my second baby. This product will now give me a peace of mind when my baby is sleeping, and will most certainly let mom get some rest as well (and we all know us mom’s need sleep too)!

Why isn’t my newborn pooping everyday?  

The unfamiliarity of the frequency and consistency of newborn poop can be great source of stress for many first time parents. The reality is that no two babies have the same pooping pattern. Some babies will poop after every feed, while others will only have a bowel movement two to three times a day. Babies that are breastfed will poop more frequently than a formula fed baby. Breastfed newborns have an average of 6-10 bowel movements a day. It is not necessarily important how often a baby poops but rather what the poop looks like. If it is soft and pasty, it is a good sign that your infant’s digestive tract is working well. If their stool is hard, there is a good chance that they are experiencing some constipation. If your baby is happy then their stool patterns should be less of a concern. However, if he or she seems uncomfortable or unhappy, it is important to consult your physician.

My newborn has a fever, what should I do?

It is extremely important to understand that illness and fever in the first two months of life can be very dangerous. A fever for a one month old is very different than a fever for a 2 year old. One of the most important jobs as a mother of a newborn is to protect your baby against germs. Make sure that every guest washes their hands before holding your newborn and try to limit the amount of exposure to highly congested areas. If you want to take your baby out, please try to find areas that are open, preferably outside. If your newborn feels warm or there is a change in their feeding or sleeping pattern, it is important to take their temperature immediately. The most accurate way to take a temperature is using a rectal thermometer. Anything above 100.4 is a fever and must be addressed immediately. You should contact your pediatrician and take your baby straight to the nearest emergency room.

Is my newborn getting enough breastmilk?

For some women, breastfeeding comes very easily, but for others it can be an overwhelming task and a major source of stress. Many new mothers fear they are not providing enough milk to their newborn. It is important that you establish a relationship with your newborn’s pediatrician before you deliver, as they will work closely with you over the first month to ensure your baby is feeding well and gaining weight. On average, your baby will lose 5 to 10% of their birth weight during the first few days of life. This weight loss is normal and does not necessarily mean your baby isn’t getting enough milk. Here are some signs that your baby is getting enough milk:

1. On average your newborn breastfeeds every 2-3 hours on demand.
2. You establish a good latch in which you see and hear your newborn sucking and swallowing.
3. Your baby feels satisfied for an average of 1.5 – 3 hours after eating.
4. Your baby has at least 6 wet diapers per day.
5. Your newborn is having at least 3 to 4 bowel movements per day.
6. Your baby is starting to gain back some of their birth weight by the end of second week.

Becoming a parent is an amazing experience.  We hope this information helps you be able to enjoy the experience, and better handle the more stressful and scary moments of being a new parent.

Xoxo,

Katie & Carrie

This post is sponsored by Cocoon Cam but all opinions are our own. The Cocoon Cam is not a medical device, nor is it intended for use as a medical or life saving device, or to replace a medical device. This device is not intended to cure, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition, including, but not limited to, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).  Please read all warnings and directions provided by Cocoon Cam upon use.