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Top 5 Concerns of a New Mom
1. Is my baby getting enough breastmilk? This is possibly one of the most
often asked questions to our medical team. Most mothers are concerned whether
they are producing enough breast milk, or whether their child is drinking
enough milk. Pressure from family and friends add to the worries of a mother,
who starts feeling that if her child doesn't feed as often as the neighbour's
child, something's not quite right. Relax. Psychological stress can affect
breastfeeding, so pay no heed to what those around you are saying. As long
as your child is gaining adequate weight, you have no cause for concern.
2. My baby usually vomits after I breastfeed her. Why is this? Should I be worried? Often babies vomit after breastfeeding,
due to overfeeding, gas or colic. If the child is gaining weight adequately,
even though she vomits once in a while, there should be no cause for concern.
But if your baby is irritable when being breastfed, if she seems to be
in pain, and if she is not gaining weight, it could indicate a reflux problem,
and you should contact your child's doctor.
3. Should my baby sleep on her back or on her tummy? Your baby should definitely be put
to sleep on her back or on her side. Numerous studies have shown that children
who sleep on their tummies are at a greater risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant
Death Syndrome). SIDS occurs when an infant dies in his sleep for no apparent
reason. Get your child a firm mattress that covers the entire floor of
the crib, and which doesn't shift around, to minimize the chance of your
child suffocating.
4. Why does my baby cry so much? She seems to be crying all the time! Does she have colic? Realise that crying is one of the only ways your baby can express her feeling or her wants. If she is hungry, tired or sleepy, she will let you know this by crying. If she refuses to stop crying, try this:
The older your baby grows, the less
often he will wake up at night. The initial months, however, are difficult,
as babies seem to wake up constantly at night. Though babies sleep around
18 hours a day, most of this sleep is in short spans. Babies keep waking
up every few hours, and need to be patted back to sleep. New mothers often
don't get a full night's sleep, so it is best for them to adjust their
timing according to the baby's timings. Sleep when the baby's sleeping,
and wake up when the baby wakes up.
Don't hesitate when calling your
paediatrician, even for what may seem to be a silly reason. You should
feel comfortable calling him up as often as you need to, without feeling
guilty. If your paediatrician shows annoyance by your frequent questions,
it's time for you to look for a new one.
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