New moms can often feel overwhelmed by the challenges that come with becoming a parent. Whether you’re breastfeeding, struggling with postpartum depression or just feeling a little lost, don’t be afraid to seek help.
Here are three things that most new moms worry about. The good news is that these issues are common and solvable!
1. Baby’s Developmental Delays
Baby’s development varies among children, and it can take longer or shorter for some to reach milestones than others. Minor delays may not be cause for alarm, but if a child has multiple delays in multiple areas, it could signal a problem that needs to be addressed immediately.
Some developmental delays can be due to a number of different factors, including heredity, complications during pregnancy and birth, and premature birth. Other issues can be a result of medical problems, such as stroke, chronic ear infections, lead poisoning, and trauma.
A delay in developing certain language and communication skills can also indicate a problem. Symptoms include failure to coo, gurgle or turn at sound, failing to understand simple words, and lack of responses to requests and gestures like waving.
Babies should go through general developmental screenings at 9 months, 8 months, and 30 months. But if you notice signs of concern between well-child visits, call the doctor and schedule an appointment for a developmental assessment right away.
Usually, a baby’s brain has a lot of room for development, so most babies will progress fairly smoothly to achieve their developmental milestones, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. However, if a child fails to meet some of these milestones by a specific age, this is considered a developmental delay.
2. Baby’s Health
New moms often worry about Baby’s health, and it can be a common source of stress. Fortunately, there are some things that you can do to help reduce these worries and give your little one the best start in life.
Babies are born with a strong immune system, which helps them fight off infections. But it’s still important to be aware of the warning signs for serious illnesses and make sure your baby gets a regular health check.
It’s also important to know how to treat a cough, as it can be a sign of a minor respiratory infection or a more serious problem. You don’t have to call the doctor every time your baby has a cough, but you should pay attention if it gets worse or isn’t going away.
You should also keep an eye on your baby’s temperature, especially if it’s low (less than 100.4 degrees). If your baby is having trouble breathing or has a runny nose, it’s a good idea to call the doctor, but not every sneeze is cause for alarm.
It can be difficult to know what’s normal in the first year of your baby’s life, so it’s a good idea to ask your health professional for advice. They’ll be able to recommend a healthy growth and development routine that is right for your baby.
3. Baby’s Safety
There are many things that new moms always worry about, and one of the most common is baby’s safety. It’s natural to have these worries as a new mom, but they can be easily addressed with some simple precautions.
Babies are very active and curious creatures that can easily fall or injure themselves. Here are a few tips for keeping your little one safe in the home:
Keep dangerous items away from your child. This includes smoke detectors, medicine and cleaning products.
Use cabinet latches to lock cabinets containing these items, and outlet plug covers in areas where they are stored. Ensure doors to stairways are fitted with child safety gates.
Avoid leaving your baby unattended in the bath or on a changing table. These are high-risk situations for falling, and it is important to have a baby strapped into place with a safety strap whenever these are in use.
Make sure your baby’s crib is in a safe place, and avoid bed-sharing (where the baby sleeps in your bedroom). This increases their risk of sudden infant death syndrome, also known as SIDS.
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