Being a parent is stressful; there’s no getting away from it. Sure, children are incredibly rewarding and wonderful, but they are helpless little balls of anxiety, especially when they’re newborns. A newborn baby is completely reliant on the adults taking care of it, which can feel like a mountain on your shoulders.
Whether this is your first baby or you’re juggling your newborn with other children, it’s always good to know when you should worry and when your anxieties simply aren’t helping. Here are a few ways to reduce your anxiety, as well as some common things that parents should look out for.
Get the Right Supplies
The right baby products can make your new life as a parent so much easier. If possible, try to prepare for your baby by stocking up before they’re born, so that you don’t need to worry about it while juggling a baby.
If you’re having a baby shower, try to ask for specific gifts or gift cards. Yes, it’s nice for your baby to receive teddies and toys, but when they’re a newborn, you’re going to need diapers and muslin cloths more than anything else.
Ask other parents what you might need or create a checklist so that you can get stocked up as soon as possible.
Accept Help When Possible
As parents, you have the lion’s share of responsibility over your child. But it’s wise to accept help as much as possible. Accept postnatal and pediatric care to monitor your child’s health and your health, and talk about any concerns you might have.
Family members and friends can be a fantastic resource as well. They can look after your other children and, when your newborn gets a little older, they can take some time babysitting. Of course, not everyone has access to the same village. Make sure that you don’t cross the line into taking advantage of grandparents and, if possible, talk to them before your baby is born about how they might be willing to help.
Whether you ask family or hire a babysitter, it’s important to take some time for yourself and for your partner. Go on date nights, make sure that you build your relationship, and spend time with them.
Another way that people can help is with advice. It’s important to set boundaries and make sure that you are the primary carer for your child. Someone might give well-meaning advice, but it doesn’t mean you have to apply it if you disagree or find it outdated. If people keep pushing, be polite but be firm and explain how you want to raise your child and why. But in some cases, advice can be a good resource. Just balance it with your own knowledge and research.
The Importance of Self-Care
One thing that becomes increasingly obvious when people have children is that their role in life completely changes. Being a parent is different from being a husband, wife, or having a career title. It can take over, turning someone who was once a full person into a “mom” and nothing more.
While your child is your primary responsibility, they aren’t your only purpose in life. You also need to take care of yourself. If you burn yourself out, you won’t be able to effectively look after your child.
So, look after your physical, emotional, and mental health. If possible, take some time off work to focus on your child and recover from childbirth. Even better, if your partner can also get some time off work, you can work together and lighten the load.
Look for opportunities to catch up on rest and to take some time for yourself. Nap when your child is asleep. If you used to exercise, try to get back to your routine according to the advice of your doctor. Do things that relax you and try to spend some time with your friends and family.
Common Newborn Health Problems
One of the most common causes of anxiety for new parents is the health and well-being of their child. Here are some conditions that many newborns get, as well as what you can do about it and whether you should worry.
Jaundice
Jaundice is very common a couple of days after birth, and is characterized by a yellow tinge to the child’s skin and eyes. They might also have yellow urine and pale stool. It’s often caused by the liver not being fully developed yet, and typically goes away on its own without treatment.
Your health team will monitor your baby’s jaundice to make sure they’re okay. In rare cases, jaundice can be a sign of an underlying condition or may need treatment.
Mouth Breathing
Babies naturally breathe through their noses, so it can be concerning when your baby primarily breathes through their mouths when they’re asleep. If your newborn sleeps with mouth open, it usually means that they have a cold or allergies and a blocked nose. In this case, they will stop after a few days or with home remedies.
If it’s a more persistent habit, it could be a sign of a deviated septum or other issues and, over time, may cause other problems. If your baby breathes through their mouth when sleeping for months on end or has other symptoms, talk to a doctor.
Excessive Crying
One of the first things your baby will do is cry. They cry to communicate, usually because they’re hungry, uncomfortable, tired, or just want comfort. But if your baby is consistently crying, you might be concerned that they’re in pain or have a problem.
Constant crying is stressful for everyone involved, including the baby. It’s best to take them to the doctor. Common causes of excessive crying include colic, which isn’t serious but is distressing. But it’s best to rule out other causes.
Skin Problems
Newborn babies have very sensitive skin, and they may be prone to rashes, acne, cradle cap, or eczema. Most of these skin problems are benign, but they can be uncomfortable, so it’s best to take care of your baby’s skin.
While you can manage these common problems at home, always see a doctor if you’re worried about a rash. If a rash accompanies other concerning symptoms like a high temperature or difficulty breathing, it can be a medical emergency.