Contributed Post:

Becoming a mother is one of the most wonderful experiences in life. Bringing a new life into this world to love, cherish, and guide through life is a feeling like no other. However, with all of this comes the responsibility of becoming the sole carer of a brand new life, and that can be quite a daunting thought, especially if you’re a first-time mother. To help calm your nerves and prepare you for the huge step you’re about to take, we’ve compiled a list of the worries you might face as a new mother and how you can solve these little dilemmas should they arise.

Not being able to settle your baby

One thing is a fact: your baby is going to cry and sometimes, you won’t have any idea as to why they are crying. Many new parents struggle with this because there’s nothing quite as heartbreaking as not being able to settle your baby. Quite often you’ll find that the only way they will gain any comfort is by being held by you – this is totally fine! A newborn or very young baby needs the comfort of their Mother or Father from time to time. So instead of fretting about it, embrace the cuddles with your little bundle of joy!

Cradle cap

Have you ever noticed a baby with flaky skin especially around the face and on the scalp? It can be quite unnerving to see your child breakout with dry skin that doesn’t seem to be clearing. You may find yourself wondering whether you should be worried about cradle cap? The simple answer is no, and many babies experience some form of cradle cap at some point or another. You can find out more information about the cause of cradle cap and treatment from the link above but seriously mama, don’t fret!

Being alone for the first time with your baby

The first few weeks of being home with your baby are usually split between you and the father of your baby. This is so that the both of you can spend time bonding with your new little addition and also both get a decent amount of rest wherever possible. However, paternity leave doesn’t last forever and you’ll soon find yourself gearing up to being alone for the first time with your baby. For some mothers, this can be a very scary thought because of the what ifs, but rather than getting worked up about it all, put a few of these plans into place:

• Have your partner arrange with their boss to be able to answer the phone at work if possible. That way, if something goes wrong you know you can easily contact them.
• If this isn’t possible, replace that option with a close friend or family member who can come and help you if anything goes wrong.
• Have emergency numbers ready to dial if the need arises. Having them written down in an easily accessible spot will help put your mind at ease.
• Have a trial day or afternoon before your partner goes back to work so that you can gain confidence in yourself before the big day actually arrives.

Illnesses

Finally, one of the biggest worries that you’ll face as a new parent, is your baby becoming ill. Because they are so small and their immune systems haven’t had a chance to develop properly yet, it’s likely that your baby will fall ill at some point or another. A great way of avoiding panic and being sure of yourself is by looking up procedures you should be taking should your child fall ill. As mentioned above, having emergency numbers ready and waiting should they be needed will also help put your mind at ease. Research when you’re able to give NSAIDs to your baby to help ease fevers and know when it’s time to seek medical help.

Remembering this advice and following these tips should help ease any worries you might be facing but remember, part of being a mother means worrying about your baby from time-to-time. You’re going to be an amazing mother, congratulations!

Contributed Post