9 Ways New Parents Become Worriers
Image: iStock
Motherhood is laden with worries at all the stages – before, during and after birth. As if the worries weren’t over, you will make findings of your new baby that no one had ever warned you about. While most of these worries could be bothersome, they are pretty common among babies and most likely to resolve on their own.
1. Jaundice In Healthy Babies At Birth
Some newborns might have their liver still developing even after birth, so it has little ability to remove bilirubin from the blood. Also, babies produce higher levels of bilirubin than adults. Therefore, the yellowness of skin in few babies at birth is an indicative of jaundice. However, this is something you don’t need to worry about much because it will be taken care of as the baby is growing. Unless the bilirubin levels are higher than 25mg, you don’t need to raise the alarm.
2. Frequent Sneezing
You might find your baby sneezing often. You need to remember that babies have remained in the watery surroundings of the uterus for long time. Therefore, you can expect him to have a little congestion. This is often the case with pregnant women with polyhydramnios whereby women have high amniotic fluid. Also, remember that babies have little noses. Also, a little mucus in the tiny nostrils of babies can make them sneeze. You only need to worry when the mucus is thick and yellow which as indicative of cold or infection.
3. Frequent Hiccups
Having frequent hiccups is a common feature among babies. While adults drink water when they have hiccups, it isn’t advised that babies be given water when they have hiccups. The grandma’s tale goes that your baby has its intestines growing at the time of having these hiccups, but experts quite don’t have an accurate answer. Some believe that a miscommunication between the diaphragm and the brain or the abdominal muscles could cause it. However, it’s not a feature that one needs to worry about.
4. Acne Like Facial Rash
Between the second week and second month of a baby’s life, it could have acne on the face. They occur due to the hormones of the mother that are still circulating in the body. Acne as these are harmless and disappear on their own. You don’t have to do much about it.
5. Swollen Breasts In Newborns
If your little one is showing swollen breasts irrespective of the gender, it’s due to the maternal hormones remnant doing the job in their bodies. It is temporary and is soon to disappear. So don’t you worry about it.
6. Poops After Every Feed
Several newborns poop soon after every feeding session. This is so because mother’s breastmilk is easily digested. It’s very unlike the formula-milk fed babies who have bowel movements fewer times and also pass harder stools. But in case of breastfed babies, the stools are soft and squishy owing to a full-fledged liquid diet. So don’t mistake your little one to be going through episodes of diarrhea. It will come to a halt in few weeks.
7. Small Hollow In Baby’s Chest
This one freaks you out as you associate it with a possible heart condition. Relax! It has nothing to do with it. Experts explain that the hollow is created because the bottom piece of the breastbone inclines backward. This features will be corrected naturally with the baby fat that covers off the hollow. Also, as your baby grows the muscles of the chest pull the bone straight.
8. Blood In Diaper
If you see blood in the diaper of your baby girl, you don’t have to panic. It only means that during pregnancy, the maternal estrogen stimulates the female fetus’ uterus while in the womb. This will come to a halt in the first week of life.
9. Seeing The Pulse In Fontanels
You can see through the pulse in the fontanels of your baby. Fontanels are soft spots in the baby’s head that cover the parts the skull that haven’t fused together yet. In fact, the softness of the fontanels helps the passage of the baby through the birth canal. The malleable nature of it allows you to see the arteries and the veins.
Did you see any of these features in your newborn? Write to us!
Community Experiences
Join the conversation and become a part of our vibrant community! Share your stories, experiences, and insights to connect with like-minded individuals.
