Nervous about caring for a newborn?

a4smith · January 2010

Anyone else with me on this one....I keep questioning myself for some reason. I hope it just comes naturally and everything just falls into place. But little things keep coming up...like I read on 0-3 board awhile ago that babies can not have water?? Obviously I wouldnt give a newborn water but honestly probably would not have thought twice about it a little later on...ahhh Idk!

Anyone hear any other things like this water thing that you didn't know about. And if I am a complete idiot and should have known about the water detail then its ok you can tell me HaHa

sleepingbeauty825 · January 2010

I'm hoping I'll just wake up one day and *know*.

MrsRebecca · January 2010

I firmly believe in mother's instincts. I think that as each day progresses, you'll just know what to do- when to feed, change diapers, etc.

As far as what to feed, give to drink, etc. your pedi will help guide you.

You'll be okay!

Erin0922 · January 2010

One of my good friends gives her baby water EVERY TIME he crys, cuz "it calms him."

When I told her it was bad, she was totally clueless, and asked her pedi. And yeah, she had a total ::facepalm:: moment.

But I get what you mean. I am glad the hopital will make sure I put in the carseat correctly, but shouldn't they also make sure I can do it alone? I'm gonna be leaning on DH sooooo much, since he has been thru it before...

swimrbride · January 2010

I think some basics, like how to calm your baby, tend to come naturally, but most of the stuff about taking care of babies is learned! Don't worry too much, you will have nurses in the hospital to help you there and a pediatrician that should be more than willing to answer any questions you have too. If you think it might help, get a book about taking care of a baby. Just make sure it is an updated book.

lesalia217 · January 2010

Yeah, I am pretty nervous about it all. I live in a new place, so I have no friends here and I have lost touch with the ones from before. So my only "live" support people are my mom and MIL. Which would be great, but I am now reluctant to take 'newborn' advice from either of them. I have been getting pg advice from them, and based on my own research, what they know is so out of date, and changed, that I don't trust anything now.

a4smith · January 2010

Thanks girls. I kind of forgot all about the pedi...they will be there to answer any questions I have and that makes me feel better.

WAngelBear22 · January 2010

ah totally normal, dont worry....you will just know. its different when you have your own than it is with someone elses, at least that is what everyone keeps telling me!

chris27 · January 2010

I really felt that way with DD#1. It will come to you with a lot of help from your Pediatrician, friends with kids and even some of the ladies on here (yes...they really helped me back in the day).

Now, as I was with DD#2, I am only concerned with functioning on the severe lack of sleep that comes with a newborn. Don't underestimate it....sleep whenever possible.

reemarie81 · January 2010

Don't worry ladies all moms and MIL's will give their advice. The pedi will definately help as well. Another thing besides water do NOT put baby cereal in with a formula bottle to make them fuller. The pedi will tell this as well. Back when we were kids I know some if not most mom's did. But the cereal can get stuck in the nipple and begin to grow bacteria even if your can't see it. One of my friend's did it but I did not and will not with DS3. GL and if anyone of you have questions I am around!! GL!

mrsain1105 · January 2010

What you're feeling is completely normal. There are a lot of things you learn as you go - but there are also some ways to get "the basics" before LO arrives if you're nervous. Most hospitals offer a newborn care class. My hospital gives every new mom a DVD that goes over things like diapering, caring for the umbilical stump, circumcision, bathing, breastfeeding. There are also tons of books out there. I liked Your Baby's First Year Week by Week. I liked that there was just a small chunk of info to digest each week. And there is always the bump! I'm sure you'll do great!

guajaj · January 2010

Have you seen this?

https://www.amazon.com/Itzbeen-Baby-Care-Timer-Blue/dp/B000MEB3GE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=baby-products&qid=1263870415&sr=8-1

I'm a logical person, so I just remember that there are only so many options for whats wrong with a crying baby. (The timer has buttons for diaper, eating & sleeping) my only addition is whether or not the baby is too cold or too hot, and the way to swaddle them up tight. GL!

a4smith · January 2010

guajaj:

Have you seen this?

https://www.amazon.com/Itzbeen-Baby-Care-Timer-Blue/dp/B000MEB3GE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=baby-products&qid=1263870415&sr=8-1

I'm a logical person, so I just remember that there are only so many options for whats wrong with a crying baby. (The timer has buttons for diaper, eating & sleeping) my only addition is whether or not the baby is too cold or too hot, and the way to swaddle them up tight. GL!

Yes! we got it as a shower gift thank god LoL

Neen33 · January 2010

Me too!!!! I just read in baby 411 today that apparently babies need at least 5 minutes of tummy time a day so their heads don't become flat. Who knew?!?!?!

thomas&lynn · January 2010

I countered all of my baby-ignorance with reading and more reading. I was just about obsessed about it. I figure in grad school that's mainly what I did for the first year or two before I did my own research. The reading helped inform my hands on work!

And once the hands on stuff begins there is a part of you that takes over and helps you navigate, I promise!! And when you aren't sure what to do, you have DH and your mom and a few friends with kids to call. And a few books to refer to. And even here.

It'll be awesome! No worries!!

jellybean210 · January 2010

well i just learned about the water thing when we told my boyfriends mom i was pregnant her friend told me that babies can not have water and you can not use johnsons baby lotion on a baby either. which both seemed rediculous to me bc i remember doing both with my neices and they are perfectly fine. but i will go with what the dr tells me. obviously theres got to be some sort of reason behind it.

kattyleigh · January 2010

From a new mom...I just want to add that you will all be fine! It is a lot of trial and error learning but you will survive! The nurses at my hospital made sure we understood the basics such as feeding and diapers before discharging us. They also offered DVDs we could watch while we were in recovery and they sent us home with tons of pamphlets about the basics. I have "What to expect the first year" for reference also and have consulted that book a few times about random things. The pedi is a great resource too as a few PPs stated.

jenny1980 · January 2010

You'll be fine. I was not a "baby person" and so much of caring for DD has been intuitive and enjoyable.

It is HARD, though, at times and it's good to be prepared for that. By far the toughest thing has been adjusting to the brutal lack of sleep (DD sleeps pretty well for a newborn, but even so, sleep is scarce around here).

kdiaisfly · January 2010

Yep I heard about that and was flabbergasted! And then I proceeded to sign up for 4 baby care classes; Infant CPR, Pediatric Care, Newborn Basics & Breastfeeding. I feel I'll be prepared after all of these classes.

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