Anyone else scared to be a mom?

hopefulinCO · April 2011

I'm an only child, as is DH -- we don't have any siblings to relate to having around when we were younger. I've babysat, worked at a daycare,etc. but as time ticks by, I get more nervous. How do I take care of a newborn? I don't have a clue how to do this.

Am I the only one? Second time moms -- can you help? lol

akabillups · April 2011

I am nervous right there with you, especially since DH just lost his job. I have always been great with my little nephew and DH has a son (who is 14, kinda far from a child let alone a baby!) I think once the little one is born all the maternal instincts will kick in

forensicmama · April 2011

I'm scared to be a mom of two, does that count? I've only had DD for the longest time. I can't imagine having two little ones.

The first LO is really easy to figure out IMO. Let instinct take over and you'll know what to do. I breastfed on demand and carried LO everywhere and co-slept. I didn't figure out until later that this was a "parenting philosophy" (Attachment Parenting). Go figure. I just decided after maybe day five or six postpartum that I was not going to stress any more about this or that or the other thing and I just let instinct do its work. It's easier that way IMO. Especially if you're like me and you tend to stress out easily or let stress control you. Parenting DD has been a breeze. She's bright, quick-learning, and a joy to be around. I think you'll do great and you'll be amazed at how easy it truly is. A lot of it comes naturally.

hopefulinCO · April 2011

forensicmama:

I'm scared to be a mom of two, does that count? I've only had DD for the longest time. I can't imagine having two little ones.

The first LO is really easy to figure out IMO. Let instinct take over and you'll know what to do. I breastfed on demand and carried LO everywhere and co-slept. I didn't figure out until later that this was a "parenting philosophy" (Attachment Parenting). Go figure. I just decided after maybe day five or six postpartum that I was not going to stress any more about this or that or the other thing and I just let instinct do its work. It's easier that way IMO. Especially if you're like me and you tend to stress out easily or let stress control you. Parenting DD has been a breeze. She's bright, quick-learning, and a joy to be around. I think you'll do great and you'll be amazed at how easy it truly is. A lot of it comes naturally.

Yes, I do get stressed easily and I'm a bit of a worrier (obviously). I've heard the motherly instinct will kick in, and I sure hope they're right! Thanks for the advice!

CJB8 · April 2011

do some prep work so you know about how much to feed, how often, etc... learn about swaddling and basic newborn care. You could take a class. but, like the other poster said, it's all instinct. You will know what to do and if not, you can come on the boards and ask!

Sweetpea1718 · April 2011

The other day I was telling DH how terrified I was about it all. I love babies, grew up with much younger siblings, worked in the infant room at a daycare for 2 years and I am still scared.

mellymel12 · April 2011

I'm petrified at times!

Hehehe I dont understand how hospitals/birthing centers/etc just let you leave with a tiny human and pretty much say "good luck!". I'm most anxious about the first few weeks where you can't differentiate cries yet...so I'm afraid I wont know what they want or that I wont feed them enough and won't know what to do.

But most moms seem to work it out just fine so I'm hoping I will too!

amyc216 · April 2011

I'm nervous too! Like others have said, I just hope the instincts kick in. I haven't taken care of a baby since by brother was born and that was 25 years ago! I have signed up for 4 classes at the hospital on different stuff. I guess I'm scared that once he/she's here I'm going to be a freaked out mess!

KindraMc · April 2011

Definitely nervous!! People keep ask me if I am scared for child birth - my response is no, I'm scared that they are going to hand me an infant to take home and look after, after it's all over!! haha

I know deep down that my husband and I will be fine - but the whole raising a child thing is for sure overwhelming.

jonnygurl76 · April 2011

it is perfectly normal to be nervous. i cried when we first got home from the hospital because i was scared i was going to do something wrong. but then you just do it...instinct takes over and you just know what to do and what you don't instinctively know you will learn as you go.

newborns like to be held, fed, and they sleep a lot....and as soon as you get your rhythm down they change it up. but you gain confidence with every day that goes by and every situation you handle. you will do just fine.

Elsa1984 · April 2011

I am a nanny of 4, and one of the kids I got when he was 10 days old....so I have been through the newborn stage.

That being said, even though I have been through pretty much everything with these kids.....I still can't help but feel like I am going to panic when I finally come home with my new baby. I told SO the other day, I keep having this feeling that after work I am going to forget that I have the baby and accidentally drive away with the baby on the roof of the car. I am pretty strict with my nanny kids (but we still do tons of fun stuff), but I have this feeling that my kid is going to come along and rule the roost.....and turn out to be a brat.

hopefulinCO · April 2011

Elsa1984:

I am a nanny of 4, and one of the kids I got when he was 10 days old....so I have been through the newborn stage.

That being said, even though I have been through pretty much everything with these kids.....I still can't help but feel like I am going to panic when I finally come home with my new baby. I told SO the other day, I keep having this feeling that after work I am going to forget that I have the baby and accidentally drive away with the baby on the roof of the car. I am pretty strict with my nanny kids (but we still do tons of fun stuff), but I have this feeling that my kid is going to come along and rule the roost.....and turn out to be a brat.

:snort: This probably makes me a terrible person, but I just totally lol'd at this. I'm notorious for doing this with drinks.

mlstagner · April 2011

I'm surprised i'm not more freaked out about it... I think maybe I'm still just in denial and it hasnt' really sunk in that they are going to send me home to fend for myself after 2 days at the hospital! yikes!

I never even babsat as a child... so this will all be new for me!!! I don't even think I've ever changed a diaper now that I think about it... =/

StephRuns · April 2011

I'm scared, too!

I wasn't into baby sitting or anything like that, so I have very limited experience in child care. The only diapers I've ever changed was on my one day of clinicals in the newborn nursery for school. I hope I can do this!

Saemilyn · April 2011

Definitely! To be in charge of another tiny human life... YIKES. Whats comforting is that my mom will be staying with us for a week or so after the baby is born. PHEW! I couldn't do this without her!

Julie822 · April 2011

MH and I both have never even held a baby! So we are pretty nervous. I told my mom we will be calling with lots of questions!

Elsa1984 · April 2011

hopefulinCO:
Elsa1984:

I am a nanny of 4, and one of the kids I got when he was 10 days old....so I have been through the newborn stage.

That being said, even though I have been through pretty much everything with these kids.....I still can't help but feel like I am going to panic when I finally come home with my new baby. I told SO the other day, I keep having this feeling that after work I am going to forget that I have the baby and accidentally drive away with the baby on the roof of the car. I am pretty strict with my nanny kids (but we still do tons of fun stuff), but I have this feeling that my kid is going to come along and rule the roost.....and turn out to be a brat.

:snort: This probably makes me a terrible person, but I just totally lol'd at this. I'm notorious for doing this with drinks.

Its okay....we were laughing when I first mentioned it. And then SO stated "Well I hope if you forget the baby on the car, you at least figure it out before running over it..." because one time I borrowed his favorite coffee cup and forgot it on the top of the car.....went to drive and it fell off the top.....realized what it was an backed up to grab it.....instead I ran over it.....it shot out of under my tire....and hit the car on the other side of the street. Oops!

Marbear929 · April 2011

I totally went through this with my first. DD was the first grand baby on both sides, and other than babysitting as a young teenager I had no experience with babies. I was always that person that loved to look at babies from afar. Friends can attest to the fact that I was scared to death of holding newborns when I went to visit in the hospital. Even after DD was born, our first few outings I was afraid I'd do something wrong and have my baby taken away from me, irration.. I know. Somehow, you just figure it out and you'll be that person clamoring to hold a newborn.

Skyylor · April 2011

I'm terrified. I actually found this post by searching "Scared to be a mom". I'm not sure you're ever fully prepared. I'm 39 weeks and getting induced on Monday. Am I scared of the induction? A little. What I'm really afraid of is the realization that in 3 days my life will be completely changed. Everything I do will be an unknown. I've spent the last 9 months "being pregnant" and I have thoroughly enjoyed most of it. I realized tonight that I never really sat back and fully appreciated the idea that at the end of all of this, I'd be a mom. I will be going home with an infant that they are trusting me to figure out how to take care of... My husband and I are both nurses, yet I'm still scared to death that this is beyond me. (Not him, he'll do great I'm sure, lol)

Best I can tell you is to read up, write down all of your questions, concerns and fears if for no other reason than to get them off your chest. Most importantly enjoy your pregnancy! I think it's completely normal to doubt yourself in the face of so much unknown. Let's face it, we've been doing this for millions of years. We are all here because instinct took over, someone figured it out and did just fine.

Good luck and congratulations!

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