Remember the time when your baby turned into an unstoppable crying machine for hours at a stretch? Or, when they kept throwing up milk after feeding for a really long time. Maybe that time could ring some bells when they became too fussy and didn’t feed or sleep, but cried in the middle of the night.
Being a parent isn’t as easy as it seems.
Many parents have sacrificed their nights doing turns to cradle the baby and put them to sleep. After the joyous moments of birth of the baby, the first month dawns upon the new parents like a jab of reality.
Here are 4 experiences every parent can relate to.
1. A Fussy Baby
In most cases, when the baby is crying or squirming, the first instinct for a parent is to check on the diaper or provide a feed. Many times, the reason your baby is crying could be well hidden in disguise. It could either be a diaper rash, a burp, or gas. They may also feel colicky—characterized by unrecognized abdominal pain that occurs in the baby when they are less than 3 months old.
What Can be Done: If you can’t figure out the reason, they could just be tired or sleepy. It is alright to become clueless on what to do next, nobody comes trained in baby care from the beginning—you will surely develop your skills with experience. If your baby seems to be at discomfort or has a fever, consult a pediatrician.
2. Difficulties With Latching
Most people think breastfeeding comes naturally. However, it doesn’t. Some babies take more time to latch, others adapt to bottle feeding over breastfeeding. For mothers, sore breasts and cracked nipples are another sides of the story. Risks of infections like mastitis or breast infection also increase between one to three months after delivery.
What Can be Done: Both you and your baby are new to it. It is common to face difficulty in latching or finding the right position for breastfeeding. Instead of going around asking for advice, consult a lactation specialist who can guide you better.
3. Baby Noises That Don’t Seem Normal
Is your baby making strange sounds even when they are in deep sleep? Nothing to worry about. Your baby may be squeaking or grunting during his early growing months. Even sneezes and hiccups could be common, but this isn’t a sign of cold or discomfort.
Your baby may even through up milk all of a sudden when they are awake or even during sleep. Again, don’t fret.
What Can be Done: Give your baby a proper burp after every feed. They may bring up the milk that is digested or undigested with a burp if they have swallowed air. Rest their head sideways while they are asleep. Don’t use any pillows.
4. Growth Spurts
A baby growing up quickly is a healthy sign. Then, you might wonder what the issue could be—cluster feeding. Cluster feeding happens when your baby feeds for an exceptionally longer time. They could be experiencing growth spurts, for which their bodies require more nutrition. For moms, the feeding time may feel endless and tiresome.
What Can be Done: Let your husband take up the role of burping the baby and pacifying him—by that time take a quick nap. Eat well and stay hydrated.
The first month is when you will learn a lot of things about your baby through experience. This exhausting phase may seem like a tough time, but it will soon pass. Talking to other new parents around you and even your parents can really help.
