Four mistakes young mothers make
To feed to a schedule or on demand? To swaddle or not? To use a pacifier or do without one?
A woman expecting a baby faces dozens of such questions. Experienced friends, relatives and, of course, the internet, with its hundreds of videos and articles explaining how to become the perfect mother, come to the aid.
Often, trying to sort through this mountain of advice, a woman becomes even more confused. So, what should she do? Whose advice is the most reliable? Or perhaps she should not listen to anyone at all, but follow her heart?
Indeed, in many matters related to a newborn, the mother is the best expert. Yes, every woman knows how to soothe her baby, what to dress them in and how to entertain them. But there are times when the opinion of specialists is crucial. This applies primarily to a child’s health. Therefore, a competent pediatrician should be the primary mentor for new parents. Of course, every child develops differently, so not all advice from books or social media will be helpful for your little one. However, there are some general characteristics specific to newborns. Pay attention to the recommendations we give below. By following them, you will avoid many mistakes in caring for your baby and make your daily life as a mother easier.
Putting the baby to sleep in a stroller
It would seem that nothing is more natural than a walk with a newborn. The baby sleeps peacefully in the stroller while the mother strolls through shops and parks. Of course, fresh air is essential for a child but it is important to understand that sleep during a walk is not complete. While the stroller is moving, the baby’s vestibular system is working, preventing the brain from entering deep sleep. Think about how you feel after a nap on a bus or plane. Your baby feels pretty much the same way. Another drawback is an improper sleep routine. There is a good chance that if a child gets used to sleeping while riding, getting them to sleep at home without a stroller will be extremely difficult.
“Wearing baby out”
Another sleep-related mistake is delaying putting your baby down for as long as possible, hoping it will sleep more soundly. If you do not want to wake up at 3:00 a.m. crying hysterically, never do this. Each child’s age has a specific wakefulness time. If a baby does not go to bed on time, it begins to produce cortisol, the stress hormone. The baby quickly becomes overstimulated and its immature nervous system cannot quickly slow down this process. The result is tantrums before bedtime, shallow rather than deep sleep and waking up crying.
Do not respond to crying
Babies all over the world speak the same language. Their crying is the only way for these little people to be heard, hugged, pitied and fed. Can a screaming baby be left unattended? Will he cry and then calm down on his own? No! Research shows that before one year of age, a child’s body not only grows and develops rapidly but also their psyche develops. A mother’s attention at this stage is absolutely essential.
Well, how can you calm a crying baby? First, understand whether its basic needs are being met. If a baby is hungry, it will open and twist its mouth while crying. If it is sleepy, it will yawn and rub its eyes and its cry will be dominated by the vowels “o” and “oo”. A wet diaper, an uncomfortable temperature and emotional overstimulation are all common reasons for a newborn crying. You should really worry if crying is accompanied by other alarming symptoms, such as lethargy, fever, loss of appetite or vomiting. If these symptoms occur, consult a doctor immediately.
Stopping breastfeeding
Everyone knows how essential breast milk is for a baby’s health. This includes a strong immune system, a healthy digestive system and allergy prevention. The benefits are countless. However, young mothers, often influenced by older generations, doubt their ability to feed their children independently and opt for formula. In fact, the percentage of women who have physiological reasons for not breastfeeding is negligible.
How can this important process be established? Pediatricians advise a little patience. During the first few weeks, the bodies of the newborn and mother get customised to each other. This is why you may feel like you are not getting enough milk. During the first month, breastfeed your baby on demand and try not to give a pacifier. A new mother should simply drink plenty of fluids and avoid allergens. It is important to be prepared for lactation crises, which occur at three and six months. Around this age, a baby’s milk needs increase sharply and it may feel restless. However, within a week, lactation will improve and everything will return to normal.
