7 Easy mistakes First time moms should avoid

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1. Feeling incompetent about being the perfect mama the first time

I know so many first time moms experience the daunting feeling of : “Am I going to be a good mom or they become confused as they ponder about if they will know what to do. I went through the same feelings as so many of you. Yes we wonder if we will mount up to being the perfect or even far from perfect mom.

Well I ‘ve got great news for you! there is no perfect mom!!!! WE ALL WILL INEVITABLY MAKE MISTAKES. But God always gives us the grace to do whatever needs to be done for your baby. He has given new moms motherly instincts to make wise decisions for you and your baby.

I can tell you that you will be able to care for your little star as you ask God for His continued guidance during the journey. Thats what I did. I also did research for understanding newborns which helped me out quite a lot. Nowadays I highly recommend new moms to take a birth and a newborn care class. This will greatly improve your confidence in being a new mom.

You will have so many well meaning persons giving you advice, but listen to them and make a decision based on what you think is best for you and your family. As you get to learn your new baby, your motherly instincts will eventually kick in from day one. So I say to new mamas : Fear not! Your mama did it and so have millions of other women in the world.

2. Stop overheating the babies

As a midwife and visiting homes, I discovered one commonality among new parents , and that is too many of them are keeping the m too warm. I would do a home visit and meet the baby crying hysterically, and mom does not know what to do.

A baby should not be hot or cold just warm. How hot or cold their kid should be is another worry for parents. Research has determined that parents frequently inquire about the ideal temperature setting for the house. According to her, the answer is dependent on the season and the home’s insulation, but generally speaking, “a thermostat setting around 68 to 72 is probably acceptable for baby.”

The temperature if it is comfortable for parents then it is comfortable for baby. For e.g. you should not put a hat and socks on baby if you do not feel the need for it. Watch the weather and your baby. If baby is sweating begin removing the hat, socks or some clothing until baby is comfortable.

3.Learn how to use the car seater

Many new parents I’ve personally, discovered do not know how to use a car seater when they are ready to take their baby home. Often I’d hear them say: Nurse can you help me latch him in?” Make sure that this is one thing you learn after you purchase one. It makes sense because after leaving the hospital the nurse is no longer there to do it for you and your partner.

Polly Gannon, a birth educator, has discovered that some parents haven’t taken the bother to use the seat prior to the baby’s arrival, even though they may have bought one and even learned how to install it correctly.

According to Gannon, a pediatrician at Calabasas Pediatrics in Calabasas, California, “some parents haven’t even put a stuffed animal in there before the baby comes so they know how to get a newborn in there comfortably.” Most hospitals are unable to install the infant in the car seat for you or even demonstrate how to use it legally.

A 2016 study found 91% of parents made serious mistakes while installing car seats or putting their newborns in them, most of which were “critical” and increased the child’s risk for injury in an accident. Parents should make sure their infant’s head doesn’t flop forward and install the seat at the correct angle.

4. Wake baby for feeds on time

Now mamas I know postpartum can be very difficult and unassuming at times and yes you are tempted to let baby sleep a little longer if they can; just so you can catch up on some good sleep. Even if they don’t demand it, babies do need to be fed every two to three hours throughout the first few weeks, according to Altmann.

It is acceptable to cross your fingers and try to go for a period of three to five hours without the baby waking up to be fed provided they have regained their birth weight and you have received your pediatrician’s approval. Yet newborns do require waking up in the first several weeks. If you find your baby sleeping for four hours ; wake them up for the feed.

Baby sleep through the night can be achieved by 2 or 3 months of age, but some babies may regress and wake up more frequently and feed more often. Parents should be aware of this. Normalcy usually returns after 2-3 months of age. Remember your baby can loose weight if not getting enough calories.

5. Always burp your baby after feeds

Notably common errors new parents can make is neglecting to give their baby the proper burping time.

Gannon stated, “I believe many new parents are anxious about holding their infant.” When they worry that they aren’t holding the infant properly after feeding, “they frequently put the baby down quickly.”

For the first five to six months of life, a newborn can sleep in Baby Boxes, which are composed of sturdy cardboard.
Free baby boxes are distributed in New Jersey in an effort to reduce infant mortality rates.
If the baby doesn’t get a chance to burp, they may spit up, lose part of that precious milk, or wake up in a few hours crying in pain.

Gannon continued, “I frequently receive calls from parents reporting that their child was very calm after a feeding but then woke up crying and remained up for the following two and a half hours. The saying “cheat the baby, cheat yourself” is one of my favorites. You and the baby will both suffer if you cheat the baby out of a nice burp and don’t let all that air out.

How to burp your baby:

You can experiment with different burping methods until you find the one that works best for your baby. The most well-known burping position, the over-the-shoulder burp, involves placing your infant high on your chest with her face turned to one side, tummy firmly against your chest, and chin resting on your shoulder.
Till the infant burps, softly pat or rub her back.
Gannon remarked, “The baby will be delighted. It could take you an extra ten minutes at the conclusion of the meal.”
Another typical method is to pat and stroke the infant while holding him or her over your lap.
Babies exercises are one of the other methods. Here’s how to do it:
Bicycle their legs, that is, move their legs up and around in a circle in each direction, by laying them on a blanket on the floor.
The best position for Gannon’s clients is sitting down. The infant is set on her lap facing the side in an upright position. Supporting the infant’s head in the crib with one hand or you can do like I did, putting the baby in my lap while cupping the head, neck and gently patting the back.
Remember not all babies burp. Watch baby for hunger cues. If baby is given meals in a timely fashion where they do not cry and swallow air, then their chances of swallowing air is less, hence the need for burping.

6. Measure their formulas correctly

Making a mistake when measuring formula and water occurs frequently enough in her practice, according to Altmann, that she routinely questions parents about how they prepare their child’s meals. She also asks breastfeeding mothers the same question.

According to a study, prolonged nursing causes more cavities.
“I take a step back and ask these questions when I have new babies come into my office, whether they are breastfeeding or formula feeding,” said Altmann. “Just how are you feeding your kid – what do they look like when they are latched on? How are you blending the recipe? What’s the best way to put it in the bottle?

She occasionally discovers that one of the parents may be preparing the formula incorrectly by concentrating or diluting it.

7. Avoid taking baby in crowds too early

Some new parents want to bring their baby to a big family event so that everyone may marvel at their tiny wonder. Experts suggested that may be a mistake.

Check out the most recent stories and let CNN Health know what you think on Facebook and Twitter.
When I see infants out and about, especially during the cold and flu season, it does frighten me a little. “During the first two months of a baby’s existence, you should take extra precautions to keep them away from diseases and possibly contagious persons. The immune system of your infant is underdeveloped and continues maturing.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t go outside. Specialists advise taking daily strolls and claim that sitting in your backyard or on your front porch is OK.

Altmann said, “But don’t take them to crowded places.” “That’s when you can expose kids to folks who might be a few feet away but still have the flu or another contagious condition that could spread.”
Why do we still feel so uncomfortable about breastfeeding?
Typically, it’s too diluted, according to Altmann. “The baby then fails to thrive since they aren’t receiving enough nutrients. Make sure to read and adhere to the instructions on the formula at all times.

According to Altmann, some mothers may not have their babies fully latch onto the breast, thus despite the fact that the infant appears to be nursing, he or she isn’t actually taking in any food.

If a breastfeeding mother experiences any problems or discomfort while feeding her baby, she should visit a lactation specialist, according to Altmann. “Next, make sure your kid is gaining weight adequately by visiting your pediatrician frequently.”

Conclusion

Mama these are the 7 mistakes First time moms should avoid. I sure hope you learned something. The above mistakes are very common. empower yourself by knowing what to do if you face them as an issue. Our overview included:

1. Feeling incompetent about being the perfect mama the first time
2. Stop overheating the babies
3.Learn how to use the car seater
4. Wake baby for feeds on time
5. Always burp your baby after feeds
6. Measure their formulas correctly
7. Avoid taking baby in crowds too early

How about leaving a comment below and let me know which one you think will be more challenging for you? Thank you for stopping by today. If you have any comments or questions feel free to comment and know that you can avoid theses seven mistakes.