Im So Scared

COMPLETELY normal!!! Congrats and hopefully knowing you're not alone will make you feel better. I have two (1 and 3) and sometimes have the craziest irrational fears - any parent will tell you the same. Focus on the positive - you have a lifetime of worries ahead of you, but you also have a lifetime of a love you couldn't understand until you had a baby! Now I know what my mom meant when she said "someday you'llunderstand..."

Congratulations on your new baby. I'm sure you will get some great advice, so I'll make this quick. When my first was born, I would often wake up and listen for her breathing, as if by waking up at that exact moment I could somehow do CPR to save her if I needed to... What I really should have been doing is sleeping! One thing that I did to help reassure myself was to say to myself "well, her heart has been beating since she was in the womb and she's been breathing just fine for X days/weeks/months so far, so there's no reason she would just stop just because I'm not watching her sleep."

Congratulations on the birth of your child! Welcome to a lifetime of wondering, questioning, second-guessing, etc. I think everyone had a little bit of worry or fear at some point, so you're not alone.

Put things into perspective. You mention you work as an infant and toddler teacher at a daycare, so you are around small babies and infants a lot. When you put those babies down for a nap and they are sleeping soundly and peacfully they're just fine - just like your baby will be.

Trust me - get your sleep. You're probably still running off of your adrenaline high and it will wear off soon. A baby needs a healthy mommy so take care of yourself too!

I'm on my fifth and I still worry, especially at the beginning. He's three weeks old now and sleeps in a little crib by my bed and whenever he so much as sighs I'm wide awake and checking on him. Give it some time and congratulations!!!

It's just your maternal instinct kicking in - you're not used to it yet - powerful, huh? With my children during the first few days I couldn't shake the fear that the house was on fire somewhere, I had to keep getting up and checking everything - really weird!

Try not to fret, it will level out. Sleep when you can, trust me - you're going to need it.

:-)

Sounds like you have some anxiety, which is totally normal. With my first child, she slept in a bassinet in our room. I would wake in the middle of the night, jump out of bed, and make sure she was breathing. I would share the heck out of my husband. I also would have horrible nightmares. I would breastfeed in the middle of the night and be so exhausted and sometimes doze off. I would always place the baby back in the bassinet, but then wake in a frenzy thinking I was sleeping on top of her, or I would pat the pillowcase thinking she was inside it. Yes --- weird stuff, which the doctor said is all normal. Your hormones are raging, you have total lack of sleep, and there are so many things running through your head. SIDS is always a concern of mine. Best of luck and as other mothers said, get your sleep! You need it to tend to that new bundle of joy.

I,too had similar experiences. My 3rd daughter was 4 weeks early and didn't nurse so well. As a matter of fact,she seemed to want to sleep all the time.However,you must get yourself back in a normal routine as well. You are not any good to yourself,much less your baby if you are run down.You can make yourself quite ill over this.And being that you are a first time mom,it is most understandable!!! Try to relax. And understand that IF something were going to happen,there is probably nothing you can do to change it.Even the best trained mom can sometimes miss. Talk to your doctor as well as the baby's doctor to help reassure yourself. Good luck!!! Being a first time mom is quite an experience and very rewarding!!!! J. (mom of 4 and mamaw to one)

Welcome to parenthood, adn a whole new understanding of love and worry. Everyone goes through this. With my youngest, I slept with my hand resting on him. He was in a bassinette touching the bed. I still get up at lest once a night and check on my two boys. You're a great mommmy. Don't worry and get some sleep!
P

YES!!!! Just give it some time, take some valerian root or a glass of wine before bed, and have faith that your instincts will prevail, and baby will be fine. Yes, you have instincts!!!

I was told a life time of worrying starts when that little stick shows a plus sign (or what ever for of pregnancy test shows up positive). My daughter is 18 months old and I still go in and check on her before I got to bed and still worry when she sleeps in longer than usual. It's completely normal to worry, but dont let it affect your sleep or health. Just make sure that the bed is safe, nothing that can smother the baby and that the mattress is firm. If you feel you need that extra assurance there are always video baby monitors and breathing alarms you can buy.

I just want to make sure you know it's completely normal to worry. I had my daughter in a cradle next to our bed and I had my hand on her chest whenever i woke up, just to make sure everything is okay. It's the most obsessive in the beginning and then you learn to relax. It shows that you are a great mom and that you love your little guy bunches. Try to relax, make sure you get your sleep so you can keep up with what you need to do. Congrats on the new baby.. Enjoy, it goes so fast!

Congrats on your new baby boy! Yes, this is totally normal. Eventually you will realize that your baby WILL continue to breathe even when you're not looking at him. I know, they seem so fragile it's hard to believe they won't just stop. You'll discover that you have "mommy ears" and you'll hear him whenever he makes a little noise or seems like he needs your attention. Don't worry - it will get better soon. Try and relax. You have a healthy boy and he'll be fine. If you're worried, alternate sleep with your husband so that someone can monitor your baby for you to catch a couple hours.

Congrates Mommy "K" on your new little man. Put him in a bassinet/cradle or something in your room – or if you are using a crib in his own room – grab the sleeping bag and hit the floor – but GET some sleep.
With our third I had to call my mom to come over so I could nap!!! I knew that as long as she was there I could REALLY sleep. Call a friend, your MIL, etc. But get all the sleep you can, it will help with the stress, and nightmares, etc.
BTW – when my boys are here I STILL go in and check on them, as well as ALL my children. <ages 22 – 5!!> Drives my husband CRAZY!!! Good Luck.

Hi Mommy K M
Welcome to motherhood. It is a totally different feeling then when you are just helping raise a child as a teacher. This is your very own miracle and everything you do for your baby is very important. New moms stand at the side of the crib and wait to see their baby breath. They are such a miracle and we know they are so precious that our radar goes up for all their needs. Your body is going throw so many changes too. Give your self time to settle in. Your on a natural high when you are at the hospital with baby #1. You don't want to miss a moment of the excitement. Then reality sets in and you know your little one is going to be here for a life time. Pace yourself and sleep when the baby sleeps. The baby will begin to have a pattern of sleep, let daddy and family help. Soon you'll be a pro.

God Bless,
J. H. Nanny for 5 years when I was 18 to 23 before marrying. Married 15 1/2 years and mother of 6, ages 13, 11, 8, 6, 4 and 3

First of all, Congrats! Second, get some sleep! Lol. Your exhaustion will catch up to you and your little one will start to be awake more and more. That's one thing I DIDN'T do with my first son - even though everyone told me to. Sleep when he sleeps. If you are concerned (totally normal), put him in a bassinet close to you. I camped out in the living room with both of my boys at first so I could be closer to them (I was breastfeeding) and not wake up Dad. At 2 1/2 (and 7 months) I STILL check on them at night. It's just part of being a parent.

Enjoy!