A new mom in need of answers please?

Question

I am a new mom with no prior experience or help other than my husband.
I know the basics of childcare changing a diaper, feeding a baby, etc but thats it. How do I know if I am feeding my baby too much? What can I do to entertain my child or bond with her? Is there a certain age when the baby can play with toys or rattlers? Please help! I feel like I am not doing enough with her or that I should be something that Im not. I hate asking in fear of being laughed at but its driving me crazy not knowing.

Answer 1

When I had my son, I knew nothing about babies either. I remember stressing about am I holding him too much, not enough, blah, blah, blah. Have faith in yourself and the confidence will come. As far as asking questions, I promise the pediatrician has heard it before. And other moms love nothing better than passing on tips and information they learned from others (or learned the hard way). Just look at all of us responding!

As far as when you are feeding them too much, I know the baby should stop eating when he's full in theory, and it sounds like everybody elses baby did that. Mine didn't. I realized that he would still suckle on my breast even after nothing was coming out. When I pulled him off, he didn't seem to be hungry. I think he was doing it as a comfort thing. So, I started feeding 10-15 minutes on both sides or I stopped if I thought no more milk was coming out. If he cried when I pulled him off, I either put him back on or changed sides.

Holding, talking, singing are all obvious bonding things you can do with your newborn. Even so it's easy to underrate them.

Here are a couple of other things my son seemed to like even when he was really new. First, I would lay him on a blanket in the floor. Then I would stretch his legs out and then bend them back to his stomach. I'd also roll him gently from side to side. We called them his exercises, and he seemed to like doing it.

Another thing I did was put his bouncer in front of a mirror. Babies love watching themselves in the mirror.

If the weather permits, taking the baby outside is good also, whether for a walk or just to sit outside. The breeze alone is stimulation for a newborn not to mention the colors.

My baby wasn't interested in any toys or rattlers until six months, and he didn't really get into it until after he could walk at 10 months. It was like he couldn't enjoy anything til he got that milestone out of the way. After that though, it got easier to find different toys and games to play with him. It's kindof depressing I know. You have this new baby but all it does is sit there and sleep, eat and cry. But, eventually, they do get older and you finally get to use some of those great toys you've had laying around.

Answer 2

First, you should never be afraid to ask any question. Even if it's not a "health" question you can always ask your child's doctor development questions too.

Here are some mom tricks and tips I have picked up over the years.

1. Your baby will eat when they are hungry. They will stop when they aren't hungry anymore. They know what they are doing in that area :)

2. Hugs,kisses, and cuddles are a million times better to a child than any toy.

3. Spending time with you doing regular stuff (laundry, dishes etc) is more fun to a child than you would ever think. They just like being with you. Sit them near by and just talk to them.

4. Babies and kids are not as fragile as you might think. I have seen tons of kids run full force into sliding doors, fall face first into the ground, and they all turn out ok :)

5. Kids love playing with things we would find boring- an old box, a piece of wrapping paper, socks, an old telephone, or a spoon and a pan.

6. Every day of being a mom, you will make mistakes, you will feel guilty, and you will feel like you could have been a better mom. Every day your kids think you are the greatest no matter what.

7.Bonding with your kids is easier than people think. Hold them close, sing a song, read a book, just hug them and look in their eyes. It will happen on it's own.

8. Even though bonding will happen, it doesn't always happen right way.

9. Sometimes kids just need to be alone. Even babies. Just let them sit and look around. They don't always need toys to be happy.

10. Kids are smarter than we adults think they are. Kids know what they need. Follow their cues and you will be ok. If you try and sqeeze your child into what is "normal" you will always feel like something is wrong. Some kids don't talk till they are 2 some kids prefer bottle over breast, some kids never crawl, and every kid is their very own person. Let them be who they are.

11. If you love your kids and take good care of them, the other stuff doesn't matter. Not a single person can go to a playground and pick out what kids were breastfed, which were fed cereal "too" soon, which kids walked and talked when.

12. Remember that this moment will pass. When your child is screaming his head off and you think you can't take it. Remember it will pass. When you are cuddling and loving your baby. Remember it will pass...enjoy it while you can.

* You are a better mother than you know. You will be just fine. Follow your gut and your baby's cues. Good Luck I know being a new mom is scary. Remember don't ever feel shy about asking questions. Again, good luck!

Answer 3

First of all, you are not crazy. Before I had my first child, I had never even held a baby (no lie). Your baby will spit the bottle out when she is finished and she will probably try to move her head away if she doesn't want a bottle. I'm assuming that your baby is a newborn and if she is then you can bond with her by holding her,rocking her, talking to her and ,whether you know it or not, you are bonding with her when you feed her, and she probably won't be interested in toys until she is about 3 months old but she will probably only swat at them.she will most likely start really playing with toys when she is able to sit up unassisted. I'm sure you are doing plenty enough right now for her because all you really have to do when their newborn is feed and change and so on,so don't get discouraged and just do the best you can. and if it makes you feel any better .....ALL FIRST TIME MOTHERS ARE CLUELESS

Answer 4

first of all a newborn will let you know when hungry and full dont worry about this unless doctor says something at well baby visit just feed when hungry. as far as developments every child develops and plays with stuff at different rates just let your baby explore give your child oppertunity to play with the toys and lost of tummy time when they begin to raise their head. You are not crazy every new mom wonders if they are doing some wrong and by the time you have the next one you will be an expert lol. I have 2 now and I worried less after the 2nd one. You are learning as much as the baby so just sit back and enjoy and have fun with your baby and you both will be fine!

Answer 5

Your baby will eat every 2-3 hours (breastfed babies eat more often than bottle fed). I think the guideline for newborns is the first week of life, they should have the same amount of wet diapers as they are old (a 2 day old should have 2 wet diapers, a 3 day old, 3 diapers, etc.) Dirty diapers, not sure- I'd say at least one every day or two. Once they're older, I'd say at least 5 wet diapers a day. As long as your baby sleeps pretty good (although not through the night, yet!!) and is wetting his/her diapers like he/she should, I'd think the baby is eating enough. I don't think any baby is too young to be read to. Read a book of children's poetry or nursery rhymes. If the weather is good, maybe go for short walks. Just talk to your baby- let him/her hear your voice. If you have a little playard type thing (the thing that babies lay under- it has toys that hang down for them to play with. Let your baby watch the toys (although if your baby's still teeny tiny, he/she obviously can't play with the toys) Play music for your baby. Good luck and God bless!!

Answer 6

The first thing to do is follow your heart when it comes to being a mom. Which is obviously what you are doing if you are asking this question.

As far as your feeding question, whether you are breastfeeding or bottle feeding, just follow the baby's lead. She'll let you know when she is full by pulling away. My son nursed every 1.5 hours until he was 6 months old. Some babies nurse or eat every 3-4 hours. It depends.

Just talk and sing to her regularly. When she seems interested in rattles and toys, you can play with her. Otherwise, just interact with her based on what seems to interest her most. Take her for walks in her stroller, too.

Good luck.

Answer 7

Baby will push the bottle out of her mouth or cry when she's full, she'll let you know

Child like attention, for a while, you will be their entertainment and that helps the bonding process

I would say at about 6 or 7 months, they start playing with rattles ,toys etc

Always burp baby, gas will lead to vomit, Trust me :)
Everything else will come natural, like it did for me
Trust your abilities as a mom, you're doing the right thing :)

Answer 8

During the first 3-4 months you should feed whenever the baby is hungry. As far as bonding, while your baby is still young just holding him/her is great. Every baby is different as far as when they start playing with toys. My little boy started playing on the floor on his tummy at 3 months and playing with toys. But some of my friends kids didnt start until 6 months.

Answer 9

First how old is the baby? A newborn eats at least every 2 hours. Music entertains newborns, dancing with them, bathing them, giving them little baby massages, etc. Toys and rattlers I would say 6 months old.

Answer 10

my youngest daughter is 10 years old, so it's been a very long time since i had a baby....But anyways, when a baby is done eating, they will foresure let you know. But just be sure that it's not because they have to burp, that's making them not eat, first.if your child is a newborn, hold him or her and talk to your baby. alot. ...they will not start playing with rattles, you know i can't remember, maybe 4 months.you will feel your way into being a mom as the baby grows. It becomes instinct...you sound like you want to be an attentive mom, and that's good.you will be fine,just take it as the baby gets older and you will see. Goodluck on being a new mom,and spend as much time with your baby as you can...god bless..