From Meals to Naps: 4 Daily Stressors (and Solutions) for New Parents

Babies bring along oodles of new emotions, and it is a study in extremes. The little creatures fill our homes and hearts with chuckles, cuddles, and surprise spit-ups. 

Being a parent can be overwhelming – there’s no sense in denying it. The early days and nights are particularly taxing. Often, life gets even busier when newborns enter the baby stage of highchairs, missed naps, and sensory play. 

Here is some comfort for everyday stressors that cause grief for new parents. 

#1: Helping Babies Get Enough Sleep

From day-night confusion to relentless regressions every few months, sleep is a pain point for many parents. Does your baby seem constantly tired and irritable? They may need more sleep than they’re getting. 

A 2024 Paediatric Research study connects sleep patterns and brain development, stressing the merits of downtime for preterm infants. Good sleep hygiene should correspond to your infant’s development stage, it advises.

How about sticking to a schedule from the start? It can seem daunting, but babies do adore a consistent routine. You can keep things basic: feeding, changing, cuddling, and general unwinding before naps. Overstimulation can be a huge deterrent, so darkening the room and being quiet can help. Some infants like a white noise machine mimicking sounds from the womb.

Another reason babies may miss out on ample sleep is an underlying health issue like constipation or gas. It is worthwhile having your pediatrician examine this if your baby does not start sleeping in longer stretches even after six months.

Don’t hesitate to rope in your support system if you feel too exhausted to manage the frequent wakings. Hiring a night nanny is a good option for washed-out baby parents.

#2: Making Sure Your Baby Is Eating Well

During the endless night feeds and Groundhog Days of pumping and washing bottles, many parents feel exhausted with All Things Milk. However, the stressor is anything but gone once your baby moves to solids, typically around 5-6 months. 

Some parents prefer homemade baby food like pureed sweet potatoes or applesauce, letting their little tykes explore baby-led weaning, never mind the mess. 

However, store-bought baby food is not only about ‘convenience’ for many of us. You may choose pre-mixed or instant-cook options to be confident your baby is getting the right balance of nutrients for their age. Many parents who work outside the house do not find the time to prepare meals – something about which society may choose to guilt them endlessly. 

The anxiety becomes acute with recurrent news stories reporting dangerous metals in some best-selling baby foods. Popular brands like Gerber and Plum Organics have come under scrutiny. The ongoing baby food heavy metals lawsuit links the presence of lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury to autism, ADHD, cardiovascular issues, and an impaired immune system. 

Truth be told, food contamination isn’t improbable. Industrial and agricultural processes may leak chemicals into the chain. Parents can take heart from the Baby Food Safety Act, which came out in 2021, mandating testing for heavy metals. What’s more, the manufacturers must publicly share the results for all to see. 

Parents whose babies exhibit developmental or physical issues after consuming compromised baby food can seek legal action, advises TorHoerman Law. While shopping, you can look for the ‘USDA certified organic’ and ‘non-GMO’ labels. Another precaution is to buy baby food only after checking the ingredients (no maskers or unrelated constituents!) and expiration dates.

The main thing is not to demonize store-bought baby food but to show acceptance of each other’s choices. A Healthy Babies, Bright Futures report released on CNN detected toxic substances in 60 to 80% of homemade foods. The devil is deep in the soil and water. 

The report suggests varying the diet your baby eats, focusing on the least contaminated options like fresh bananas and hard-boiled eggs. You might consider limiting or avoiding raisin-granola bars and rice-based snacks, as these items report more contamination.

#3: Stimulating Mental and Physical Development

Have you noticed the sudden upsurge in thriller novels and films about competitive parents showing off their little geniuses? Obsessing over your child’s development can be a constant stressor in your life as a parent. 

However, as your doctor will probably tell you, most children grow up just fine. Missing a day’s tummy time or skipping a baby phonics class won’t predispose them to being laggards.

Spending floor time with your baby, allowing them to explore books and toys in a loving environment, is usually the best investment in their development. Some parents find high-contrast books useful to nurture attention and focus. As they grow, most babies enjoy pouring, stacking, and sorting. You can do these with household objects like paper cups and bowls. 

Music is another fabulous way to nourish your baby’s personality. Kids’ author Dr. Baltagi shares the benefits of music during a discussion with UNICEF. It turns out melodies can comfort and support emotional expression. Wait, there’s more: music also hones school readiness and social skills. 

You can incorporate music into your daily life through instruments, playing lullabies and nursery rhymes, or simply moving to tunes together.

#4: Keeping Track of Their Pee-Poop

No matter what the sunkissed Instagram photos of giggling babies in gardens suggest, most aspects of parenting are unglamorous. Staying on top of how often they pee and poop is one of the least enjoyable bits of the early years, but vital nonetheless.

Not wetting enough diapers can indicate dehydration, especially if the child also has a parched mouth. Doctors generally recommend continued breastmilk or formula along with an oral rehydration solution. It is best to get a medical opinion if your baby seems distressed or can’t keep anything down.

Likewise, constipation and diarrhea are both rampant problems as babies strive to adjust to the outside world and different foods. Usually, they aren’t a cause of concern unless your baby experiences pain while pooping. 

Expect various colors like yellow and green as they eat more things. It can be a rainbow out there. The real challenge is staying vigilant. You want to get help if the poop is bloody or mucousy.

The classic bicycling exercise – moving their legs like riding – works wonders for constipation. Have your doctor suggest dietary changes, if necessary. Incorporating peas and prunes is a common recommendation; it really keeps things on track.

Parenting is a life-long commitment. Kudos to you for bravely taking it in your stride and having your baby’s back. Your day-to-day life may feel upended for a while yet, but the rewards only get bigger come toddlerhood and kindergarten. It’s learning on the job for every parent who has done it before you, so chin up and carry on.