Top 10 Fears of New Moms

“I spend at least 30 sleepless minutes every night just thinking about any and everything that could go wrong: SIDS, breathing issues, choking while sleeping, somehow rolling over during sleep, etc.” —blue_belle

How to feel better: Freaking out over sleeping dangers is totally normal for new moms, so don’t think you’re being paranoid. But keep in mind that Sudden Infant Death Dyndrome (SIDS) is rare—and there are ways to significantly reduce baby’s risk, including putting baby to sleep on his or her back, sharing a room with baby (but not a bed), keeping baby’s room cool, and keeping pillows, stuffed animals, bumpers and thick blankets out of the crib.

“I’m terrified the nipple on her pacifier will come off while she’s sucking on it, and she’ll choke. I never would’ve thought of this, except that the darn things came with that warning! I tug on it all the time to make sure it’s firmly in place.” —K_R21

How to feel better: There are a ton of babies who safely use pacifiers every day and don’t choke. Always stick to pacifiers made by reputable companies, look for pacifiers made from one solid piece that can’t break apart in baby’s mouth, and periodically examine the pacifier for holes, tears and discoloration—if you see any of those signs, toss it out and replace it.

“My newest fear is that while he’s at day care, some little kid will poke him in the eye, and he’ll go blind. I don’t even know where that fear came from.” —princessa84

How to feel better: If baby is in day care, he or she is sure to suffer some bumps and bruises (and maybe even the occasional bite). That’s why a reputable day care is full of staffers who are trained for medical emergencies. Not sure if yours are? Just ask. It’s also important to stay in constant communication with the staff so you know exactly what’s going on during the day—and if there are any kids that yours isn’t getting along with.

“I worry that my husband will fall while carrying our daughter up the stairs. I told him if he feels like he’s falling or tripping, he has to spin around and land on his back so he doesn’t fall on her!” —cindylou_hoo

How to feel better: You can prevent tripping and falling accidents around your house by doing some babyproofing. If your stairs have wall-to-wall carpeting, double-check and make sure it’s not loose and doesn’t have any holes or snags where a toe or foot could get stuck. If they’re not carpeted, consider installing some gripping pads for traction. Be sure to keep any objects away from the steps so no one risks tripping. And encourage everyone to take his or her time going up and down the stairs when carrying baby.

“What if I don’t bond with my baby and I just feel the same way about him as I do about other people’s kids?” —supernova23

How to feel better: While some moms-to-be bond with baby before he’s even born, others take a while to warm up. In fact, it’s totally normal for some new moms to not even feel the warm fuzzies for the first few weeks (blame the hormones!). But know that baby is already bonding with you in utero—listening to your voice (and even your heartbeat). Within his or her first week, he or she’ll even recognize your distinct smell. To feel even closer to him or her, try some skin-to-skin contact. Hold him or her frequently or wear him or her in a baby carrier. Do some fun activities together too like tummy time. We know a few moms who didn’t feel an instant connection in the delivery room, but we don’t know any who never developed a one-of-a-kind bond with their babies.

“Not being able to nurse is probably my biggest fear. I just know so many women who had so much trouble breastfeeding, and I just really want to be able to do it.” —kayT99

How to feel better: It’s actually pretty rare for a woman to be physically unable to breastfeed. But we’ll be honest: Getting it right can be downright tricky. That’s why it’s a great idea to request that a lactation consultant visit you in the hospital after delivery to help you and baby learn, and to head off any problems—the earlier, the better. You might also want to take a breastfeeding class before baby’s born so you know what to expect.

“I’m worried that we won’t have everything done before the baby comes. The nursery isn’t done yet, and I feel like the house isn’t ready either.” —pip_cheerio

How to feel better: Do the things you really do need first: Get a safe car seat and install it. Pick out a bassinet or crib. Get some clothes and receiving blankets, and stock up on diapers and wipes. And remind yourself that everything else is just icing on the cake—meaning it’s not worth stressing about!

“I’m worried about the health of my LO. I work in a NICU, so I see crazy stuff all the time. I don’t think I’ll believe that the delivery went okay and that she’s healthy until I’m leaving the hospital with her.“ —smilee78

How to feel better: If you’re seeing your OB regularly throughout your pregnancy and getting all the recommended tests and screenings, you’ve already taken a huge step toward preventing any problems.

“I’m terrified about not getting to the hospital in time because we have a 45-minute drive. I told my husband to take good notes at our birthing class just in case.” —deedeew

How to feel better: Sure, 45 minutes seems like a long time, but know that the average period of active labor lasts a whopping eight hours, so the likelihood of giving birth in your car is actually really low. To be extra-prepared, make sure you discuss with your doctor the signs of real labor so that you’ll know when to go. And don’t forget to have your hospital bag ready and your gas tank filled so there’s no need to make any stops on the way.

“I have moments of total paranoia about the soft spots on my son’s head. I worry that I’ll accidentally poke him or bang his head on a soft spot. I’ve heard that soft spots are actually pretty tough, but I still freak out about it.” —jkr_88

How to feel better: Baby may seem like a porcelain doll, but he’s more resilient than you think! Those soft spots on his head are actually pretty strong and sturdy—you can’t hurt him or her just by touching. Of course, you should be careful about bumps and falls, but rest assured those soft spots will soon close up.

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.