Five of the most common new mum questions

Seeing that positive pregnancy sign for the first time is one of the most exciting experiences for a mom-to-be. You start to obsess over videos on YouTube about first time pregnancy experiences and research on what you should be expecting from this new journey.

As the baby bump grows and things become more obvious, some anxiety starts to set in when the due date starts closing in. Finally, your baby arrives, and since it’s your first time, some things might scare you for a while.

If you are a first time mom and you have so many questions running through your mind, you are not alone. Here are some of the most common questions new moms like you, tend to ask.

This is probably one of the most common questions new mothers have. In the beginning, you might even wonder if babies poop when they are newly born, since they haven’t had solid food yet. When you check their dippers and come across some shades of green, yellow and orange poop, you might get worried and rush to the hospital.

The above colors are normal. However, you should be worried when you see colors such as red, black and white because this is a sign that something may be wrong.

Most people are not aware of the process of umbilical cord shedding. The umbilical cord connects the baby to the placenta, so once he or she is born, its purpose is done and the cord falls off. As a new mum, you might be surprised by what the cord looks like, and wonder what you’re supposed to do with it before a nurse or midwife explains the process.

New moms are given instructions on what to do and how to clean that area so that it can heal well. This way, they will also be able to tell when things look normal versus when the area is infected.

This is also one of the anxieties that every new mum may face. During the remaining weeks of pregnancy, babies are able to hear and recognize their mother’s voice and sounds she makes. Through natural instincts, new born babies and mothers start to bond. In some cases, the bonding isn’t always instantaneous, and this is normal too.

Keep in mind that the bonding experience is not always immediate or the same for everyone, so with time, you will both bond. By cuddling, breastfeeding, having skin to skin contact and consoling them when they cry, the baby will be able to naturally respond thus creating the natural connection.

When you become a new mom, you get so excited to go out and show your baby off to friends and relatives. Still, it’s important to remember that the baby’s immunity is still weak, so getting sick is very easy for them.

It’s recommended that they stay indoors for around two months before they can go outside due to the health risks involved. After this period, you still need to be wary of who comes into contact with them, while also avoiding crowded places. People who handle the baby must have clean hands so that infections are avoided.

There is an unspoken fear among first time mothers when it comes to post-baby sex. Most of the attention goes to you and the baby, so intimacy with your partner can suffer for a while. Immediately after birth, the last thing on your mind is sex. You will be sore and in pain, so some time is needed for recovery.

When you and your partner finally rekindle, sex might feel a bit different for some time. Also, it’s normal not to be ‘in the mood’ during this period because you’re probably still adjusting to your new routine. Don’t be alarmed about this because once you are comfortable and fully recovered, you might be surprised that your sex life is even better than how it used to be.