things people rarely tell you about newborns

Okay, either people rarely tell me these sort of stuff about newborns or I have been too focused on reading up about pregnancy I forgot to prepare myself for the ultimate prize - the baby. People, me included, always think that babies are a bundle of joy. That they would come out all cute and cuddly, with dimples and rosy cheeks. That all they do is eat and sleep.

I mean, I know about the bad stuff that comes with it. I know they are not perfect. The sleepless nights, the pooping, the peeing in the middle of a diaper change, the drool ruining your clothes, etc.

But why didn't anybody tell me about these nasty things?

Baby acne
Leah was born with perfect porcelain-ish skin (I'd like to think), but at Day 7 her eyes became swollen and white/yellow-ish spots started to appear around them. I intially thought she had eye infections or blocked tear ducts but remembered she had cried tears before. A phone call to the Maternal & Child Healthcare Nurse says they are all very 'normal'. More spots later developed all over her face. A Google search confirms that it is baby acne.

Bad.

Worse.

Apparently I am passing my hormones to her through my breastmilk and the hormones are causing the acne, even though I don't have any. Week 4 and it looks like the acne is clearing up. All 'normal' apparently.

Do: Wipe her face gently with water.
Don't: Be tempted to squeeze those spots!

Pretend periods
Babies are supposed to release urates(?) the first 3 days of their lives. This means their wee would be red/pink-ish during these times. If it lasts more than 3 days, it isn't normal. So imagine how worried I was when Leah was still bleeding well into her 5th day. Midwife Louise says this is "pretend period" and female babies sometimes have this.

Apparently I am passing my hormones to her and the hormones are causing the "period", even though I am not menstruating. Still very 'normal'.

Do: Let your doctor know if it lasts more than a week.
Don't: Make your baby wear tampons.
Posseting / reflux
Some babies spit up a bit of milk right after feeding. My baby spits up a lot of milk after feeding. In between feeding. While feeding. Her clothes (all 6 that fits her now) get drenched within hours of changing her. What started up with just a little of milk residue now comes out in an alarming amount. We visited our GP (not the bodoh Dr, yeay!) this morning and she even possets there, but apparently it is all very 'normal'. What is alarming to me is 'nothing to worry about' to them.

Do: Have wash/muslin cloths ready always.
Don't: Use the same cloth to treat the acne.

Colic
Leah goes through periods of non-stop crying sometimes, even after feeding, burping, changing and swaddling her. This, if happens to one who has no support, can make one go crazy. I can be one of this one eventhough I have the support. After some research, we reckon that Leah could have colic, which is crying for more than 3hours a day for no apparent reason. But a visit to the MCHN says researches now think colic doesn't even exist. Then how do you explain my baby's excessive crying? It does not sound like a normal cry. She screams bloody murder, her face gets red and she strenghtens her body. I'm sure Malcolm from next door pretty much hates us by now. Obviously this is all quite 'normal' though.

Do: Take some time out to calm yourself.
Don't: Go crazy.

Cradle Cap
Leah gets something that looks like dandruff. Maybe because we have not shaved her birth hair. It is all 'normal' of course.

Do: Shave her hair on the 7th day.
Don't: Use your own shampoo to clean her hair.

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I know these things are apparently 'normal' but what is normal about trying to not go insane? I have had enough of everyone dismissing our worries. We are first-time parents, nothing is normal! Yes I am talking to you, all the doctors, midwives and nurses we've seen so far! Fair enough that you only see her for, like, 15minutes, and that is when she decides to be an angel, but can't you just take our word for it?

I totally understand the post-natal depression now. I totally get mothers hurting their newborns. Brooke Shields and Gwyneth Paltrow, I feel you!

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Today Leah is 4 weeks old and she is going on her first plane ride. All the way to mommy's hometown. 8-hour flight with a baby who has colic and reflux problem? Good luck mommy!

MH128 anyone? I would like to apologise in advance if my Leah experiences one of her crying bouts! It's all normal though!

Spot the not!

:(