Parent's Five Biggest Worries - And How to Cope

Parents can't help but worry about their babies - after all, it's only human nature to want the best for your little one. But it can sometimes feel as if, as soon as the baby arrives, there's an endless assault of things to worry about it. The baby seems so fragile, and the whole world becomes a collection of sharp edges, dangerous chemicals, and - more than anything - endless germs and bacteria.

Experts say that while worrying is only natural, worrying too much can also have its drawbacks. Some family therapists are even coming forward to say that this generation of parents worry too much, overthinking and agonizing over details previous generations never worried about. Nevertheless, some issues continue to bedevil even the most confident moms and dads.

I'm afraid we're not bonding

Parents bond with children through shared experiences. Only in serious instances, such as new mothers coping with postpartum depression, does the bonding process fail to coalesce into a healthy parent/child relationship.

Experts suggest mothers and fathers alike spend time watching over the child, developing the protective instinct that nurtures the instinctual bond. For fathers especially, caring for the baby will increase feelings of affection and responsibility. Helpful activities might include simple things like giving baby a feeding in the night, or spending time doing normal things like watching the game.

By the way, just as each child is unique, the bonding process and timeline usually differ, even among children of the same parents. So don't worry if you don't seem to bond with one child like you did another.

I'm afraid vaccines will make her sick

There's a heated controversy in the parenting and medical communities regarding heavy metal poisoning in children caused by some common vaccines. In particular, many parents are concerned that the preservative ethyl mercury (otherwise known as Thimerosal) can lead to autism spectrum disorders once enough of it has built up in the child's metabolism.

While there's no clear consensus on a connection between vaccines and illness, many parents are choosing to space out their child's inoculation regimen, usually bringing the child in once every two months. The time between allows the child's body to metabolize and break down the metal trace elements within each vaccine.

Ideally, parents have the child's first two years to complete all vaccination regimens, but should not wait longer than that time window. More information can be found at http://www.ecbt.org.

There's a hollow in baby's chest / There are soft spots on baby's head

Weird indentations and valleys in the child's anatomy can be terrifying for parents simply because they are so unusual looking. Nonetheless, these small imperfections are a simple part of the way the human body finishes assembling itself after birth.

That hollow part in the baby's chest is actually the third part of the breastbone bending backwards. In a short amount of time, the muscles and tendons surrounding it will pull the bone to its correct position. In the meantime, the indentation can look creepy but layers of baby fat will protect the baby's chest.

The "soft spots" in the baby's head that feel like a ripe melon are called fontanels. And yes, they actually are soft spots in the skull where the bone has not fully fused together. During delivery, these soft areas allow the head some measure of flexibility as it passes through the birth canal. The rear spot usually closes around four months, while the front may take up to a year to seal shut. In the meantime, there's a tough membrane protecting the child's head and its delicate workings.

Don't be concerned if you see or feel the baby's pulse through the fontanels. There's so much central nervous system activity going through there, to feel that kind of activity is actually a good sign.

I'm afraid of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

The condition also known as SIDS and "crib death" is neither a disease nor a disorder. Nevertheless, it results in more than 2,500 child deaths each year. A full 90 percent of those fatalities were in children less than six months old.

While the exact cause of SIDS has frustrated researchers for years, studies agree that children who have recently suffered a severe shock or trauma (known as an Apparently Life Threatening Event, or ALTE) are much more at risk while their respiratory system recuperates following the incident.

Experts from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the U.S. Public Health Service recommend making sure the child sleeps on his back in a crib cleared of accessories. Blankets, stuffed animals, and other toys can also present smothering hazards if the child rolls onto them. Stomach sleeping can constrict the air passages, resulting in asphyxiation, while side sleeping actually doubles the risk, since the child can roll over during the night.

The American Sudden Infant Death Institute recommends using only a fitted sheet inside the crib, with no blankets or coverings, and that the nursery be kept at a reasonable temperature. Dressing the child in a onesie bodysuit will keep the child warm without presenting the asphyxiation hazard.

Finally, mothers that smoked or abused drugs during pregnancy are more likely to have at-risk children. Children born to mothers less than 20 years old are also found to be at greater susceptibility.

I'm worried my baby cries too much

Crying is actually only natural. A baby has a very limited central nervous system that's still developing at a breakneck pace. And since almost every new experience is a first to a child's mind, they startle and scare easily.

Remember that crying is "the original language" - the first means a baby has to communicate a want, need, or feeling. Babies develop different cries for hunger, fatigue, and the need for affection. Over time, you'll come to recognize the particular crying pattern that announces each need or demand. It's the new kind of crying that will sound the cause for alarm - you'll know when extra concern is necessary.

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