You come home from the hospital with your new baby. You're excited; you're afraid. You feel a new feeling - a love you've never experienced before. But with that love comes something unexpected: ANXIETY. Is my baby getting enough milk? Will s/he be okay? When will s/he fall asleep? Am I doing something wrong?

If it's any consolation, you're not alone. Moms everywhere come home from the hospital feeling anxious and unsure.

Here are some of their top questions and concerns:

No. In fact, there is no such thing as picking-up a baby too much. You can't spoil a baby by giving him/her love and attention. Indeed, it is crucial for you to answer your baby's cries so that s/he will learn that someone responds to her/his voice. Sometimes you may not be able to comfort your baby. Don't worry: your baby will know that a loving parent is present and willing to do everything possible to tend to his/her needs.

The answer (I'm sorry to say!) is: not for a while. Your baby does not yet have the ability to self-soothe and has no real sense of time. Most likely, s/he will sleep in 2-3 hour intervals and may not sleep through the night without a feeding until s/he is between 4 and 6 months or later. A baby's sleep is an individual matter. Some sleep through the night at 4 months, others when they are 1 (or older!).

Once your milk comes in, your baby should have 5-6 wet diapers per day (pour 2-4 tablespoons of water into a dry diaper to get a sense of what a wet diaper feels like). Although most babies have two to five bowel movements a day, some have fewer.

If your baby is gaining weight and growing, s/he is getting enough.

* A baby that is sleeping, rather than feeding, every 2-3 hours or is generally lethargic may need to be assessed by a health care provider to make sure that s/he is adequately hydrated.

Take care of your baby's needs -- for healthy food, safety, fun, affection, companionship, growth and love. Caring for your baby accomplishes the most important goal of your baby's first year: creating a safe and loving connection between baby and mom. This is not to say that you, alone, can satisfy all of your baby's needs all of the time or that every one of your baby's needs have to be met for him/her to thrive. Listen to your baby and follow your gut. You are his/her mother; you will know what is best for your child.

Join me on August 16th and "meet" other new moms at my free Significant Self tele-mommy group!

In August, our topic will be: Anxiety and Motherhood.

Time: 11:00 AM Eastern; 10:00 AM Central; 7:00 AM Mountain; 8:00 AM Pacific

The tele-mommy group takes place monthly via a mommy teleconference call and enables moms from all over the world both to connect with each other and to share their insights, wisdom, experience and strength.

To find out more about this group, click here!

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