Having a 𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑦 is one of life’s best parts, it’s a truly beautiful experience, that is unique to each person. With advice from others, books, professional advice and information readily available online, it’s no wonder that parents are able to get well and truly prepared for the arrival of their new addition. But are they really prepared for absolutely everything?

Whether it’s unexpected things at the 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡, countless sleepless nights because of 𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑦 day/night confusion, or more frequent feeding than expected, it’s all normal and perfect fine to feel a little lost. Usually, you will feel as though no one can help, and you’re doing wrong but that not the case. There are some worrying yet normal things that come with having a new𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧, all of which are completely normal. Whether you’re a new parent or even a tenth-time parent some of the most normal things can sometimes leave you scared and concern, however, you have got this!

Have a look below at some of the completely normal yet scary things about new𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧s that people just don’t tell you about:

Constant Sneezing

For a new𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧, the world is an entirely new place to be. Therefore, you need to be aware that their little nose is going to be a little extra sensitive to their environment. It may seem as though your new𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 is sneezing all the time, but it’s a completely normal way for them to react to their new living environment. Sneezing helps then to get rid of any tiny foreign particles that may have made their way up into their nose. If you see any signs of temperature or wheezing alongside the sneezing, then give your health visitor a call as they may need to be seen.

Jᴇʀᴋʏ Oʀ Sᴜᴅᴅᴇɴ Mᴏᴠᴇᴍᴇɴᴛs

If this is your first 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥, then you may be a little bit supposed by the way that a 𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑦 moves. It’s likely that your little one will have rather ᴊᴇʀᴋʏ ᴍᴏᴠᴇᴍᴇɴᴛs. Flailing limbs, and jumps a lot, and on top of that, it’s happening randomly. Relax, this is entirely normal. As they grow, they go through a number of developmental changes, one of which is their reflexes. After about three months of age, it will start to settle down. Heard of swaddling? This is one of the most common reasons babies are swaddled.

Mᴀssɪᴠᴇ Pᴏᴏ Exᴘʟᴏsɪᴏɴs

OK, so this is one that you may have heard of. People can’t help but share this story when you are expecting a new 𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑦. However, what most new parents don’t realize is that they are much bigger and messier than you can imagine. Many new parents come across this with their new 𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑦, all to different levels of the explosion, but it’s just something that you are never going to avoid. A new𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 is well-known for having a ʀᴜɴɴʏ ᴀɴᴅ ᴇxᴘʟᴏsɪᴠᴇ ᴘᴏᴏ, and it just seems to be a right of passage that every new parent must face. Don’t worry though, this is one of the most normal things you will experience with a new 𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑦.

Dɪꜰꜰᴇʀᴇɴᴛ Sʜᴀᴘᴇᴅ Hᴇᴀᴅ

You and your 𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑦 work very well together to bring them into the world safely through the 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡 canal, so you shouldn’t be too worried about their strangely shaped head afterwards. Both you and your 𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑦 go through a tremendous amount of changes through 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡 and one of them is that their head shapes changes. It flattens slightly because it is malleable and soft, however, this is normal. In fact, it’s needed so that delivery can take place. It won’t be long before it starts to go back into a more normal shape. You should still be mindful that a 𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑦 can get a ꜰʟᴀᴛ ʜᴇᴀᴅ is they are on their back too often, so try to lay them on the front and sides too.

Hiccups That Just Won’t Go

Hiccups may seem troublesome, however, they are extremely common for new𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧s. It will seem like they have them at every feed, to begin with, and yes it can seem scary, but it is completely normal. Your new𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 is learning to breathe in their new environment, their ability to breathe and swallow hasn’t quite synchronized. As soon as they master this, the hiccups will start to appear less and less.

Their Cries All Sound the Same

A new𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧’s cries can be hard to distinguish. So, don’t worry if you don’t instinctively know whether they’re hungry, tired, or needing a diaper change just from the sound of their cry. Dr. Hansen says: “Over time, you’ll recognize the loud sʜʀɪᴇᴋɪɴɢ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ᴘᴀɪɴ ᴄʀʏ and the more subdued whimpering of fatigue”.The hunger cry usually falls somewhere in between, although some babies can sound pretty ᴅᴇsᴘᴇʀᴀᴛᴇ (and loud) when they want to be fed immediately. But in the early days, it doesn’t matter so much why your little one cries (sometimes they’ll howl for no apparent reason) so long as you’re addressing their basic needs. You’ll still react with the same loving attention each time—and that’s all your 𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑦 really wants or needs.

Although for any parent, some of these can seem scary, they are all completely normal. There is always going to be something new to learn, and you will also pick up your own methods as you get to know your little one.