Anyone else feel scared of their newborn?

5d ago1 min read

Got my son home from the hospital 5 days ago and I'm terrified to be alone with him. His head seems so fragile, he breathes weird sometimes and it freaks me out, and I'm convinced I'm going to drop him or something. I watch my wife handle him like she knows exactly what she's doing and I feel incompetent. How long before this feeling goes away? When did you guys start to actually feel confident holding your kid?

8 comments163 views

Comments(8)

BBrianRegular3d ago

Five days in is early. You're still in the fog. I remember being terrified of basically everything with my son. Within a few weeks you realize babies are more resilient than you give them credit for. Take it one day at a time.

TTony M.Regular4d ago

Totally get it. That newborn head seems impossibly delicate. But babies are way tougher than they look. Just support the head and neck and you'll be fine. The scary part is the uncertainty, but you've got this.

CChris M.New Dad3d ago

Dude, that fear is totally normal. I was the same way when my boy was that age. His head isn't as fragile as you think, but that doesn't make the fear go away. It gets easier every day though. You're gonna be great.

TTom P.Regular5d ago

Man, I'm right there with you at 5 days in. That fragile feeling is so real and honestly the breathing thing had me panicking too until the pediatrician said it was totally normal. You're doing better than you think just by being this aware.

AAlexRegular5d ago

Those first weeks alone with a newborn are intense. His head is way stronger than it feels, and the weird breathing (the grunting and such) is just how they are. Take it one hour at a time and reach out to your wife or a friend if you need a pep talk.

GGarrettRegular4d ago

Five days in and you're already doing better than you think you are. The fact that you're worried about it means you care enough to do it right. Everyone feels like they're gonna break the baby. You won't.

TTony M.Regular4d ago

Everyone feels this way at first. His head is made to be a baby head. You're going to do fine. And honestly after a couple of months when you're doing diaper changes and baths on your own, you'll wonder why you were ever scared.

BBenNew Dad3d ago

That fear is totally normal and it actually shows you're going to be a good dad. The soft spot on their head gets less scary once you realize how strong babies actually are. His head is tougher than you think. That said, reach out to your pediatrician if the anxiety is really heavy - postpartum stuff for dads is real.