Parenting can be very daunting, and connecting with other parents that are in the same situation helps (a lot) with dealing with whatever challenge that pops up while you are on nurturing your kids. There is a long list of forumsthat offer support and guide to parents that need help discharging their parenting duties, and we will touch on some to them shortly.
A recent survey showed that at least 59% of parents have at one point or the other come across useful information on parenting while scouting the internet (especially social media). The same survey report showed that 42% of parents (consisting of 50% moms and 28% dads) had received support from parenting forums.
The recent spike in the number of online parenting forums is an indication that more parents, especially moms are benefiting from stay at home moms forums. Which also explains why there are a lot of moms on parenting forums on social media where a variety of subjects are discussed including breastfeeding, kids’ meal, and other parenting topics.
Before we highlight top forums for stay-at-home moms, let’s quickly touch on common new parent worries.
Parenting: What are the top worries of new parents?
While the thought of becoming a parent fills the heart with joy and merriment, it can also be terrifying. How? You would think that you know all there is to know about parenting before your “bundle of joy” arrives.
However, upon the arrival of the baby and a few days into your new role as a parent, you will soon realize that everything you know about parenting is barely scratching the surface. At this stage, many new moms will be faced with questions like “how do I soothe a crying baby”, “when he/her start to roll”, and several other questions on nurturing a baby.
While first-time parents are always at the forefront, it may interest you to know that not all second-time parents are not spared. Even as second-time parents, they sometimes get overly concerned about the development of their baby.
Common worries of new parents
Common questions that often pop up on stay at home parent forums range from lack of sleep, weight gain, breastfeeding, vaccination, inconsolable crying, pumping milk, poop color, and the risks of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). As
Let’s take a look at the popular source of worries that trail parenting for new moms.
- Lack of sleep
Every parent regardless of whether they are first-timers or second-timers, should already have a cue sleepless nights are one of the responsibilities that come with parenthood. And you would have to adjust.
It is true that babies sleep a lot. But they eat a lot too. Regarding sleep, pediatric specialists recommend that both mothers and their babies sleep in the same room but in different beds. That way, you won’t be far away from your baby, and you will get ample rest needed to take proper care of the child.
- Weight gain
Another question that is often asked in stay at home moms forums is whether a child is gaining enough weight or not. And it is understandable why many moms are asking this question.
However, new moms or parents must understand that weight gain in babies is dependent on the intake of milk. As such, bottle-feeding moms make fewer complaints about the weight of their children compared to breastfeeding moms. Why?
Unlike bottle-feeding moms, breastfeeding moms can’t measure the exact amount of milk their baby is getting. And even though they feed their babies regularly (8 to 12 times within 24 hours), it doesn’t mean that the baby is getting enough to eat and that also affects the weight of the baby.
- Vaccination
Most parents on stay-at-home moms forums don’t hesitate to air their concerns about the safety of vaccines that are administered to their babies. Good parenting involves making an informed decision about vaccination because they play an important role in protecting the child against diseases.
As such, you must keep tabs on any changes in childhood vaccination from relevant authorities like the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
- Inconsolable crying
You should have at the back of your mind that when babies cry, they are trying to communicate with you. Inconsolable crying could imply hunger, a sign of loneliness, a sign that they are scared, wet, or cold. As a parent, you should be able to differentiate what the different cries are.
We are rounding off
Amazing online parenting forums for moms you should keep tabs on include but are not limited to parenting.ivillage.com, familyeducation.com, kdishealth.org, and parenthood.com. You should check them out. Also, remember to check our website frequently for more informative pieces like this.