Top newborn problems (and how to solve them)

The tiniest humans can create big challenges for their parents. Team  recently asked moms of newborns what their toughest problems were. Here are the ones that ranked the highest – and some solutions for how to deal with them.

1. Breastfeeding challenges

Breastfeeding is natural, but it takes practice – and it doesn't always go smoothly in the beginning. Two-thirds of the moms we surveyed breastfed their baby, and most said nursing was at least somewhat difficult at first.

Problem: You're not sure your baby is getting enough to eat (42 percent of moms share this concern).

What you can do:

Find out how to tell whether your baby is getting enough breast milk.

Problem: Like 41 percent of moms, you're struggling to get your newborn to latch on.

What you can do:

Get tips for improving your baby's latch.

Problem: You're having a hard time getting comfortable while nursing.

What you can do:

Find out how to get comfy and create a personalized nursing area at home.

More solutions for your breastfeeding challenges:

• Read our guide to getting started breastfeeding.
• Use our Breastfeeding Problem Solver to find solutions for your nursing issues.
• Get breastfeeding tips from veteran moms.
• Find solutions for other nursing problems.

2. Formula feeding challenges

Formula feeding brings its own unique challenges. Here's what moms in our survey struggled with the most.

Problem: You're not sure which kind of formula to buy.

What you can do:

Find out how to choose the best formula.

Problem: You suspect your baby is allergic to formula.

What you can do:

Learn the signs of a formula allergy.

Problem: Formula can get expensive.

What you can do:

Get tips for saving money on formula.

Problem: Like 42 percent of moms we surveyed, you feel guilty about feeding formula to your baby.

What you can do:

See how other moms deal with guilt.

3. Other feeding challenges

Whether you're breastfeeding or bottle feeding your baby, you may encounter some of these dilemmas.

Problem: Your baby spits up a lot (41 percent of moms we surveyed had this feeding problem).

What you can do:

Discover why babies spit up.

Find out what's normal spit-up behavior.

Problem: Your baby suffers from reflux.

What you can do:

Learn what causes reflux and how it's diagnosed and treated.

Problem: Your baby isn't gaining weight.

What you can do:

Check out our Growth Chart Calculator to see whether your child's weight is on track.

Find out more about failure to gain weight.

Problem: Keeping bottles and nipples clean is a hassle (49 percent of moms said this is their number one struggle with bottle feeding).

What you can do:

Find out how to keep bottles clean.

Know the signs of when a bottle or nipple should be tossed.

Problem: Your baby refuses to take a bottle.

What you can do:

Find out how to introduce your breastfed baby to the bottle.

See our illustrated guide to getting your baby started on the bottle.

Problem: Preparing bottles for nightime feedings can be a challenge.

What you can do:

Find out when babies are old enough to give up nighttime feedings.

Get tips on making a bottle.

4. Sleep challenges

Getting your baby to go to sleep – and stay asleep – can be a big challenge for new parents.

Problem: Your baby's up a lot at night, you're sleep-deprived, and you're not sure what to expect.

What you can do:

Find out how to help your baby establish good sleep habits.

Learn when babies are able to sleep through the night.

See how to get your baby to sleep longer in the morning.

Problem: Getting your baby to sleep is a challenge.

What you can do:

Learn how to establish a soothing bedtime routine.

Problem: Your newborn won't nap.

What you can do:

Get the scoop on napping.

Find out how to switch your baby's nap schedule.

5. Crying challenges

We all know that babies cry. But when you're a sleep-deprived new mom, your baby's tears can be especially hard to handle.

Problem: 27 percent of moms struggled more with crying than with anything else.

What you can do:

See why babies cry and how to soothe them.

Find out what to do if your baby won't accept comfort.

Use our Cry Decoder to find out what's behind your baby's tears.

6. Challenges for you

Newborns present plenty of challenges. Half of the moms we surveyed said having a newborn is harder than they expected.

Problem: You're exhausted (71 percent of moms said lack of sleep is the hardest part of having a newborn).

What you can do:

Learn eight ways to get more sleep.

Read about sleep aids for new parents.

Find out how to cope with sleep deprivation.

Try these relaxation techniques.

Problem: You don't have any time for yourself or to get things done (64 percent of moms said this is a problem for them).

What you can do:

Find ways to take care of yourself during the newborn months.

Get tips on getting ready fast.

See how other moms stay sane.

Problem: Having a newborn is straining your relationship with your partner.

What you can do:

Learn nine ways to make time for your mate after the baby arrives.

See how other parents feel about their relationship after baby.

Get secrets to a low-stress marriage.

Author,

by Julie Beer