Study: New moms spend this many hours worrying about their babies’ health
Tags: Motherhood, Breastfeeding, Research, Parenting, Baby

Research conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Mead Johnson Nutrition™, the survey revealed that 43 percent of moms said they were concerned about whether their infants have allergies in the first year. (Photo by The Honest Company on Unsplash)

Moms spend over 1,400 hours worrying about their baby’s health in the first year — that’s over eight weeks of nothing but concern, according to a new survey.

During that time, on average, a mom conducts 330 Google or internet searches about her baby’s health and related parenting matters.

The new survey of moms and pediatricians saw the average mother polled make 337 calls or texts to her mother about symptoms or discussing her baby in the first twelve months.

From concerns about whether their infant is sleeping enough to whether their baby’s growth is on track, moms have plenty to worry about when it comes to their child’s health.

Results revealed that moms are most commonly concerned about their infant’s overall health (58 percent), followed by worries about their baby reaching milestones at the right age (54 percent), the amount of milk/formula they’re consuming (52 percent) and whether or not they’re growing as they should (47 percent).

The survey of 900 U.S. moms (of children aged 0–1) and 100 U.S. pediatricians found that less than half of new moms (43 percent) said they get concerned about allergies.

Conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Mead Johnson Nutrition™, the survey revealed that 43 percent of moms said they were concerned about whether their infants have allergies in the first year, and just four in 10 were aware that a cow’s milk allergy is indicative of more allergies later in life.

The survey also found that only 55 percent of moms know that there are ways to reduce the likelihood of a baby’s future allergies.

“Surveyed moms may not have ranked allergies at the top of their list of health concerns because many aren’t aware that one of the most common infant allergies, cow’s milk allergy, is indicative of more allergies later in life,” said Jonathan Malka, MD, FAAAI, Director of Allergy and Immunology at Pediatric Associates.



Seventy-six percent of pediatricians report that new parents are lacking information about allergies.

“Allergies are on the rise, especially food-related allergies in infants and children. Babies with cow’s milk allergy are particularly susceptible to other allergies later in life — a phenomenon known as the allergic march. It’s vital that parents recognize and manage the allergy symptoms early to reduce the likelihood of a child’s future allergies.”

Moms may be unaware of exactly what those allergy symptoms are. While a majority (61 percent) of moms recognize diarrhea as a symptom of a cow’s milk allergy in infants, only about one-third of moms recognize colic (37 percent) and hives/rashes (39 percent) as symptoms.

In good news, doctors are talking to moms about allergies. Sixty-seven percent of moms report their pediatrician speaks to them about current and potential future allergies for their baby.

“Parents should speak to their infant’s pediatrician about allergy symptoms and their child’s potential risks,” said Dr. Malka. “By understanding allergies and where we can influence the progression of the allergic march, we are more likely to help reduce future allergies.”

WHEN IT COMES TO THEIR INFANTS’ HEALTH, MOMS ARE WORRIED ABOUT . . .

Their overall health 58 percent If they’re reaching milestones at the right age 54 percent The amount of milk/formula and/or food they’re consuming 52 percent If they’re growing as they should 47 percent Their nutritional intake (e.g. vitamins, supplements) 47 percent If they have any allergies 43 percent The amount of sleep they’re getting 41 percent If I’m bonding enough with them 40 percent The quality of sleep they’re getting 36 percent What their different cries mean 36 percent

HEALTH ISSUES MOMS HAVE EXPERIENCED IN THEIR INFANTS

Diaper rash 54 percent Fever 41 percent Cradle cap 36 percent Baby acne 34 percent Vomiting 32 percent Issues breastfeeding 30 percent Ear infection 25 percent Colic 23 percent Allergies 21 percent Swollen belly 11 percent

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