Study finds just how much moms worry about their baby's health

NEWS COPY w/ VIDEO & INFOGRAPHIC

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 makes 337 calls or texts to her mother about symptoms.

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.

However, a survey of 900 U.S. moms (of children aged 0-1) and 100 U.S. pediatricians found less than half of new moms (43 percent) are concerned about a common health issue that can greatly impact their child’s health – allergies.

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

Results revealed that moms are most 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 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 . . .

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

HEALTH ISSUES MOMS HAVE EXPERIENCED IN THEIR INFANTS

1. Diaper rash                    54 percent
2. Fever                             41 percent
3. Cradle cap                     36 percent
4. Baby acne                      34 percent
5. Vomiting                         32 percent
6. Issues breastfeeding      30 percent
7. Ear infection                   25 percent
8. Colic                               23 percent
9. Allergies                         21 percent
10. Swollen belly                  11 percent