People talk about birth like it’s the finish line. You go through labour, have the baby, and then everything’s supposed to be fine. That’s what you’re told to expect. But what happens if it doesn’t feel fine?
What if, after all the visitors have gone home and the hospital bags are packed away, you notice things that make you pause?
Maybe your baby moves in a way that feels stiff or jerky. Maybe they’re super floppy when you hold them. Maybe they cry nonstop, or not at all. You might wonder if it’s something they’ll grow out of, or if you’re just tired and overthinking things.
But here’s the truth: you’re not overthinking anything. You’re paying attention. And that makes you the expert on your baby—even if you’ve never done this before.
What Counts as “Something Feels Off”?
Babies are confusing. Even experienced parents will say that. They don’t come with instructions, and every baby is different. But that doesn’t mean you’re imagining things if you start to notice patterns that don’t seem right.
Sometimes the signs are small at first—like if your baby isn’t making eye contact, struggles to suck during feeds, or always favours one side of their body. You might notice they’re not smiling when they should be, or they don’t react to sounds like you thought they would.
Other signs might be more obvious. Some babies have trouble moving their arms or legs normally. Others seem stiff, like their muscles are always tense. Some feel very limp, like they have no strength in their neck or back.
Any of these things can be early clues that your baby might need extra support. And you’re not wrong to bring it up, even if people say, “Oh, they’ll grow out of it.”
It’s Normal to Doubt Yourself—But Don’t Let That Stop You
A lot of new mums second-guess themselves. It’s kind of built into how we talk about parenting. You hear things like “Don’t be paranoid” or “Every baby develops at their own pace.” And while that’s sometimes true, it’s not helpful if it stops you from asking real questions.
You’re the one who spends every hour with your baby. You notice the little changes and the tiny moments that doctors don’t see in a quick check-up. If something doesn’t sit right with you, you’re allowed to say so.
Even if you don’t have the right words. Even if you’re not sure how to explain what’s wrong. Even if people tell you to wait.
What Happens When You Ask for Help—and No One Listens?
Sadly, this happens more than people admit. A parent goes to the GP or health visitor and says, “I’m worried about my baby,” and they get told it’s just first-time mum nerves. Or that they’re reading too much online. Or that babies all catch up eventually.
And maybe they’re right. But maybe they’re not.
If you’ve been dismissed more than once and you still feel something is off, it’s okay to push for more. Ask for a referral to a paediatrician. Ask for a second opinion. Ask for your child’s development to be checked more closely.
If you feel like you’re not being taken seriously, don’t stop. Keep asking until someone hears you.
Sometimes It Goes Back to the Birth
What many people don’t realise is that the signs of a birth injury can take time to show up. Everything might have seemed fine in the hospital. You went home with a healthy-looking baby. But a few weeks or months later, you start noticing things that make you question how the birth really went.
Was the labour longer than it should’ve been? Were there issues with the baby’s heart rate that no one explained? Were forceps or a ventouse used, and did it feel rushed or rough?
Some injuries—like a lack of oxygen to the brain—can lead to conditions like cerebral palsy, and they’re not always spotted right away. But they can still be linked to something that happened during birth.
That’s why it’s not wrong to go back and ask questions about how things were handled. It’s not about blaming people for no reason. It’s about getting the full story—especially if your child will need care for years to come.
When You Need Legal Help (and Why It’s Not Just About Compensation)
If you’re starting to think your baby’s condition could be connected to something that went wrong during labour or delivery, you might want to speak to someone who can help you look into it properly.
A Birth Injury Solicitor is someone who deals with these kinds of situations all the time. They understand how hospitals work, what should’ve been done, and how to find out whether the care you got was good enough.
Getting legal advice doesn’t mean you’re trying to sue your doctor for every little thing. It means you’re trying to find answers. And if it turns out that a serious mistake was made, a solicitor can help you get financial support that covers things like therapy, equipment, home adjustments, or specialist care.
This is about giving your child the best life possible. If their injury could have been prevented, they deserve the kind of support that matches what they’ve lost.
What Other Support Can Look Like
Whether or not a mistake happened during birth, caring for a child with extra needs can be a huge challenge. That doesn’t mean you love your baby any less. But it’s okay to admit that some days are hard.
You might need help with feeding, sleeping, or mobility. You might need help getting into early intervention services, or fighting for the right diagnosis.
There are charities, therapists, and health professionals who can help guide you through the steps. But it starts with noticing the signs, trusting yourself, and asking for help early—even if it feels awkward at first.
No one is better placed to fight for your child than you. And you don’t have to do it alone.
For Parents Who Feel Like They’re the Only Ones
Maybe you’re in a group chat with other mums and feel like everyone else is moving on—talking about first smiles or baby yoga—while you’re stuck Googling symptoms at 3am.
That feeling of being left behind is real. But you’re not actually behind—you’re just on a different path. And lots of other parents are walking that path too. You just might not see them yet.
Some of the strongest parents out there are the ones who had to speak up when no one else would. They had to ask questions no one wanted to answer. They had to become advocates, teachers, therapists, and sometimes detectives—just to get the care their child deserved.
If you’re heading down that path, it’s okay to take it one step at a time. But you don’t have to second-guess your every move. You already have what you need: your instincts, your love for your baby, and your voice.
What to Keep in Mind
If something feels off after birth, trust yourself.
You’re not being overprotective. You’re not being difficult. You’re doing exactly what your baby needs—paying attention and speaking up.
Ask questions. Keep notes. Push for second opinions if you have to. And if you need legal support, don’t be afraid to look into it. You’re allowed to ask if something went wrong. You’re allowed to want better answers.
Because in the end, no matter what anyone else says, you know your baby best.
