Hey y’all!
I never read the baby books on parenting while I was pregnant and I never really grew up around newborns as I was older. So, when I was pregnant, I truly had no Idea what to expect. I knew that every said you’re going to be a zombie for the first few months, you’ll fall in love, and it’s the hardest job ever. There are so many things that don’t even cross your mind until you become a mother. I’m gonna go over some of the most obvious and unexpected challenges and experiences as a new mom.
1. At first it’s easy, then it gets hard, then it gets easier! When Easton was first born, I thought being a parent was WAY easier than everyone was talking about. He slept ALL the time so it really wasn’t that difficult. The only challenging part was waking up in the middle of the night to feed him. Then… He started sleeping less. He went from sleeping 8 hours during the day to only 15 to 40 minutes a day because he struggled to take a nap. (Thank God he grew out of that phase and takes two 1-2 hour naps a day).
2. People tell you to not hold your baby all day because it makes them needy or whatever. I didn’t care. I held my son ALL the time and had no shame in it! I loved holding him and feeling that strong bond. I’m glad I did too! Now that he’s 7 months old, he’s not about that snuggle life AT ALL. So, I’m glad I took advantage of all the snuggling while I could. If you wanna hold your baby all the time, do it! They grow WAY faster than you think.
3. Debating if you really need to run errands. When Easton was a newborn, it was easy to take him out all the time because he would sleep during most of it. Now I’m like, mmmm do I reallyyy have to do that? There is so much involved to go out with a baby. It takes me at least an extra 30 minutes to get out the door if I bring Easton. I have to pick out his outfit, change his diaper, put lotion on him, dress him. Has he eaten yet? Will he be hungry while I’m out? How long will I realistically be gone? Pack his milk. Decide whether or not I need to pack his real food. Are there diapers and wipes in the diaper bag? Does he have a spare outfit in the diaper bag in case he spits up or has a blow out? Did you start the car to make sure it’s cool or warm enough? By the time you’ve finished alllll that, your baby is probably hungry again lol. Or right when you are ready to throw them in the carseat, they probably shit theirself. AND there goes an hour!
4. Nap time. Naps are crucial for babies! It will make or break y’all’s day. No joke. That’s another thought I factor in when I debate if I want to run errands. Easton is at this age now where he won’t nap while I’m out or he’ll sleep for only 15-30 minutes instead of his normal 1-2 hours. I don’t want to deal with a cranky baby who is sleep deprived. So if you want to run errands around nap time, see if you can just wait til after their nap.
5. You will be EXHAUSTED. Your child will eventually develop a predictable routine with eating and sleeping. Easton religiously wakes up at 6 AM ready to eat and play. I am SO cranky before 9:30 AM. It is a constant struggle deciding if you want to take a nap with your baby or get shit done while they’re sleeping. It’s so much easier for me to get ready for the day while he’s sleeping. But I’m so tired, I’m like I need an extra hour of beauty sleep before I murder someone! I also love napping with Easton. It’s my only way to get my snuggles in now.
6. You are either gonna have a baby who can entertain theirself or wants you to be in there face 24/7. Easton wants me to be within sight all the time or he will FREAK OUT. I’m sure this is because I held him so much lol. He’s been getting a little better while playing in his walker, exersaucer, or jumper. But it’s hard to get things done when he cries after 5 minutes. As cruel as it sounds, if your baby is fed, changed, and well rested, sometimes you’ll just have to let them cry to get what you need done.
7. You will lose friends! Mark my words. Your “friends” won’t hit you up as much. They probably assume you’re busy with your baby. Or maybe they just don’t want to be around children. I’ve noticed that I have had to be the one to reach out to friends just to hang out. I got over that shit real quick. If they’re really you’re friend, they will call or text you and see if you want to hang out with the baby. You’ll quickly find out whose your true friends.
8. Deciding what car to get… Lord. Originally I had a tahoe which would have been the perfect mama truck but it had high miles so I got rid of it. Then I got another perfect mama truck, a lifted suburban, but it was ridiuclous on gas. Then I got a Kia Optima. WORST MISTAKE EVER. I should have never sold the suburban. I don’t know how parents do it with cars! I honestly feel like you have to have a SUV to be functional. When I take Easton to my mom’s or Kelsey’s mom’s, I can’t fit shit in my car. I have a stroller in the back that takes up all the space. The diaper bag is huge. I can’t pack his walker or exersaucer because it doesn’t fit. We can’t even go on a family vacation in my car because all the bags and baby stuff, (high chair, jumper, walker, or any entertaining play items for easton) won’t fit! It’s honestly worth paying more for gas just to have the extra space.
9. You will realize how much of a control freak you are when you become a mother! I know Colton is 100% capable of doing things, but I would rather just do it myself because it’s the way I want it done. Whether it’s packing the diaper bag, giving baths, or picking out outfits. Another way I’m a control freak is when I decide what is acceptable. For the longest time, I didn’t feel comfortable with Colton’s little sister holding Easton because she’s so tiny and he is so squirmy and half her weight almost. I also HATE when strangers try to touch Easton. I’m like uh… and try to get in the way and act like I’m wiping something off his face
10. When people give you advice or make comments. You’ll either think they just need to shut up and keep their advice to themselves or it will actually be useful information. Or you’ll just think, “you’re giving me advice? Bitch, look at how your kids turned out”. And nothing irritates me more than when people tell me Easton has a HUGE head. Uhm, yeah probably because he’s smart! You got some big balls to be telling his mama that! Just try to ignore the annoying comments or say something back so they know not to say that to another mother.
That’s all I can think of at the moment, but I will add more thoughts later.