By Sarah Newcomb
While I was pregnant with my son, I knew exactly how I was going to raise my baby, what he would be like, and how perfect I would be at everything.
Then I had my baby boy…and everything I thought I knew went flying out the window. I was left with a little person who was nothing like I imagined. He barely slept, cried all the time, didn’t feed properly, the list could go on forever. I needed help and advice and a shoulder to cry on daily. If I could somehow go back to those first few months, this is what I would tell my sleep-deprived, overly-emotional, desperate for caffeine and a babysitter self:
1) Don’t be afraid of him-
He will scream, cry, throw up all over you, poop and not poop, get a cold, and refuse to sleep for hours on end, but he will be OK…and so will you! You need to have this time to figure out your child, just like he’s trying to figure you out! Don’t worry that you will mess up something and ruin him forever. You won’t! You will do what is best for you and your baby.
2) You will change-
Some days you will not shower and not wear makeup and you will live in hoodies and still be 10 pounds heavier then you have ever been…and you will still LOVE it! Your baby will be your world and you will fit in things around his schedule, not the other way around. You might be sad that you don’t go out to dinner, don’t watch your favourite TV shows, and don’t fit into your very, very expensive jeans anymore. But to replace it, you will have the most amazing baby in the world! And, in time, the new version of “you” will be just as amazing!
3) Don’t let ANYONE make you feel guilty-
You are your child’s mother and you know best. People will give you all the advice in the world, but you will still know best. Stand your ground. People will say things that will hurt you and make you question your abilities. Don’t let it get to you because you know your baby better then anyone and you will know what is right when the time comes.
4) You will love like you have never loved before-
You love your husband, you love your family, you love your friends, but you L-O-V-E your baby. It is the most amazing love you have ever felt. It makes you wonder what life was all about before you had your beautiful baby…and why you waited so long to have him!
Being a new mother is the most humbling and rewarding experience of my life. I have never felt so unprepared, unqualified, yet so ready, all at the same time. Getting through those first months made me feel like I really could do anything…and wonder what I was thinking while I was pregnant!
Thanks for all the wonderful comments!
It’s tough to try to remember to drink it all in and take everything in stride, but totally worth it in the end!
Rebecca, thanks for reading my blog! I love writing it:)
What a wonderful article!
I could have used some of this advice when I had my children!
Thanks for sharing your insights into the world of parenting.
Hi Sarah,
I have been reading your blog and really like it. There is a great new product released on the market last week, and I was wondering if you, or one of your colleagues would like to review them. I see the website has reviewed Cuisinart, household products and beauty products, and I have products in those areas. Please let me know if you are interested, or pass me on to the right person.
Kind regards,
Rebecca
—
Rebecca Cohen
C2E Consulting
416.406.9966
rebecca@c2e.ca
Thank you Sarah for writing this. It seems you can read all the books and listen to everything your family or friends say but at the end of the day you just need to do what you think is right. You are the mother. Thank you for the reminder. Your little guy is so cute! What a wonderful shot! I see a future baby gap model!
Thank you for such a wonderful post and perfect timing as my 8 month old is just on her second day in Day Care and really struggling. She is very teary and not sleeping and I feel I am harming her for life but reading your post has reassured me that she will be alright and just loving her is all she needs.
I enjoyed reading your ‘Words of Wisdom’ on being a new mom. I can not believe my little one is 5 weeks away…and yes, I feel anxious on being a new mom to this little being and all the changes that comes with it, changes that affect your relationship with your husband, your family, everything. Life will not be the same five weeks from now…as excited as I am on having a baby, a part of me wants things to stay the same. The familiar routine comforts me. But, every day nears the BIG day to come and I want to face it with joyful anticipation.
Thank you for sharing this. I hope that once the baby is here, I will recognize how quickly they grow up and truly appreciate everyday with this little miracle.
Enjoy your precious bundle- and don’t sweat the small stuff, right?!!
This is so true, Sarah! And now I have a 10 and a 6 year-old and I wish I could go back and tell myself to relax during their toddler and preschool years, to not sweat the small stuff once they start school, and to snuggle them as much as possible because “the days are long but the years are short” and they are grown up before you realize it.