Becoming a mom is probably the most life-changing experience you will ever have. In a matter of moments, your whole world will change forever in the most amazing way. The first time you hold your baby you will be simply amazed at this beautiful baby you have created.
When you become a mom for the very first time, there are things that you know will happen like lack of sleep, poop explosions, lots of oohs and ahhs at how cute your little bundle of joy is, but then there are the things that you did not expect, nor prepare for!
What No One Tells You Before Having a Baby
So today we are sharing the things to expect, but no one tells you before you have a baby!
Labor
Okay, let’s just chat about labor for a minute. I am going to be really real with you and not sugar coat anything.
Labor is hard… Like really hard. In fact, it will probably be one of the hardest things you will ever do.
During labor, you might feel like you can’t do it. You might feel like you don’t want to do it anymore. You might even say you can’t do it!
But, guess what? You can do it!
Yes, it will hurt like nothing you have ever felt before. But the pain you feel is temporary. As soon as you deliver your baby it will not hurt nearly as bad, so just keep telling yourself that you can do it!
Fed is best
You will get all kinds of opinions on if you should breastfeed or bottle-feed, but what no one tells you before baby is that fed is best.
It doesn’t matter how, just as long as your baby is getting enough.
With my second baby, I was convinced that breastfed was best, but he cried all the time, like all the time.
Come to find out that I was not producing enough to give him what he needed. We started supplementing with formula and he stopped crying all the time. (I am not saying this is the answer for every crying baby, but in this case, he was hungry.)
You get excited about diaper sales
Yes, it is true. Once you have your first baby you suddenly realize that diapers are expensive!
So, you now find yourself checking for the best deals on diapers and stocking up when it is a major sale!
You will even find yourself talking about off-brand diapers that work just as well if not better with your friends over coffee.
Baby talk will slip out
As a new mom, you are probably spending most of your day talking to your cute bundle of joy.
Naturally, when you are talking with them you will talk in the cutest baby voice and with “baby language.”
Well, don’t be surprised if your sleep-deprived self drops something in line at the grocery store and you automatically cheerfully say, “Oopsie!”
Not kidding, it will happen at least once.
Leaking happens
No one tells you before baby that on a moment’s notice your breasts will start leaking.
When you least expect it you are prone to leaking. It may be the cause of someone else’s baby crying or a couple of extra minutes in between feedings, or just because.
I recall the first time this happened in public to me. I was strolling through Target when all of a sudden I looked down and saw a wet spot… I quickly tried my best to book it out of there as quickly as possible.
Thank goodness nursing pads are available! I love the ones with the adhesive side on the back to keep them in place.
I always kept some spares in my diaper bag just in case I forgot to put one in or I needed to change it.
Babies cry
Yes, it is true babies cry. And it is actually good for them to cry to help lung development.
So, it is okay to let them cry. If they are fed, their diaper is changed, let them play on the floor, let them fall asleep on their own. If they cry for a few minutes, don’t rush right over. Let them try to self soothe to see if they calm themselves down a bit.
Don’t overschedule yourself
The number one thing no one tells you before having a baby is, do not overschedule yourself.
Don’t feel like you have to do everything that you once did.
You don’t have to be Wonder Woman either. It’s okay to say no. It’s okay to not meet your friend for lunch.
On the other hand, it’s okay if your baby falls asleep in their car seat while you are out and about or having lunch with your friend.
Some first-time moms schedule their lives around naptime and will stop running errands to return to their house so their baby can go to sleep in their bed.
This is a personal choice that they make.
Don’t feel like you have to do this. I tried this… and it actually was way more stressful for me personally.
When it comes to scheduling you do what works best for YOU!
Mom guilt is real
As a mom, especially as a first-time mom, you will feel a whole lot of different emotions that you probably have never felt before.
I remember one of the first new emotions I felt was guilt. The first time I left my baby at home with my husband to run grab some milk at the store just down the street was torturous.
The whole time I was gone, I thought, “What if he needs me? What if he is hungry?” (I was gone 10 minutes) I felt so much guilt for leaving him, even though he was perfectly fine with my husband.
Mom guilt will eat you alive if you let it, but don’t let it!
It is okay to have “me time”. It’s okay to leave your baby with a friend or spouse to run to the store. It is okay to let them cry for a couple of minutes if they are changed and fed while you finish up dinner. It is okay to go back to work if you feel like that is what you need to do.
Mom guilt is our own worst enemy. Just remember to take it one day at a time and do what is best for you, your baby, and your family.
I wish someone would have told me this before having my first baby, and my second baby, and my third baby… I finally learned it on baby #5! If you learn this early, you will do just fine!
There you have it! The 7 things no one tells you before baby! What would you add to the list? Share in the comments!
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Hi Vanessa,
I totally agree with you especially about the mom’s guilt is real point. As they have some supernatural powers so they can feel everything about their child without even he/she says and you know what they are always accurate. 😉
Such a beneficial article for new moms who are not able to handle their babies. This article will guide them for handling the things. Keep sharing articles like this!
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