8 Things I Wish I Knew Before Becoming A Mom
There are many things I wish I knew before becoming a mom. Being a new mom, everything is uncharted territory and frankly, it can be overwhelming.
Why is my baby crying? Am I doing this right? Do I have what I need when the baby comes? There are lots of questions when you are a new parent that you will figure out I promise. However, in the meantime here are a couple of things I wish I knew before becoming a mom that I have figured out over the years.
Things I Wish I Knew Before Becoming A Mom
#1 Enjoy the moment
Your babies are not babies for very long. The days can seem long but I promise you the years are fast. Take the time to snuggle your newborn. The dishes and laundry will always be there.
#2 Breastfeeding takes time & patience
Being a new mom we all want to give our perfect babies the best start possible. Breastfeeding not only is amazing for the baby but it’s also great for you. Breastfeeding will help you lose your leftover pregnancy weight and creates an unbreakable bond between mom and baby.
With that being said when you start it can be tricky. Don’t get frustrated! This takes time trying to figure out the correct hold for both you and baby. If you can stick with it I promise you will not regret it.
#3 Newborn Clothes
Did you know most newborn gowns and shirts are designed with wide necks so they don’t have to be pulled over the baby’s heads? This is a game changer! Trying to dress a newborn when you have to pull things over their heads can make for angry babies.
Also it isn’t uncommon to have multiple outfit changes in one day. Between spit up and blown out diapers newborn outfits can get pretty messy and pulling them over the baby’s head isn’t always an option. If the shirts or gowns don’t have buttons or snaps try sliding the garment down the body.
This makes clean up faster and less messy. This is the same for dressing the baby, simply pull the gown or shirt up over the baby to avoid pulling over their head.
#4 Nighttime Diaper Changes
Baby’s like to be warm and wet diapers can cause for fussy babies. However, with that being said most diapers are designed to keep babies dry for hours not minutes.
If your baby wakes in the night to feed and falls back asleep don’t wake them again by changing their diaper. They will let you know I promise when need a new diaper.
#5 Bath Time
Newborn babies are used to being bundled up and can become nervous when they are unclothed. This can make bath time not always enjoyable. Try taking a warm wash cloth and putting it on your child’s chest prior to putting them in the tub/sink.
This will provide some form of security and help keep the baby calm during the bath time. By introducing the wash cloth before placing the baby in the water it reduces the shock factor and helps keep the baby happy.
If you need to remove the cloth to re-warm simply place your hand on their chest until the cloth can be replaced.
#6 The Importance of Self-Care for New Moms
Being a mom is hard work! You have to take care of your baby all day long and it can be exhausting. But did you know that it’s important to take care of yourself too? That’s right, new moms need to practice self-care. Self-care means doing things that make you feel good and help you relax.
It could be taking a bubble bath, reading a book, or going for a walk. When you take care of yourself, you’ll have more energy to take care of your baby too!
#7 The Reality of Sleep Deprivation and How to Cope
One thing I wish I knew before becoming a mom is how much sleep I would lose. Babies need lots of attention and care, which means they often wake up in the middle of the night. It can be hard to cope with not getting enough sleep, but there are ways to make it easier.
You can take naps during the day when your baby is sleeping, or ask someone to help you out so you can get some rest. Remember, it’s important to take care of yourself too!
#8 Parenting: The Best Job in the World!
Being a mom is the best job in the world! It’s amazing to watch your child grow and learn new things every day. But sometimes, being a mom can be tough.
There are days when you feel like you’re not doing enough or that you’re not doing it right. But guess what? Every mom feels that way sometimes! It’s okay to make mistakes and learn from them. Just remember to always love and support your child, and everything will be okay!
Wrapping Up
Parenthood does not come with an instruction manual and sometimes you will wish it did however, that’s what makes it fun. Being a new parent is like going back to school. It takes time and maybe even a couple sleepless nights to figure out the things I wish I knew before becoming a mom, but by studying your baby they will teach you everything you need to know.
I hope you enjoyed these few things I wish I knew before becoming a mom. Stay positive and remember every day is a new day!
You got this!
-Kirstin Ashley
Diaper Shower Co-Founder
