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Are you a new mom looking for the best and most realistic first time mom advice to know before having a baby? Keep reading for the best new mom advice about things I wish I knew (and you will too) Before having a baby :
I remember when I was pregnant with my first baby, I had so many questions and felt so unprepared. I did a ton of research and talked to other moms, but there are still things that I wish I had known before becoming a mom. So, for all you new moms out there, here are 15 things that I wish I knew before having a baby.
15+ Things I Wish I Knew Before Having a Baby as a New Mom
To keep you from the big surprises of motherhood, here are the 15 things I wish I knew before having a baby as a first time mom:
1) Exhaustion is an Understatement
You will be exhausted. Like really, really exhausted. Those first few weeks (or months) are tough as your body adjusts to the new normal. Get all the sleep you can now because you won’t be getting much once the baby arrives!
2) Breastfeeding Is Not an Easy Task
Breastfeeding is hard. It is totally natural, but it doesn’t always come easy. There is a learning curve for both you and the baby, and it can be frustrating at times. Ask for help from a lactation consultant or experienced mom friends if you need it!
Not only is it NOT an easy task, but it may not be a possible option!
I was a mom that was unable to breastfeed, due to low supply. My first time around, I produced droplets! LOL… Second time around, I produced a lot more, but not enough to sustain life!
Both times I had to supplement with baby formula.
I wish I would have known earlier, then I would have been proactive in exploring formula options!
Related: 7 Self Care Tips for Breastfeeding Moms + Free Journal
5 Breastfeeding Tips To Remember & Breastfeeding Essentials You Need
3) Mistakes Happen and That’s Okay
You will make mistakes. We are all learning as we go, so don’t beat yourself up if you make a few mistakes along the way. The most important thing is that you love your baby and are doing your best!
There’s no rule book and you WILL NOT know it all! Not even the most experienced mom (blogger) will have all the answers so there’s lot’s of room for makes but it will make you a better mom!
4) House Cleaning Impossible? Maybe.
Your house will be messier than ever before. With a newborn, there is no such thing as a clean house. Embrace the mess and know that it is temporary! You can also do the following to help prepare before baby:
- Organize your house before the baby arrives (to minimize a messy environment).
- Think about paying for a house cleaning for the first three months.
Related: 10 Baby Organization Ideas to Get Your Home Baby-Ready (You need to know NOW)
How to Create a Working Mom Cleaning Schedule (that Works)!
5) Good and Bad Days
You will have good days and bad days (sometimes on the same day). Some days you will feel like Supermom and others you will just want to crawl back into bed. That’s normal! Just take each day one at a time and know that this too shall pass.
Just be aware, because you won’t know when those days will happen!
6) Not Every Moment of Motherhood Is Rainbows and Sunshine
You won’t always love every minute (but it’s worth it). Being a mom is hard work, and there will be times when you question your sanity. But when you see your baby smile or take its first steps, you will know that it was all worth it!
7) The Great Battle of Hormones: Estrogen vs Testosterone
Your partner won’t always understand what you are going through. They may try, but they just can’t fully understand what you are going through as a mom. Lean on your girlfriends for support during those tough times!
There is what’s called the “forth trimester” and it can feel like your all over the place!
It can cause you to feel like you don’t want your baby, you’re not a good mom, uncontrollable emotions, just like pregnancy, but hold on to your village and find support groups a head of time! That way you can immediately connect to others going through the same issues!
8) Me Time is Non-negotiable
You need “me time” now more than ever before (but it’s ok to ask for help). It is so important to take some time for yourself, even if it’s just 30 minutes to take a bath or read a book uninterrupted. Don’t be afraid to ask your partner or family for help so you can have some much-needed me-time!
You may not be able to identify with the old you, but take “me time” to rediscovery yourself! You will thank yourself because you’ve accepted early on, that your life (pre-baby) will never be the same. So work on new purpose, while practicing self-care because it will go hand and hand!
Related: Self-Care Activities for New Moms: How to Take Care of Yourself with a Baby
7 ways to Identify Your Self-Care Needs as a Mom + Free Self-Care Plan Template
9) Multi-Tasking Like its part of the Olympics
You will become a pro at multi-tasking (whether you like it or not). From juggling feedings and diaper changes to working from home and taking care of the house, moms are pros at multi-tasking! Embrace your inner superwoman and know that you can handle anything that comes your way!
10) The Sky Is Falling (calm down chicken little)
You will worry…a lot…about everything. It comes with the territory! Just take deep breaths and remind yourself that you are doing an amazing job! Everything will be alright in the end! Trust me on this one!
11) Ahh Pregnancy Brain
Pregnancy brain is real, and it lingers long after the baby arrives. Be patient with yourself as your brain adjusts to motherhood! At some point, you may feel like you‘re losing your mind. That‘s normal! Give yourself grace during this time as your hormone levels adjust postpartum. And don’t forget to ask for help when needed! We all need help sometimes!
12) Crying is the First Language of Babies
Newborns cry …a lot …and sometimes for no reason at all! It‘s their only form of communication, so try not to take it personally! It will get better, I promise! Just when you think you have this whole parenting thing figured out, your baby hits a growth spurt or goes through teething, and everything changes again!
13) Babies Grow Fast
Babies grow quickly in those first few months/years, so soak up every moment because they really do grow up too fast!
For sure there will be moments you’re dreaming of escaping the baby stages (WELL AT LEAST I DID FOR SURE) but soak up every moment because those times will happen so fast!
So take lots of picture, record as much as you can, take off as much time as needed to bond because you will miss them FOR SURE!
14) Everyone’s Motherhood Journey is Different
Don‘t compare your journey to anyone else‘s! We all parent differently, and what works for one family may not work for another. Do what works best for YOU and YOUR family!
Comparison is the thief of all joy!
Let others journey inspire you to grow and motivate you. Don’t get caught up in thinking someone is a better/greater mother! You’re going to be a GREAT mom, who knows what your baby need and will progressively become greater day-by-day!
Acknowledge your sacrifices and accomplishments… always give yourself grace.
15) Enjoy Motherhood to The Fullest (No Matter What)
Last but not least …enjoy every single moment, even the tough ones, because this time really does go by so fast! These moments are fleeting, so cherish them while you can because pretty soon they will be off to college before you know it!
16) It’s ok To Think Outside the Box
You don’t always have to do things the way your parents did it.
It’s ok to have you own parenting style, belief and opinions. Year by year, motherhood evolve and there’s more exposure to information that may be beneficial for the vision you have as a mom and you’re allowed to explore those possibilities and even change your mind about the things you thought you would or wouldn’t do as a mom.
17) The Motherhood Journey Can Be Lonely
There’s so much mom shame happening and not everyone understands the things you will go on at different stages of motherhood and why your choices are your own’s.
Getting lost in motherhood often prevents us from living the life we want to live and it can be hard to discover if your always looking for approval and validation. Especially, when your journey’s are different.
18) It’s Easy to Lose Yourself
Mom guilt is real!
Check out this video to hear my perspective on why some moms (myself specifically) lose themselves in motherhood, after having children.
Closing Remarks on 15+ Things I Wish I Knew Before Having a Baby [Mom Advice]
Being a mom is hard work, but also the most rewarding job in the world. There will be good days and bad days (sometimes on the same day), but just remember that this time goes by so fast. Soak up every single moment, even the tough ones, because they really do grow up too fast! Trust me on this one 😉
I hope you found this article to be helpful. If you have any questions feel free to ask in the comment section. Also if you have any advice for new moms, please feel free to share it with us as well! Leave a comment below and let us know! We would love to hear from you!
One more thing… Here’s a resource link for mom’s caring for kids with Cerebral Palsy.
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