My life completely changed the moment I saw the positive pregnancy test on December 26, 2024. As a type-A personality, I immediately threw myself into preparation mode and read several parenting books, signed up for in-person birthing and parenting classes at the hospital, asked my friends for advice, and of course, turned to social media for inspiration.
On Instagram, I saw gorgeous nurseries, matching family outfits, big smiles, and picture-perfect homes. I didn’t see the beautiful yet “messy” side of having a child. I am writing this post as a first-time mom to a two-month old boy to hopefully help mother’s going through the newborn phase right now and all the future mamas.
Motherhood Journey:
Motherhood is an emotional rollercoaster and we are all learning as we go. There are heartwarming moments like watching your baby smile for the first time, feeling them wrap their tiny hands around your finger, and seeing them sleeping peacefully. There are also a lot of days where you will find yourself Googling “is it normal if…” twenty times, crying from exhaustion, feeling like you lost part of yourself, and checking on your newborn every 10 minutes to make sure they are still breathing. It’s all normal and part of the journey.
My Best Advice and Tips for New Mamas:
- Trust Yourself. Everyone will have their own opinions when it comes to the “best” stroller, diapers, nursing chair, etc. Take in the advice, do your own research, and trust your gut.
- Be Prepared But Be Flexible. My son arrived 3.5 weeks early and I was so grateful that our hospital bags were packed and we had purchased all of the baby essentials. Here you can find a list that I hope you find helpful which includes items for postpartum as well.
- Practice Postpartum Self-Care. All we want to do is give our baby the best life possible but in order to do that, we need to take care of ourselves too. Eat nourishing food, take a shower, go on a walk, and practice meditation. Little things can make a huge impact on our mental health.
- Don’t Compare. Every journey looks different. Some babies reach milestones early, some moms work from home, some have husbands with flexible schedules, others have nannies, and some do it solo. Focus on you and your family.
- Fed is Best. Every family should do what they are most comfortable with whether it is breastfeeding, bottle feeding, formula feeding or a mix.
My son is two-months old and I will keep sharing more tips along the way.
If you’re a new mom or future mama, you got this! Make sure to share this post with any other relevant women in your life and remind them that they will be a wonderful mother!
Xo,
Kika