10 Things I Wish I Knew Before Becoming A Mother (Details)
Free advice begins to pour from all angles the moment you announce your pregnancy, even from people who have never given birth before! Most of the time, you only hear positive things like the old adage, “life changes after a baby.” But there’s a lot I wish I’d understood before holding my kid for the first time. I started reading, studying, exploring, and prepared myself for every eventuality when I found out I was pregnant (after I got over the first joy). I discovered there was so much I didn’t know about pregnancy, childbirth, infants, and motherhood.
This is my haphazard effort at compiling a list of ten things I wish I had known before becoming a mother.
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Work Those Arms:
I conducted my typical stretches and walks while pregnant in order to have a normal delivery. What I wasn’t expecting was the weight of the baby, which I’d be carrying for over 24 hours. Of course, you’ll get those mommy biceps eventually, but I wish I had spent more time strengthening my arms. While you’re at it, work on your back!
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Feed, Feed, Feed:
Your child will be hungry the majority of the time (if not all of the time). You’d just finished nursing and burping your kid for the hundredth time, set him down to shower, and then it was time to feed him again! While nursing, don’t go insane or hide in your room. To read, browse, or connect, keep your books/mobile/tablet nearby. If there is privacy, take a seat on the sofa or in a comfy chair in the living room. This will keep you sane, amused, and content. In addition, your baby will be able to feed in a variety of postures. My recommendation is to always feed on both sides. You will feel lighter, believe me.
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Don’t Keep It Too Quiet When Your Baby Sleeps:
Don’t keep your surroundings quiet when you finally get your infant to sleep throughout the day. Allow the regular noises to continue, such as normal conversations, background music, the washing machine spinning, traffic noises, and so on. Allow your kid to be exposed to all of these sounds while still in the womb. Just make sure the noises aren’t too loud so they don’t wake up your angel.
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Go Easy On Baby Stuff:
Diapers, wipes, baby clothing, caps, socks, mittens, napkins, swaddling, bottles, rattles, nail clipper, bathing seat/tub, body wash, body lotion, a crib, and a car seat are all you’ll need at first. Don’t overstuff your closet with clothing. Your child will outgrow them far faster than you think. Once your kid is three months old, you can get things like a stroller, baby carrier, high chair, baby bouncer, walker, Playmats, toys, Teethers, and a baby monitor.
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Listen, Smile, And Forget:
You’ll continue to get guidance for everything your kid goes through, including ᴘᴏᴏᴘɪɴɢ, burping, tummy ache, superstitious beliefs, and so on. I did nothing except listen, smile, and forget. Even if your mommy instincts are 7 out of 10 times inaccurate, go with them. When in doubt, trust your Daddy instincts.
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Bring Out The Hand Sanitizer:
If you have relatives, friends, or neighbors over to visit your newborn, offer them the hand sanitizer without hesitation before allowing them to touch him or her. They will undoubtedly hold your cherub, and it is quite OK if they are angered by your suggestion that their hands may not be clean. Motherhood and etiquette do not have to coexist!
READ ALSO: Joy as Couple finally welcomes her child after 18 Years waiting (Photos)
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Be Shameless:
When you enter the birth room, you’ll see that there is a slew of nurses, physicians, and sometimes even male nurses milling about. The last thing you should be concerned about is how you appear since you will most likely be all opened up and everyone will be gazing down at you. So go ahead and be shameless, and let the physicians do their job—get the baby out!
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Postpartum Dᴇᴘʀᴇssɪᴏɴ:
There is a difference between postpartum Dᴇᴘʀᴇssɪᴏɴ and the “baby blues” after childbirth. There are short periods of weeping spells, poor sleep, being on edge emotionally, irritable, and anxiety that go away on their own in about a week when you have the “baby blues.”After the delivery, some mothers develop postpartum Dᴇᴘʀᴇssɪᴏɴ (PDD). It includes the symptoms listed above, as well as a sad mood, a loss of interest in activities, and a variety of other physical and emotional symptoms that become burdensome and interfere with daily duties. Consult your doctor about PDD treatment options, including counseling and medication.
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Sleep Like A Baby’ Is A Myth:
This is the most incredible tale I’ve ever heard! You’ll sleep for around 6-7 hours every night, if you’re lucky, or about 2-4 hours at night just if you’re lucky. This truth isn’t meant to terrify you; rather, it’s meant to prepare you.
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Treat Yourself:
You are permitted to take a short break every now and again, even if it is only for 30 minutes. Take a lengthy shower, eat your dinner all at once, or get that manicure/pedicure you’ve been putting off. Everyone is happy if the mother is pleased.
This list could go on forever, and I could add a hundred more things I wish I knew. But it’s also a fun adventure to learn new things, and it’s quite OK to be surprised by your motherhood experiences.
