12 Things that Surprised Me About Motherhood
Motherhood is a great time, but it can be confusing for first-time mothers who have no idea what to expect — your life changes from the time you are handed your little bundle of joy to take home. Before having a baby, you ought to do a lot of research; for instance, the best nursing tanks and how to care for the baby. You might read a lot of books and online materials, but some things will always surprise you about motherhood.
What No One Told Me About Motherhood
Although you might read all the advice for new mothers, you will discover that motherhood has some surprises for you. Below are some of the things that surprised me about motherhood.
Sometimes Babies Cry for No Reason
What can you do when you have tried all the tips for new moms, and nothing seems to calm your baby? As a responsible mother, you want to find the source of all that crying, but after some time, you will realize that babies just cry. It can be frustrating when you cannot do anything about the crying, but it is normal.
Have You Heard of Hypochondria?
What no one told me about motherhood is that every cough, bump on the arm/forehead, and sneeze would have me on my toes. You can spend a lot of time worrying about these symptoms, but it could be nothing. Sometimes it could be diaper rash. After a few trips to the doctor, you will realize that some things are normal and how to handle these situations.
Baby Clothes
As much as your baby clothes look adorable, it is going to dawn on you that the baby will only wear all of them. Your baby is going to grow, and although you want to keep these clothes, it is best to donate them to other children.
You Become a Photographer
The best thing about being a mom is that you get to witness many cute moments that you want to document and keep forever. You end up taking many photos; for instance, your baby’s first steps, or when she fed herself. Looking back, you will realize that every picture and video was worth the time.
Breastfeeding Transforms Your Body
Valuable advice for new mothers is that nursing will change your bodies. You might get stretch marks, but don’t worry because they are not permanent. When you stop nursing, you might gain weight because breastfeeding burns calories.
Emotions
You can experience strong emotions when you notice your kid picking on your mannerisms. It could be how you walk, slouch, or talk back, but at this time, you hope they only copy the good characteristics.
It Changes Your Relationships
Motherhood changes your relationships, including marriage because sometimes you might not find time for each other. It can also be taken positively because you can take care of the baby together by taking him for checkups. You start to realize how much you need some people, and you tend to stay away from others.
It is an Amazing Experience
You might have read a thousand mom tips, but do you know that loving your baby more than anything is not a cliché? Your baby brings immense joy and love to your life. You learn everything about your baby, and you want to be close to her all the time. You will laugh, smile, and have fun from the moment you bring your baby home.
The Mess
Although babies are messy, it does not mean that they are dirty. They will take over most of the living room with their gigantic multi-colored toys. Everything will be out of place, and your living room will look like a daycare. However, a valuable mom tip is to disinfect the toys and the floor. It will help to keep germs away from your baby.
You’ll Have Your Breaks
Although motherhood can be tough, you will have your good days. At six weeks, the baby might sleep throughout the night and eat without a fuss. As he grows older, he might become a picky eater and wake you up in the middle of the night.
Breast Milk is Like Medicine
Breastfeeding gives your baby the immune support she requires, which means that if you get viruses, your body will produce immune-boosting substances and pass them via breast milk. When the baby suckles, a vacuum is created, which causes her saliva to flow into your nipples. Your mammary gland receptors decode these signals, and if your baby needs any antibodies, your body produces them and administers via breast milk.
Be Open to Learn
A precious mom tip is to be willing to learn because you do not know everything. Even after your precious baby starts sitting, crawling, or walking, you will still not know everything. Listen to advice, research, and learn from your failures. It will help you to be a better mother tomorrow than you are now.
Conclusion
Motherhood is a beautiful experience for both new and experienced mothers. Every baby is different, so this becomes a different time for you even if you already have another baby. Many things might surprise you about motherhood, but this only shows that you cannot know everything.
What is your motherhood experience like? Please share with us your best new mom tricks in the comments.
Written by Elizabeth Barlettah (Author)
Her day job is in finance, but her main hobby is traveling. Currently, a stay-at-home mom who recently had a young boy, she writes a lot about the struggle of raising a child the right way at Top-Mom.com.