5 Things I Wish People Told Me
Here are some tidbits of advice that I wish I would have gotten before Kenneth arrived.
1. It really is okay to sleep when baby sleeps! Yes, everyone tells you to "sleep when baby sleeps" but they fail to mention that at some point your baby will only want to take 1 nap a day so soak it up while you still can. Newborns tend to be great sleepers during the day - so nap away, mamas! Also, don't tell someone to sleep when baby sleeps and then come and visit all afternoon making it so that they can't sleep.
2. You're doing enough just keeping your baby alive. No matter how you gave birth you have to remember that your body just went through a traumatic experience. Give yourself grace; lots and lots of grace. It's okay if the dishes and the laundry get put on the back burner, or if you haven't washed your hair in a week. Keeping a tiny human alive is a lot of work. And remember that you are enough.
3. It's going to hurt when your milk comes in. I researched so much about breastfeeding when I was pregnant. I read books, joined facebook groups, and talked to my friends/family that had breastfed. Everybody failed to mention that I would wake up one morning with my boobs being as hard as rocks and feeling like someone just beat them with a baseball bat. What the hell people; not cool! It took a few months for my milk to regulate, but don't worry, that engorgement and discomfort does go away.
4. Take advantage of the first few months. Tiny new babies will sleep anywhere. Take them to the store, on vacation, to the movies, to a baseball game, to a parade, to an airshow; and they will sleep. Seize the day and do stuff with your little ones! Naps are few and far between now and they definitely don't happen in public anymore.
5. It's okay to say no. I personally have no problem saying no, but I know it's a struggle for a lot of people. It seems everyone wants to come around when there is a new baby, but if you want to spend alone time with your new precious babe, tell people that. It's okay to decline visitors or to ask people to leave if they have overstayed their welcome. IT'S OKAY TO BE SELFISH. That is your baby, and no, you don't have to pass them around and let everyone hold them; and don't let Aunt Barbara tell you any different.
1. It really is okay to sleep when baby sleeps! Yes, everyone tells you to "sleep when baby sleeps" but they fail to mention that at some point your baby will only want to take 1 nap a day so soak it up while you still can. Newborns tend to be great sleepers during the day - so nap away, mamas! Also, don't tell someone to sleep when baby sleeps and then come and visit all afternoon making it so that they can't sleep.
2. You're doing enough just keeping your baby alive. No matter how you gave birth you have to remember that your body just went through a traumatic experience. Give yourself grace; lots and lots of grace. It's okay if the dishes and the laundry get put on the back burner, or if you haven't washed your hair in a week. Keeping a tiny human alive is a lot of work. And remember that you are enough.
3. It's going to hurt when your milk comes in. I researched so much about breastfeeding when I was pregnant. I read books, joined facebook groups, and talked to my friends/family that had breastfed. Everybody failed to mention that I would wake up one morning with my boobs being as hard as rocks and feeling like someone just beat them with a baseball bat. What the hell people; not cool! It took a few months for my milk to regulate, but don't worry, that engorgement and discomfort does go away.
4. Take advantage of the first few months. Tiny new babies will sleep anywhere. Take them to the store, on vacation, to the movies, to a baseball game, to a parade, to an airshow; and they will sleep. Seize the day and do stuff with your little ones! Naps are few and far between now and they definitely don't happen in public anymore.
5. It's okay to say no. I personally have no problem saying no, but I know it's a struggle for a lot of people. It seems everyone wants to come around when there is a new baby, but if you want to spend alone time with your new precious babe, tell people that. It's okay to decline visitors or to ask people to leave if they have overstayed their welcome. IT'S OKAY TO BE SELFISH. That is your baby, and no, you don't have to pass them around and let everyone hold them; and don't let Aunt Barbara tell you any different.
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