After all, there are so many phases: the three-naps-a-day phase, the wobbly learning-to-walk phase, the obsessed-with-dinosaurs phase. Newborn to toddler, preschooler to middle schooler, tween to teenager. But, of course, I had to make it through the newborn phase first. Having a type A personality made appreciating the small, quiet moments of new babyhood difficult. I struggled to be present during all those breastfeedings and late-night rocking sessions because I was impatiently waiting for the day when I could be more productive, doing something as simple as showering for longer than 30 seconds while my son rolled around happily on the floor.
I never really learned to appreciate the newborn phase with my first son. He was three months old by the time I figured out that one of the secrets to happy parenting is letting go of any expectation of predictability. But when I had my second and third sons, I had a new perspective on parenting that made those newborn days easier. The moments that a mother shares with her new baby are fleeting. I knew from experience that there would be plenty of time to do things—this was the time to just be.
In those truly challenging moments when the baby skipped a nap, woke endlessly at night to feed or refused to be put down for an entire afternoon , I reminded myself that it would be over soon.
Remembering that and allowing myself to dislike the newborn phase without self-criticism and judgment made it just a little bit easier to survive. This article was originally published online in May Newborn care As a type A mom, the newborn phase was the worst I pride myself on getting things done well and on schedule. Joseph Communications uses cookies for personalization, to customize its online advertisements, and for other purposes. You May Also Like. Ayesha Curry.
Little Kids. KJ Apa. Now You Know. Latest Family. Customize Select the topics that interest you:. New Moms. It simply means you're doing the hardest job in the world and could use some support. Try making a list of tasks you wish you had help with, encourages Hodos, and then reach out to friends.
She suggests you keep it practical and focus on the jobs that need doing. Parenthood is an ever-evolving journey that will keep you on your toes—physically and emotionally. For breastfeeding parents, pumping at work can be stressful and time-consuming, while childcare drop-off and pickup may add extra time to your commute. When going back to work piles on the pressure, try to focus on streamlining your routine.
To cultivate your sense of closeness with your little one, make a point of reserving special activities that are just for the two of you, like bath time in the evenings or a Saturday morning walk. Hodos also recommends speaking with your human resources department as early as possible about making the shift back to work smoother. Most people understand that, for new parents, the first few weeks after giving birth are a haze of diaper changes, round-the-clock feedings, and sometimes painful physical recovery—all on fragmented sleep.
Friends and family might give you less grace for being late or seeming scattered. But remember that becoming a parent is an enormous life change that takes time to adjust to.
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