Things I wish I had been told when I was pregnant…
1) Strangers touch your bump, some before asking. After this, they go to stroke your baby’s head like they are a pet or doll.
2) Make the most of sleep before you get to six months pregnant because after that the sleepless nights begin. Between being uncomfortable, Lucas moving about and pregnancy insomnia, I think I slept less in the last trimester than when Lucas was a new born.
3) He may be sick. Lucas was born at 5.40 pm, healthy with no complications. At 3am he woke up, vomitting a brown, red like blood substance that covered him. Needless to say, I panicked and pressed the alarm. The support worker looked equally worried and took Lucas to the midwife who said it was common and nothing to worry about. Would have been nice to know that was a possibility.
4) Take advice with a pinch of salt, midwives and health visitors have contradicted themselves and each other when visiting us. Family and friends have great advice but follow your instinct on what is best for you and your family. I have been told the old myths that letting a baby cry is good for developing their lungs and picking them up when they cry is spoiling them and I don’t agree with either.
5) Breastfeeding hurts, all the books and even the lactation specialists say that if you are breastfeeding correctly it doesn’t hurt. Lucas latched on and fed well and it still hurt, perseverance and lansinoh did the trick until it stopped hurting and was well worth breaking through the pain barrier. Find your nearest breastfeeding network before the baby arrives, they are amazing for reassurance and support. We had a volunteer visit the first week when I was worried and my friend found the meeting groups very useful.
6) You feel like shit when you expect to be feeling over the moon. I think it was 4 days after having Lucas the baby blues set in, they didn’t last long, I was just an emotional wreck for a couple of days. My friend who had her baby 6 months previous actually text me in the morning saying something like its day 4, baby blues will hit you today, don’t worry and keep cuddling Lucas and D (it was actually a lot more heartfelt but I’m struggling to remember now). That really helped me knowing it was normal and reassured me that it wouldn’t last.
7) Don’t compare your baby to others, don’t become obsessed with when milestones should be happening. Enjoy the moments and not be wishing yourselves to the next stage.
What I am glad I stuck to…
I went to aquanatal and pregnancy yoga, I can’t recommend them enough. They really helped with the pregnancy aches, kept me fit and relaxed me. I truly believe that going to both classes helped during labour with the exercises and breathing techniques I had learned. It was also great to meet other mums to be for support, both whilst you are pregnant and once you have had your baby’s.
We decided on only immediate family visiting the first week we got home with Lucas. We then gradually had other family and friends visiting after that. I’m glad we had discussed that before Lucas arrived as seeing more people would have completely overwhelmed me. I wanted the first couple of weeks to be us three settling in and cementing our bond as a family, not to be passing our baby round or entertaining people. Everyone seems to want to see baby’s straight away, come into your house, faff with your routine then leave and after a couple of months you go back to only seeing them on special occasions.
Take lots of photos, time goes too quick and in six short months my baby boy has transformed from a scrunched up, dark spiky haired baby to a blonde fluffy haired little fella x
rhymingwithwine says
Brilliant post. I totally agree with you and wish I’d read your post pre baby, Especially the breastfeeding hurts bit! It really does and I don’t think anything prepares you for it. Then the pain just vanishes and it’s so rewarding. Great read. Thank you :0)
Something Crunchy Mummy says
Great advice and a lovely post. I totally relate to the just close family the first week – it can be so overwhelming. Thanks for linking up to #justanotherlinky xx
Jodie Allen at Budget Beauty and Babies says
My little girl had the brown/red sick issue too in the first few days! terrifying when you don’t know what it is isn’t it! Totally agree with trying to enjoy each day without worrying about milestones. Im terrible for this even 8 months on! #justanotherlinky
crummymummy1 says
I HATE it when strangers touch/stroke Little B – it always seems to be strange men on the bus too! #justanotherlinky
min1980 says
Argh I hate the ruffling the little head thing too! Poor Piglet clearly doesn’t like it and I always want to tell people no but don’t want to be difficult. I need to be more assertive I think.
IDaintyit says
#3 is important, i was expecting a healthy baby when i reached term but instead he was really poorly. I did not know what to do with myself
Sian QuiteFranklySheSaid says
I agree with these, they were a shock to me too! Well apart from the blood-like vomit. That would have terrified me!x
Amy Hunt says
Such a beautiful post, sometimes being a mom isn’t rainbows and sunshine. It hurts and it’s exhausting I’m glad you shared and that you’re giving advice to new mums or just mums full stop!
Eve Redmond says
Love this! I wish more mums went with their instincts instead of following outdated advice x
Ickle Pickle says
Great post, and so true! I have had four babies and loved being pregnant but hated everyone’s opinion on my bumps! Your little lad is a cutie! Kaz x
Kara says
This all rings so true and having breastfed 6 babies, yes it does bloomin hurt at first!