close

Your Cart

Your Cart is Empty
  • Subtotal
    $0.00
    Shipping
    Free
  • Total (before taxes)
    $0.00
Real Mom Talk: 20 Things I’ve Learned Since Becoming a Mom
May 14, 2015 8:50 pm | by

Caring for a baby is something you don’t really know.. until you KNOW. Everyone sure has a lot of advice to share when they see your growing baby belly. Take some of it with a grain of salt, or heck — dismiss it all! With that being said, here’s what I’ve learned in my brief 8 months of parenting. For context, I’m a neurotic non-perfectionist and this list refers only to BABIES (really just my baby) and not CHILDREN. I don’t know a thing about children yet.

  1. Figure out the pump ahead of time. You may find yourself sobbing at 1:00 a.m. with a screaming baby who hasn’t figured out how to latch yet and your mom is boiling plastic parts as quickly as possible while you try to read the manual. Hypothetically.
  2. Buy used! The majority of baby items are only needed for such a short period of time and can be found for a fraction of the price on Craigslist, at garage sales, consignment/thrift stores, and swap and sell pages. Use good judgment when it comes to this.
  3. Accept any help that is offered during the first few weeks. However, don’t feel guilty for saying no or for napping through a visit.
  4. You don’t need that much ‘stuff,’ and you definitely don’t need it all at once.
  5. Having a captive audience for all of your singing and dance moves is priceless.
  6. Don’t assume your baby will just go to sleep when they are sleepy. THEY WON’T.
  7. Birth was not traumatic. I know I speak ONLY for myself, but with all the stories I heard, I was fascinated, curious, and somewhat dreading getting her out. For us, it was the pleasant experience I could have realistically hoped for. The postpartum period, though…not so much.
  8. YouTube is your friend! I’ve mainly watched breastfeeding and babywearing videos. Sometimes you just have to see something to understand it.
  9. Baby love grows. At first, I loved her simply because I (co)made her. Now, I love her because she is an interesting and funny fellow human who I genuinely like as a person.
  10. Breastfeeding can be very difficult at first, but there are so many resources both online and in the community to help. I would not have made it without a LOT of support.
  11. If you can avoid psyching yourself out, don’t be afraid of Google! Most people say don’t Google every little thing, but I am an obsessive Googler, and I do not regret it.
  12. You don’t have to cherish every single moment.
  13. I cannot express the importance of NAPS. I’m referring to baby’s naps but yours as well if you can get them. See #6.
  14. It is not this hard forever. I remember being in the throes of colic and sleeplessness and thinking, “I knew having a child would be hard but is it this hard FOREVER???” No.
  15. Get used to a constant running inner monologue. Things to gather, accomplish, research, remember, assess, consider. I recently consulted four different lists to pack for a weekend trip, but I’m a major list nerd.
  16. Wait to buy nursing bras, or at least get a variety of sizes.
  17. People say becoming a mom changes your life drastically. Of course it does, but I was terrified that I would wake up on day two as a brunette who suddenly liked mushrooms. I’M STILL ME! ‘Parent’ is just one more identifier to add to my list, but certainly not the only one.
  18. It’s not scary. Yes, a baby is a gargantuan responsibility but you can handle it.
  19. Other people’s kids are different. I am still nervous to be solely responsible for my nieces or nephews. I don’t want to change any diapers or pick any boogers unless they belong to my daughter.
  20. Follow your gut. Don’t listen to me, the random lady at the grocery store (there are sooo many), or your cousin. Even if the pediatrician tells you something you don’t feel good about, find another one. FOLLOW YOUR GUT.

About the Author

Holly is an Arkansan turned Missourian, and a graphic designer turned accounter. She loves thrifting, crossword puzzles, movies, and keyboard shortcuts. She's having so much fun being a mom to baby Lola!

Comments

25 Comments

  • ovalranchtalk.wallinside.com said...
    May 28, 2015 at 7:38 pm

    Keep on writing, great job!

    Also visit my weblog :: health insurance providers (ovalranchtalk.wallinside.com)
    37dc7ab467ae110b5168dfc12487c678

  • Kent said...
    May 28, 2015 at 5:59 pm

    I like the valuable information you supply on your articles.
    I will bookmark your blog and check again here regularly.
    I am rather certain I will be informed a lot of new
    stuff proper here! Good luck for the following!

    Also visit my web blog … garcinia cambogia free trial australia (Kent)
    37dc7ab467ae110b5168dfc12487c678

  • Natural Max Garcinia cambogia said...
    May 27, 2015 at 9:22 am

    Heya excellent website! Does running a blog such as this
    require a large amount of work? I have absolutely no expertise in coding however I had been hoping to start my own blog soon. Anyway, if you have any recommendations or
    techniques for new blog owners please share.

    I understand this is off topic nevertheless I simply needed to ask.
    Cheers!
    37dc7ab467ae110b5168dfc12487c678

  • xbox 360 emulator said...
    May 24, 2015 at 2:47 am

    Hello just wanted to give you a quick heads up and let you know a few of the pictures aren’t
    loading properly. I’m not sure why but I think its a linking issue.

    I’ve tried it in two different web browsers and both show
    the same outcome.
    37dc7ab467ae110b5168dfc12487c678

  • Perfect Garcinia said...
    May 19, 2015 at 3:15 pm

    I all the time used to study article in news papers but
    now as I am a user of net therefore from now I am using net for articles, thanks to web.
    37dc7ab467ae110b5168dfc12487c678

  • lipo g3 supplement said...
    May 19, 2015 at 3:07 am

    It is really a nice and helpful piece of info.
    I am glad that you shared this useful info with us.
    Please keep us informed like this. Thanks for sharing.
    37dc7ab467ae110b5168dfc12487c678

  • Pro Cambogia said...
    May 18, 2015 at 9:07 pm

    Heya! I’m at work browsing your blog from my
    new iphone 4! Just wanted to say I love reading your blog and look forward to
    all your posts! Carry on the excellent work!
    37dc7ab467ae110b5168dfc12487c678

  • WWE Immortals credits hack said...
    May 18, 2015 at 11:07 am

    I trust many of the suggestions you may have displayed on your posting.
    37dc7ab467ae110b5168dfc12487c678

  • simply green coffee said...
    May 18, 2015 at 3:16 am

    First off I would like to say superb blog! I had a quick question which I’d like to
    ask if you do not mind. I was curious to know how you
    center yourself and clear your thoughts prior to writing.
    I’ve had a difficult time clearing my thoughts in getting my thoughts out there.
    I do take pleasure in writing but it just seems like the first 10 to
    15 minutes are generally lost just trying to figure out how
    to begin. Any suggestions or tips? Thank you!
    37dc7ab467ae110b5168dfc12487c678

  • Dennise Ealick said...
    May 18, 2015 at 1:45 am

    It’s a given currently that this way forward for cities and suburbs are inextricably intertwined Dennise Ealick they is able to keep returning the total amount depending on their daily sales.
    37dc7ab467ae110b5168dfc12487c678

  • ปั๊มไลค์ said...
    May 18, 2015 at 1:25 am

    It is not my first time to visit this web page, i
    am visiting this site dailly and obtain pleasant facts from here everyday.
    37dc7ab467ae110b5168dfc12487c678

  • pro garcinia cambogia said...
    May 17, 2015 at 9:00 pm

    If you would like to obtain a good deal from this piece of writing then you have to apply such strategies to your won blog.
    37dc7ab467ae110b5168dfc12487c678

  • vitamax garcinia said...
    May 17, 2015 at 8:05 pm

    You really make it seem so easy with your presentation but I
    find this topic to be really something that I think I would never
    understand. It seems too complex and very broad for me.
    I am looking forward for your next post, I will try to get the hang
    of it!
    37dc7ab467ae110b5168dfc12487c678

  • www.buzzfeed.com said...
    May 17, 2015 at 5:00 pm

    Ƭhis is a topic that іѕ near to my heart…
    Many thanks! Exɑctly wheгe aгe уoսr contact details though?

    my web blog: helps stօp acid (http://www.buzzfeed.com)
    37dc7ab467ae110b5168dfc12487c678

  • Cambogia Body Pro said...
    May 17, 2015 at 4:21 pm

    What’s up to every , for the reason that I am actually eager of
    reading this webpage’s post to be updated regularly. It carries good material.
    37dc7ab467ae110b5168dfc12487c678

  • ultra garcinia reviews said...
    May 17, 2015 at 2:22 pm

    Amazing! This blog looks just like my old one! It’s on a totally
    different subject but it has pretty much the same page layout
    and design. Great choice of colors!
    37dc7ab467ae110b5168dfc12487c678

  • slimming garcinia reviews said...
    May 17, 2015 at 2:03 pm

    After looking into a number of the blog articles on your website, I seriously like your way of writing a blog.
    I bookmarked it to my bookmark website list and will
    be checking back soon. Please check out my web site as well
    and tell me how you feel.
    37dc7ab467ae110b5168dfc12487c678

  • few Detox said...
    May 17, 2015 at 12:20 am

    What’s up to every one, thе ϲontents preѕent at thіs web site aгe trulʏ remarkable for people knowledge, ԝell, ҟeep
    սρ the nice wߋrk fellows.

    Alѕo visit mү site … few Detox
    37dc7ab467ae110b5168dfc12487c678

  • Garcinia Diet said...
    May 16, 2015 at 10:59 pm

    This design is spectacular! You obviously know how to keep a reader entertained.
    Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to start my
    own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Fantastic job. I really loved what you had to say, and more than that, how you
    presented it. Too cool!

    Stop by my website Garcinia Diet
    37dc7ab467ae110b5168dfc12487c678

  • garcinia diet review said...
    May 16, 2015 at 9:55 am

    Attractive portion of content. I just stumbled
    upon your weblog and in accession capital to assert
    that I acquire in fact enjoyed account your
    weblog posts. Anyway I’ll be subscribing on your feeds or even I achievement you get entry to
    persistently quickly.
    37dc7ab467ae110b5168dfc12487c678

  • Zonecore Cambogia said...
    May 16, 2015 at 9:07 am

    Hey very nice web site!! Guy .. Beautiful .. Amazing ..
    I will bookmark your web site and take the feeds also?
    I’m glad to seek out so many useful information here in the publish,
    we’d like work out more techniques on this regard, thank you for sharing.
    . . . . .
    37dc7ab467ae110b5168dfc12487c678

  • vita garcinia reviews said...
    May 16, 2015 at 7:30 am

    For the reason that the admin of this site is working, no uncertainty very rapidly it will be famous, due to its quality contents.
    37dc7ab467ae110b5168dfc12487c678

  • leave alkaline said...
    May 15, 2015 at 3:27 pm

    Rіght away I am gοing aաay to do my breakfast,
    ߋnce having my breakfast ϲoming oνer аgain to гead additional news.

    Μy web blog: leave alkaline
    37dc7ab467ae110b5168dfc12487c678

  • Josephine said...
    May 15, 2015 at 2:03 pm

    Hanging pores and skin, aging wrinkles, and the formation How
    To Get Rid Of Double Chin (Josephine)
    that hangdog look―it may all be averted with these workout routines.
    37dc7ab467ae110b5168dfc12487c678

  • Bonita said...
    May 15, 2015 at 5:48 am

    Heya! I’m at work browsing your blog from my new apple iphone!
    Just wanted to say I love reading through your blog and look forward to all your posts!
    Carry on the excellent work!
    web page (Bonita)
    37dc7ab467ae110b5168dfc12487c678