As a new Mom I have learned a lot of lessons in the past month.
For example, before leaving for one of Scott's doctors appointments - I was prepared. I had the diaper bag packed, the car seat ready to go, something besides pajamas on, and left the house within minutes of Scott eating. Before leaving I had a little voice in my head tell me to bring the pumped milk in the fridge and a bottle just in case... I ignored the thought because I had just fed him and assumed he certainly wouldn't get hungry within the hour it would take to go to the doctor. We arrived at the doctor's office, got checked in, and had his weight check with the nurse. Within minutes of the nurse leaving Scott started his pre-hunger antics - which consist of Scott frantically panting and kicking his feet. Ironically these antics can easily be mistake for Scott being really happy and active. So from experience, I knew he would be spiraling downward into a hysterical fit of hunger within minutes. Would it be awkward if I started feeding him and the doctor came in? Probably. So instead I just sat hoping the doctor would come in soon and just think Scott was a happily active baby. Not so of course. Scott screamed like a mad man for the entire visit and while I'm sure it happens all the time - I felt like that completely unprepared Mom who brought a hungry baby to the doctor. I even missed what the doctor said Scott's height percentile was because I was too distracted from his crying...All the nurses gave me those kind of disapproving/while sympathetic half smiles as I left the office with my screaming baby.
Lesson Learned: Pack bottles. And probably more importantly don't ignore that little voice.
Lesson Learned: Pack bottles. And probably more importantly don't ignore that little voice.
I also quickly learned that when people say a baby eats every 2-3 hours in the beginning - they count the 2-3 hour intervals from the BEGINNING of the last feeding. And in the beginning babies take a long time to eat (45 minutes+ for us..) My visions of 3-hour chunks of sleep were shattered as my life became a series of hour chunks in between feedings. Luckily he started eating better and outgrew that pretty quickly..
Sleep when they sleep = better in theory then actuality. Especially if your baby is a fan of cat naps.
I try to focus on other neglected essentials. Like going to the bathroom and eating food.
I try to focus on other neglected essentials. Like going to the bathroom and eating food.
I've also learned great things - like if you give your baby a pacifier it will NOT completely derail breastfeeding like all the doctors/lactation consultants said.
And swaddling your baby (while they hate the actual swaddling process) will help them sleep longer.
In addition, the white noise machine is our new best friend.
Aside from Mom lessons, I've also relearned general things about life...
Like if you leave clothes in the washer too long, they will mildew.
Or when it looks like this outside, it will rain if you go on a walk.
And if you leave a pot of water boiling on the stove too long, it will evaporate, thus melting the pacifiers.
Other lessons?
I'm sure there are tons. It's been a crazy month! I know it sounds cliche but being a Mom honestly gets better everyday. Probably because we're figuring a lot of these things out.
And this little face...
makes it all worth it.
