3 Things No One Told You About Becoming a Mom

Have you recently had a baby? Congratulations! Becoming a parent is one of the most challenging yet satisfying jobs. You’ll likely be reading every book and blog about it, as well as asking your friends and family how to prepare for this new major milestone. 

Now that you’re a mom, you’ll be faced with challenges and incredible moments that you never expected while you were pregnant, but this is all part of the journey of parenthood that will make lasting memories for the years to come. 

Here are some things that no one told you about becoming a mom:

• Afterbirth is real

No one talks about what happens to the body once you have given birth, but in the days following the event, you will be closely monitored to make sure everything is healing as it should. Your body will go through things you never expected, such as pain, swelling, and discomfort, so be sure to take it easy in the first few days and get as much help as possible with the domestic chores and taking care of the baby.

What’s more, it’s normal to sense difficulty in bonding with your newborn straight after birth. After all, this is a brand new being in your life who you’ll have to grow used to having around. 

Approximately 80% of new moms suffer from the baby blues since their body goes through a lot of hormone changes. It should, however, only last up to 2 weeks. If you’re worried about a lack of bonding with your baby or unexplained depression, talk to your midwife or maternal health carer and they will put your mind at rest.

• Family dynamics will change

When a new baby is welcomed into the family, life as you know it changes dramatically. Your relationship with your partner will be different now that you have the role of a parent. You’re going to be on alert 24 hours per day instead of being able to live your life freely as you may be accustomed to. While it may be a shock, to begin with, you’ll learn to adjust to the new routine of having such a large responsibility, but it will all be worth it.

• Playing with your baby is essential

It’s often the case that new parents don’t understand the importance of playing with their baby. However, it is all part and parcel of their early development. Play improves their mental, social and emotional well-being, as well as learning more about themselves in the first few months of their life. When kitting out your nursery, consider these baby play mats from Crane Baby so you can lie your baby down and play together with toys, read them a story, or simply tickle them.

Becoming a mom isn’t easy, but in no time you’ll learn the ropes of becoming a parent and get into the swing of it. We hope this brief guide has given you some helpful tips about parenthood that you may never have known about. This is an exciting new venture.