First off, let me just say this: you are definitely not:
- Crazy.
- Alone.
- Failing at this.
Remember when you were anxious about the whole birthing process and reassured yourself that millions of women have done it before you? Well, guess what? Millions of women have also experienced the very feelings you’re grappling with right now. I may not be inside your head, but I assure you, we’ve all faced the struggles of becoming a new mom. Sure, you knew it would be tough, but did you anticipate it would be THIS tough?
And what about those seemingly perfect moms on social media, the ones who claim they absolutely cherished every single moment with their newborns, even the diaper changes and sleepless nights? Here’s the truth: they’re probably not being completely honest. Maybe they’ve forgotten how hard it really was, or maybe their minds are just shielding them from the chaos, which is totally understandable. Because, let’s be real—having a newborn for the first time can be quite overwhelming.
Just hold on while I brace myself for the backlash from those supermoms. Waiting… waiting… Okay, seems like I’m safe for now!
Don’t get me wrong. Newborns are incredible. Those tiny toes you’d like to nibble on, the delightful smell of their little heads (but avoid the other end!), the way their tiny fingers curl around yours, and those adorable yawns—who could resist? But, that’s pretty much where the bliss ends. I remember when I welcomed my first baby, Mia. The initial couple of weeks felt manageable, as she mostly slept, and I thought I was winning at this parenting thing. But after that? Oh boy, it was a whole different ball game. Nobody warned me it would be like this. When I was pregnant, everyone was busy telling me to enjoy my “last days of freedom,” but what I really needed was someone to say, “Brace yourself; your life is about to change in ways you can’t even imagine.”
Ever seen someone in a movie being tortured? They’re usually kept awake by loud noises. That’s what having a newborn feels like—except instead of a villain, you have a tiny human who demands your attention every few hours (if you’re lucky). And the only way to soothe them is to cater to their every whim, which can feel endless.
On top of all that, your hormones are going haywire, making you feel like a pinball machine. If you’re breastfeeding for the first time, your nipples might feel like they’re on fire. If you’re not, your breasts could feel like they’re about to burst! And let’s not even start on how your partner might say things that make you want to roll your eyes—like the classic “I wish I could feed the baby.”
I wish someone had told me that the early days of parenting are really challenging. It would have made me feel less like a failure, less like I was doing something wrong, and more like this is just part of the journey. It does get easier, or at least better in some ways—just don’t expect a smooth ride!
So, congratulations on your new arrival! I sincerely hope you find joy in these days, and by “joy,” I mean simply getting through them. You are not crazy, you are not alone, and you’re definitely not doing a bad job, even if it feels that way sometimes.
With love,
Someone who’s been there and now has a solid three types of birth control, even though I adore my kiddos.
P.S. If you’re looking for more insights on home insemination, check out this post. And if you want to dive deeper into the world of artificial insemination, Make A Mom has some great resources. For more information on intrauterine insemination, visit Healthline.
Summary:
Becoming a new mom is often much harder than anticipated, and it’s normal to feel overwhelmed. Acknowledge that you’re not alone in this journey, and that while newborns are adorable, the reality of sleepless nights and constant demands can be challenging. Embrace the chaos and remember that it does get better over time.