October 25, 2023
As a healthcare professional and parent of four, I’ve observed that the arrival of Baby No. 4 marks a significant shift in how I approach parenting. At this point, societal norms no longer classify you simply as having a “large family,” and you might as well apply for a “super-sized family” license. But that’s just the beginning of the transformation you experience as a parent.
By the time you reach your fourth child, you’ve become a parenting aficionado. Here’s a comparison of how I handled my first baby versus my fourth:
First Baby vs. Fourth Baby
First Baby: Is it really okay for us to just leave the hospital with this tiny human?
Fourth Baby: Seriously, who even watches the discharge video? It’s twenty minutes long!
First Baby: We had our baby’s name picked out and the nursery decorated well before the third trimester.
Fourth Baby: The nurse has asked for the birth certificate form multiple times. We need to come up with something quick!
First Baby: I spent hours researching the best educational toys and created a detailed registry.
Fourth Baby: You know what really stimulates newborns? Staying awake!
First Baby: I adore getting personalized items for my little one!
Fourth Baby: Is it fine if his bibs say “Little Miss Sunshine”? What about these towels with his brother’s name?
First Baby: Why didn’t anyone warn me about the challenges of breastfeeding?
Fourth Baby: (while multitasking, nursing the baby and managing two older siblings)
First Baby: We had our baby last Friday! Did you receive our photo birth announcements yet?
Fourth Baby: Honey, it’s been two months. How about I just post something on Facebook?
First Baby: We need to baby-proof everything! Anchors for furniture, gates, outlet covers—the works!
Fourth Baby: The stairs are carpeted. She’ll be fine.
First Baby: Oh no, that pacifier fell on the floor! It’s ruined!
Fourth Baby: (glancing around and waiting five minutes before popping it back in)
First Baby: Bath time is our special nightly routine!
Fourth Baby: If I wipe the spit-up off her chin at the next diaper change, she should be good for a couple more days.
First Baby: That’s right during naptime, we’ll have to reschedule.
Fourth Baby: Anytime works—she’ll just nap in the car.
First Baby: I’m packing the diaper bag with everything: diapers, wipes, outfits, toys—the works!
Fourth Baby: Do I have my boobs? Diaper? I’ll toss one in my purse and we’re set.
First Baby: After months of preparation, she’s finally crawling! Look at this amazing video and the hundreds of pictures I took!
Fourth Baby: Anyone need size 6-month pants? We’re switching to dresses to slow down the crawling!
First Baby: And they all lived happily ever after. The end. Want to read it again?
Fourth Baby: “Once upon a ti—” Can you all stop yelling up there? “Once up—” Don’t jump on that! I’m coming up!
It’s evident that with each additional child, you naturally become more relaxed, or perhaps you simply have less time and mental energy to spare. It’s likely a combination of both. If you’re interested in more about parenting and family planning, check out this informative post on home insemination. For those seeking guidance on artificial insemination, Make a Mom is an authority on the topic, and the Cleveland Clinic offers excellent resources for pregnancy and home insemination.
In summary, parenting evolves with each child. The journey from your first to your fourth baby brings about a notable change in attitude, expectations, and preparation. With experience comes a laid-back approach that is both liberating and practical.