Postpartum Realities

Posted June 10, 2019

As a new mom, there are so many different things constantly running through your mind. A new problem I never expected to have postpartum arise every single day. You think you know, but you have no idea, until you are actually in that spot.

Last night my daughter slept through the night in her own crib in her own room. This wasn’t the first night this happened. But still, somehow I am exhausted this morning. Why? Because I sat and stared at the monitor as every single minute passed.

1. Sleeping through the night

WOW. Nobody warned me how miserable this was/still kind of is. Is it just me mama’s? Am I crazy? Don’t get me wrong- I totally enjoy my evenings with my other half. But 3 AM hits, and she still hasn’t made a peep – and I am losing it. Why did everybody talk about this moment like it was magical? I know I SHOULD be taking advantage of this moment right now, but I can’t because every fear in the world is currently setting up camp in my brain. Then she rolls onto her belly – and now I’m really hyperventilating. This is NOT all it’s cracked up to be. I miss her, I’m worried about her, and I’m still exhausted the next morning. I feel like this is really a lose lose and I should prob go pick her up and cuddle with her right this instant, right? ?

2. THE CLOTHES.

So I knew she had a huge wardrobe even prior to our baby shower, but WOW. Nobody can prepare you for the amount of decluttering you’re going to be doing AT LEAST the first 6 months of their life. It doesn’t just happen in spurts like you would think. I’ll go through her clothes at 3 months, then 6, so on so forth. Nope. Every. Single. Day. I go through clothes. I have a permanent gift bag in her room that I am forever throwing things into, so I can pass it down to my friend who is having a baby next month., And don’t even get me started on YOUR clothes. You find something comfortable, that fits, and then your weight fluctuates AGAIN. You go from super preggo, back down to 3-month-preggo look-a-like postpartum, and then kind of back to normal… but not really? Clothes = clutter = madness = I-dont-have-time-to-declutter = AHHHHH!!!!!!

3. Unwanted parental guidance + Negativity

Okay, third time is the charm. WOW. I can’t believe the things people say to you as a new mom. I mean I heard horror stories prior to being a mom, but it’s an entire other level when you are actually a mom. Let me break it down for you in the simplest terms – you will never win this battle. It doesn’t matter how long your kid is rear facing, or how often you homemake their baby food, or whatever it is you do. You will never be able to please everybody. People are going to constantly question every single method of your parenting. Why don’t you cut their hair? Why don’t cut their nails? Why don’t you feed them this way? Everybody has something to say about everything. Accept it early on, and ignore them. Don’t let it consume you! Why are we so negative towards each other? Why do other moms feel the need to constantly tell me “Oh, it’s only just started” or “It gets worse” Like??????????? Can we stop?! And how about the judgement and questioning? Why do we feel the need to question each other about how we parent? I am all about advice from other mama’s who have struggled before me – educate me! And I love to educate others from my experiences as well! It’s why I started blogging! But do we have to be so negative? Stop putting each other down, or telling people that it gets worse! Seriously?! We can do better mama’s! This goes for all of you, I don’t care what generation! Grandma, aunts, cousins – it’s not okay!

With everything in life, “this too shall pass”!

But until then, I’ll be enjoying my growing babe, staying up all night watching the monitor, and ignoring the negativity! I hope you choose to do the same!

What kind of postpartum surprises did/do you run into?

-MMM