Let’s face it, having a newborn is TOUGH! Not only is it physically demanding, but it’s an emotional rollercoaster as well. The lack of sleep and having this new being that depends on you every waking minute can be so difficult, and can take its toll. The phrase “sleeping like a baby” doesn’t apply to the newborn phase because they are up every couple of hours. So how do you get through it?
How do we fall in love with the newborn phase?
First, we can’t have a newborn without YOU!
Taking care of yourself is just as important as taking care of that new precious bundle of joy. But HOW as a new mom can I possibly think about myself when I have this fragile life to take care of? (The mom guilt is real!) When mom isn’t taken care of it becomes difficult to love this phase of motherhood. So, take care of YOU!
Try to go outside daily, take a shower, drink water, and eat. If some of these are starting to take the back burner, don’t be afraid to ask for help. If you don’t have family or close friends around to help, take a look at our Columbia Mom website. There are many resources available to you from post-partum care, doulas, pediatricians, and more!
Give yourself grace and time.
Having a new baby is life changing and a huge transition. Don’t rush to get back to how life was before baby; to get into a routine, to do some of the things that you may see others doing with their new babies on social media. Give yourself grace and the time to adjust and embrace this new phase of life. Slowly but surely you will feel like yourself again. You will start to do things you did before baby, and each outing and small accomplishment will turn into even more with time. Allowing yourself to accept the slow can help you embrace those contact naps, the messy house, and the constant milk covered shirt.
You aren’t alone.
The newborn phase can feel so isolating. The late nights, the fear of leaving the house, feeling like you are the only one going through it…You are not alone. Finding solidarity can be so helpful during this time. Just the simple fact that you are not alone can be so comforting. Send a simple text to your new mama friends, or even post a reel on Instagram at 4 a.m. (you know who you are!) It makes a huge difference and reminds you that you are not alone in this phase, and you will get through it.
The newborn phase is actually shorter than it feels.
As Dave Matthews said, “Life is short but sweet for certain.” Maybe he was talking about the newborn phase of parenthood? It is SHORT. Although it feels like forever when you are in it, it is temporary. It will get better. You will sleep again one day and not be covered in milk, not having to deal with blow outs (as much), and won’t hear those newborn cries in the middle of the night. This phase will quickly be over and you will find yourself getting more and more comfortable with this new life.
Then one day, you will look back and think of how sweet it was. You’ll remember when your newborn fell asleep on you just from being held, how their little head smelled so good before they were covered with goldfish and macaroni and cheese, those little hands and precious morning stretches from their swaddle were so sweet. Suddenly, those sweet newborn snuggles turn into baby snuggles and toddler snuggles, and the newborn phase is over before you know it. Knowing that it is temporary, thinking I can do anything for a few months, and that you can do hard things for a short amount of time, can help to invite the newborn phase in and to look at it with fond memories.
The newborn phase is tough, there is no doubt about that. Taking care of yourself, giving yourself grace and time, knowing you’re not alone, and that this phase is temporary, can help you get through it and truly love this phase. Let’s fall in love with the newborn phase together.
