Lessons Learned
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the things I've learned during Lochlan’s first 6 weeks of life. Here's a sampling...
- Yes. My baby really is the cutest baby ever. Cutest baby in the whole world, in fact.
- Even though I'm a horrible singer, Lochlan loves to hear my voice.
- For the most natural thing in the world, breastfeeding does not always come naturally. I've read books and reached out to a lactation consultant and didn't put too much pressure on myself.
- Let Adam do as much of the childcare as possible, even if I secretly think he's doing it “wrong.” He probably isn't...he's just doing it differently than me and he worst thing I can do is make him feel obsolete or useless.
- For the most natural thing in the world, breastfeeding does not always come naturally. Read books, surround yourself with good and helpful examples, and reach out to a lactation consultant.
- I desperately, desperately, DESPERATELY want to feel, look, and act like my ‘old self.’ Don’t forget to remind myself that I JUST HAD A BABY. Don’t put too much pressure on myself.
- Don’t compare my behind-the-scenes mom footage to someone else’s highlight reel.
- Even when Lochlan is happily sleeping, I'm still going to wake up in a panic and make sure he's still breathing. This may last for months and months I think.
- My house is going to be a disaster. It’s okay. There’s plenty of time to clean up later.
- I don’t have to change his diaper just because it has a drop of pee in it. It's taken me six weeks to realize this! Oh, and there's SO. MUCH. POOP.
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| Mamas milk makes me dopey! |
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| Baby in a pot...why not! |
Breastfeeding is seriously one of the hardest things I've ever done. I envy women who do it effortlessly. Omg, the scare of a baby not breathing. Somewhat hilarious Lucy once slept way longer than usual (she's a horrible sleeper) so I went in to check on her. When I touched her leg it was cold and I totally freaked. Yeah, it was cold because there was AC running in their room. I was totally convinced she was dead. Yeah, that was only a few months ago. I don't think that fear of being responsible for another person's life goes away. It hasn't yet for me.
ReplyDeleteGood lessons! The highlight reel one! Yes, so hard not to do! I still watch my video monitor to make sure I can see my daughters chest rising and falling when she sleeps too long, or will sneak in there if I don't hear breathing. I will likely do this until she moves out. I am however, positive my cat won't smother my 2nd baby like I was so afraid se would do with my first. I can sleep now, knowing that my cat wants NOTHING to do with babies/kids. :D
ReplyDeleteLochlan is SO cute :) I love the picture of him in the pot! I still check on M more than once through out the night to make sure he's breathing. :)
ReplyDeleteLove your baby in a pot picture! These are good lessons... I'm in the midst of learning them too...especially the "just had a baby" one and the whole highlight reel vs. behind-the-scenes bit. Thanks for sharing!
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