Things From My First Year of Motherhood That I Refuse to Apologize For

When I was expecting, I had these dreamy visions of my early motherhood days: perfectly managed labor, smooth nursing sessions, and a flat tummy right after giving birth. Reality, however, turned out to be a wild ride—messy, unpredictable, and filled with choices that might not sit well with everyone. Here’s a rundown of the things from my first year of motherhood that I won’t feel sorry for (and you shouldn’t either).

1. Opting for a C-Section

There’s this weird myth floating around about unnecessary C-sections, but believe me, they weren’t handing them out at my doctor’s office. In fact, I was begging for one. My baby was in a Frank breech position, which meant I was in a world of pain. After weeks of discomfort, I was relieved when my water broke and I could finally meet my little one. Sure, I had a C-section, but it was far from an easy route. I went through a major surgery, not a spa day. There are no regrets on my end—my son arrived safely, and that’s what matters.

2. Formula Feeding

While there’s a lot of support for breastfeeding, the same energy doesn’t seem to flow toward formula feeding. I believe that fed is best—whether it’s breastmilk, donated milk, or formula, the priority is to nourish our little ones. I faced medical challenges that made breastfeeding impossible, and I felt a wave of guilt and shame that shouldn’t have come my way. Choosing to formula feed was a game-changer for our family. It allowed my husband to bond with our baby during feedings, and I have no regrets about it.

3. Letting Him Cry It Out

We moved our son to his own crib when he was just 13 days old. With my husband going back to work, we needed a schedule. We started using a method called “Moms On Call,” which involved letting him cry a bit before sleep. Yes, it worked wonders! He was sleeping through the night by 10 weeks. It might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it suited us just fine.

4. Making Bath Time Dad’s Job

My husband handles bath time every night, and that was a deliberate choice. I asked him to make it a priority, and it’s been fantastic for their bond. While he works hard, this gives them quality time together. I use that time to catch up on chores, which benefits all of us. So nope, not sorry about that!

5. Traveling Without the Baby

Having a baby can shake a marriage to its core, so my husband and I decided to take trips without our little one when we could. Leaving him with loving grandparents has been refreshing for our relationship. We need that time to reconnect and remember why we chose to be partners in the first place. Plus, it’s nice to sleep in every once in a while!

At the end of the day, I stand by my choices. Our family is happy, healthy, and thriving, and that’s what truly matters.

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Summary

Motherhood is full of decisions that may not suit everyone’s preferences. Whether it’s opting for a C-section, formula feeding, letting babies cry it out, assigning bath time to dads, or traveling without the little ones, every choice comes down to what works best for the family. Embrace your journey without apologies!