The Delightfully Daunting Newborn Stage

home insemination Kit

By: Julia Hartman

Updated: June 18, 2016

Originally Published: June 18, 2016

When I was expecting my first child, a colleague warned me that the “dark times” of parenthood were those initial weeks after birth. Naturally, I shrugged off his advice, thinking that a newborn would be nothing but cuddles and coos. How hard could it be? So what if they can’t give you back the love? I envisioned those early days as the easiest phase of parenting.

And then I had a newborn. Spoiler alert: It wasn’t the smooth sailing I had imagined.

Fast forward to my second pregnancy. I was excited about snuggling a tiny baby again, but a sense of dread crept in as I remembered the challenges — the endless feedings, the witching hour, the laundry multiplied by three, and those sleepless nights. Let’s be real, having a newborn is hard work.

It’s fascinating how much I adore certain aspects while simultaneously loathing others. Yes, I am incredibly lucky and filled with joy to have healthy children, but that doesn’t mean it’s all sunshine and rainbows.

Here’s the chaotic, somewhat dreadful side of having a newborn:

Those adorable smiles? Not for you. No matter how much you cuddle or coo at them, those little grins are most likely a result of a recent toot. They may look cute, but they can’t reciprocate your love just yet. It’s a bit disheartening as a parent when all you want is to feel that love back from your sweet, tiny bundle.

Newborns are like demanding little bosses. They cluster feed, fuss about not burping, and sometimes cry for reasons that baffle even the most seasoned parents — enough to drive anyone up the wall.

Nursing can be a real challenge in those first weeks. Your body is still adjusting, and you often feel like a human sprinkler. Leaky, engorged, and tethered to this little one who insists on eating every hour? Fun times!

Nighttime feedings can feel incredibly lonely. While the world sleeps peacefully, it’s just you and the baby at 2:45 a.m., nursing, burping, and changing diapers. You start to resent the world for its blissful sleep while you’re stuck in the trenches.

And don’t even get me started on phantom baby cries. They will follow you everywhere, even into the shower. You’ll leap out, soap in your hair, only to find your baby snoozing soundly — and your partner giving you that “you’ve lost it” look.

Newborns are delicate little creatures. With their underdeveloped immune systems, they can be overstimulated by loud noises or strong smells. This fragility keeps you confined at home, longing to escape. By day’s end, I feel like I’m running a fever from cabin fever and just want to get out of here.

If you had asked me ten years ago what “getting out” meant, it would have involved dancing the night away at a club. Now? My idea of a fun outing is a trip to Target or browsing Whole Foods aisles. #momlife

But let’s not forget the beautiful, cuddly aspects of the newborn stage:

The newborn scent is heavenly. It’s that sweet, intoxicating aroma that every mother would pay a fortune to bottle and keep forever. There’s just something about it that drives moms wild — it’s one of the top reasons to have a baby, if you ask me.

Those little sounds they make while sleeping? Adorable. From grunts to squeals, they’re expressive even in slumber, showcasing precious faces that I’ve captured in a million photos of my two little girls.

Newborns sleep a ton, only managing a couple of hours of wakefulness at a time. I call this the “newborn grace period,” which is basically a time for moms to catch a nap, take a shower, or tidy up — whatever it takes to regain some semblance of order.

There’s none of the “Mommy, Mommy, Mooommmmmy!!!” chaos here. Newborns are blissfully easy to entertain; they simply need food, cuddles, and sleep. It’s a relief to get a moment to yourself when they don’t require constant entertainment.

And let’s not forget how tiny they are! When you pick them up, they fold into a little ball of pure sweetness. Their tiny limbs curled up, they practically fit in your hand. I cherish this time.

I wouldn’t trade it for anything, knowing that in just a few months, my little one will no longer be so new, and I’ll find myself reminiscing about these days — the joyful, cuddly, noisy, needy times.

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Summary

The newborn phase is a blend of joy and challenges. While parents experience the sweet smell and adorable sounds of their tiny ones, they also face sleepless nights, demanding feeding schedules, and a feeling of isolation. Despite the chaos, these moments are fleeting and precious, making them worth every bit of effort.