Parenting
The Reality of the First Two Months with a Newborn
by Emily Hart
Updated: Dec. 14, 2017
Originally Published: Dec. 13, 2017
Can we please be honest and admit that the initial two months with a newborn can be incredibly overwhelming? Seriously. I adore being a mother with every part of my being. I would go to great lengths for my children. I fully recognize the miracle of bringing a new life into the world. After navigating through marriage, divorce, and the heart-wrenching experience of miscarriage, followed by a challenging pregnancy with my second child, I am profoundly thankful for my two healthy daughters.
However, I find it puzzling why many feel compelled to hide the struggles that come with those first months, especially when you’re attempting to soothe a fussy baby in the wee hours of the morning, yearning for a moment of peace. Acknowledging the difficulty doesn’t diminish your love for your child; it simply highlights the reality of being human and occasionally feeling overwhelmed.
People often paint a rosy picture of welcoming a baby home, yet the challenges are rarely discussed. Why is that? When someone asks, “How’s motherhood treating you?” wouldn’t it be refreshing to respond honestly? Instead of the typical, “It’s wonderful,” how about saying, “You know, it’s really tough. No one is sleeping in this house. I can’t keep track of anything. I forgot to eat yesterday. My clothes are stained with all sorts of baby messes, and I can’t get enough coffee to function.”
The first couple of months can feel like you’re stuck in quicksand while trying to catch slippery watermelons. Here’s a glimpse into the chaos:
- Your sleep deprivation reaches a point where a three-hour nap feels like a luxury.
- You might feel furious at anyone suggesting, “Just sleep when the baby sleeps.”
- Keeping a log of your baby’s feedings becomes necessary, as your brain feels like mush.
- You lose track of the last time you showered.
- Everything your partner does might begin to annoy you.
- You find yourself holding this precious new life, yet all they do is cry, eat, and poop.
- If breastfeeding, you’re getting up every few hours to feed or pump, dealing with the pain of sore nipples.
- Your wardrobe consists solely of clothes marked by baby spit-up or worse.
- Days blend together; you can’t recall if it’s a weekday or weekend.
- Even in silence, you might hear phantom cries, a symptom of your escalating fatigue.
- The laundry piles up, yet you struggle to tackle it due to endless diaper changes.
This is just a small taste of the reality new parents face! The truth is, the first two months with a newborn can be chaotic in every sense. If you’re a new mom, hang in there; what you’re experiencing is completely normal, and there is indeed light at the end of the tunnel. The day your baby sleeps through the night will feel like a vacation—akin to a solo trip to Target!
If you’re supporting a new mom, consider bringing a large coffee and helping with a load of laundry. Encourage her to take a well-deserved break while you hold the baby, who may well decide to be quiet during that time, as they often do when you need a moment of peace.
Let’s stop pretending that the early days of parenthood are anything but challenging. It’s important to acknowledge our shared experiences, mamas. For additional insights on the journey of pregnancy and home insemination, check out this resource and learn more about the home insemination kits available to assist you.
In summary, the first two months with a newborn are undeniably tough, filled with sleepless nights and overwhelming emotions, but it’s a phase that many parents navigate together.