Hi friends! I’m back with a post I have been very excited to share! About eight weeks ago, I gave birth to my first child. We named our little boy William after his dad and are calling him Liam for short. He has brought so much joy into our lives, and while I can go on and on talking about him, I want to talk about something that doesn’t get discussed as much — the transition to being a new mom life and what postpartum is really like. There’s a lot of tips, advice and products focused on taking care of your newborn, but before Liam was born I found it difficult to find real accounts and meaningful information about what to expect for new mom life and how to prepare for postpartum. So, today I’m opening up about life as a new mom. If you’re expecting your first child, just had your first or know someone who is, I hope this shines a little light on what it can be like.
Welcoming Liam to the World
Liam arrived nine days past his “due” date. I had a feeling very early on that he would be late, but I didn’t imagine he’d be more than one week late. Those last few days of pregnancy felt very long, but I am glad he came in his own time and we were able to avoid an induction. I was in labor for about 24 hours total. The back labor I experienced due to Liam’s position was excruciating. I seriously would not wish that on my worst enemy. Eventually, after 14 hours of laboring on my own, I got an epidural at the hospital. In hindsight I am really glad I got it when I did because I was completely exhausted from being up all night. The epidural gave me the chance to get a little nap in and get a little more energy before it was delivery time.
The night after going into labor, Liam arrived just before midnight on September 24th. The moment Liam was born is something I will never forget. He instantly became our world. Liam turned Will and I into a family and changed our hearts forever.. and for the better. It may sound cheesy, but it really is true what they say about your child being born. The love you feel is indescribable.
I still vividly remember being wheeled into our hospital room after Liam was born. It was 3AM and I was exhausted and delirious from laboring more than 24 hours with nothing more than a catnap. The nurses gave us a little run down about what to do with Liam and how I should care for my healing body. Then, all of a sudden, it was just three of us . . . alone. Will and I looked at each other and said, “I guess this is it!”. For me, there was still an awe that this three-hour-old newborn baby was ours and that everyone seemed to trust me to take care of him! Will said he felt similarly when we left the hospital and went home with Liam. It was feeling as if, “Wow! They are really letting us leave with him!” It is funny in hindsight, but there was something very surreal about the experience and the sleep deprivation made it feel even more like a dream.
A New Mom Analogy
Ok, here’s my little analogy! Becoming a new mom is honestly like jumping into the deep end of a pool without knowing how to swim. You jump in, and then you figure it out. You can read how to swim beforehand, of course, but it’s not until you actually jump in that you learn what to do.
Since getting home from the hospital we’ve been figuring each other out little by little each day. Motherhood has been very fulfilling, in ways I never imagined. Seeing your baby growing, learning to smile and developing little relationships is magical. The love that you feel for your child really is indescribable. One of my favorite things now is getting Liam up in the morning. He looks at me with the sweetest grins, and he coos as if to say, “It’s you! You’re back!” My heart melts. Every time.
The Learning Curve
But, I don’t want to skirt around one part of new motherhood — the learning curve with a newborn can feel completely overwhelming at times. There were plenty of moments (and there still are!) when I didn’t know why Liam was crying or I didnt know. There have even been moments when I began crying because I was upset with myself that I didn’t know what to do console Liam. All these feelings are normal, but it is difficult.
As a new mom, you feel a great deal of responsibility for your little one. You want nothing more than to provide what he needs and wants, but it takes time and a lot of trial and error to figure it all out.
Finding time for things like house chores, errands, getting dressed and even taking a shower is also a big challenge at first. You have very limited time during the day, and that’s not something I expected. I didn’t realize how much time it would take to get Liam to nap or how often he’d only nap for 30 minutes! When he does nap during the day, I have to choose a couple things to do and accept that it’s ok if it doesn’t get completely done.
It’s also true that it gets easier and easier. When I had hard days early on I would tell myself, “This is temporary.” I knew there were only so many days left that he would want to eat every 2-3 hours. That first month really felt like a marathon, and I stayed positive by telling myself it would soon get better. Each week that Liam gets a little bigger, means that he can also sleep a slightly longer stretch at night. And let me tell you – going from waking up every 3 hours to every 4 made the biggest difference in my ability to function!
Time is Fleeting
Thankfully now, Liam usually sleeps for one good 5-6 hour stretch at night. We’ve gotten into a pretty nice groove and I’m feeling more confident in my ability to be a good mom for him. Of course, we’re constantly adjusting things as he gets bigger (and I know this will continue well into his teenage years), but it’s such a joy to see Liam’s sweet little personality emerge. I also watching Will with Liam. Seeing Liam light up when he’s with his dad melts my heart.
There are also the sweet snuggles and smiles that I treasure. Reminding myself that these moments are temporary makes me extra thankful for this time. Soon enough, Liam won’t be able to sit still long enough for some snuggle time. He’ll be on the go all the time. And while I’m sure that next chapter will bring its own sweet moments, becoming a new mom means there are constant reminders that time is fleeting. You want them to stay little forever, but you are also overjoyed to watch them grow into the person they are meant to be.
I feel very lucky to be Liam’s mom. Being a mom is something that I knew I wanted to be since I was a little girl, and I feel so blessed that Liam chose Will and I to be his parents. This newborn stage is going by fast, and while it can be tiring at times it is fulfilling in a way I never imagined.
So, there’s a look at what life has been like since becoming a new mom. Of course not everyone’s experience will be like this, but I wanted to share mine in case it helps others embarking on this life change.
If you’re a new mom or about to become one, I’d love to hear what your experience has been like so far! You’re always welcome to reach out if you want to connect and talk more.
Cheers!
Sarah Camille
P.S. Here are my New Mom Essentials!
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