Dear New Mama,
Hello! Let me be the first to welcome you to motherhood! But you’re busy so let’s skip the pleasantries and get right to it. I know you’re in the middle of a gazillion tasks, like feeding your baby, trying to nap, quadruple checking your bottle sanitizer, or sneaking in that three-second shower you’ve been looking forward to all day.
First, I want to reassure you that baby vomit does wash out of most clothes
That’s why I want to tell you this little secret: Don’t panic
It’s OK if you don’t find the best way to burp, bathe, or feed the first time around. It took a little trial and error, but I found out my little guy had moved on from those soft pats to a sturdy tap. Surprisingly, all those tiny mistakes weren’t that bad. They were my guide to finding our final working solution.
Until I learned this important parenting lesson, the pressure I put on myself to nail every mom skill the very first time was more constricting than that sling wrap I tried. This constant blame only created more stress for both me and my baby and I forgot that my kid and I were supposed to be team.
My little guy always let me know what worked best for him — I just needed to pay attention
So, new mom, if you’ve just skipped ahead to the end here because your eyes have given out while reading this during your 4 a.m. feeding, here’s the deal: It’s OK to be OK with the trial-and-error process of motherhood. Treat yourself with kindness, make a mistake, regroup, and then try again — because the answer isn’t in being the perfect mother, the answer is in the trying.
Much love,
A Mom’s Who’s Been There
