It's not new for anyone to point out that motherhood is probably the only relationship where you give yourself to someone, selflessly, with whole heart and many a times, get nothing in return.
I would like to add here that I love being a Mom to my LO (little one) but there are days and times when I wish that I would be that independent and carefree person, that I, until recently, was.
To all those girls and women, who love babies and want to have these angels for themselves, please see this and prepare! Owning one may make you cry, not only with joy, but also out of pain and helplessness.
Here is a list of the top 5 things that every girl should know, before she takes up being a Mom! (And I wish someone had told me these!)
1. Babies don't sleep at night : Babies have been well fed in the womb, and on entering the world, demand the same treatment. Nights are just too long for babies to sleep, they need to be fed at 2 hour intervals, more for some, less for others. So goodbye full night sleep!
2. You don't want to eat healthy or exercise: Nutritionally speaking, most of your nutrient reserves, especially iron and calcium have declined. Protein stores are on the way down, because you lose muscle easily as exercise seems like a dream after all the nights you have been up. Pre-baby nutrition stats are long gone, and though post baby diet is crucial, who wants to eat healthy when all you can do is binge on convenient muffins and crave chocolate.
3. Hormones actually make you seem crazy: I swear I have cried for something as trivial as remembering nursery lullabies, thanks to post- baby hormones! Baby brain (or being a little slow) comes in naturally, thanks to all that lost sleep and hormones. So basically, you seem crazy and act stupid, confused and forgetful. Dang!
4. You don't look, or feel the same: This one is obvious, but very little is understood about the need of wanting to be yourself post a life altering event. Being who you originally were would help getting around the task of raising a small human, but alas! This event will take a long time, if it ever does. Back aches, neck stains and jiggle arms are part of the new you (:()
5. The feeling that you have fought a battle and have emerged victorious: Every time the routine has been successfully followed, you feel this way. Be it tummy time, feed time, sleep time, potty time, bath time or story time, if it's done correctly and with successful results, you are elated. No matter how trivial the task may seem to others!
The list is longer, but it's all I can sum up for now. Cheers to motherhood!
Love,
Mom, RD.
