The happiest and craziest part of a parent’s life is about to unfold? Yes! And that is just the beginning. If you observe keenly before your first baby, you could notice well-meaning and already parents stare at you wastefully; the looks in their eyes tell it all. And what does that even mean?
It simply means your life will change; sleep as much as you can now because the sleepless nights are right at the corner.
As obvious as it looks, there are a few things you may not be expecting or never had any idea about. So, we thought it wise to share some of them to further prepare you emotionally, financially and physically for the task ahead.
With that said, here are seven things first-time parents wish they knew before having their first baby;
There will be tears, not just for your baby
It wouldn’t matter the level of knowledge and exposure you have dealing with tiny humans; it is universal and natural for babies to cry a lot. What first-time parents aren’t warned about is that babies will always cry at odd hours.
Sometimes you may cry because you will feel you miss your old self, or probably because your partner ate the last meal or pokey ice cream in the refrigerator. That doesn’t mean you are depressed – there is something about new babies that brings out the sensitive and emotional part of a parent.
Breastfeeding can be hard
And no, we don’t mean sore nipples; you might have to deal with more including cracked and bleeding nipples.
In some cases, the nipples won’t just supply milk – or at least enough for your tiny one. You need to prepare for this just in case.
If this happens, don’t allow guilt to overwhelm you just because you give your baby formula. Logically, your child is being fed which is what matters the most here.
The importance of taking out life insurance
This is a critical topic that most first-time parents have no idea of – or just don’t realize how important it is. Having your first baby is not like any other experiences. It happens so fast, and you are making plans for a human being cuddled around your arms.
One of the best steps you can take now is to take out a life insurance plan that suits your current situation. For example, new mums can take life insurance specially designed for mums.
Alternatively, home breadwinners can take out a policy like income protection that’s designed to ensure your income doesn’t stop if you can’t work due to injury and illness. You can learn more about this plan and even calculate how much coverage you need by using this free Caspian income protection calculator.
Sometimes, mothers wish they were still pregnant
Sometimes it feels lovely to be pregnant; of course minus the morning sickness, food aversion, dizziness, heartburn and more. In most cases, natural pregnancy is enjoyable.
People become cautious about your well-being and comfort in public, at home and at social gatherings. Without guilt, you can sleep all day.
However, when your baby arrives and the nursing and in-depth postpartum sleep deprivation swings in, you will look back at those times, imagining what it used to be.
The happiness of the baby is the joy of the parents
Whatever it takes, you will never know the limit you can go as a new parent for your baby to be happy until you have one. Happy parents mean happy babies and vice-versa. It is essential to achieve this, even if it means throwing all your expectations out the door.
It takes a village
Until your baby finally arrives, you will never realize the amount of help you need. When you are offered help and assistance from unexpected people and places, don’t be surprised and accept it wholeheartedly. This is not the time to let your pride or ego get in the way.
For example, in Japan, women traditionally move back in with their partner’s parents or their parents for a few weeks immediately after giving birth to their first baby to ensure complete recovery while their parents and family take care of the chores.
Don’t be fooled when you are told it is the easy part
They say that the first five to seven weeks after giving birth to your baby can be the worst and best times. Well, this could be true but don’t just believe it.
On one hand, you could be overwhelmed by feelings and emotions of the love for your tiny new baby that it feels as though your heart could burst with joy. And on the other hand, you are deprived of sleep and hormonal balance, it feels like hell on earth on some days.
If you can prepare for these ups and down from the onset, then life as a new parent will feel a lot lighter.
Congratulations on being a new parent!
As a new parent welcoming your new baby, it is a fact that your entire life will change and could do with some adjustments. Even so, nothing matches the joy of welcoming your first baby.
But no matter the surprises, parenthood is well worth the ride. Congratulations to you!
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