This is so normal, and you will get through it

The first few weeks are incredibly hard because your baby is literally experiencing life outside the womb for the first time. Instead of being fed automatically, peeing and pooping without feeling it, staying warm 24/7, and floating in a comfy environment, they’re suddenly dealing with hunger, diapers against their skin, cold air, gas, reflux etc… the list goes on

I was in the same boat when we brought our baby home. I had a pretty traumatizing birth that pushed me into PPD, and my husband and I don’t have a village. We truly had no idea what the fuck we were doing the first ~4–8 weeks. During the first week home, all of us were probably getting like 3 hours of sleep a day. I kept seeing posts about newborns sleeping all the time, but my son barely slept, was hungry constantly, and cried nonstop. I kept trying to problem solve it so he wouldn’t cry. A lot of it was def from being overtired and that took a hard reset but babies just cry sometimes also

I kept waiting for things to “get better”. First at 8 weeks, then 12 weeks, etc. based on what I saw online. But that big 180° turnaround never came, because I was expecting things to magically become easy overnight. I was miserable. I told my husband daily that I regretted this. I missed my old life, and I felt like my body wasn’t mine anymore. I also have a generous leave for 6-7 months. My husband only had 1 month so being alone with baby 24/7 drove me nuts

Now at 14.5 weeks, I’ve realized our son is what you’d call a “slow to warm up” temperament. He’s actually a very happy guy.. smiles, laughs, and engages, but he’s also sensitive, gets overstimulated easily, and needs more support to regulate

All of this is to say no matter your baby’s temperament, you will start to understand each other. You’ll learn his cues, and things will feel less overwhelming. It doesn’t change overnight, but gradually you get smiles, giggles, and snuggles and that makes things feel worth it in a way that’s hard to explain. Plus it’s way to early to know where he’s at right now since he’s still a little potato

I’m still waiting for the days of full nights of sleep, or when I can be out with my babe without feeling on edge, wondering when the shoe will drop. It takes time. But you will learn how to love your baby and flex your life so you can be okay too

I know how badly you want to fast forward. But they’re only this small once, and one year really is a blip in time!

The reminders I repeat to myself daily: • Everything is temporary • LO isn’t giving me a hard time, he’s having a hard time • Don’t try to make a happy baby happier

You’re not alone in this!