Remember this piece of advice if you're getting ready for motherhood: think about yourself and your well-being.Â
Especially during the first few weeks, it can feel overwhelming to take care of a newborn when you are struggling to keep up with everything. Just like on airplanes, they advise passengers to put on their oxygen mask before helping others, you need to focus on taking care of yourself first. If you don't prioritize your well-being, it will be hard to take care of your little one.
I made a wrong calculation when I was preparing for motherhood. I spent my pregnancy learning everything about giving birth and the development of the fetus. However, I didn't prepare for what was coming after the baby arrived. I underestimated how challenging breastfeeding was going to be. I assumed everything was going to happen naturally and smoothly. Like Mother nature intended. I thought my baby would happily sleep in the crib. I spent a lot of money on things for my baby, like cribs (two of them actually), cute little clothes, stuff for the changing station, toys, and a bunch of other stuff.
But as it turned out, all my baby needed was me and my breast. The cribs, bottles, clothes, and toys didn't matter. And what did I get for myself? Nothing! 0!
I didn't know my breast would leak, wetting all my shirts and that I would need tons of good absorbent breast pads, or that I would bleed for weeks after birth and need soft, comfortable pads. Looking back, I regret not investing in a cozy chair or a sofa instead of a crib. I spent so much time sitting and breastfeeding. I couldn't even sit properly due to the discomfort in my pelvis. I should have prioritized my comfort.
Being a new mom is tough, you're always tired and sore somewhere. So it's not selfish to treat yourself to things that make your life easier, like a food subscription or quality, comfortable stretchy undies. At the end of the day, your baby only needs you, so you are the most important thing to take care of. It makes perfect sense when you think about it.
It's okay to research what kind of bottles or cribs your baby may need, but my advice is to hold off on purchasing them until later. You don't need everything right away. You'll see what your baby needs as they grow. Make a list with links to purchase them later when the time comes. Trust me; I wish someone had given me this advice beforehand. I was too excited about the baby coming, and I forgot about myself. Please don't forget; that you are the most important thing for your baby. Therefore, YOU should be your number one priority!
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