When my son was a baby I had no instructions on what or how I was going to care for him. I didn’t really know even where to go to get help or how to do it basically.
NO ONE THINKS THIS when you get pregnant with your first baby. You are just so happy to know you are having a baby. Knowing whether it was a girl or boy didn’t matter. It was a baby, and will be your BABY!!!
As time got closer to having my little bundle of joy. The reality set in. I was going to be A MOM. I always wanted to be a mom. Have this little one to raise and care for. Now I was young when I had my son, and that was not too bad for me. Mainly cause I knew my mom was there, but she didn’t help me with the baby. She would tell me things, but no help from her. But again, this was my baby and not hers.
BUT BABIES DON’T COME WITH INSTRUCTIONS
I didn’t know what you did with your baby when you first got it in your hands. I knew to hold the baby, and comfort him or her. Nurses in the hospital help you at first. Feeding and changing, bathing baby. Then once you get the hang of it, they send you home.
Then what????
I got to go home and my whole world turned upside down. I ended up having to move out and out on my own. So I had to learn to care for my son all on my own. I took it as a challenge that I could do, I knew I could do it. As I look back now I do now that I did struggle sometimes. Sure I had some stressful times, and it wasn’t easy at all. But I did it and I was able to care for my baby on my own.
When I did not know what to do, I would phone the Health Unit and speak with a mom from the mom group. Or sometimes even the nurse there, as they had said I could reach out when I needed to. They were surprised I was doing this all on my own and doing pretty good at it too. I always went to the mommy group on Monday. The parenting group on Tuesday and the play group was after that. I made sure to be around others who had babies my age, it helped me alot.
What do you do with your baby after you go home?
I at least knew the basics, which was good. Babies are pretty easy in the beginning. Cause they eat and sleep and need a diaper change. Good for a while now. But after, at least I had some time to look up stuff in the library. I had a nurse checking in on me also. Telling me where to get some resources for what I was looking for.
When my son was a baby all he needed was a bottle. That part was pretty simple, but I had to remember he needed to be washed too. Try holding a wet baby and trying to not drop him, sure was a challenge. I had learned that placing a washcloth around him or under him. Made it so I was able to hold him and give him a bath every day. Of course, I did learn I didn’t need to bath him that much. New baby skin and they didn’t hold in their moisture much. So I bathed him less, and was more confident in doing so.
So you should almost be pro at handling baby now.
I know when my son was a baby I tell him, he was my tester baby. Cause if I didn’t get the hang of all that came with having a baby. I never would have another one. Cause if I couldn’t handle just one baby, there was no way I could handle another baby. So when I was pregnant again, I knew I could handle it. By then my son was over 2 when his little brother came along. Now, when I look back on those years. I am so shocked at how much energy I did have when I was younger.
Now that I am older, and I have grandchildren who want their Mama to run around with them and play with them. I am able to do that, and thanks to these fabulous snaps I take to start my day. Give me the much needed energy I need. If i think I am running out of my own steam to keep going, I will just take another snap. A very much needed part of my routine, and I will not ever be without these. Love them.
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