Becoming a first time mother

Resi · #1 April 21st, 2011, 04:32 PM

Was it easier or harder than you expected?

Mars · #2 April 21st, 2011, 04:50 PM

So far it has been a lot easier than I expected.

**Jenn** · #3 April 21st, 2011, 05:01 PM

It was about what I expected. Liam was very high needs but I guess because he was my first its just what I got used to and what I thought was "normal." I've been taking care of babies since I was 7 so the daily stuff wasn't a shock to my system or new to me. The colicky phase sucked but only Liam went through that. He was my toughest baby so I'm glad he was first! lol

~Caroline~ · #4 April 21st, 2011, 05:25 PM

I expected it to be hard and it is so it's not a surprise.

Resi · #5 April 21st, 2011, 05:32 PM

It was what I expected. The adjustment to motherhood came easy for me and I didn't have an easy baby.

MamaCait · #6 April 21st, 2011, 05:45 PM

SO much easier! I was incredibly blessed with the easiest baby I could possibly have imagined. There's no way I'll get as lucky this time around but Conner was just a miracle, he was/is so easy.

Oriyan · #7 April 21st, 2011, 06:01 PM

Motherhood came easy to me. Its easier then I expected even having a high needs baby

freesiangel · #8 April 22nd, 2011, 06:40 AM

I honestly didn't really know what to expect. I mean, I knew about the diapers and the lack of sleep, blah blah blah. But as for how I'd feel, how I'd cope, and oh all the nursing struggles! I just took it a day at a time and feel like I really adapted well. I have loved every minute. Well, maybe not the cracked nipples. I could've done without that.

midnight_starr · #9 April 23rd, 2011, 05:29 AM

Motherhood came very easy to me.. It is hard at times, but it is very much what I expected!

JediRach · #10 April 23rd, 2011, 11:01 AM

Much easier.

~Jess~ · #11 April 23rd, 2011, 11:05 AM

It was super hard for me. I was not nearly prepared for the lack of sleep. My child didn't sleep. I literally only got around 4 hours of sleep each day/night. I remember being in tears holding the baby and jumping up and down to try to settle him down because I had already tried everything else and I was desperate to get him to sleep! It was hell. I think this has a lot to do with his ASD. Most ASD kids have sleep issues.

To be honest, I was TERRIFIED of having another newborn, but after having Zach, my other 2 were a piece of cake, and I've since discovered that newborns and young babies are my favorite age and now I work with them every day!

Kiwi · #12 April 23rd, 2011, 01:41 PM

It was much harder, mainly due to the lack of sleep and a screaming baby. I only get about 3 hours of solid sleep a night, the rest is broken into 1-2 hour blocks. Jacob has finally settled down in relation to the colic/food allergies so I feel like I'm getting into the grove of things... finally!

.Brandi. · #13 April 24th, 2011, 08:39 PM

Easier despite my high strung, needy child. I took to motherhood like a duck to water.

Bre*n*Will=Reid · #14 April 25th, 2011, 07:57 PM

Much harder. My mom always made motherhood seem so EASY. I thought that it would come naturally to me as well and that I would have very few struggles. I had the hardest time when he was a newborn - the baby blues, lack of sleep, lack of freedom, and the feeling of "losing myself" was horrible. However, I feel totally adjusted now and I rarely think about how hard it is. I just think that motherhood came naturally to me a bit later than some people (like after he turned a year old) I will definitely say that the TODDLER age is much easier than I expected! I think it's quite fun, actually

ShannonMVT · #15 April 25th, 2011, 08:23 PM

Overall I think it was harder than what I thought it would be. Maybe that is partly because Matthew had so much horrible trouble with reflux as a newborn and has never been a good sleeper (and I need my sleep!). Also I think after struggling to conceive maybe I just kind of assumed it would easier?

*krista* · #16 April 26th, 2011, 10:40 AM

Some parts were easier, some not. It was easy to reidentify myself as a mother. Nursing was hell as was the pumping schedule I maintained, I don't think anything could have prepared me for that. The lack of sleep was easier than I thought it would be -- I adjusted to sleeping in one to two hour increments and I actually felt much less tired than I did full term. Overall I would say we did well adjusting, although I've probably blocked out a lot!

We were fortunate in that Charlotte wasnt a big crier and I didn't have any baby blues.

CandaceDianne · #17 April 26th, 2011, 10:47 AM

The sleep deprivation was the hardest part since she did not sleep well until she started daycare at 7 months old!

alicenwonderland · #18 April 26th, 2011, 06:29 PM

OMG SO HARD!!! But i have a WEIRD kiddo lol. Bedrest... awful labor/delivery... colic.... colic.... colic.... food alergies.... formula, breastfeeding, formula, weaning, sstill not working.... not sleeping

As much as i love my son... some time i wish i had waited a little longer.

Frozendesire · #19 April 27th, 2011, 10:03 PM

Hm. I think I found it alittle bit easier then I thought I would. I was terrified but I think I just sorta adjusted easily. Curtis was a fairly good baby but he sure had his fussy/screaming moments.. and I had frustrating times but overall it was easier then I thought. I just slept when he slept, whether it be day or night. I totally MISS that with having just one haha. But I think it's gotten SO much easier the more kids I have. AJ is the BEST baby EVER haha he's just this beautiful easy little thing