The #1 Lesson i learned as a new mom
Listennnnn, why nobody told me that being a mom would be hard. Like ya'll could have warned a sister!
I’m definitely always learning when it comes to my son.
Since having him, my mindset about discipline and how I want to raise my son has evolved.
With that being said, the number one lesson I’ve learned as a new mom is that my baby does not need to adjust to my life but I need to adjust to him. My life evolves around my son. Let me explain.
First, let me clarify that I'm not saying that my son runs my life. No I'm saying that he’s new to this world. I’m saying that it’s my job to help him adjust to his new world.
See babies spend nine months in their mother’s womb. They are accustomed to a compact and dark environment so when they are born they are being introduced to a new environment. This is why wearing your baby, for example, helps them fall asleep and calms them.
Babies are naturally clingy and dependent. I truly believe the statement that it’s best to allow the baby to be dependent so that as they grow they will become independent.
Part of adjusting to my baby is changing my expectations. Let’s take for example sleep. Some people believe in sleep training. Others believe in gentle sleep methods. I’m of the latter and here’s my thought pattern.
Babies are used to being close to mom so they usually prefer sleeping near or with mom
Babies are not suppose to sleep through the night. We expect babies to sleep perfectly and by themselves but if as adults we like or prefer sleeping with someone, why do we expect the opposite from our babies?
I don't like the cry it out method because crying is a baby's way of communicating. So if you ignore them I believe you are not meeting a basic need.
It's my job to gently transition my son to sleep by himself
It’s my job to accommodate him as much as I can. If that means we nurse to sleep, then so be it. If that means he sleeps on or with me, then so be it.
This is just one example of how I'm helping my baby.
I’ve learned that Western society can be backward sometimes. A lot of our practices or methods are unnecessary and sometimes harmful.
However, I will do what comes natural to me.I believe in picking up my son and responding to his cries. I don’t believe that I will spoil him by picking him up, at least not at his age. I will baby my baby.