35 things I wish I’d known before having my first baby…

Zoe Hill - 3 Jul 17

I’m one month into having my first baby and have found breastfeeding and sleep deprivation the biggest challenges. Here is my list of things I wish I’d known about both topics before having a baby:

1. No one can really ever prepare you for what it’s like to have your first baby
2. You’ll focus so much on the birth of your baby, that it actually comes as a shock once the baby is here and you realise that this is actually now the tough bit, the birth is a breeze in comparison
3. Breastfeeding is really, really tough
4. Like the toughest thing you’ll ever do
5. And it’s really mentally tough as well as physically
6. I was so consumed with ‘getting it right’ that it ruined the first two weeks of my bonding experience with my baby
7. Once it got to week 3, something clicked
8. Once I accepted it was tough to breastfeed and just went with it, it all fell into place
9. Sometimes breastfeeding hurts. ‘Toe curling’ springs to mind. It does get better though I promise!
10. Beware of the forums when you’re up at 4am breastfeeding – they’re not always a nice place to be and can leave you feeling more anxious than before you looked at them
11. Don’t compare yourself to other mums on social media – remember real life behind their filtered perfect pictures is usually very different
12. There is no shame in deciding to formula feed your baby if breastfeeding doesn’t work for you – don’t let your midwife, the forums, friends and family influence your decision
13. You’re the mummy and you’ll know what’s best for you and baby.
14. If you do bottle feed – make sure you buy the right bottle teats for the age of your baby – who knew there were so many?!
15. Also buy the same range of dummies (if using) as the bottles you buy – this way it causes no confusion for the baby (again something no one tells you before baby!)
16. Your boobs will no doubt leak a lot if you’re breastfeeding – make sure you’re stocked up on breast pads
17. Buy sleep bras you can wear in bed – they’re a life saver!
18. Backache and neck pain are common – make sure you have lots of supportive pillows and a feeding pillow at the ready (and a good chiropractor contact if needed!)
19. When you sit down to breastfeed you may be there a while – make sure you have everything you need to hand. Worst thing is starting a feed and realising you can’t reach the remote!
20. The thirst you get from breastfeeding is akin to the worst hangover thirst you’ve ever experienced – a big bottle of water with you at all times is needed!
21. And snacks. Biscuits will become your new best friend. And cake.
22. If you decide to express milk research your pump – there are so many different ones on the market. But don’t worry about buying one before the baby is here
23. So many people I know spend a fortune on a pump before the baby arrives, only to realise they don’t want to express / can’t express / decide to use formula instead
24. Breast milk is like liquid gold – if you spill any expressed milk you will end up sobbing into your kitchen sink
25. Nipple cream, nipple cream and more nipple cream – that is all I am saying!
26. Sleep deprivation is a b*tch
27. I remember feeling like I was watching someone else in my body
28. You’ll hate your former childless self who ever moaned about being tired
29. You’ll laugh hysterically when your childless friend with a weekend hangover moans about being tired
30. Your baby will wake in the night to be fed and you’ll cry. You’ll cry a lot in the first month. It’s ok, it’s normal. Don’t worry.
31. But you must speak about how you’re feeling. Don’t let things get bottled up and escalate
32. If you’re struggling, don’t keep plodding along just hoping it will get better. Make changes that work for you and baby
33. Ultimately happy mum = happy baby
34. Every single 4am snuggle with baby is so SO worth the lack of sleep
35. And lastly – ENJOY EVERY SINGLE MINUTE. It will fly by.

Zoe Hill

View profile for posts, events and more info