You would think that after having six kids, I would have mastered this whole motherhood thing. Well, not really.. even after six kids, there are still things that surprise me, things I wish I had known earlier. And there are things I thought I already knew but apparently didn’t. So for expecting and first-time moms, here are 10 things I wish I knew before giving birth. Some I learned the hard way, and some took me a few more babies to figure out.
1. Your birth plan might not go exactly as planned.
Even with my sixth child, there were still things that didn’t go according to plan. Imagine, after giving birth five times, you would think my brith plan would be perfect. But no!
Birth Story with Mathieu
My OB was on vacation, and we were hoping my baby could wait until Sunday before saying hello to the world because that’s when my OB was scheduled to return. Well, he did wait until Sunday! The problem was, we forgot to specify the exact time. I think the time my OB’s plane was landing was also the time my baby decided to say hello to the world.
2. Prepare for postpartum, not just childbirth.
When you’re pregnant, most of your attention goes to preparing for the baby. But what about you? In my experience, I was lucky because my husband was fully aware of how important postpartum care is. So even though I spent so much time thinking about delivery and baby essentials, he was there to help me during recovery. And believe me, having that kind of support makes a big difference. Your body needs time to recover, so make sure you prepare for yourself, too.
3. Sleep really does change, but you’ll eventually find your rhythm.
To all the moms reading this, please, please, please, when someone tells you to sleep while your baby is sleeping, DO IT! This is probably the best advice I received when I gave birth. I know it’s tempting to use that quiet time to finish household chores, but seriously, get some sleep! Newborn babies don’t follow our sleeping schedules, and it will take time before you and your baby develop a routine. So whenever you have the chance to rest, take it!
4. You don’t need every baby item people tell you to buy.
There are so many baby products available now that it’s easy to feel like you need everything, especially when you’re a first-time mom. But not everything that works for another mom will work for you. In my case, a wooden crib is a must-have, but a baby rocker? Not for me. Start with the essentials, especially a safe sleeping space for your baby, and buy other things as you discover what you actually need. Save that money because there will be plenty of other things to spend it on!
5. Feeding your baby can come with a learning curve.
With my firstborn, I decided to breastfeed 100%, but I didn’t expect it to be that difficult. As a first-time mom, there were so many emotions happening all at once, and it took a few days before I finally got the hang of breastfeeding. But once everything was okay, feeding became much easier, and that experience helped me with my succeeding children. In fact, breastfeeding was pretty smooth all the way to my sixth child. So don’t be discouraged if feeding doesn’t come naturally right away. Give yourself time to learn and don’t hesitate to ask for professional help when needed.
6. Your own nutrition still matters after giving birth.
Who wouldn’t forget about themselves when there’s this little human being who needs you almost all the time? And when the baby finally falls asleep, instead of doing something for yourself, you just want to stare at that tiny face because how can someone be that cute?!
So yes, I cannot blame moms who sometimes forget to take care of themselves. But we really shouldn’t. Our bodies still need proper nutrition after giving birth, especially during recovery and breastfeeding. This is why maternal nutrition matters, and products like Anmum can be an option to help supplement a balanced diet, depending on your nutritional needs. Because while we’re busy nourishing our babies, we shouldn’t forget to nourish ourselves, too.
7. The First 1,000 Days doesn’t end when you give birth.
The First 1,000 Days starts from conception and continues until your child’s second birthday. This is a crucial period for your baby’s growth and development, which is why proper nutrition matters even after giving birth. And it’s not just about the baby’s nutrition, maternal nutrition is just as important, especially for breastfeeding moms.
This is where Anmum comes in. Anmum is a maternal milk brand designed to help support the nutritional needs of pregnant and breastfeeding moms. It can be a convenient addition to a balanced diet, especially during those busy days when taking care of yourself becomes the last thing on your mind. Of course, it doesn’t replace proper meals, but it can help supplement your daily nutrition.
8. Accepting help doesn’t make you less capable as a mom.
I think a lot of moms feel like they have to do everything themselves. But why? Motherhood was never meant to be a one-person job. There’s a reason people say it takes a village to raise a child. Your village can be your husband, family, friends, or even other moms who can share their experiences and guide you. Sometimes all you need is someone to prepare food, watch the baby while you rest, or simply listen. You can be a good mom and still need help!
9. Stop comparing your motherhood journey with someone else’s.
It’s so easy to compare, especially when you see other moms who seem to have everything figured out. Their babies sleep well, their houses are clean, and they somehow still look presentable. Meanwhile, you’re wondering when you last washed your hair. But every mom, baby, and family is different. What works for another mom might not work for you, and that’s perfectly fine. Focus on what works for your own family instead.
10. Don’t forget yourself when you become a mom.
When you become a mother, it’s so easy to let motherhood become your entire identity. Your schedule revolves around your baby, and sometimes you start putting yourself last without even noticing it. But please remember that you still matter. Your health, happiness, and the things you enjoy doing are still important. Taking time for yourself doesn’t mean you love your children any less. You are a mother, yes, but you’re also still you.
Looking Back
After six kids, I can say that motherhood is really something you can never fully prepare for. There will always be things that surprise you, no matter how experienced you think you are. So prepare as much as you can, ask for help when you need it, and please don’t forget to take care of yourself along the way. Because as much as our babies need us, we also need to take care of the person doing all that caring.
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