How Do You Adjust To Parenthood After Having Given Birth To Your First Baby?

Although, from what I hear, some people feel they need to adjust; based on my own experience, and that of mothers close to me, it seems that not everyone feels any need to adjust.

My mother, who was 27 when she had her first child, put it best. She used to say, "I wanted my babies. I was ready to be a mother. I knew how to take care of them. I just brought you home, took good care of you, and that was that."

My own experience was similar. I had been around babies all my life, so I knew about taking care of them. Also, I babysat from the time I was 13 until I was 19, when I started college and couldn't add it to a "regular" part-time job. I wanted my babies, and I was ready for them. Like my own mother, I just brought them home, took care of them, and was happy. Because I was ready for them I didn't resent losing all kinds of sleep (for years), and I never resented anything I may have had to give up because I had young children.

The first baby I had was a premie, so that was scary. Before having him I had a second trimester miscarriage. Maybe I was just so happy to have each of my children it just didn't require any adjusting at all. Again, I was ready; and once the baby was all here he was more than reason to "rise to the occasion", as well as be nothing but happy.

(Note: After answering this question and submitting it, I saw that the question is in the "paternal bond" category. That was not clear when I, as a mother, decided to answer the question.)

This is to answer a question posed on Hub Pages, about how to adjust to the birth of a new baby (like there's an old one LOL). While the answers posted were very well stated, and I believe have much merit,... keep reading →

Parenthood will come natrually. Just relax, as unlikely as that answer may seem, but it's true. Just relax, and enjoy your new baby. Together you will grow, and later on you will look back, and see how much there was not to worry about.

With your first, there just seems to be a "shock & awe" type realization that you created a life. Adjusting just comes naturally. I wouldn't even call it adjusting. It is just a new normal.

As soon as you think you adjust, these little-dependent-only- on- you beings decide to switch it up on you. Then one morning you wake up, and they have their own personality. That creates new joys, complications and frustrations.

Last year I became a new mom. At the fourth month, I was not seeing the end of the "new baby tunnel." He was still not sleeping through the night. I was working full time. I was exhausted! Come to find out one reason for my exhaustion was the fact that I was pregnant again!

So now, with my 14 month old and my 7 week old, we are again creating a "new normal." This time around it seems to be so much easier.....but check back with me later this week, after I go back to work on Wednesday.

Oh, and no one says you have be perfect. Once you realize this, motherhood will be so much easier!