It's been almost a year since gave birth to my son Jacob Nathaniel. I almost feel the pain when I got labor. The pain that I can't explain, the pain that made me cry and the pain that makes me happy now. My baby is my life, my everything and my inspiration in life.
I though that I was the greatest parent on him...
Figuring this, I am sitting with a gorgeous bundle of joy in my arms, a scene that I have probably pictured in my head several times during my pregnancy, and its hits me, I mean that it really hits me because I am a parent now! I am the one who is responsible for this beautiful piece of life in my hands!
When I became a parent, I remember thinking to myself often, in the first year, why didn't anyone tell me the difficulties of having a new born baby? But nothing can prepare me for my experience as a first time parent. Its feels like I am going crazy and extremely exhausted that time.
My life has been changed when my baby comes around to my life in an unbelievable way..
First thing happen is that I am going to breastfeed my baby but how can I do that? Breastfeeding is hard, but not impossible. I breastfeed him for two weeks only because I have my problem on my nipple. I told to my oby-gyne that I got difficult doing it, so she told me to give my child a milk formula. On that time, I don't have a choice but to do it because I don't want my child to be hungry that time. Until now, he is lactating a milk formula in a bottle.
Secondly, not all babies sleep long hours! Based on research, babies sleep 12-16 hours a day. But not all babies sleep for long and even at night, they sleep between 2-4 hours, initially.
And that's one of my biggest issue on having a baby, why? Because I sleep terribly!!! when I became a mother, I was awfully sleep deprived. I come slowly realized that sleeping is a luxury for new parents. My mother advised me that you better sleep when your baby is sleeping. That time, I don't have enough sleep always. My day become night and my night become day! What a terrible experienced I had!
I can absolutely say that the first three months were the hardest stage of being a new parent. Is it because that my baby is gradually adjusting life to the outside world and outside of my womb? I was totally go through all kind of hormonal and physical changes while recovering from childbirth. I learned how to express their needs. My sister told me that I need to empathized my child and give them what they need because if I soothe him by piking him up, he wont be stuck on my hips forever.
There's a lot of advice that I received from my family, my neighbor and my friends. A lot of opinions and suggestions. That time, I feel that I am not good enough of being a parent. I asked questions always to my mother ad sister what I am going to do if my baby cry because I want to be everything is right for my baby. But one thing is assured, learn to listen to your parents especially those persons who have a child or experience of being a parent! And of course find your ways to have your own parenting philosophy.
I captured always my son's activities because I want to cherish every moment when he is a baby. Needless to say, I want to capture every single moment. New parents are unsurprisingly obsessed with their newborns like me.
As a parent, we need to give them loved and presence in the best way we can!
Children teach us so much about life. A child will find true joy in the simplest of things. Children teach us how to love unconditionally, how to forgive, to be giving, to be honest, to be carefree, to trust your instincts, patience, and perseverance, among many other things.
As they said, we must enjoy our baby because they grow fast. Cherish all the memories you have.
Being a parent is mostly about being full of love, joy, hope and unimaginable delight, even when you’re bone tired. You will laugh more than ever before. All the craziness will soon end – the sleepless nights, the toilet training, and tantrums. Time will run swiftly and in the blink of an eye your infant will be a toddler and before you know it, ready for school. Savor the baby stage; it’s so special and so short-lived that you will miss it dearly when it’s gone. Watching your child grow is one of the most magical and mystical experiences of your life. Don’t be constantly worried and panicked about the baby.
You will be fine. Don’t take life too seriously. Remember to relax and have fun as a family enjoying this beautiful gift that you have been blessed with.
I AM CERTIFIED A PARENT!!
-cathy08-
