I Do Not Enjoy the Newborn Stage

I’m 10 days into the newborn stage with my second child and it’s my least favorite stage. 


I honestly cannot understand how anyone can say, “enjoy the newborn stage!”


I love my baby - this precious beautiful new human under my care.


I love my husband - the hardworking devoted man who is trying his best everyday to support me and our family.


I love my toddler - who is brilliantly hilarious and adorable, and adjusting pretty well to her world shift.


I love my mom - who so willingly disrupted her own busy schedule for weeks to help me through this transition.


I love my community of generous kind friends and family who are supporting us through meals, gifts, prayers, texts, and calls. 


I love my Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ for blessing me with so many prayers answered, tender mercies, comforts, and conveniences. 


But I’m too tired and in too much pain to enjoy the newborn stage, like so many people are encouraging me to do. I want it to pass as quickly as possible. 


I don’t enjoy only being able to sleep in 1.5 to 2 hour increments.


I don’t enjoy the multiple sources of pain never giving me a break.


I don’t enjoy strong uterus contractions making breastfeeding excruciating.


I don’t enjoy breast engorgement making sleep difficult even when it’s possible.


I don’t enjoy nursing my perineum tear during frequent bathroom trips - rinsing my wound, replacing pads, putting on ointment, dreading every bowel movement. 


I don’t enjoy only being able to stand or lay down because sitting is too painful.


I don’t enjoy not being able to lift, bend, or squat.


I don’t enjoy the swollen ankles making movement restricted. 


I don’t enjoy keeping track of when to take pain meds and stool softener on top of my vitamins.


I don’t enjoy functioning on survival mode.


I am not enjoying the newborn stage. I am enduring it the best I can through my loves, knowing it will pass soon. 


I am really looking to getting my body/energy/strength back and getting to know my baby more. 

Comments

  1. RuthMarch 8, 2024 at 11:04 PM

    Love your post! All of this is so true and I wish people had been more honest about it with me before motherhood. Thanks for sharing your story and thoughts with us and for keeping it real. Listening to and reading other frustrations from other moms was one of my greatest sources of comfort during the hell of newborn stage. My least favorite part is the engorgement. Ugh. My most favorite part was NOT BEING PREGNANT 😂

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anne MarieMarch 9, 2024 at 11:29 AM

    You’ve captured so well some of the insanity of that stage! It is so intense! you are doing an amazing job there! Xox

    ReplyDelete
  3. MeganMarch 11, 2024 at 11:33 AM

    I just sent this to my husband so he can know what to expect. I keep telling him it's going to be intense, but I don't think either of us will fully wrap our minds around it until the time comes.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Karlie GMarch 14, 2024 at 1:39 PM

    I usually refer to the newborn stage as "baby bootcamp"! I think as a society we're overly focused on prep for delivery, especially for first-time moms, but delivery typically comes with lots of professional support and excitement. But those first few weeks and months with a newborn... lonely and so hard and neverending! Hang in there!!

    ReplyDelete

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