Do you feel like the baby days are hard and it’s hard to relax and enjoy it? Here’s my best tips, as a mom of 4, on how to enjoy your baby right now.
My entire body itched. I laid there on the hospital bed, 36 weeks pregnant, scared to death I had cholestasis. They did a few tests and gave me some Benadryl to stop the itching and help me get some rest. Unfortunately the Benadryl made the itching worse and gave me restless leg.
That’s why you don’t drug kids while traveling. It backfires.
Anyway, the pregnancy with my fourth child was hard. I was healthy physically, but hormonally and emotionally I was a complete and total basket case. All I wanted, my entire being, was oriented towards birthin’ that baby and holding him (or her) in my arms.
The tests came back negative, I was told to change my washing detergent, and sent home. I passed the next three weeks praying the baby was safe and delivery would just get here. Well, he came a week early and, along with the surprise of finding out his gender at birth, I felt immediate relief. Euphoria even.
Because I flipping love babies. I could hug and squeeze and cuddle them all day long and half the night. However, I know not everyone finds the “baby phase” so easy. I get emails from moms with babes who are really struggling. But I truly think you can make the best of this time. You can “enjoy every moment.” Or at least, enjoy many moments.
Here are some things you can do with your baby that give you perspective.
How small they are.
How fast they are growing.
How precious this time is.
Enjoy your baby right now
- Lay your baby on the bed and push your chin lightly on their chest. If they are of the giggling age, they love this.
- Let your spouse hold your baby and walk to the other side of the room. Your baby will take the proper perspective, so so tiny.
- Hold your baby to your chest with his cheek to your cheek. Close your eyes, and memorize his milky smell.
- When you hear the little pitter patter of feet (or knees and hands), close your eyes and listen closely. Soon it’ll be a thing of the past.
- Hold the baby on your hip and stand in front of the mirror. Marvel at the way you are made. Your hip won’t be a seat much longer.
- Put one of your baby’s shoes on the palm of your hand and hold it up. Chubby feet don’t last forever.
- Lie on your back and put your baby on your belly. Belly to belly time. It’s the perfect position for lots of kisses.
- With your baby in the seated position, put your hands around their rib cage and see if your thumbs touch. Feel those tiny ribs?
- Squeeze their cheeks. On both ends. Has skin ever felt so soft?
- Find a phrase just for you and your baby. When I feed my baby I always say, “Are you hungry? I made milky in my heart for you!” High Nausea, I know.
- Find where your baby is ticklish and have a tickle fest.
- Have a staring contest with your baby. Try looking into your baby’s eyes from a few inches away and not have a melted heart.
These days are hard. They are overwhelming. They are challenging. But most of all, they are short.
Don’t be so focused on the hard that you miss the precious.
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Jeniece @ On the Go Mommy says
How precious is this post! I love every single thing you mentioned. I feel weird to admit I love the milky baby smell! Not the soured smell, but the other milky smell. It’s so fun to see my twins different personalities and connecting with each of them. Like one is ticklish if I kiss her chin and i can get her biggest laugh that way. The other is most ticklish on her ribs. They’ve started to creep crawl now so I love to lay on the floor and let them crawl to me. They smile so big when I get down on their level. I love babies too! That’s why I started my blog in the first place so I could talk about them all the time! Great encouraging post I hope more moms apply to their own life. It goes by so fast.
Rachel Norman says
Oh Jeniece I LOVEEEEE the milky baby smell. I just love it! I was moving his clothes the other day and smelled them and just walked around with them for a while. Yes, yes, we are sappy and it’s great!!!!
MG says
I agree, baby phase is so precious, I absolutely loved the whole baby phase! The first 5-6 weeks were tough for me but mainly due to the fact that I had c-section so I couldn’t properly bent over for few weeks after delivery. I was a bit struggling and learning about my baby, but things just ‘clicked’ right after 6 weeks and I absolutely enjoyed every moment of my son’s babyhood.
I actually started struggling again since my son started walking and became a toddler. He is too fast for me!
I find the toddler phase very tiring and challenging! Perhaps you could write your next post about how to survive todller phase? Haha :-) I’m sure you would have some good advice to share.
Rachel Norman says
Ha, yes I thought already about the “how to enjoy your toddler phase” and it didn’t come as quickly as the baby. Hahaha
MG says
Haha, it can be tough! Toddlers are so fast and fearless and we are ‘on call’ 24/7 making sure they are safe! On top of that it’s the time when a bit of discipline should be introduced, which is not easy, they are still too young to understand the discipline.
I think I am more tired now than during the baby phase and that is because of being constantly alert (baby phase more physical tiredness but more relaxed mentally as baby is not on the go yet!).
Hope that makes sense :)
Will be looking forward to reading your new post.
Rachel Norman says
MG, you are exactly right it’s more tiring when you have to watch their every move. Mental weariness is harder than physical tiredness in my opinion!