How is Navy 5 months old?! The past 5 months have flown by (even in quarantine). Before I forget the ins and outs of the first few months, I figured I'd do a recap and provide some useful information. We all know that the first few months are filled with sleepless nights, healing, figuring shit out, and the occasional meltdown. But more importantly, it's the most magical time.
The greatest advice I got
- Enjoy every moment, even the sleepless nights, because it goes by so fast- This couldn't be more true. Navy is almost 5 months old as I write this, and I can't get over how fast time is going. I actually have moments where I feel sad. I miss her delivery (I know, I'm one of very few), I miss the few days in the hospital (pre-Covid 19), I miss the first week home where it was just Navy, Ray, Luca and I getting to know her and I miss when our families came to meet her (and sadly haven't seen her since because of Covid 19). Don't get me wrong, I'm so excited for all of the milestones that are to come. But the newborn phase was so incredible, I can't believe how quickly it flew by.
- Your priorities will change the day she is born- Wow. This also couldn't be more true. Before we had Navy, I had a really hard time deciding if I was ready. How was I going to balance work and motherhood? I was so dedicated to my job, I couldn't imagine having the time to raise a baby. What if I can't bill as much? Or be as readily available for clients? I remember my people telling me that, while I can't imagine it now, when Navy is here my priorities will change. I really didn't understand that, until she was born.
- Everyone will have their own opinion (and let it be known)- If you don't want to hear it, just ignore it. Some advice will be really helpful, and others just won't resonate or apply to you. Know how to filter the good from the bad.
- Listen to your mom instincts- I love this one. I had zero idea how to take care of a baby before Navy was born. After all, I had never even changed a baby's diaper on my own or spent a few hours alone with one. But the second Navy was born, it all came so naturally. It's the weirdest thing- you go from having no idea what you're doing to feeling like you know better than anyone.
- You really don't know what it's going to be like until you're in it- The best example I can give is with breastfeeding. Before Navy was born, I really didn't care whether I breastfed or used formula. Fed is best. I, of course, still strongly believe that. But I was surprised at how attached to breastfeeding I became. I was lucky to have a great supply and for it to come relatively easy for Navy and I. Unfortunately, I had to stop pretty abruptly when she was 3 months old. In a million years I never thought I would be so upset switching to bottle-feeding.
- Never say never- Going back to breastfeeding, I always said that once I was exclusively bottle-feeding, I would just stop pumping. I really didn't like to pump and so I figured at that point, I'd just switch to formula (and use up any milk I had stored, which was quite a bit). Wrong. For whatever reason, I cannot stop pumping. I've been doing it exclusively for 2 months. Let's see how long I do it for.
- Don't rush sleep training- When Navy turned 3 1/2 months, she outgrew the Snoo. I decided that once I was moving her to the crib, I would start sleeping training her (for nighttime and naps). The nighttimes weren't terrible, but the naps were a nightmare. After an incredibly challenging week, I decided Navy simply wasn't ready to start sleep training (especially for naps). After all, they say that you can't really train them for naps until 5 months. But I was so eager to start, I figured she could do it. Thankfully I hadn't yet returned the Snoo, so for the following two weeks, I had her nap in the Snoo (which was a dream). At 4 months I switched her back to the crib. But I'm now way more relaxed. Even she's having difficulty napping (normally her 3rd and 4th nap of the day), I let her sleep in the stroller or on me. When they're developmentally ready, it's so much easier. At 4 months and 1 day, Navy decided she no longer wanted the dream feed. She started sleeping through the night (most nights), and it was just so much easier than trying to force it earlier.
- You can't do it all- For a few months, I was doing the morning shift every morning. And not surprisingly, I burnt out. There is only so long you can go with such little sleep. Ray and I started alternating morning shifts and it made an incredible difference. Even if I wake up early on my off days, I'm able to get a workout in and do something for me.
- Snoo
- Baby Bjorn Bouncer
- Play mat
- Toys- this toy to distract them at the changing table, this one for tummy time, this toy bar for the Baby Bjorn bouncer
Things you can live without
- So many swaddles- 2 is enough in my opinion
- More than a couple of outfits- Navy lived in footies until 4 months. It's just SO much easier. They stay nice and cozy. Plus she spits up so much I have to change her all of the time (with outfits that would have been a nightmare).
- I did this post about things you don't need in your hospital bag
- Pretty muslin swaddles- I got 5 and barely used them. I use the burp cloths I took from the hospital.
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