Here are a few of the things we've come to realize as newcomers to the world of child raising.
- My first bone to pick is with all those Child raising books who make you feel so inadequate when your experience is not going just like it "should". I resent them claiming that, by the second week, you should be able to understand your baby and know exactly what each of his different crying fits mean. Alejo and I are still clueless half the time. But most importantly, I resent all books that say that "if breastfeeding hurts at first, you are doing it wrong". FALSE!! I am sorry, but when a starving infant starts sucking with all his might on your "virgin" nipples, it hurts! Same thing for when your milk comes in and your breasts triple in size. Of course, you get used to it after a while, but maybe all those sleepless nights spent feeling like an incompetent mother, like I was doing something wrong, could have been avoided!
- Maternal instinct is a very primitive feeling. The urge to bark at (and then bite) all strangers who try to approach your child is overwhelming (my apologies by the way). I guess I won't be able to protect him from everything, so I better get used to it!
- With breastfeeding every 2 to 3 hours, burping and changing, there is very little time left for things such as eating and sleeping (let alone such leisurely activities as taking a shower!). I've been told that I eat like a new mom, without chewing. Last one to start and first one to finish.
- Whenever you think it's time to change him because you've heard the explosion in the diaper, wait an extra 15 minutes. Even then though, nothing feels as good as peeing and pooing when you're not stuck in the confines of a tight diaper! Let's just say that our change table has been washed many, many times.
- Whenever we go out or have visitors, Gabriel will be sleeping soundly. There is no waking him up, no matter how loud it gets or how many people poke at him. Lots of friends and family haven't been able to see his eyes yet. But it takes about 28 seconds once they're gone for him to be wide awake. I am thinking of making "visiting hours" from 1 am to 6 am, so the new parents can finally get some sleep!
- Speaking of sleep, whoever invented the phrase "to sleep like a baby" obviously had never had a child. They grunt, snort, moan, twist and turn like if they were possessed, leading the new parents to check up on them about 68 times each night. Of course, that too you get used to.
Well, those are just a few of our observations. Hopefully this will ring true to other new parents out there!
Take Care,
Lys, Alejo & Gabriel xx
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