Fumbling Through the Unknown (First Time Mom Edition)
Doing anything for the first time can feel awkward and terrifying. You just don’t know what you don’t know so the things that could go wrong seem endless and you're often on high alert. That’s definitely been the case as a first time mom, navigating a whole bunch of scenarios that I’ve never been faced with, in the face of a screaming baby boss who seems to disapprove of any form of downtime I try to get.
Every day has presented a series of new "firsts" to tackle in an area I’ve never been versed with: little human raising. Throw me a spread sheet, team to collaborate with and process to roll out, sure thing. I can navigate that. Try to grocery shop with the baby at the local mall or a simple walk to the park? It’s felt more anxiety inducing and stressful than I anticipated.
Pram etiquette?
The first time I took the pram out, I was so careful about every crack in the footpath. I think my vigilance actually accentuated the bumpy experience, leading to a very unsettled baby. Try walking 30 minutes with the howls and screams, as they progressively get louder — it’s heart wrenching and makes you very self conscious (Are people thinking I’m neglecting or abusing my baby?). The narrow footpaths, uneven curbs, and the question of who gives way when two prams meet—it’s a lot to process. Should I go around that pedestrian or wait for them to move? Does my baby come with right of way? I will say that, much to my relief most people passing have been understanding when they see a new mom struggling to navigate.
Health Scares
Then there’s the overwhelming experience of baby health. Is it normal for their poop to look like that? What do I do when they have a fever? Are their sleep cycles normal? He seems to be moving his right leg a whole lot more than the left, is that a sign of anything? He slept for 5 hours, is he still breathing?! Oh crap, my baby’s coughing, anyone know Heimlich??
Our last visit to the nurses office was filled with many questions, and I was assured that these concerns were all normal and common. Everything was fine. Nurses and paediatricians have seen it all, so they can disprove any signs of serious illness . I am still honing my motherly instincts when it comes to baby’s health. But as I am exposed to more, I am able to understand which
Overwhelmed but Growing
The truth is, being a new mom feels like a series of overwhelming firsts. But every stumble, every awkward encounter, every “What the heck do I do now?” moment has taught me a lot (or little) for next time. I remind myself that practice builds confidence and things will become easier. Like with anything new, you learn, you adapt, and eventually, things that once felt daunting become second nature.
Hopefully, one day l’ll look back and realise that the things that daunt me, no longer do. Until then, take it one step, one pram manoeuvre, and one Google search at a time.
