Today has been "one of those days" where nothing seems to want to go right and Ailsa just does not want to nap at all which has become a running theme over the last few days, Meaning I have a super grouchy over tired baby. Luckily she sleeps well at night or I don't think I would cope so well through the day. This is just one of the things I am learning about Motherhood and there have been many things in the past 5 months that I guess I just never expected, never thought about and some I never knew about.
First thing I really learned was that Breastfeeding is not as straight forward as you think it will be or should be. Who knew that there was a correct way for baby to latch on or that you can feel your let down in the breast that baby isn't feeding off. Luckily during my breastfeeding workshop at the hospital, the midwife spoke about cluster feeding- where the baby could feed for hours on end to encourage your milk to come in or the supply to increase for a growth spurt- If she hadn't I would have had no idea and probably panicked that there was something wrong or I didn't have enough milk. Why is this not common knowledge and why does no one tell you this.
That Mother's guilt exists no matter what decisions you make. You will always second guess what your doing but you just have to trust in yourself that you are making an informed decision. I like to do a lot of research in regards to things like weaning, breastfeeding, what nappies to use, how to help with teething, sleep training etc (I think it's the need to satisfy the Scientist and worrier in me). In general I follow the most recent scientific evidence and WHO guidance, but you also have to do what is best for your family.
Babies have growth spurt at set times and also go through developmental leaps- Even though I have a Biology degree this is not even something I was aware of. I don't know if it was ignorance or lack of education but I guess I never had to think about it so much and just thought babies would just grow. Spurts and Leaps can be so challenging as baby will want to feed loads and be extra clingy and grouchy and like today refuse to sleep till 3pm after getting up at 8am.
They also don't tell you about the joy you will feel the first time your baby smiles at you, or how you can't explain the feeling that you have as soon as your newborn baby is placed on your chest. How your whole day can be made when your baby laughs at the silly thing that your doing or just how precious they are when they are sleeping on your chest and let out a little sigh.
There are so many things you can learn and research and be told about your newborn baby and what to expect, but many things just need to be experienced first hand and I am sure I have many new things to experience in the future.
Labels: 5 month old, Ailsa, breastfeeding, cluster, feeding, growth spurt, joy, leap, motherhood, mum, nappies, new, newborn, sleep, smile, weaning, WHO
