To say the least, the first few months with a newborn are difficult. Your entire world has changed (for the first, second, or third time…), and everyone is adjusting to the new standard. It’s a challenge. It’s difficult. It’s been a long time since I’ve had a good night’s sleep, and my irritation levels are at an all-time high. There are a lot of cuddles, dirty hair, and coffee. And it’s brimming with unfathomable affection. And, after all, don’t we forget about the difficult parts?
So, in an effort to assist future expecting mothers, I asked other “been there, done that” moms to share the most difficult part of the first eight weeks for them. What they had to say was as follows:
A lack of sleep
It was the lack of sleep that killed me. When I’m running on only a few hours of sleep, I’m not a pleasant or nice person. Coffee is a godsend. And a patient husband who put up with my annoyance. And who took the baby as much as he could in order for me to sleep?
No more alone time.
I don’t have time for myself. During those first few months, I felt like I was drowning. All of my energy was directed toward my baby, and while she is well worth it, it took a toll on me and my own happiness. That’s when I found postpartum depression is really common, and there’s a lot of treatment out there! I strongly encourage anyone who is depressed to seek treatment! “You’re never on your own.”
The comparisons
I expected parenthood to come naturally to me, and while it did in some ways, I’m still striving to keep up with the Joneses and remain afloat on this insane path.” It’s definitely worth a shot!
Balancing the demands of two children
The most challenging part for me was juggling my toddler and my infant.” Finding the right balance between catering to the newborn’s basic needs and paying attention to the toddler (while avoiding jealousy) was a challenge, and one I’m still working on!
Breastfeeding
It was the most hardest thing for me to breastfeed. Every time we tried, I just wanted to give up. It was irritating, difficult, and virtually impossible at first, but I persevered, and with my husband’s help and support, it became much easier!
Worrying nonstop
The never-ending anxiety. I didn’t sleep much after my son was born, not just because he wouldn’t allow me, but also because I was anxious about whether he was breathing, happy, and so on. When you have a baby, the world becomes a lot bigger and frightening!
The abrupt change in lifestyle
“It was extremely difficult to adjust to a newborn!” All of my focus was suddenly on this tiny person, and I was fighting to keep them alive. The whole thing was terrible, tough, and magnificent all at the same time.
The feeling of being alone
Being the first of my friends to have a child, the first few months were a little lonely for me.” My pals didn’t comprehend what I was going through, and I didn’t think I could relate to them anymore.
FAQ
What weeks are the hardest with a newborn?
Most parents find the first six to eight weeks with a new infant to be the most difficult, and while many of the issues in these early weeks of motherhood are not openly discussed (if at all), there are a number of common obstacles you may face at this time.
Why the first month with a newborn is so hard?
Your Baby’s Sleeping Habits is Changing
However, as your bundle of joy grows and changes, so does their sleeping pattern. As a result, kids begin to want a more organised sleep pattern in a more stable environment. This means you’re now working around their timetable rather than vice versa.Is the first month of motherhood the hardest?
Because, honestly, the first month of motherhood is the most difficult few weeks of parenting I’ve ever experienced. The first month of parenthood was without a doubt the most hardest few weeks of my life. Sure, each stage of parenthood comes with its own set of challenges, but those first few weeks are unlike any other.
Why is early motherhood so hard?
Early parenting is typically filled with self-doubt and stress, no doubt aided by the weariness that comes with it. While those initial years are indeed stressful, our own expectations of ourselves and our surroundings may be a contributing factor.
All of this so much yes. The hardest thing for me was sleep. My son woke up in 30 minute intervals for the first three months. I was EXHAUSTED!!!! I had no help from my ex husband or anyone else. There were no breaks to be had. I was going crazy. He still at 2.5 is a terrible sleeper