What surprised you the most about becoming a mom?

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What surprised you the most about becoming a mom?

by Heather
(Washington)

I am expecting my first baby next week. I think I am ready, but I'm starting to get nervous. I have been around babies a lot, having been a frequent babysitter for my sister's kids.

Your site has been a great help in answering all the questions I can think of, and I'm sure I will be back after she is born.

Now that the day is almost here, I can't wait to hold her in my arms. But I wonder what I'm missing. Am I truly ready?

Can you tell me what surprised you the most about becoming a mom?

Laurie's (The MNBC Mommy's) Answer:
Congratulations on your new baby! What an exciting adventure upon which you are about to embark.

I was much like you in that I had done quite a bit of babysitting before I had my first child. I wasn't very nervous about knowing how to care for him because I think I was too nervous about the delivery to think past it!

What surprised me most about becoming a mother was the intense love and protectiveness that came over me when I first held him. I knew I would love him, but the intensity of the feelings were instantaneous and consuming.

I also had a hard time believing that he was really MINE. I couldn't believe that they were actually going to let me take this precious little thing home with me. (I know it's not rational, but I was hormonal - so I wasn't really big on rational thoughts.)

It sounds like you are as well-prepared as you can be, so don't stress about what you don't know. Just enjoy it.

I hope some of the other mom's weigh in on this question! (Hint, Hint!)

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What surprised you the most about becoming a mom?

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My New Title - "Mother"
by: Anonymous

Motherhood..you read and hear stories about it from mothers, but truly understand what it is all about only after becoming a mother yourself.

I had mixed emotions when I first learned that I was going to have a baby. I was super excited about becoming a mom, however, there was a slight fear in me about it as well. The fear was related to my capabilities in handling a new born baby all by myself. I love being around children, but have never taken care of a new born baby, never put a baby to sleep, never changed a nappy, etc. So, it was going to be a brand new experience for me.

When my son was born, I did not get to see his face properly as the nurses took him away for cleaning, tests, etc. After a while, when my son was put in my arms, all I could do was stare at him with a blank mind. This new person that we brought into this world is our responsibility! We are his parents, so we have to take care of him in the best way we can and give him the best we can. He is totally dependent on us for everything!

From then on, a new journey had begun - both for us as parents and for my son. Before he was born, I had different titles and roles - wife, daughter, sister. My son gave me a new title - Mother, and it was the best title of all. I agree, a father has a very important role to play in a child's life, but the most important role is that of a mother.

Each day in motherhood is a new day with new activities for the baby.

When you are a mother, you are never really alone in your thoughts. A mother always has to think twice - once for herself and once for her child. I realized the true value of my mom after becoming a mom myself.

They didn't tell me that....
by: Ginny

The most surprising part about becoming a mom was the intense feeling of love that I had for my daughter. I had been around babies, had younger siblings, nieces and nephews whom I adored, but the connection between me and my daughter was the most wonderful and rewarding feeling I have ever experienced.

I think it's nature's way of fortifying new mothers because of the effort it takes to become a mother with your first child. If you didn't have that wondrous feeling for your child, waking up several times in the night and getting very little sleep between feeds would soon become unbearable. The love you have for your little one is what gets you through.

Becoming a mother for the first time is the hardest because so much about your life changes. Being able to give yourself up to doing just that is also a surprise.

Although it's physically a hard job, it's a wonderful feeling. Taking the time to enjoy those moments with your new baby will see you through the early days before baby sleeps through the night.

Toughest, most rewarding experience of my life
by: Genna

My son, Andrew, was born January 6th, 2010. I've had previous experience with babies because my mom runs a daycare, and I have three neices I have watched on occasion.

Having a child of your own, however, teaches you a whole new set of skills.

First, how to function with very little sleep (at least for the first 12 weeks, anyways). My little one was hungry every 2 hours, and in the beginning, had his days and nights mixed up. I tried napping when he did, but never really felt rested. Expecting mothers- after delivery you will be tired to a level you've never felt before. But rest assured you will eventually get some shut-eye!

I also learned quite a bit about diaper changing- like keeping a washcloth over Andrew so I didn't get peed on!

There was a point where I was getting weary due to the repetition of being a mommy - and the best advice I can give is to get some fresh air! Going for walks has made us both happier.

Being a mother has made my life feel complete. It's not easy, but it's so completely fulfilling.

Difficulties of Motherhood
by: Patricia

I just gave birth to a beautiful baby girl on February 9, 2010. I was very surprised to realize and experience how difficult becoming a mom has been.

I was warned that I would have to keep on waking up countless times in the middle of the night. I thought this was something I would get used to. I was wrong! I willingly woke up around 4 to 5 times in the middle of my sleep every night, but before long, I found myself very cranky. I was most cranky to my husband, and before long I realized I had neglected myself and changed into a different person.

Prior to having my child, my husband and I would go out every Friday night to have a date. Since my baby's birth, we have not been able to do this. I blamed him for having no time for me and for being cranky.

I finally got out of it when I overheard him talking to my friends that he questioned having the baby because I had changed so much! I was mad at first, but after a couple of days I realized he was right. I needed to stop my crankiness and my mood swings. I have been trying to regain control of my life and enjoy the life that I have wished for.

The Surprising Priority
by: Amanda K. Smith

The arrival of your new baby changes everything in and about your life including your priorites, but the priority that surprised me the most was myself!

I devoted every second of every day to my daughter. Like most new, first time moms, I thought I could not do enough for her or do everything good enough and fast enough. Yet in this consuming process, I neglected myself in nearly every way - from sleeping to eating to socializing.

It is surprising and often difficult to consider yourself a priority, but for obvious reasons you must do this! In order to take the best possible care of your little loved one, you must take care of yourself! I had to learn this the hard way, but fortunately, I learned. In doing so, I was able to enjoy more and function better as a mother.

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What surprised you the most about becoming a mom?

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What surprised you the most about becoming a mom?