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This post is sponsored by Cord Blood Registry ® (CBR ®), but the opinions expressed here are my own.
Here we are… days away from meeting baby number 3. And being this close to her arrival, I just keep thinking about all of the things I wish I knew the first time around.
This was something I really struggled with just after our first was born. Sure, I felt protective; but I didn’t get that immediate, overwhelming feeling of pure joy. And the more I talked to others, the more I realized that this wasn’t that unusual. Thanks in part to social media, we would be made to believe that every mother feels an immediate and overwhelming connection with her newborn. But… that just isn’t the case.
2. The incredible benefits of cord blood banking, from birth and beyond.
Before I became a mom I had heard about cord blood banking, but I didn’t give it much thought beyond that. But being a mom changes a person. And a baby’s umbilical cord is made of tissue and contains blood, both of which are rich sources of stem cells that are unique and powerful. Preserving your newborn’s stem cells may give your child or an immediate family member the opportunity to use this resource for current cord blood therapies*!
The process to get set up is really simple. We enrolled online at cordblood.com and received a collection kit. We’ll be bringing our CBR collection kit with us to the hospital for number 3, and once the cord blood is collected we’ll call the medical courier (phone number is on the kit) and CBR will take care of the rest.
3. No phase lasts forever.
This is a really hard one for me. As someone who has struggled with postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety with both of my other children, I know — firsthand — how difficult it can be to see past the fog of sleepless nights and colicky screams. And the last thing any new mother wants to hear is “This won’t last forever,” because, in that moment, you absolutely cannot see that. It just isn’t helpful.
4. Do what you’ve gotta do.
You’ll get a lot of advice before becoming a mom. As a “seasoned” mom, I vow to not be one of those people who asks “Well have you tried ____?” Let’s just all assume that if someone is venting to you about their baby, they are not soliciting your advice, okay?
Just do what you’ve gotta do and feel no shame about it!
5. You will find your way.
Between the mistakes, the late nights, the tears, the questioning of yourself, and the literal crying over spilled milk, you will find your way. One day you’ll have a toddler and you’ll realize you did it. When you realize that, thank your people — whether that be your family, your spouse, your friends, or your Mama Tribe — just thank them.
You’ll all find solace in the fact that, yeah, that was rough. But we made it.
I absolutely love this post. Number 1 was so true for me this last time around. It can definitely throw you for a loop- but it is SO normal!
it really does take a village! you need all the support you can get!
These are all so important!! I can’t believe how close you are mama!!
There are so many things I wish I had known! I think the top for me is, treat yourself like you would a friend. I wish I had not been so hard on myself!
So interesting to read even if I’m not a mum yet, I’m not even close to be one but I like to read about it, I’m sorry you had to deal with post partum depression, hopefully you won’t get it this time!
These tips will definitely help some new moms out there, it’s so nice to know you are not alone in this journey
I wish I knew about cord banking with my kids!
I love this, so much truth here. I think you’ve touched on some great points that people don’t always talk about. Great post girlfriend thanks for your vulnerability.
So true! I wish I could go back and enjoy it a little more, knowing not every phase lasts forever. Now I have a 6 year old and I want him to stay tiny forever!
My husband and I have been talking about starting a family and I am not the most maternal. I really appreciate your honesty when it came to that bond with hour baby.
This is some really great advice for those that are going to be moms for the first time. I love the reminder also that not all phases last forever!
So many truths here! i love learning about cord banking, and i agree about it taking a village to raise a family!
It’s so true! I definitely needed to know this with my first baby.
You’ve shared some really great tips here that aren’t so often talked about before becoming a mama.
I wish I knew how incredibly fast everything goes so I could relax and enjoy the moments a bit more often. I can’t believe my tiny little baby will be seven years old next month!
This is all so true! Seasons and phases change so fast, something you don’t realize in the moment but can appreciate later!
This is a really beautiful post! I adore your candor and vulnerability, and you share such incredible insight. Thank you!
These are all so true! I am interested in CBB this time around too!
i also did not know much about blood cord banking and am definitely interested next time
My favorites are that no phase lasts forever and you’ll find your way. it really is true – and I have to remind myself of this often. Everything is just a season!
So many things to learn after having a baby! this was amazing for a new mom to check out
The biggest thing I wish I had known before becoming a first time mom was how much my child was going to blow my expectations. I had my psychology notes from college and thought I had an idea of how he was going to grow and develop. And he proved me wrong over and over and over. He blew my mind on an almost daily basis. Not in a bad way.
Great tips for new moms! Totally agree with you on “no phase will last forever” not what you want to hear “in the phase” lol, but so true. Great post!
These are such great words of advice and I wish every mom knew these things from the beginning!
As a grandmother now I’m always saying these things to our son and daughter-in-law and I love the way they are acting on this. They are trying to savor the moments.