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March 2014 Moms
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Things you didn't know you didn't know before becoming a mom

kaking78kaking78 member
in March 2014 Moms
This is inspired by a realization my husband this past weekend. He didn't know that he didn't know how to spoon feed a baby. He was under the impression that you could just continuously shovel food into the baby's mouth but between bites J wanted to play with the spoon, explore the high chair, and generally interact with MH. He thought that the kiddo just wouldn't eat for him. After a few more tries it finally dawned on him that for babies eating solids is more about the learning experience than the food.

In retrospect, what aspect of parenting did you not know you were clueless about until after you became a mom?
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Re: Things you didn't know you didn't know before becoming a mom

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  • angelsnightangelsnight member
    I didn't know how easy it was to forget to buckle your kid into their car seat.
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    Lilypie - (YesX)

     My Pregnancy/Parenting BLOG TTC since 5/2011, BFP #1 12/3/11, M/C 12/7/11 @ 4wks 2d. Began seeing RE Sep 2012. October 2012 Metformin 1500 mg= ovulation on CD34 BFP#2 11/14/12 9DPO, EDD 7/26/13, DX Gestational Diabetes @14 wks, our angel born sleeping 3/24/13 @ 22wks 2d. BFP #3 7/4/13 8DPO EDD 3/22/14, DX Gestational Diabetes @14 wks. started insulin @16 wks.  Our rainbow, born 3/19/14 @ 39wks 6d., we're so in love!

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  • bumpuser10054788bumpuser10054788 member
    I remember the first time we tried to give LO medicine from a syringe (we were trying out a reflux med). She kept spitting it out and we couldn't figure out how to get her to swallow. We thought we could just squirt it all directly into her mouth while she was sitting in my arms. We ended up calling the nurse who explained that I should have her recline and squirt a little at a time into her cheek.

    I also didn't realize how much work (and potentially struggle) breastfeeding could be. I had attended a class, but it was more of a breastfeeding cheerleading session than applicable knowledge. It covered a few holds, all the benefits of BFing, and the "evils" of formula, but didn't cover what to do if you had trouble. They made it sound easy. I still feel really let down by that class, because I feel like maybe if I had been better prepared, maybe I would have been more successful.
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  • BTBergstromBTBergstrom member
    How hard the newborn phase was!! No one talks about I feel like had no idea and was a bit unprepared!
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  • bananna4bananna4 member
    How strong an angry baby can be :) LO really hates it when we try to wipe food off his face or the snot from his nose and will thrash around like he's fighting for his life - I almost dropped him the one time because he pushed away from me so hard. He lets me clip his nails though... Go figure!!
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  • alfriedeckalfriedeck member

    I agree with the breast feeding.  Such a struggle especially since I am very large,  it took both hands to keep her from suffocating! 

    My number one was the extent of the exhaustion.  I knew I would be tired, I knew I would spend many night awake with her,  I just did not understand that even when she sleeps I don't sleep soundly anymore.  Always have one ear tuned to the monitor.  The extent of the exhaustion amazed me.  

    Also how much she changed my life,  in a good way but still it has changed.  My world revolves around that one tiny human and her needs.  I love my husband but the depth of love I feel for this tiny human is unreal

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  • zartistericazartisterica member
    I didn't know that I would enjoy breastfeeding as much as I do. 

    Plus that I would somehow have increased energy with lack of sleep. 
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  • myfriendscallmemegmyfriendscallmemeg member
    All of the rules about introducing foods to baby. I knew the big ones--no honey, no hot dogs, but had no idea people were so strict about when and what they introduce first.
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  • SurpriseAt39SurpriseAt39 member
    NanaCook said:

    All of the rules about introducing foods to baby. I knew the big ones--no honey, no hot dogs, but had no idea people were so strict about when and what they introduce first.

    I started with steak. Was I wrong?
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  • myfriendscallmemegmyfriendscallmemeg member
    SurpriseAt39 said:

    NanaCook said:

    All of the rules about introducing foods to baby. I knew the big ones--no honey, no hot dogs, but had no idea people were so strict about when and what they introduce first.

    I started with steak. Was I wrong?
    If you're common folk. My little princess got prime rib for her first meal.
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  • BethRN1987BethRN1987 member
    I didn't realize how hard it is to entertain 7 month olds.
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  • lindsey1031lindsey1031 member
    babycaps said:
    Breastfeeding. I thought it would have been MUCH easier.
    And I never thought I would make such a big deal out of sleep, but sleep is a BIG deal at our house.  We are that couple that will miss an even bc we know our child needs a nap in the mornings.  So we schedule things around nap schedules.  It's actually only interfered a couple of times.
    We do skip naps here and there, but we end up paying for it.

    I though travel would have been harder. So far, so good and we've traveled quite a bit with LO.
    Couldn't have said it better!  We are the same with naps and sleep here.  Never knew I didn't know about baby sleep!
               

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  • HKline922HKline922 member
    BethRN1987 said:
    I didn't realize how hard it is to entertain 7 month olds.

    I don't know about your baby, but mine (who's 7.5 months old now) is really into interaction with me and hubby. I mean, the whole making faces, mocking each other's sounds, being down on the floor while she's playing...

    I just bought 2 toys for standing and while she does pull up and play, she resorts to clinging to me and pulling up on my pants. Just tonight I thought, damn, this child doesn't really play independently! She loves her Mama and Daddy along side her the most! I've learned that if I want to get up to do something simple like check email, pour a glass of wine, or take my bra off, I gotta be quick or give her something she's never seen. Oh, and she's def in the repetition stage. On the couch, off the couch, on the couch, off the couch.... 

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  • linzerdlinzerd member
    How breastfeeding would single handedly be the hardest thing I would ever do. Between cluster feeding, nursing to sleep, my nipples being constantly irritated and uncomfortable, pumping at work, worrying about my supply, finding the right pump and shield size, or dealing with my psychotic mother who just doesn't understand because she didn't do it.
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  • BethRN1987BethRN1987 member
    @HKline922‌ yep! If I go into the kitchen she cries as she's crawling to get me then pulls at my pants until I pick her up. She has to go everywhere with me- laundry- toilet- she plays in the bathroom floor while I shower. It's a great feeling but also frustrating at same time.

    A lot of the time she doesn't even know what she wants so she just wines and crawls around while I'm offering everything under then sun. Food - diaper change- this toy- that toy- ect
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  • scrumpfyscrumpfy member
    NewMomma8 said:

    I didn't realize the worry and constant fear I would have. I'm in no way over protective, but my heart constantly aches over the thought of something happening to her or me not being here to see her grow up.

    This, so much. I never had unfounded anxiety like this. Having dependents has turned me crazy.
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  • lazyreaderlazyreader member
    Oh damn. We revolve around naps too. 

    What I didn't realize was how much this child can eat. You see these cute jars growing up and hear about how you can't seal it with the leftovers or they will spoil for whatever reason. and I'm like oh ok so little bits. NBD. LOL@me.

    Also didn't know about skin weirdness. Diaper Rash vs Yeast. dry skin and eczema and cheese.  

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  • amybug13amybug13 member
    Pretty much every single thing on this board.

    I knew everyone would have opinions but I didn't realize how often I would defend my parenting choices.

    Breastfeeding. It was so much harder the first month than I ever expected. I also did not expect to enjoy it as much as I do.

    Being a "mama's girl." I always wanted her to want to be with me but I didn't know what I was asking for. If I try doing ANYTHING, dd comes too.

    I also didn't expect my relationship with DH to change so significantly. We were warned but weren't prepared.

    I can go on for days but I'll stop there. Although my life has changed in unimaginable ways, I wouldn't have it any other way. :)
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  • kaking78kaking78 member
    BethRN1987 said:
    I didn't realize how hard it is to entertain 7 month olds.
    J's easy to entertain. All I have to do is let him near something mildly dangerous or that I'd rather he not destroy. Entertain and keep safe is another story.
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  • KewiiKewii member
    I didn't know how much of a softee I would become. I thought I'd be much more consistent and hard core when it comes to sleep or whining. But nope. She gets what she wants every time.

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  • jrw526jrw526 member
    FarmBoysWife said:
    I didn't know I was going to be tortured so much by a Silly Little Blue Train and all his cronies... for hours and hours everyday of my life. This includes TV shows, hundreds of pieces of track around my house, soundtracks, bedding, and books. 
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    STORY OF MY LIFE. Be my new BFF. @disneyaddict1 you're fired!
    This is my life!  Why is all so expensive?!? 

    Pro tip: AC Moore sells the Thomas stuff and it's almost always 40% off.  If it's not you can use a coupon.  Life saver!


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  • amandoza23amandoza23 member
    I didn't know how much just being a mom would mean to me. Everything I thought a mother is or should be completely changed. I didn't know the love for my daughter would be all consuming. I've never been more tired or more happy. I also didn't know that I would have some form of bodily fluid on my clothes at all times...
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  • jrw526jrw526 member
    AC Moore, it's a craft store.
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  • CruiseGirl28CruiseGirl28 member
    I didn't realize how much I would spoil DD. I thought that she would fit into our lives, but we have fit into hers. She gets whatever she wants.

    Also I thought that if we did something (such as dinner with family), I just thought we would bring her. I didn't realize we would basically be staring at her the whole time and barely talk to our family.

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  • yalllowyalllow member
    jrw526 said:
    FarmBoysWife said:
    I didn't know I was going to be tortured so much by a Silly Little Blue Train and all his cronies... for hours and hours everyday of my life. This includes TV shows, hundreds of pieces of track around my house, soundtracks, bedding, and books. 
    image
    STORY OF MY LIFE. Be my new BFF. @disneyaddict1 you're fired!
    This is my life!  Why is all so expensive?!? 

    Pro tip: AC Moore sells the Thomas stuff and it's almost always 40% off.  If it's not you can use a coupon.  Life saver!


    I need you both to know.... I just bought another 75 dollars worth of this shit just so he could have the Cranky the Crane and the freaking helicopter. FML
    Domesticated: 1 Hubs; 2 sons; 3 cats; & Broke
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