Parenting
0 min read
7 things I wish I knew before becoming a mom (A Mother’s Day reflection)
Cradlewise Staff
The first time I saw those two pink lines, I felt everything all at once—happiness, excitement, nervousness, and a little disbelief. I Googled everything, made lists, folded tiny onesies, and waited.
But nothing—no book or blog or checklist—could prepare me for what I would feel. The love. The overwhelm. The learning curve. The wonder.
Now, on this side of motherhood, I see things more clearly. So in honor of Mother’s Day, (and if you’re wondering when is Mother’s Day—it’s the second Sunday of May!) I want to share seven things I wish someone had told me before I became a mom. If you’re currently counting down to your due date—or you’re deep in the newborn days—I hope this helps you feel seen.
1. Your body is going to change, and that’s not a bad thing
Yes, it’ll look different. Softer, maybe. Stronger too.
But instead of seeing those changes as a loss, I wish I had known to see them as love letters.
Love letters in stretch marks.
In milk-stained shirts.
In tired eyes that stayed open all night just to keep a tiny someone safe.
New mom tip: Your postpartum body deserves compassion, not criticism. Focus on nourishment, hydration, and rest. Your body just built a whole human—that’s superhuman stuff.
<!– baby-brain-dev-module –>
2. The love will hit you like a wave—and sometimes, it won’t
I thought I’d feel an instant, movie-scene connection the second I met my baby.
Sometimes I did. Other times, it grew slowly, like a song I had to learn the lyrics to.
Both are okay. Both are love.
New mom tip: Bonding isn’t always instant. Skin-to-skin contact, eye contact during feeds, and talking to your baby help build a connection over time.
3. Sleep deprivation is real—but so is the magic of 3 a.m. snuggles
No one told me how sacred the middle of the night can feel.
When the house is quiet, and it’s just you and your baby—breathing in rhythm, heartbeats close.
It’s exhausting, yes. But also strangely beautiful.
New mom tip: Creating a calm bedtime routine and using gentle sleep aids can help you both rest a little easier.
4. You don’t have to be everything, all at once
Some days, the dishes won’t get done.
Some days, you’ll cry in the bathroom while your baby naps.
But guess what? You’re still an incredible mom.
You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to be present.
New mom tip: Pick one small win per day. A shower. A hot coffee. A walk around the block. Small victories are still victories.
5. You will lose parts of yourself—but you’ll also find new ones
I don’t go out as much. I can’t finish a cup of coffee while it’s still hot. But I’ve found patience I didn’t know I had.
A fierce kind of love that lives in my bones now.
The old me is still here—she’s just evolving.
New mom tip: Make space for something that still feels like you. A playlist. A podcast. A favorite snack. You’re still you—you’re just more now.
6. Every stage passes. The hard ones. The sweet ones. All of it.
One day, you’ll realize you haven’t done skin-to-skin in weeks.
One day, they won’t fall asleep on your chest anymore.
It’s okay to grieve those tiny goodbyes.
But oh, what beautiful new hellos are waiting on the other side.
New mom tip: Keep a memory jar or use your phone’s voice notes to capture little moments. You’ll be grateful for them later.
7. You’re the perfect mom for your baby
Not Instagram-perfect. Not “by-the-books” perfect.
But real. Human. Learning every day.
And exactly what your baby needs.
New mom tip: When in doubt, trust your instincts—and ask for support. Lean on your partner, your pediatrician, your mom group, your village. You don’t have to do this alone.
Happy Mother’s Day—you’re doing better than you think
Motherhood is messy, magical, and everything in between.
So this Mother’s Day, take a breath. Take a bow.
Whether you’re still counting kicks or juggling cluster feeds, just know:
You’re already doing the most important thing.
You’re loving your baby. And that’s more than enough.
You might also like
You may also like
