My husband and I recently welcomed our son into the world. Although he is our second child, we are still having a bit of a rocky adjustment. I remember the crying, feeling tired, the constant diaper changes, and the struggle I had with breastfeeding when our daughter was born three and a half years ago, but I forgot about some of the other smaller struggles that come with having a new baby in the house. Here are seven signs you are living life with a newborn baby.
1. You live your life in three hour intervals.
The clock starts when your little one begins eating, and you know you only have a three hour window before the next feeding starts to get anything done.
2. You know what the clock says, but you’re not sure if it’s a.m. or p.m. without looking outside.
Sleep when the baby sleeps, if he or she sleeps. You’re taking naps at 8:00 in the morning and catching up on the news at 10:00 at night. Your sleep schedule makes absolutely no sense at all.
3. You’ve changed shirts four times before noon.
Burp cloths are like umbrellas – you never have one when you need it.
4. You literally cry over spilled milk.
Whether it’s the formula you spent money on and so carefully prepared, milk you’ve pumped, or milk that sprayed on the couch when your baby unlatched, it feels like a big deal. Go ahead, have a little cry.
5. Your entryway is filled with Amazon and Target boxes.
OK, so this might not be exclusive to life with a newborn, but gifts from your registry are still coming in. Also, when you’re living your life in three hour intervals, why drive to the store when you can have that 100th box of diapers delivered?
6. Your hygiene has never been worse.
Between the lack of time and lack of energy, you’re going to miss a few showers. Combine that with the fluctuating hormones that come after giving birth, and you’re a sweaty mess.
7. You’ve started noticing just how loud everything is.
Seriously, why does that lamp switch make so much noise when you pull it? Haven’t the lamp makers ever shared a room with a baby?!!
Adjusting to having a new baby in the house is extremely difficult, but it goes by quickly. There are also many sweet moments that come along with welcoming your new little one. I love how snuggly my little guy is and have been enjoying him discover new things.
Hang in there new parents, and savor the sweet moments you have now – you’ll be sleeping eight hours and wearing the same shirt all day before you know it.
