Newborns Aren’t That Great. There, I Said It.

I don’t LOVE the newborn stage. I just don’t. When I confess this, I usually get the same reaction: shock, dismay, and a twinge of pity. But, every once and a while, I meet another mom whose eyes light up as they say “ME, TOO!”

I’ve decided that most women fall in one camp or the other. It’s like black licorice – you either love it or you hate it. This is not to say that the idea of newborns makes me want to gag. Trust me, I had plenty of moments oggling my own baby when he was only weeks old. I didn’t hate life. I didn’t hate my baby. In fact, it all seemed great.

newborn stage oogling baby

Until I learned better.

Looking back, I think of the newborn days like I think of middle school. Sure, there were some great memories. Sure, at the time it seemed fine, even great. I didn’t have any real trauma. In fact, I would say I was pretty lucky on both fronts. I thought I was really rocking it. BUT NOW I KNOW THE TRUTH.  I still wouldn’t go back to either of those times in my life if you paid me.

I know, I know, “One day you’ll look back when he’s all grown up and want to just snuggle him again!” I’m sure that’s true. But, I think it’s more true that on his wedding day I’ll most likely be remembering the day the entire family was giggling uncontrollably on the floor because he purposefully farted on my face (yes, ON.) Maybe it will be more sentimental than that. Maybe it will be when he told me he loved me for the first time. Whatever memories flash through my head, I just can’t imagine any of them being from those first few weeks or months.

What about the first moment you saw him? 

I literally thought, “Oh crap, he’s crying already and it’s MY job to fix it! Oh, and look, he’s got hair.”

newborns
Photo courtesy of Joyful Beginnings Photography in Kansas City.

What about the smell of a newborn?

I’ll just buy some baby lotion thank you very much.

What about when he grasped your finger for the first time?

Eh, it was a reflex. I was closer to tears the first time he asked to wear a bowtie on a random Wednesday.

I know I’m not the only one. I’ve met you – lots of you. Women who love their littles, but prefer them when they have a few tricks: like eye contact, or smiling for something beyond gas, or the ability to JUST TELL ME WHAT YOU WANT. That’s do-able. Even if what you want is ridiculous. A toddler throwing a fit becasue I “broke” his toast by cutting it is something I can work with. A bundle of “careful, I break in 17 ways and I think day is night and there’s really nothing you can do about it” is not.

newborn stage fragile

I’ll be genuinely excited for you when YOU have a baby. When I tell you how cute they are, I’m not lying. It’s authentic when I ask to hold them and I tell you how sweet they are. You’re just not going to hear me say, “Oh I miss this age so much!”

Because I don’t.

And that’s OK.

To all the other mamas whose ovaries don’t ache when they see a newborn: you are not alone! Let those other moms ooh and ahh over the squishy rolls and the floppy neck…or whatever it is that they all find so appealing.

 

 

 

 

Allison Brown
Allison grew up in the Wichita area with her husband. After graduating from K-State, they moved to Kansas City for five years. She left her job as a child development and parenting teacher to stay at home with their son, Eli. Their family moved back home to Derby where Eli is growing up close to family. As an added bonus, they also bask in the freedom that is the deepest bench of free babysitters imaginable. Attempting to find their "new normal" in an old and familiar hometown keeps them busy. She loves bargain hunting, making everything into an event (preferably with a theme), taking "an obscene amount" of photos of her son, and sugar.

3 COMMENTS

  1. Haha yes! I have never missed this stage ever! It was terrifying and confusing. Like you said, sure a toddler throws ridiculous fits but at least you can get to the bottom of why it’s happening even if it’s a ridiculous reason! I feel like I was just plain lucky to get through the newborn stage (heck the whole first year) because I never did know what I was doing.

  2. I totally agree! I love munch children but the newborn phase is always something that I’ve had to “muscle through” to get to the good stuff!

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