Trusting Your Instincts

For the last two months, I have spent every minute of every day with my little dude. I wouldn’t change it for a thing. Most days, I wish there were more hours so I could cuddle him for a little bit longer.

Together we learned how to breastfeed and how he liked to be held. He learned that I am never far from him and I am always there to soothe + comfort him. I learned that he always makes a high-pitched squeal when he needs to be burped and he prefers to be burped over my shoulder. George has learned that his mommy and daddy love him a lot. And we’ve learned that our little dude loves us with all he has. Oh, and his smiles fill me with pride + makes my heart hurt all at the same time.

I am in no way a motherhood expert but truthfully, I have learned more than I thought possible. Don’t get me wrong, just when I think I’ve got something figured out, George surprises me and grows and learns new things + I am back to square one.

I by no means have it all organized and scheduled. We don’t follow much of a routine. We like our morning cuddles + we like to listen to music. George and I also very much know when it is witching hour, oh how we know.

There are so many opinions, choices, to do lists, and faux pas in regards to motherhood (and parenthood, in general!). I will think I am doing the right thing only to discover that Google suggests otherwise or the mama forums that I follow are full of different advice. It can become so overwhelming and annoying. All I want to do is care for my baby.

And that’s all I need to do. That’s all any mama needs to do.We don’t need to do something because it worked for our aunt/neighbour/grocery store cashier. We do what we need to do for our babies.

Now, this is no small task.

All babies are different; they’re people too! They have their own likes and dislikes + sometimes it takes a few moments to figure out what those are. And that’s okay. I have my moments of sitting, standing, rocking, jiggling, and finally realizing that GBB wants to be walked about…who needs cardio, really.

I would be lying if I said there were not moments where I felt as though I have failed George as his mommy. And those moments feel like an eternity.

Yes, the major baby meltdown in the car when I was trying to find parking at the hospital on our way to my six week check-up is at the top of my failed mommy list. It was H E L L.

There was nothing I could do for him.

He just woke up from a nap and was tired of being in his car seat + alone in the backseat (I get it!) and I was trying to drive the car/find adequate parking/not run anyone over/not break down in sobs/pump myself up for a good ol’ internal exam with the doctor.

As soon as I parked, I climbed over my seat and unbuckled my poor sobbing baby and comfort nursed him as fast as I could. He settled down in seconds + then looked up at me with his big blue eyes and smiled.

HE SMILED!

It was in that moment that I knew that he loved me + that I was a good mommy.

A good mommy who trusts her instincts. My instincts. You get the idea.

As hard as it may be (hello, self-doubt!), trusting your instincts is the best thing you can do for your baby + yourself! You are mommy. You are smart. You know how to care for your baby better than anyone else/any book/any website. You are fabulous.

Personally, I love love love talking about babies, parenting, motherhood, and learning about all the wonderful milestones that I have to look forward to and celebrating the milestones we have reached!

I don’t mind getting advice here + there but, honestly, I don’t get into conversations about the above topics with people that I know do not support me + allow me to have my own opinions and viewpoints. I discuss those things with friends, family, and other mommies that I know will back me up (even if they have different ways of handling their babies + kids!).

Unsolicited opinions and advice will happen + it may make your blood boil, but remember, don’t pay attention to any of the noise that upsets you or makes you doubt yourself as a mommy. You’re doing a wonderful job! The best job there is.

XO