The Newborn Phase: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

Our second son recently came charging into this world, seven minutes before midnight on Christmas day. Since he was due on December 18th, I have laughed and said that if he ever complains of having a Christmas day birthday I’ll just remind him that he was a week late in coming so I wasn’t waiting a second longer!

newborn phase
Photo Credit: Lindsay McGowan Photography

Our oldest son is now four years old, so with this addition to our family we’ve been thrown headfirst back into the world of newborn needs, which we had, for awhile, left behind. Back are diaper bags, leaky boobs, midnight feedings, spit-up stains, pacifiers, sweet baby coos, and piercing infant cries. Although it hasn’t been that long in the scheme of things since we had been here in this place, I was surprised at how many things I had forgotten about the infant phase (some good, some bad, and some downright ugly!), and also at how fast it all came back to me!

Are you in the middle of the newborn phase now? Is it just a hazy memory? This list of the good, bad, and ugly parts of mothering an infant will either have you smiling, sighing, or shuddering! (Maybe even all three!)

Nighttime:

newborn phaseThe Good

Quiet time during a 2 am feeding, just you and your baby.

The Bad

When baby has a giant poop after feeding, requiring a diaper change.

The Ugly

When the diaper change wakes baby up fully, causing him to either a.) cry inconsolably or b.) decide it is party time and refuse to go back to sleep.

Naptime:

The Good

Rocking your sweet baby down for a mid-day nap.

The Bad

Realizing that you are now stuck in this rocking chair for the next hour, because your overtired baby will only sleep in arms and is in desperate need of a long stretch of sleep.

The Ugly

Further realizing that you suddenly REALLY have to pee.

newborn phase
Photo Credit: Lindsay McGowan Photography

Nursing:

The Good

Guaranteed snuggles every few hours as you feed your baby.

The Bad

Neck pain, nipple pain, back pain from getting into strange positions for those “snuggles.”

The Ugly

Pumping…enough said!

Diapering:

The Good

Cloth diapers on little baby bottoms are so cute!!

newborn phase

The Bad

How do they go through so many in a day? Either you have a ton of garbage or a ton of laundry.

The Ugly

How can my adorable little baby make so much of something so disgusting when all he eats is milk? And how does that substance manage to defy gravity and make its way up the back and out the top of the onesie?

Overall:

The Good

Realizing that no matter the challenges, our family is a little fuller now with our new addition, and looking forward to all the adventures to come as a family of four.

newborn phase
Photo Credit: Lindsay McGowan Photography

Although it hasn’t been all sunshine and roses, I have to say I am enjoying this return to the Land of Nod. As a second time mom I’m a little more relaxed, a little less critical of myself, and a little more confident in my ability to keep this tiny human alive on a daily basis. With all its difficulties, the infant stage is such a short time, and before long he will be running around playing light sabers and super heroes with his older brother.

I’m sure this isn’t an exhaustive list! Second time parents out there, what things surprised you that you had forgotten from the newborn stage–good, bad, or ugly?

Sarah Bengtson
Sarah is a proud Iowa native who currently lives in North Liberty with her husband and 2 sons. She grew up in rural Benton county and moved to the Iowa City area in 2005 to attend graduate school at the University of Iowa in Physical Therapy. Now she balances raising two growing boys with a work as a pediatric physical therapist. Outside of work and family, Sarah loves music, playing her cello, running, baking, crochet, church activities, and cheering for the Hawkeyes and the Minnesota Vikings.

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