From the moment you find out you are pregnant, you know life will never be the same. Your mom, friends and family members will give you loads of advice about how to parent — from breastfeeding to sleep training. Once the baby comes, you are filled with both joy and fear about the journey that lies ahead.
Like many moms, I felt the first few weeks after my son was born were a blur. Trying to get out of the house was difficult, so I spent many days not even changing from my pajamas! Before I knew it, weeks turned into months. When my son was four months old I went back to work, and I quickly had to balance work and mom life. But rather than mourn my pre-baby life I began to reflect on the things I gained since becoming a mom. Here are five things that have helped me feel confident and happy being a first-time mom.
Multi-Tasker
When I am at work, I want to get my job done so I can devote my time and attention to my son at home. I find ways to simplify or combine tasks both at home and in the office. I’ve mastered one hand baby holding and diapering and am very proud of my newly toned arms — better know as “mommy biceps”. Learning to multi-task helps me use my time more wisely and reduce my stress and anxiety levels.
Coach
Think about it, you are mastering the art of coaching and mentoring from the moment your baby is born. Early on, my husband and I learned to soothe our son with music. As parents, we are our children’s first teachers/coaches and are key to showing them how to interact and succeed in the world.
Friendship
Friendships are bound to change once you have a child. You may see less of some friends, but mommyhood can also be a time for bonding with fellow moms. My friendships have improved with my mommy friends because I can ask their advice or just vent knowing they understand what I’m going through.
Friendship
Friendships are bound to change once you have a child. You may see less of some friends, but mommyhood can also be a time for bonding with fellow moms. My friendships have improved with my mommy friends because I can ask their advice or just vent knowing they understand what I’m going through.
Whisperer
I had to get up to speed quickly on learning my baby’s language — the sounds and motions he made. At first, it can be so stressful not knowing what your little one is trying to communicate to you. But once you master your baby’s language, you definitely feel like a superhero! Talk about learning a new language in a short amount of time!
Whisperer
I had to get up to speed quickly on learning my baby’s language — the sounds and motions he made. At first, it can be so stressful not knowing what your little one is trying to communicate to you. But once you master your baby’s language, you definitely feel like a superhero! Talk about learning a new language in a short amount of time!
Overrated
Don’t try to be a perfect mom and don’t compare yourself to other moms. Each baby and mom is different. Your baby loves you mistakes and all. You’ll know this by how he smiles and babbles when you enter the room.
Overrated
Don’t try to be a perfect mom and don’t compare yourself to other moms. Each baby and mom is different. Your baby loves you mistakes and all. You’ll know this by how he smiles and babbles when you enter the room.
What has helped me most in my journey is having a great support system at home and work, and setting aside a few moments of “me” time each day. There are definitely days where seeing the bright side is harder, because work is stressful and my baby is super cranky from teething. But each day that goes by I am more and more amazed at how much my son has grown, and how important I am to his growth and development. 
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Cross-Cradle Hold
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Clutch or “Football” Hold
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Cradle Hold
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Laid-Back Hold
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