Dear New Mom,
I see you.
I see you hiding in your room trying to figure out if this was the best idea. Watching your newborn’s every move. Analyzing her every sound. I see you looking at your new, unknown body, pained in places you didn’t think would ever hurt. Crying when your baby cries because you just don’t know how to make her latch and you know you will just leave more frustrated and more sore.
I see you wondering if you are making the right choices. Confused by all the conflicting things people say: don’t hold them too much or they will get spoiled or hold them all the time because they grow up too fast and this time is to be treasured. I see you questioning if you should even be a mom. You think your baby deserves more.
New Mom, I see you.
Your baby deserves you! You are the right mom for your precious baby, and you are making the right choices. You will eventually learn your way into motherhood. There will be ups and downs, as there is in everything, but you will come out of it so much stronger.
Your child knows and loves you. No one, and I mean no one, can replace you in her life. It’s ok not to enjoy every minute of motherhood. Being a mom is hard work. But that doesn’t mean you don’t love your baby.
This time is short lived. Soon you will no longer question the consistency of every diaper. You will be able to sleep again. Your body will belong to you. You will know what advice to follow and when to smile kindly and say thanks. You will know what your child needs. This takes time. But you will get there.
New Mom, I see YOU.
Love,
Alicia
The Annual Mother’s Day Rally for Moms’ Mental Health is presented by Postpartum Progress, a national nonprofit that raises awareness & provides peer support for women who have postpartum depression and all other mental illnesses related to pregnancy and childbirth. To see some of the ways we provide moms support, visit http://postpartumprogress.org/community/.
